Turkey

New luxury lifestyle hotel brand EDITION is set to make its European debut in Istanbul in April, hot on the heels of the opening of the brand's first property on Oahu, Waikiki EDITION, last October.

But if you're a fan of the Hawaii property, don't expect a carbon copy, at least in terms of aesthetics.

Situated within the city's lively Levent neighborhood, known for its Kanyon mall and impressive skyline, the Istanbul EDITION will be an urban resort offering a mix of Eastern and Western influences, the signature creative direction of Ian Schrager and the high-touch service of Marriott.

The starting point? A tall, domed lobby; a fundamental mark of traditional Ottoman style realized here with a modern twist. Eastern touches are present throughout: walls, ceilings and floors are lined with mosaic tiles, a cornerstone of traditional Byzantine architecture, and public spaces are gracefully bejeweled with bronze and gold leaf reminiscent of Ottoman style in all of its splendor. Traditional hanging lamps are featured in the guest rooms while Gold Bar's VIP seating area has taken its inspiration from traditional Turkish Tea Rooms. Leather tufted ottomans are surrounded by u-shaped seating influenced by old Bosphorus villas that featured such rooms for socializing, relaxing and smoking. The long-standing ritual of the Hammam is clearly reflected in the unparalleled spa offerings.

Turkish officials are moving to seize the 446-ft. Savarona (above), the world's seventh largest yacht, in the wake of the dramatic prostitution raid on the ship off the Turkish coast which we first reported on Friday. Authorities charged that the megayacht, which is owned by the Republic of Turkey, was being run as a floating brothel by the unnamed businessman who had been renting it for $40,000 per day. Clients paid $3,000 to $10,000 per night to have sex with one or more Russian and Ukrainian fashion models, some of whom were underage and are being deported, according to reports.

A sometime business associate of Donald Trump, real estate mogul Tevfik Arif, was among those taken into custody when armed police arrived in helicopters to find an orgy in full swing. Built by Blohm + Voss in 1931 for an American heiress, the lavishly refurbished yacht features accommodations for 34 guests with 260 tons of polished marble, a swimming pool, turkish bath, 282-foot gold-trimmed grand staircase, movie theater, library and helipad. Celebrities who have stayed aboard her include Prince Charles, the Sultan of Brunei, Nicole Kidman, Sharon Stone, Hugh Grant and Tom Cruise, though so far there is no evidence any of them did so while the brothel was in operation.

UPDATE at 6:00pm ET on May 16, 2012: Tevfik Arif was acquitted of all charges in April 2011, according to The Guardian.

The incredible 446-ft. Savarona (above), the seventh largest yacht in the world, was the site of a dramatic helicopter raid by police off the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey the other day. New York-based property developer Tevfik Arif, a sometime business partner of Donald Trump, is being questioned by Turkish police as a suspected organizer of an international ring of high-priced prostitutes that operated on the yacht, Bloomberg reports. Built by Blohm + Voss in 1931 for an American heiress, the superyacht is owned by the Republic of Turkey and was available for charter at $50,000 per day. The lavishly refurbished yacht features accommodations for 34 guests with 260 tons of polished marble, a swimming pool, turkish bath, 282-foot gold-trimmed grand staircase, movie theater, library and helipad. Celebrities who have stayed aboard her include Prince Charles, the Sultan of Brunei, Nicole Kidman, Sharon Stone, Hugh Grant and Tom Cruise.

In addition to Arif, businessmen from Russia and high-level government officials were taken into custody aboard the Savarona by Turkish military police following a seven-month investigation into an international prostitution ring, Bloomberg reports. The men paid $3,000 to $10,000 per night to have sex at sea with Russian and Ukrainian fashion models, some of whom were underage. 10 Russian and Ukrainian women suspected of prostitution were also detained in the operation. When police arrived at the yacht around midday they found everyone in bed. Arif's lawyer Engin Agyuzlu stated that his client is the victim of a "smear campaign" and will "vigorously defend himself in any court of law." Arif is chairman of Bayrock Group LLC, a property group that partnered with the Trump Organization to build the SoHo Hotel Condominium and a Trump Tower in Florida.

UPDATE at 6:00pm ET on May 16, 2012: Tevfik Arif was acquitted of all charges in April 2011, according to The Guardian.

Some 2,500 years ago, the warm waters between Greece and what is now Turkey were filled with the warring fleets of Persia's King Xerxes and his Greek foes. These days, the ships sailing through the Aegean are of a much more peaceful variety-none more majestic than the vessels of Sea Cloud Cruises, the winner of the Luxist award in the best summer cruise category.

One of Sea Cloud's most popular itineraries takes guests from Athens through the Greek Isles to Turkey and back again. The eight-day trip includes stops at Delos, an entire island designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; Rhodes, where the Palace of the Grand Master still stands; and Bodrum, the Turkish town that was once home to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the original seven wonders of the world.

Luxist readers have nominated their favorite cruises to take around the world during the summer months. From Istanbul to Hong Kong and Egypt, what these cruises have in common are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see the world while enjoying luxurious accommodations and other incredible amenities. What's best, is you will be able to explore the beauty and culture of faraway places without having to spend half of your time in confusing and crowded airports.

The top five cruises to take during the summer, according to our readers, are:

The Yachts of Seabourn's Fabled Far East Cruise

The Yachts of Seabourn's Fabled Far East Cruise (seen in photo above) offers a 24-day itinerary that begins in Bangkok, Thailand and ends in Kobe, Japan, with stops in five cities along the Pacific coastline. The first week includes stops in Vietnam's sprawling Ho Chih Minh City and bustling port of Da Nang before chugging over to Hong Kong, where shore excursions include a helicopter ride and high tea at the Peninsula Hotel.

Week two starts with a journey to mainland China's seaside city of Xiamen; the trip continues with two days in Shanghai, the "Paris of China," and wraps up with a day on the Yellow Sea. The third week takes visitors to South Korea, first to the mountain-backed city of Mokpo, then to Jeju, a volcanic island formed from eruptions nearly 2 million years ago. The trip ends with stops at Nagasaki, Kagoshima and Kobe, Japan.

The Fabled Far East cruise takes place on the Seabourn Pride, a boat that boasts both a restaurant and spa. Best Available Fares per person, based on double occupancy, start at $11,400 for wait list spot, while the brochure fare is $22,800. Fares go all the way up to $32,800 for a wait list spot in a deluxe owner's suite (the stated brochure fare is $65,600), not including airfare.

Some 2,500 years ago, the warm waters between Greece and what is now Turkey were filled with the warring fleets of Persia's King Xerxes and his Greek foes. These days, the ships sailing through the Aegean are of a much more peaceful variety-none more majestic than the vessels of Sea Cloud, a nominee for a Luxist award in the best summer cruises category.

One of Sea Cloud's most popular itineraries takes guests from Athens through the Greek Isles to Turkey and back again. The eight-day trip includes stops at Delos, an entire island designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; Rhodes, where the Palace of the Grand Master still stands; and Bodrum, the Turkish town that was once home to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the original seven wonders of the world.

For those wishing to venture farther East, Sea Cloud's Athens-Cyprus trip includes stops at Knossos, island home of the fabled Minotaur; Latakia and Aleppo, one of the world's oldest continually-inhabited cities; and Tartarus, home to the Krak de Chevaliers, a Christian castle from the time of the first crusade. The trip terminates in the Cypriot city of Lanarca.

Both itineraries (which start at $3,995 per person and go all the way up to $7,995 person, not counting an early booking discount of $500) feature one of two ships: the Sea Cloud and the Sea Cloud II. The latter bristles with teak and brass, holds 94 people and is sure to instill envy in any observer-perhaps even King Xerxes himself.

Vote for the Summer Cruise that you think is the best of breed. The winner will be announced on September 1st.

If your thoughts are already vacation-centered let me help you on your way. Travel site TripAdvisor has created a list of the top ten most amazing hotel pools from around the world as ranked by TripAdvisor editors and travelers. What makes a pool a top ranker? The view is a major factor, an infinity edge is a help, basically the pool has to transport the lucky swimmer into another world.

The top spot went to the Hotel Caruso Ravello in Ravello, Italy shown above. The hotel is situated on top of the mountains on the Amalfi coast. The 11th century palace has a heated infinity pool that offers timeless views.

If you aren't familiar with Turkish cuisine you are missing out. Turkish cooking is as varied as the country itself. Influenced by its position at the crossroads of Western and Eastern civilizations, the cuisine represents a melding of various traditions. The Istanbul Culinary Institute has created programs to help tourists explore the full wealth of the cuisine. The Institute has just announced their line-up of summer and fall programs featuring carefully curated culinary tours throughout the Southeastern and central regions of Turkey, led by some of the best known women chefs and food writers of Turkey. There is also a special "crash course" on Turkish cooking, offering visitors an intensive five-day culinary educational experience at the ICI. Click through after the jump for three tours:

The floating oligarch's palace known as Red Square built by Turkish shipyard Dunya Yachts has been listed for sale at $86 million. The 236-ft. steel superyacht which has not one but two helipads is being fitted out like a "floating bordello" in preparation for delivery to some profligate billionaire in 2011. Designed by Diana Scott from the Monaco based studio Sterling Scott with naval architecture by Taka Yachts and interior flourishes by "master of overstatement" Alberto Pinto, Red Square can accommodate up to 16 guests in sickeningly luxurious staterooms. In addition to the two helipads, she features an infinity pool, Jacuzzi, and massive exterior entertaining spaces. Power-wise twin 3,150 hp Caterpillar diesels deliver a maximum speed of 17 knots, a cruising speed of 14 knots and a range of 4,200 nautical miles at cruising speed - hopefully more than enough to outrun your creditors.

[via JamesList]

What is the best way to have a Thanksgiving spread that turns out looking like the glossy photographs in your favorite foodie magazine? I'm sure some readers are expecting a list, organizational techniques or special tips on how to create the perfect meal when you are working full time.

It seems that a better idea is to not slave over the stove, but take you and your family to the nearest upscale restaurant for the special meal. Eat, drink and relax, the turkey will be cooked to perfection. Handing the responsibility for a beautifully cooked Thanksgiving feast over to someone else might even make spending the day with your annoying cousins just that much more bearable.

Another bonus of not preparing your own Thanksgiving meal at home is that often the menu includes items for those at the table who really don't like turkey. It may be considered heresy, but there are many who, out of hunger, force down what is often a dry uninspired main course because that is the only option. There is often at least one vegetarian at every table who sits glumly while the rest of the guests are feasting.

For example, at Ken Aretsky's Patroon in New York City, pictured above, executive chef Bill Peet presents a family-style menu in the warm dining room of this midtown restaurant. In addition to the traditional free range turkey with all the old fashioned fixings (mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted Brussel sprouts and giblet gravy) you will find chateaubriand as well as Scottish salmon for the vegetarians in your group. The restaurant will charge $85 per adult and $45 per child for the meal. Whether you live in the tri-sate region, are in the area visiting family or to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade I can't think of a better way to make you meal truly stress free.

For those of you who live around the country and are watching the parade or the games on t.v., there are great Thanksgiving menu options at the Craft and Craftsteak restaurants, run by the award winning chef Tom Colicchio, located in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. (New York too!) The restaurants offer holiday prix fixe menus - everything is served family style, except the choice of main course.

Leave the turkey in the freezer, save it for a random winter weekend, and eat out!

When you're throwing a lavish Thanksgiving dinner, it's good to keep some things simple. The decor doesn't have to be over the top; anything too fancy may appear to be "trying to hard." There are two things to splurge on: The drinks and the food.

While there are endless options for amazing wines and and fabulously presented after-dinner drinks (red lacquer Grand Marnier bottle, anyone?), the main dish says the most about the dinner.

So, what's a luxury turkey? Bypass the supermarket and go for the gold: Designer turducken.

Chef Ryan Farr and San Francisco's chic 4505 Meats have teamed up to create a a totally mouth-watering combination of turkey, duck and chicken (above) which "comes on a bed of root vegetables in a roasting pan and includes an electric thermometer with a preset alarm on it, making it simple for home cooks to follow the directions and pull the bird from the oven when the thermometer beeps." If you're in SF, you can order one from 4505 Meats for $200-$225 (15 or 20 pound turduckens, which will feed 14 or 18) and pick it up in the Portero neighborhood or have it shipped (at an additional cost); just get your order in by November 20.

If you're not in San Francisco, there are a number of other websites where you can get a perfectly good turducken, including cajungrocer, herbertsmeats, or you can even hit up Sam's Club for Tony Chachere's® Cornbread Turducken at a delicious price (but you didn't hear that from us).

For a holiday like Thanksgiving, it's a good idea to let the meal speak for itself. If everyone's enjoying the food, nobody's talking (and nobody's fighting).

The Martha Stewart branding train is rolling on with a new food line just in time for Thanksgiving. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.has partnered with The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. to introduce a new Martha Stewart-branded food line that includes poultry from Plainville Farms, baking mixes from Arrowhead Mills and dried pastas from DeBoles. The Martha Stewart-branded products will launch with a line of fresh and frozen vegetarian-fed and antibiotic-free turkeys from Hain Pure Protein's Plainville Farms in time for Thanksgiving 2009. In a press release Stewart said, " I'm delighted to be offering consumers antibiotic-free, vegetarian-fed turkeys that are moist, tender, and absolutely delicious." The Martha Stewart website already has a place where you can order the bird online for $69.99 for a 12-pound bird. You can also download Martha's Turkey 101 guide should you need additional help. Add in some Martha table linens and Martha Stewart-branded wine and it's a very Martha Thanksgiving.

To save the environment is to save your ass, and a new underwear company is making both more comfortable. PACT, which launched last month, integrates organic materials and a low-impact manufacturing, shipping and shopping process to deliver comfort and style ... but not at the expense of the rainforests and ozone layer. Premium organic is poised to become the next iteration of conspicuous luxury (if it's not there already), and hiding a PACT product under your jeans could someday supplant a Patek-clad wrist.

Well, maybe that's wishful thinking from an ol' tree-hugger, but there is no doubt that the premium associated with environmentally friendly products is already beginning to carve out its own space in the world of luxury products.

Manufactured in Turkey – from the farming of organic cotton to finished product, all within a 100-mile radius – PACT underwear requires a lower level of carbon emissions to produce, and every link in the supply chain, the company says, is certified to exceed the highest environmental standards. Where no certification exists, PACT uses social expectations as its benchmark (and not the expectations of a guy who clubs seals for sport). Packaging for shipping bags is compostable and encloses another bag, made from cloth scraps and reusable.
The company eschews filler, plastic and big cardboard boxes.

"We looked at underwear through the lens of 360º design," says Jeff Denby, PACT Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder. "Having fuseproject as an equity partner in PACT illuminates the fundamental importance of design to the PACT brand. Our collaboration is key to generating what we believe are the most innovative ideas at the intersection of business, design and sustainability."

World renowned Turkish jewelry designer Atelier Minyon is finally in the United States, having opened a classy little shop in Soho, New York City, at 155 Spring Street.

Enchanted by their window, I stopped into their Soho shop one morning last week while they were still spritzing the sparkling glass cases. I was enthralled by the variety I found -- everything from elegant, bejeweled floral brooches to very exotic, bright yellow gold cuffs.

Their jewelry is bold and inventive, while maintaining an elegant, family relic feel. These pieces call up the grandeur of vintage design -- these are the kind of pieces that become heirlooms. Check out some of the exotic and dazzling designs below, and visit the Atelier Minyon website here.

Russian billionaire Sergei Polonsky (#962 on the Forbes list) is looking to downsize. Polonsky is putting some of his assets on the block to save his construction company in Russia. He bought the five-star Sungate Port Royal hotel in Antalaya, Turkey for $340 million but it is being reported that he may be willing to sell for a bargain price, possibly as low as half that number. The money from the sale would go into his company to help finish some building projects. He has also been quoted as saying that he will be selling his yacht and a mansion along the Cote d'Azur in order to put money into Mirax, his real estate development company.