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A walk in Oxford

A visitor to Oxford has stopped an Oxford undergraduate and asked the naive yet forgivable question, ''Where is the university?'' In fact, the 39 colleges that make up Oxford University are scattered throughout the streets and lanes of the city.

''Where is the university?''

As a result, one of the best ways to explore both the town and the university is on foot. Begin your tour at St Giles' Church at the junction of Woodstock and Banbury Road. Heading south down St Giles', you will soon see the famous Martyr's Memorial. Beaumont Street on your right is home to the Ashmolean (England's oldest museum, it dates back to 1683) and the luxurious Randolph Hotel. St Giles' leads on to Cornmarket Street, the hub of Oxford life. At the meeting point of Cornmarket, High Street, Queen Street and St Aldate's stands one of the most famous crossroads in the world: Carfax. Climb the 99 steps of the 13th-century Carfax Tower for a stunning view of the city.

101 chimes

Heading straight down Cornmarket Street, you will soon find yourself in St Aldate's. The first street on the left, Blue Boar Street, is home to the Museum of Oxford. Oxford's most famous college, Christ Church, stands a little further down St Aldate's. 'The House', as it is affectionately called, is well known for Tom Tower which houses 'Great Tom', a bell that chimes 101 times at 9:05 pm every evening to commemorate the original 101 students of the college and the time they were supposed to be in bed. Christ Church has recently served as the setting for some scenes in the Harry Potter films, which has only added to its allure with tourists.Both the city and university of Oxford boast some illustrious residents including Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, JRR Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi, Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr Bean), Virgin's Richard Branson and writer Colin Dexter. But Oxford remains primarily a seat of learning, and its most evocative and inspiring building is the Bodleian Library, which has a copy of every book published in Britain since 1610.

Oxford, the capital of romance

To round off your tour of Oxford, indulge in a spot of shopping at the Covered Market off the High Street and experience the singular joy of punting down the Thames, known here as the "Isis". At the end of a long day, enjoy a pint of cold ale at the pub under Folly Bridge. Oscar Wilde once called Oxford the capital of romance. As the sun sets on its dreaming spires, Oxford inspires not only grand thoughts but also great romances.

Climate

The best time to visit Oxford is in spring, summer and autumn. However, Oxford can experience four seasons in one day, so make sure to carry a sweatshirt and umbrella with you at all times.

Currency

We recommend that you convert your cash into pounds before you travel. Most banks and bureaux de change charge commission.

How to get there

THY and British Airways have several flights a day to London. From Heathrow, the 'Oxford Tube' and 'National Express' buses provide 24-hour service to Oxford. The journey takes about one hour. THY Tel: 444 0 849

Visas

Turkish citizens need visas to enter the UK. Schengen visas are not applicable. For visa, consulate and embassy information, see www.thegate.com.tr www.gatetoturkey.com

Where to stay

Oxford offers everything from elegant Victorian-style boutique hotels to simple, inexpensive bed&breakfasts. Whatever your budget, you will find a hotel to suit your needs. The Old Parsonage: Experience luxury and 17th-century charm. www.oldparsonage-hotel.co.uk Tel: + (44) 1865 310210. The Randolph: A top quality hotel in the city centre, Tel: + (44) 870 4008200. Cotswold Lodge Hotel: Tel: + (44) 1865 556088. www.cotswoldlodgehotel.co.uk The Old Bank: Tel: + (44) 1865 700599. www.oldbank-hotel.co.uk The Galaxie Hotel: Tel: + (44) 1865 515688. Marlborough House Hotel: Tel: + (44) 1865 515329. Ryan's Guest House: A ''cheap and cheerful'' option. Tel: + (44) 1865 554886.

Where to eat

Oxford is a gourmet heaven. Devotees of the Asian cuisine will be spoiled for choice?particularly fans of Indian fare. Saffron: Ranked among the top 30 restaurants in England. Select Indian and French fare. Address: 204-206 Banbury Rd. Gee's: English specialities served in an elegant and refined atmosphere. Address: 61 Banbury Rd. Kazbar: Serves North African fare. Very popular. Reasonable prices. 25-27 Cowley Rd. Frevd's: A cafe-bar-nightclub located in deconsecrated neo-classical church. Tasty pizzas, a good wine menu and great cocktails. Live music. Address: Walton Str. Edamame: Select Japanese fare. Address: 15 Holywell Str. Aquavitae: A classic Italian restaurant located next to Folly Bridge on the Thames. Address: 1 Folly Bridge.

New York a.k.a.''The Big Apple''

A mini-diner on wheels has staked its turf on one of New York's prımary street corners; its owner hawks soft drinks, falafel and krautdogs. A West African taxi driver takes a cola and sandwich in one hand while extending three bucks to the curbside vendor with the other. Right across the street, luxury cars and spotless SUVs are double-parked; Guys in dark double-breasted suits and dolls with printed silk dresses and waist-high slits step from doors opened by livery to enter the Essex House without skipping a beat in their laughter-laced conversations. They've come to nosh at the highly acclaimed restaurant of Alain Ducasse, member of New York's high society. And what a posh nosh! The amount the aforementioned taxi jockey forks out every month at the drive-up diner would just barely cover the $860 PP bill for a meal at Ducasse's. Moreover, 2,800 reservations were made at this 3-star locale even before its doors opened for business. L'addition comes to you in a leather-clad checkbook with a gold pen. (155 West, 58th St. Tel: 212-265 73 00

A city of contrasts

New York is a city of different strokes for different folks who splurge $860 or spend three to dine out. With an alias of 'The Big Apple,' the city is the capital of the world in the true sense of the word. If you can't find what you're seeking in New York, you can just forget about finding it anywhere else. The Big Apple is spread out over five burroughs; Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, each having populations of over 1,000,000. But when it comes down to reality, Manhattan is the true heart of the city. Contrasts? Venture a stone's throw from those mile-high skyscrapers and you'll see block-long rundown apartments with shared kitchens and bathrooms; take a look at the vagrants with their hands outstretched, sitting on sidewalks in front of storefront windows featuring dazzling jewellery. You have a better chance finding a four-leaf clover than finding a typical American in Manhattan, where those who cross the Atlantic enter the country via Staten Island. Drivers are generally African, Russian or Pakistani, fast-food restaurants are run by Greeks, street vendors are Nigerian, the service sector is Filipino, Hondurans and Puerto Ricans and newsstands are run by sub-continent Indians, what we have is a plethora of 120 languages.

Every rosebud has its thorns

Besides the omnipresent affuence where Caddys, Porsches and Infinitis rub bumpers with horse-drawn phaetons, not everything comes up smelling like roses in N.Y.C. Scenes of homeless folks lying in makeshift cardboard boxes in office doorways, prostitutes seeking 'johns' at intersections and the destitute rummaging through garbage bins all blacken the city's colorful appearance. Of the 50 states, New York finds itself at or near the top of the nation's list of criminal activity. In weighing up the good and the bad, we're still faced wtih a wonderful city. The late Frank Sinatra said it best with,''If you can make it here you'll make it anywhere...''

Manhattan: A world of enclaves

It's true. Harlem with its high concentration of African immigrants; right next door is Spanish Harlem with Central and South Americans; Chinatown is at the end of the island that juts out into the Atlantic; then Little Italy; there's Soho and Chelsea for the artists and writers; Germantown with its Germans and Poles; New York's old jet-set in the quadrant facing the East River; Reaganomic yuppies to the west of Central Park; You'll see Italians playing Bocco in the vicinity of NYU. Just beyond them are the elderly Chinese performing T'ai Chi and blacks against whites over a game of chess in Central Park; all this emphasizes the city's harmonious diversity. With transactions of over one trillion dollars per year, the NYSE, banking and financial institutions around Wall St. make N.Y.C. the world's trade, business and investment center. Known as the 'Avenue of the Theaters,' Broadway stretches from 34th and 60th St.

Where to stay
Algonquin: Adr. : 59 W. 44th St. between 5th and 6th Ave. www.camberleyhotels.com Four Seasons Hotel: Adr.: 57 E. 57 St. between Park and Madison Ave. : www.fourseasons.com Millennium Hilton: Adr.:5 Church St. between Fulton and Dey St.:www.hilton.com The Kitano: Adr. 66 Park Ave. and 38th St.: www.kitano.com The Marmara-Manhattan: Restrictions apply. Adr. 301 E.94th St. Upper East Side on 2nd Ave. Tel: 212-427 3100 The Mercer: - 2000 Adr.147 Mercer St. at Prince Tel: 212 966 6060 The Pierre Hotel: Adr. 2 E. 61St and 5th Ave. www.fourseasons.com The Waldorf Astoria: Adr. 301 Park Ave and 50th St. www.hilton.com

Where to eat
Cafe des Artistes: Adr.1 West 67th St. Tel: 212 877 3500 Chanterelle: 2 Harrison St. Tel. 212 966 3518. Daniel : Adr. 60 E. 65th St. between Madison and Park Ave. Tel: 212 288 0033 Elaine's: Adr. 1703 Second Ave between 88th and 89th Sts. Tel: 212-534 8103. Indochine: Adr. 430 Lafayette St. Tel: 212-505 5111. Jojo: Adr. between Lexington and 3rd Aves. Tel: 212-223 5656. Raul's: Adr. 180 Prince St between Sullivan and Thompson Sts. Tel: 212-966 3518. Rosa Mexicano: Adr. 1063 First Ave. Tel: 212-753 7407.


Musicals
''Chicago'' Shubert Theater, 225 W. 44th Tel: 212-239 6200; ''Cabaret'' The Roundabout, Studio 54, 254 W.54th Tel: 212-230 6200; ''Perfect Crime'' Duffy Theatre. 1553 Broadway Tel: 212-695-3401. ''The Phantom of the Opera'' Majestic, 247 W. 44th Tel: 212-239-6200. ''Annie Get Your Gun'' Marquis Theater. 1535 Broadway Tel:212-307-4100; ''The Lion King'' New Amsterdam 214 W.42nd Tel: 212- 307-4100

How to get there
Turkish Airlines departs daily IST- JFK at 1215 hrs. Rates vary according to length of stay. Restrictions apply. Tel: 0212 663 6363.

Sailing in Manhattan

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of autumn in New York is on a boat trip around Manhattan. There are options to suit every taste and budget, from expensive private yachts to free ferry rides.

The waters of Manhattan

Circleline Tours organises cruises in New York harbor and on the Hudson River. The tours last from 75 minutes to 3 hours and take in Wall Street and Downtown as well as the Statue of Liberty. You can also enjoy a 35-minute tour on their speedboat appropriately called the "Beast".

If you prefer something a little calmer, then why not enjoy a romantic three-hour World Yacht dinner cruise or two-hour Sunday brunch excursion?

If you'd like to visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, just pick up a ticket at Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park.The South Street Seaport Museum offers day trips around Manhattan on the historic 119-year-old Schooner Pioneer. The schooner is manned by a volunteer crew.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money, hop on a NY Waterway commuter ferry from Manhattan to New Jersey. The ferry leaves from 38th Street and takes you to Hoboken and back to the World Financial Center. Like Circleline, NY Waterway also organises hourly and daily tours. But the cheapest option by far is the Staten Island ferry. You get to enjoy a stunning view of New York and Staten Island for free!

How much does it cost to get where?

Circleline Tours' prices vary between 16 to 26 USD. www.circlelinetours.com

The Beast leaves every 5 hours and a ticket costs 16 USD. The Beast operates on weekends and only until the end of October.

A three-hour dinner cruise (not including drinks) with World Yacht costs 69.95 USD on weekdays and 79 USD on weekends. Brunch lasts two hours and costs 43.90 USD. World Yacht cruises continue during the winter. www.worldyacht.com/schedules.htm

Ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island leave from Battery Park. The fare is 10 USD per person.

A ticket for a public sail on The South Street Seaport Museum's Schooner Pioneer costs 25 USD per person. If you would like to charter the boat, call 212-748-8786. www.southstreetseaportmuseum.org

A one-way ticket to New Jersey on a NY Waterway ferry costs 5.5USD. Telephone: 800 533 3779. www.newyorkwaterway.com

Board the Staten Island ferry at the harbor next to Battery Park. The ferry is free!