Hey everyone..

My parents are visiting for Christmas and I need some way of entertaining them. What's on around Christmas? Also - my Dad would like to go to Christmas Mass. I'm not really a church-goer so can anyone let me know where they are the Asian side of Istanbul.

TIA everyone.. and Merry Christmas

Ally.

Ally

I was wondering the same thing only yesterday. I think a lot of people come to Istanbul to escape Xmas

Starman has dropped a list of churches in the Istanbul section (places of worship) if you havent see it already - theres one in Moda.

For Xmas we generally head for brunch at one of the 5 star hotels on the 25th. Last year we also got a full cooked turkey with all the trimmings on a huge tray delivered from Divan Pastanesi in Anadolu Hisarı (not cheap but bloody excellent). I'll be getting another this year if they are still doing them.

Other than that - drink, drink and more drink

Have a good one, FBT

Thanks FBT.

Heh I've never lived in a country that celebrates Xmas, the last thing I want is to escape it Don't suppose anyone else is hoping for a nice white christmas? Y'know, the kind where Istanbul comes to a standstill and schools close.. *sigh*..

Sounds great about Divan. I was wondering how I was going to fit a whole turkey in my little oven.. tiny flat with tiny kitchen makes for a daunting Christmas. When you say not cheap, how not cheap exactly?

Found the list of churches - is any one else planning on attending a Christmas service? If there's a church that's particularly popular/preferred I'd rather choose by recommendation than just going to the closest one and find it deserted.. Also any christmas bazaars etc around?

Ally.

Dont hold your breath for a white xmas in Istanbul - İf you want snow - do what we're doing and head for the ski slopes - we're off to Uludağ for bayram

You,re right about the oven being too small - the turkey dinner came on a 50 cm tray and would feed an army....we were eating it for days...not sure how much it cost - I guess approx. 150YTL though Im probably wrong. you can always call them:-

"life" Restaurant (changed name from Divan)
Anadolu Hisarı Mah. Göksu Göztepe Yolu MMM Migros
Anadolu Hisarı – İstanbul
Tel: 0 216 668 09 25

xmas bazaars - yakamoz posted 3 on the Activity Ideas section - which you've already missed all 3! Pay more attention!

I believe the services in All Saints Moda are conducted inTurkish language so it be better for your father to head for one of the churches on the European side.

St Esprit in Harbiye (across from the Hilton) has a midnight mass on Xmas eve in English, though I;ve never been because my kid would never make it till 12... St. Antoine probably does too. i liked St. Antoine's average Sunday mass better, reminded me more of the stuff I was used to back in the midwest. Bith churches are worth a touristic visit anyway, St Esprit was designed by some famous armenian architect that designed the gates of Dolmabahce palace. And if you are really nice to the bekci, Zedik Bey, he might take you to the basement and show you the random box of old bones...

24.12.2007 17:00 Mass at St. Paul, Büyük Çiftlik Sokak 14, Nisantasi (http://www.stpaul.de)
24.12.2007 16:00 Mass at Kreuzkirche, Aynalicesme Emin Camii Sokak 40, Beyoglu (http://www.evkituerkei.ag.vu)
25.12.2007 10:00 Mass at St. Georg, Bankalar Cad. Kart Cinar Sokak 2, Karaköy (http://www.sg.org.tr)

These masses might be in German, I'm not sure.

(No, I'm not religious and I would never attend any of these, but hope it helps entertaining your dad, Ally!)

Hey Ally,

U can get a whole turkey from Macrocenter, they're approx 5.5kg each (not too big) and are going for 6.90 YTL per kg.
They are uncooked though. Also saw Christmas Stollen and Panettone there.

If you're after Cranberry Sauce, there's some in the food section on the top floor of Harvey Nic's in Kanyon.

For Xmas Mass, I'd reccommend St Esprit Catherdral or St Antoine on Iskitlal Cad cos both are pretty nice inside.

Merry Christmas!

also cranberry sauce available in Girign Et Sitesi, Valikonagi Caddesi, Nisantasi (I should ask the owners for commission!)

Great info, Blush, I was going to ask about where to buy oven-fittable turkeys!

Do you have a good recipe as well by any chance??

http://www.yemeksepeti.com/

Someone sent me info on a company called "Cuisine Catering Group" working through yemeksepeti who are doing Christmas and New Year dinners.

Look in "What's New" and then click "Cuisine Noel & Yılbaşı Menüsü"

Do you mean I should rather not cook the turkey myself? Might be better, for me and the turkey, indeed. Thanks.