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pasbantravels · 3 years

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Best Places to Visit in Turkey [2021] | Pasban Travels

Best Places to Visit in Turkey 2021 with Lowest Prices on Pasban Travels

If you are searching about best places to visit in Turkey during summer with your family, here is the complete list with pictures and lowest prices to go to Turkey.

Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Turkey

In the following article, we are going to explore the top 10 cities of Turkey, where you can go to visit and enjoy the historic culture along with the hospitality of Turkish people. All of the cities are very beautiful and rich with the history and culture but here we are going to discuss the most famous cities of Turkey as our ranking including the site where many scenes are captured of the world famous movie Troy.

Istanbul

Istanbul is ranked 01 in the list of best places to visit in Turkey. It is an iconic city full of beautiful scenic rooftop restaurants and bars surrounding the many historic mosques. You can spend your days getting lost in busy street markets and taste the hundreds of local teas ice creams and herbs at the historic spice markets. You can experience the historical Turkish culture inside the 17th Century world famous Blue Mosque. And don’t miss the Hagia Sophia, an impressive cathedral built in AD 537, now turned to mosque.

Istanbul is the border between Europe and Asia and it is separated by the Bosphorus Strait which splits the European side from the Asian side. You can joy a scenic boat tour with your family along the Bosphorus while looking out across Europe and Asia! Istanbul is a top tourist must-see city when visiting Turkey.

Antalya

Antalya is a city where you can spend the summer cooling off yourself on the beachfront and the winter skiing in the mountains above! This is a unique beautiful amazing city where you can visit waterfalls, ancient ruins and find markets scattered throughout the historical winding streets.

Here you can enjoy a stunning coastal walk with your lovers or family from Antalya port to the Konyaalti beach. In this beautiful vibrant city of Turkey, you can soak up the Turkish rays at one of the dedicated beach clubs. If you love the water, take a boat trip to discover waterfalls or enjoy a cable car ride to the peak of the mountain and admire the views.

Ankara

Ankara is the capital of Turkey! It is full of culture, history, all kind of markets and steep beautiful streets. If you love history then you can enjoy exploring the many historic museums and the Kalesi (Ankara Castle). The Roman baths of Ankara are a beautiful extension of the castle. Spend some time walking through this open-air museum of Ankara Turkey to get a feeling and experience of what the 3rd century was like.

You can get high above the city in the Atakule tower and admire the Ankara city views. Walk through the big green area of Genḉlick Park and find your way past the swimming pool, Ferris wheel and miniature trains!

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is the natural ‘Cotton Castle’ and one of the famous tourist attraction where Mineral-rich waters drip down the white mountainside to create stunning blue-filled terraces. The local people claims that these thermal pools have healing powers, so why not test it with a quick dip? It is highly advised to remove your shoes when visiting this eye catching area to avoid unnecessary erosion of the historical site.

It is the best experience to climb up the hill to explore the Hierapolis. It is mentioned here this place is one of the best-preserved and most impressive tourist attraction in Turkey and often free of other tourists!

Izmir

Izmir is full of local street markets, many spots to enjoy a Turkish Tea and fresh air by sitting or walking at the seafront. Kermeralti is located in this city and it is a bustling market area for both tourists and locals. You should wander through the town to admire the Konak square and an eye catching beautiful clock tower. you can continue your trip along the promenade to the Konak Pier, a great place for food, drinks and a great view.

It is worth mentioning to find the Agora amongst the Open Air Museum of Izmir and walk through the well preserved historic site. We wan to suggest you more, Izmir is the perfect beautiful base for exploring other small historic cities such as Ḉeșme, Alacati, Ephesus and Pamukkale.

Ephesus

Ephesus is a city which was the trade center of the ancient world and it is worthy to go to enjoy the best places to Visit in Turkey. Go back in time without the time machine, through the brilliantly preserved ruins of temples, amphitheatres and historic gates. This city is enjoying the existence of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This most wondrous spectacular temple is well preserved and can’t be missed.

Because of easy reach of Selçuk and Izmir, the Ruins of Ephesus are a perfect day trip. Make it sure to save time to explore the surrounding local markets and lunch stops.

Çeşme

Ḉeșme is a historic town in Turkey surrounded by white sandy beaches. The old town is the hot spot for the history lovers and it is home to a stunning restored fortress and castle. Filled with markets and good delicious food, it is a great place to enjoy the local atmosphere.

Enjoy your time swimming in the turquoise waters of Lica beach and feeling the soft sand between your toes. The surrounding hot springs ensure the water on this beach is a little warmer than elsewhere in Turkey! The boat trips can give you the more enjoyment to the surrounding islands for more swimming and snorkeling adventures.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia Turkey is famous for its unique stunning rock formations. A lot of frequent volcanic eruptions, small earthquakes and years of erosion formed one of a kind, cone-shaped chimneys in hundred years. The locals of this city referred to these formations as ‘Fairy Chimneys’. Networks of many homes and a lot of churches carved into the rock faces formed the underground cities we see today.

This is the best way to witness the Fairy Chimneys thorough a Hot Air Balloon ride over the valley. At the time of the sunrise every morning, the sky is flooded with coloured hot air balloons. This magical experience can be witnessed from any rooftop and hill point around your stay in Cappadocia Turkey!

All over the day, you can ride quad bike around the valleys, go to the underground cities and enjoy the sunset overlooking the valleys.

Canakkale

Home to the iconic Trojan Horse that Brad Pitt once mastered in the movie Troy is the tourist attraction in Best Places to Visit in Turkey. This cute seaport town is well worth a visit if you are visiting Turkey in your age. Canakkale is famous for its unique quirky shops, delicious Lokma (a fried sweet dough) and plenty of seafront vibrant bars. It is the perfect mix between history and small city modern life.

If you are curious to see the ancient city then local Dolmuses (minibus) will take you to the grounds of the ancient city of Troy. Here you can see with your eyes the first known replica of the infamous Trojan Horse. After spending a morning exploring the preserved grounds of the ancient city, In the evenings you would like to visit the atmospheric waterside markets and watch the sunset over Kilitbahir Castle.

Bodrum

Bodrum is a bustling town with modern life and activities. It is located on the coastal Aegean region of Turkey. You should walk through the streets, admire the street art, plants and blue framed windows. You can enjoy the shopping with the lowest prices in the Bodrum Bazaar and relax with a Turkish tea. Here also you can witness the history at the Bodrum castle and look out upon the blue waters.

If you climb uphill, you will find the restored ruins of 7 wooden windmills. Don’t forget to admire accompanying panoramic view overs Bodrum. If you hot weather and sweating, take a dip in the crystal clear coastline. This city is well known for the annual sailing competition, the Bodrum Cup, enjoy the expertise on a sailing trip! Anchor on quiet islands to swim, snorkel or even a kayak around.

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aventurasdeunatortuga · 5 years

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Days 23 and 24

Çeşme, Alaçatı, and Chios

3 cities in 2 days has been exhausting, so I’m kind of behind.

I’m staying in Çeşme, which is on the coast right along the border with Greece. It reminds me a lot of Southern California, a lot of high end shops, tourists, beaches, fancy restaurants, etc... I haven’t done a whole lot in Çeşme itself other than walk around and eat, which honestly I think is all there is to do. But it’s very beautiful.

Yesterday afternoon I took the bus 10 minutes inland to the town of Alaçatı. It is a very gorgeous little town with white walls and flowers and grapes hanging everywhere and beautifully decorated buildings and cafes. The town used to be a sleepy fishing town but some hotel owners got together and decided to beautify the town and open up a bunch of picturesque cafes and hotels and now its a tourist spot. It was very expensive to even eat lunch in, but it was very pretty.

After that I went to Ilıca Beach. It was a gorgeous beach with beautiful water. I swam for a while but eventually it got so windy and choppy I had to leave.

Today on a whim I decided to spend the day visiting the Greek island of Chios, which is only 8km off the coast of Çeşme. I have always wanted to go to Greece, so I thought I may as well.

The ferry was very crowded with lots of pushing and shoving which was very overwhelming. One thing I’m still not used to in Turkey is the attitude towards lines. It seems like the general rule is whoever can force themselves to the front first goes first, it doesn’t matter what order you got there in or if there is a line formed, you just have to force yourself to the front, which I do not like at all. We all got off the ferry and were in line at passport control and there was a lot of pushing and elbowing but eventually a sort of line was formed. People kept trying to push their way around me but I elbowed them or blocked their way. There was a large man who managed to push his way so that he was right next to me. I don’t really know if he was originally ahead of me or behind me or what it was all so chaotic. He tried to force his way past me and a family in front of me, but the family yelled at him and told him to get back in line. He was upset and argued but did it. It helped that the family had a lot of people and they formed a sort of barrier to prevent him going forward. The man then for whatever reason got out of line, then came back 10 minutes later and pushed his way back again and tried to push his way in front of me, knowing he wouldn’t get past the family. I told him “excuse me sir I’m here”. He started arguing with me and I ignored him. Then he started loudly talking to everyone around him in English, saying “I don’t know what this lady’s problem is or why she won’t let me in spot, everyone here agrees and everyone can see that I was in front of her” and the family in front of me was like “yeah I don’t really know what her problem is” so I just went “look it doesn’t matter go in front of me”, which he did, and then continued to talk about me with the family in front of me. I got overwhelmed and everyone behind me was still pushing and shoving, and I just started crying which I’m not proud of. The man got upset when he saw this and went “oh come on, really? What is the big deal here? I don’t know why this lady is crying over nothing, she’s probably just ashamed of herself because she tried to get ahead of me” I didn’t say anything and was just looking at the floor.

Then I don’t know it almost made things worse because everyone in line realized what was happening and started getting worried about me and telling me not to worry and the family in front of me started apologizing for talking about me and asking if I was okay and I was like don’t worry Im fine. Finally a little old lady who was near the front of the line came over to me and started talking to me in Turkish and grabbed my hand and placed me at the front of the line. I was so embarrassed. I don’t know what came over me it was all just really stressful and overwhelming.

Anyway after that unnecessary drama was over, I went on a tour of the island of Chios. The only tour available was in Turkish. It ended being me and two people from Germany on the tour who didn’t speak Turkish either. The tour guide only spoke Greek and Turkish and he managed to find someone in the group that spoke a little English and had him stand with us and translate everything he said which was nice of them.

We visited four towns on the island of Chios. First we visited Mesta, which had a really beautiful church all decorated with chandeliers in it. Chios is famous for the mastic tree, which produces a sap that can be used to make lots of things, mostly for medical purposes. We tried lots of mastic foods though like ice cream, liquor, and candy. It’s also used for lotions, toothpaste, vitamins, and many other things. All over the island the buildings were built very close together with little bridges on the roofs of them connecting the buildings. Apparently pirates used to pillage Chios a lot, so the people developed a network of bridges and secret doors to go around town without being in the street, and they would dump hot oil from the roofs onto the pirates. The bridges also stabilize the buildings so they are very strong during earthquakes.

After Mesta we visited Pyrgi, which was called the “painted village” as all of the buildings had beautiful intricate black and white designs painted all over them.

Then we visited Emporios and got to enjoy the beautiful beach and have lunch, finally we visited Armolia where we visited a mastic orchard and saw some ceramics. Then we caught the last ferry of the day off the island and back to Turkey.

It was so beautiful there, it made me wish I could spend more time there and in the rest of Greece. Oh well, next time.

On the ferry back I was really nervous about the line again so I waited on the ferry until everyone got off and I was the last one. Then I got a snack at the teashop for probably 25 minutes, and I got in line which was considerably shorter, and finally it was my turn, and someone shoved me out of the way and went first. Then after they left I went to the counter and another person pushed me out of the way to go ahead of me.

There’s no winning. I can be polite and be pushed over or I can be rude and be yelled at.

Sigh.

I’ve only got one more city to go on this trip. I’m in Çeşme tomorrow morning, then I will go to the city of Izmir, the third largest in Turkey, and be there for two days then fly home that night.

There’s so much to do and see still here but I am very exhausted and honestly out of patience with people and crowds so I may just spend the morning hiding in my hotel as bad as that sounds. I just need to be left alone for a little before being in crowds of people again.

Just a reminder that while travel pictures look very idyllic and I am very lucky to be here it’s not always perfect and there are always going to be downsides as well.

#turkey #travel #solo travel #greece #chios #pyrgi #emporios #mesta #armolia #çeşme #alaçatı

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watercover10 · 2 years

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Top Guidelines Of Istanbul Old City Tour

Prefer to find out the marvels of Istanbul at your own private speed? Use a private professional manual every day and enjoy of a personalized practical experience in the course of your vacation. Antiques introduced into the nation has to be registered inside the operator’s passport to avoid challenges on exit. I've a lot of unique memories in each campuses in Beyazid. It feels me While using the history and also the tales from the properties from their commence. The campuses have minimal access esp throughout registration and Test durations. Many of the columns used in development ended up recycled from earlier classical buildings and feature ornamental carvings. Probably the most popular of these are definitely the column bases referred to as the Medusa stones from the northwest corner with their Medusa head carvings. Each individual facade contains a çeşme (ingesting fountain). An octagonal pool inside the kiosk supplies the h2o and There may be Area for an attendant to face Within the fountain too. Sherbet or water is dispersed from at the rear of a grille to individuals, totally free. Should the retailer gives you a Verify it may be cashed in a lender during the customs place within the airport. Whether it is impossible to dollars the Verify upon departure or if you do not prefer to income it then, . Tour Topkapi Palace to achieve an Perception into your lavish existence of your Ottoman sultans and their harem, and search the legendary Grand Bazaar, where you find everything from carpets to Turkish delight. For some tourists, the Topkapi Palace is usually primary over the listing of sites to go to in Istanbul. This grand palace was the Formal residence in the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 a long time and is also a UNESCO world heritage website given that 1985. Superior continue to, It is located between Rome and Florence for easy accessibility. Istanbul old city walking tour think us? Ebook a private Viterbo tour and find out this historical city with an area.

A great sightseeing Pleasure of a visit to Istanbul is wandering amid the gardens sandwiched concerning the Blue Mosque along with the Aya Sofya to knowledge their dueling domes in twin glory. Occur at dusk for additional ambience, as the decision to prayer echoes out through the Blue Mosque's minaret. It’s often reported that Istanbul is the Conference issue of East and West, but website visitors to this city created around the former cash of two good empires are more likely to be just as impressed via the juxtaposition of old and new. Office environment towers creep up guiding historic palaces, women in stylish designer outfits pass Other people sporting extended skirts and head coverings (at times stylish and designer likewise), peddlers’ pushcarts vie with battered outdated Fiats and glossy BMWs for dominance from the noisy, slender streets, as well as the Grand Bazaar competes with present day browsing malls. Discover Istanbul on a full-working day tour that travels on foot and public transit to historic landmarks and local cultural hubs. Start off by touring the Hippodrome, Serefiye Cistern and Grand Bazaar, then take a break for Turkish coffee, pastry and hookah (tobacco pipe). Istanbul's most popular artwork gallery will be the Beautiful Pera Museum, which is where by art-hounds head to consume in a single of the finest collections of Ottoman-era portray on earth. The city, regarded in antiquity as Chrysopolis, was one of the earliest Greek settlements within the Bosporus. It had been far more subjected to attack by foreign conquerors than Constantinople, with its defensive condition and robust walls, but it absolutely was capable of draw financial gain from its exposed circumstance — right until 1800 it was the terminus from the caravan routes that introduced the treasures of your East to Constantinople and onwards to Europe.

#private #istanbul #tour #guided #travel #turkey #escorted #service

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atravellingfoodie · 5 years

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On this Istanbul Old City food tour we discovered hidden gems, small restaurants and food carts, a stones throw away from the main tourist areas.

If you are planning a trip to Istanbul then my Istanbul Travel Guide and the Top Travel Tips for any traveller are invaluable.

I love taking a food tour on my first full day in any city as it allows me to learn about the history of the area visited as well as becoming acquainted with the eateries loved by locals. This Istanbul Old City street food tour was the first that I went on with my brother and Simone, during a family trip to Istanbul. Neither had ever been on a food tour and I wanted them to experience the amazing food as well as the often overlooked areas of the Old City.

I had been on the Backstreets of the Bazaar Quarter and the Born on the Bosphorus food tours as well as the Shop, Cook, Feast cooking class with Cookistan on my previous solo trip to Istanbul. The two remaining available and alcohol free tours were the Culinary Secrets of the Old City and Hidden Beyoğlu tours, with one in the Old City and the other in Cihangir and the streets behind Istiklal Street in Beyoğlu.

Since we would be staying in both areas during the trip it seemed like a good idea to know where to find the best foods in those areas.

RESERVATION

I booked and paid for the Culinary Secrets of the Old City Istanbul food tour on the Culinary Backstreets website. The tour lasts for approximately 5-5.5 hours and cost US$ 125 per person at the time of booking. I received a 10 percent “Welcome Back! Discount” since I had booked food tours with them previously.

LOCATION

The meeting place for the Culinary Secrets of the Old City food tour was in front of the Hamdi restaurant in the trading area adjacent to the Spice Bazaar. We were staying in Sirkeci at the Doubletree by Hilton and took the tram from Gülhane Park to Eminönü.

This Istanbul walking tour would be covering an area between the Spice Bazaar and a Kurdish neighborhood near the Valens aqueduct. It was slightly overcast but pleasantly warm for September and we looked forward to seeing the Old City from a new perspective.

To get an idea of the area or to check rates and availability for accommodation in the Old City, you may use the map below. Booking.com (function(d, sc, u) { var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js');

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Our friendly tour leader Gonça, was also a knowledgeable and engaging Istanbul food guide and promised to share the culinary secrets of the Old City. She showed us the best non-touristy places to eat and shop at on our walk. These were all places that sold authentic products that Istanbulites came from all across the city to buy.

We started by visiting a Simit and Açma cart near the entrance to the underpass for the Eminönü tram station. The same man has operated the cart for more than thirty years and he had a quiet dignity about him.

After buying simit from him we proceeded to the market stalls in the lanes around the Spice Bazaar. Gonça pointed out a few of the stores where tour participants could purchase Turkish coffee beans and coffee equipment later. She also gave us some pointers about what to look for when buying the Turkish coffee pot called cezve.

Turkish breakfast at the Tea shop

We stopped at a deli cart in front of the Han where we were having breakfast and Gonça picked up a few items for the breakfast. In addition to simit, the breakfast included kaymak (Turkish buffalo milk clotted cream), honey, olives, cheese, pastrami, chili paste and a salad made from greens from her garden. The kaymak from the cart was creamy and a delight with lashings of honey and hunks of simit. There were also copious amounts of tea throughout the meal and it was finished with Turkish coffee.

I watched my brother put some kaymak and honey on a piece of simit and then for the next bite he also added a dash of the chili paste. I had done exactly the same thing on my first tour two years previously, and the walk leader on that tour nearly had an apoplectic fit. Apparently I was ruining the perfect combination of kaymak and honey, but for me it was actually enhanced by the savoriness of the chili paste.

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We walked through the Traders Hans passing shops and stalls selling fragrant spices, dried fruits and nuts as well as textiles. I could not help but capture the gloriously vibrant colors of the dried summer vegetables and the fresh ripe figs.

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Lezzet i Sark – Rüstem Paşa Mahallesi, Hasırcılar Cd. No:38, 34116 Fatih

Our next stop was at a corner cafe that was renowned for Ezo Gelin Çorba a warming lentil and bulgur soup from Gaziantep. Gaziantep is an Anatolian city fondly referred to by locals as the food capital of the world. The cuisine is varied and the main driving force behind their local economy.

Although it sounds strange to eat soup early in the morning it was quite welcome and also nourishing and delicious.

Osmanlı Kebapçısı – Rüstem Paşa Mahallesi, 34116 Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey

After the soup we walked through the Hans and the backstreets to reach a kebab house where the speciality was Cağ kebabı, horizontally spit roasted meat that is thinly sliced and served with herbs wrap style in an almost translucent flatbread.

The lamb was perfectly cooked and seasoned and every mouthful was a delight under the ancient tree.

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Osmanli Balikcisi – Rüstem Paşa Mahallesi, Uzun Çarşı No:232, 34116 Fatih

The next stop is renowned for their fish and seafood and we had the house speciality, fried anchovies with pickled chili peppers and salad leaves. We also had a taste of Turkish kibbeh, their take on the popular Levantine dish of minced meat stuffed inside a shell of finely ground bulgur wheat. I quite enjoyed the flavor of the kibbeh which was a bit more tomatoey and spicy than the Levantine original.

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Mavi Haliç Pide Salonu – Sarıdemir Mahallesi, Kutucular Cd. No:28, 34134 Fatih

We walked further along the backstreets to reach a pide shop that we returned to later that week on our final shopping trip. The verdict was unanimous: great service and the best pide we had tasted thus far. We washed down the egg and meat pide with a tall glass of cold ayran.

The pide was so good that we went back there a few days later on our final shopping trip.

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Altan Şekerleme – Demirtaş Mh.kıble Çeşme Cad./no.68 Kantarcılar, 34134 Fatih

Our next stop was a bit of walk from the pide shop and located past the area where they sold safes. Altan Confectionery is a family sweet shop that has been trading since 1865, selling traditional Turkish hard sweets and lokum (Turkish Delight). The owner Mustafa recommended his favorites and let us taste a variety. The lokum was fragrant and freshly made, chewy and not overly sweet, and we ended up purchasing a few types to snack on during the rest of our trip.

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Bereket Döner – Rüstem Paşa Mahallesi, Mahkeme Sk. No:240, 34116 Fatih

On the way to our next stop we dropped by a Han where the older gents were taking tea and watching younger metalsmiths at work. The doner was cheap, flavorful but not too filling.

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Vefa Bozacisi – Mollahüsrev Mahallesi, Vefa Cd. No:66, 34134 Fatih

On the walk to the next stop our tour leader warned us that the drink we were going to taste was much beloved by Turks but an acquired taste for many. The beverage called Boza, is made of millet semolina fermented with water and sugar. The light beige color liquid is specific to this brand of Boza and results from their specific technique. This shop is still owned by the same family whose ancestor founded the business in 1870 after immigrating from Albania.

I must confess that it will take a while for me to acquire a taste for boza. The mouth feel was viscous and thick and I found it difficult to sip or savor. After the first taste I gulped it down, trying to not let it touch my taste buds and then cleansed my palate with a homemade lemonade.

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We had quite a walk to the final stop and stopped by the Süleymaniye mosque on the way. It was after the time for the congregational prayer time so we had it all to ourselves.

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Siirt Şeref Büryan Kebap Salonu – Zeyrek Mh., İtfaiye Cd. No:4, 34083 Fatih

This restaurant is located in the Kurdish precinct next to the Valens Aqueduct. It is another Istanbul business that has been operational for more than a hundred years. The first branch was established in 1892 and it has now expanded to four branches.

They specialize in traditional food from the area of Siirt, in the Kurdish region of Southeastern Turkey.

Our lunch consisted of roasted lamb with salad and dessert and because it is so sought after had to be ordered two days in advance. This lamb is the speciality of the house and is cooked underground in a special copper cooker.

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We were so full by the end of the tour that we decided to walk down to the Aksaray tram station and get back to the hotel from there.

Verdict

This food walk made me realize how important it is to keep small family owned businesses operating. They are the keepers of the traditions and preservers of the food culture and have been perfecting their trade for generations. We tasted well known Turkish favorites like simit, pide and doner as well as lesser known specialities like the Cağ kebabı, boza and the underground roasted lamb. We loved this tour and were excited about the next one.

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Istanbul food tour – Culinary Secrets of the Old City On this Istanbul Old City food tour we discovered hidden gems, small restaurants and food carts, a stones throw away from the main tourist areas.

#food tours of Istanbul reviews #istanbul food tour tripadvisor

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thecouchdiaries · 6 years

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Two Wheels and a Man in Pain

It was roughly 8.30am on a February morning in London when I finally decided to join The Big Bike Trip.

I woke up that day at the usual 7.30am with a slight hangover, put my suit on, had a strong handrolled cigarette with a stronger coffee by the kitchen window, and got on the tube to work.

Perhaps it was being packed like sardines in rush hour traffic with my fellow grim faced 9-5’ers on a musty underground carriage, or perhaps it was the prospect of heading to another day in a working life that sees weeks and months blurred into a hazing grey, where one moment is indistinguishable from the next – either way, I came to the realisation that I’m starting my days already wanting for them to be over, and wishing for life to fast forward is no way to live.

That afternoon I handed in notice, and a little more than a month later I flew to Istanbul to join the boys for the European leg that would see us ride from Turkey to London.

I was woefully underprepared for such an undertaking. Indeed, I had committed little thought to exercise for the two or three years preceding the trip – beyond late night walks from bars to kebab joints, that is. In fact, I could only boast of frequent engagements with family sized portions in takeaway meals, and was deeply committed intensive boozing and smoking regime which left me incapable of negotiating short flights of stairs without pausing for breath and outbreaks in sweat.

So I arrived at the airport gates, severely overweight, spectacularly unfit, and happily ignorant of the pain which stood ahead.

Two nights after landing in Turkey, my bike was stolen. On the morning of April 10th I opened the door of our apartment where we were being hosted to Arthur and Freddie asking whether I had moved my bike overnight. My initial thought was that the boys were playing some sick joke, but it quickly transpired – to our increasing collective nausea that my bike was gone.

My sweet bike, oh my sweet steel wheels which had been flown and carried from New Zealand, London, via Zagreb to Istanbul (and which had not seen a single meter of actual riding in its brief stay in my possession) had been spirited away.

Panic in the living room ensued, frustrated shouts, fists clenched in anger, head in hands and elbows on knees.

Nevertheless, a plan was quickly formed – Arthur tasked with alerting the authorities to the theft, Sean stayed to guard the remaining bikes, while Freddie and I went to find a replacement bike.

After several scurried phone calls, we found a potential replacement in a shop on the Asian side of Turkey. As typical in these moments of desperation, the cycle shop which was tipped to have a viable bike in store wasn’t answering their phone, but in blind hope we jumped in a taxi anyway.

Miraculously, the shop not only had the right model of touring bike – it was in the right colour, and the right frame size.

The intercontinental bike shopping adventure was followed by the administrative maze of Turkish policing, in search of a report so I could claim insurance. Language barriers meant we were repeatedly referred to the ‘tourist police’ who had no authority in filing claims and were little more than glorified translators. Yet, after much pleading, several hours in a police station ringfenced by anti-riot barriers, and the help of our host as a translator, we procured the elusive police report and was ready to begin the odyssey once more.

Thus was the prelude to my cycle tour, fraught with treachery and unexpected turns – before I had ridden even a single meter.

They say life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. Here I am peering over the edge, clawing at the cliff, and slipping my way down

On my inaugural ride day we took a ferry out of Istanbul and cycled some 60km to our first campsite. When Freddie told me about the first lakeside camp spot I pictured grass by idyllic waters, instead we pushed through mud tracks into some long grass with a distinct swampish smell about. Mosquitos and a plethora of miscellaneous bug life flanked us as the night descended.

Pain beyond belief. Here you see my general lack of fitness and vitamin D, both of which have since been rectified

The Turkish roads were full of undulating terrain, each climb more taxing than the last. Every extra helping of food, every cigarette, every day of lazy lie ins and glass of rum made themselves known to my tender body, screaming for me to stop, begging me to turn around and fly back to a cushioned seat in a cushioned life.

Yet, through the struggle I also learned euphoria. At the end of a tough ride when the pain finally ends and you cross the top of a particularly rough climb through to wide views of green plains and the sea.

Quickly the little things I took for granted back in London became treasured luxuries. On the second day we stopped by a gas station and were given permission to stay in a small garden out back. The warm shower in a truck stop bathroom reeking of urine was pure aquatic delight.

It took three days to get to Çanakkale, where we were hosted by a local, Emrah. On our rest day we visited Gallipoli, where the Anzacs and Turkish fought and died almost a century ago. Eerie how on the deathbed of thousands now tread laughing tourists, and on this island once enshrouded in cannon fire and gun smoke now ring quiet chirping birds and grass rustling in a breeze.

In 1915 soldiers fought their way up these hills towards Chunuk Bair, the highpoint of the peninsula that gave a tantalising view to the Dardanelles Strait. The Anzacs fought bravely but ultimately the Turks ousted them from this position and the campaign to take Constantinople (Istanbul) was lost

From Çanakkale we rode on to Çeşme – from where we were to ferry over to Greece - and early on I was party to the first crash. We were changing formation so the rider up front and take a breather, but Sean’s wheel collided with the leader’s in the process and he went down in a heap, his bike smacking the curb and sent him flying to the pavement. I was immediately behind Sean and rammed straight into his fallen bike and flew off myself – luckily away from the side of traffic.

Adrenaline hid my pain but Sean was much worse, with several deep gashes on his arms, knees, and hands.

Nonetheless, Sean remained in good spirits, and we carried on.

The Turkish roads were for the most part dusty and carved through an arid land, so through the rides the scent of the road would change from the dust to flowers to cow dung and the stink of rotting road kill.

But the Turkish people were also some of the most welcoming I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. One afternoon cycling through the motorway we were waved down by a man next to a strawberry stand who was himself a cyclist, and insisted we stay at his summer house for the evening.

He drove slowly up in his car ahead and lead us into a town called Dikili, through cobbled streets and coastal views he gave us a quick tour of his home and left to conduct some business on his own – trusting us, strangers who he had met only an hour before, to roam his halls of our own devices.

Aside from the gallery of generosity, the leg from Çanakkale to Çeşme also marked the beginning of an odyssey in mental struggle.

Cycle touring, I quickly learned, is a game of pain and resilience, a test of mind and just how much punishment it can take.

Some days I wake up already fatigued, and exhaustion sets in from the very first pedal. Legs and lungs in varying degrees of agony, never comfortable, in perennial torture. Arse progressively more sore, every movement a fresh wave of pain. Back and neck edging towards spasm, thighs occasionally threatening seizure. The mind trying to conquer itself, the voices telling you to stop and go home, the screaming monologue asking why you’re doing this, begging for rest. From depression comes anger, rage at the rider up front (Arthur) for setting too high a pace, at the wind for existing, at nature for making hills, at yourself for coming here in the first place.

Then you convince yourself it’s all going to be okay. In time this will end. One inch after another. One push after another. At the end there’ll be rest, and food, and cigarettes, and elation.

And so it repeats in a cycle of hopeless agony and resistance, between perseverance and bleak resignation like the wheels spinning underneath you. Willpower draining away like the grey concrete blur rushing when you look down.

But the pain, for all its struggle, also offers a lesson in the self. By pushing until you are at your limits, you see the outer edges of who you are, where you start to fall apart. And you realise that limits are less defined points of existence and more markers for space into which you can expand. Under such strain, what makes you up becomes more clear. That’s not to say this is the sole or even a comprehensive means to self discovery, for within the boundaries there is much to explore. But through this violence you learn to build something greater.

#cycling #cycletouring

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milancarrentalturkey-blog · 7 years

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Discover the spirit and passion of nature in Turkey

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, visit Turkey. It is one of the finest places to explore the extravaganza and spirit of nature. World-class travellers drift here to experience the limitless adventure activities from swimming, running, scuba diving, hiking, safaris, snorkelling, canoeing, beach walking to fishing.

People especially come here to see the ancient ruins, extraordinary art and culture, interesting past, greenish blue coasts and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Besides that, it is the best place to rest and relax.

Things to do in Turkey:

Karaalioglu Park

To escape the buzzing city life, walk through the picturesque garden at Karaalioglu Park. It is an exotic park in Antalya, Turkey. Found near the Old Town, you can easily go there and have some pleasant time.

Besides that you can also move to Hıdırlık Tower overlooking the Roman harbour, which looks beautiful and caught imagination of family travellers.

Diving

If you are a diving enthusiast, choose Marmaris. It is a well known place to explore the stunning underwater world. It has more than 52 highly beautiful and safe diving spots.

You can also choose different diving schools to learn the new diving tactics to have ultimate fun and adventure with your family.

River cruise

If you love splashing water and thriving nature of river, you should go to the Manavgat Waterfalls. You can sail along the water to view the stunning surroundings. The Manavgat River is huge and offers endless opportunities.

Manavgat River Boating tours are affordable, relaxing and you can spend whole day here with your family and friends.

Çeşme

It is famous for its amazing and turquoise waters as well as soft sandy beaches. This place is purely serene and allow you to discover your inner feelings.

Transportation

There are various safe means of transportation available in Turkey. However, most people rent a car. They choose the most reliable and responsive car rental company that can improve their overall travelling experience while taking them to the nearest and dearest travel destinations in Turkey.

So, are you ready to discover the spirit and passion of nature in Turkey?

For more information please visit.

Milan Rent A Car Dalaman Airport

www.milanrentacar.com

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izmirspotcu · 1 year

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