Things to do in Izmir

Izmir is the third largest city of Turkey which borders with the Aegean Sea. It is a little outside the tourism hot spot but we usually find the best places when we wander outside the touristy path!

Visit the Kemeralti Bazaar: You can spend a whole day exploring the bazaar and still not see the entire place. Starting with freshly ground Turkish coffee, Turkish delights to the rugs, ceramic, and carpets. Anything you can possibly imagine at a much lower rate than Istanbul. The bazaar is open six days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

Vegetable shop

Turkish Delights

Fruity Delights

Take a day trip to Pamukkale: A unique combination of natural and man-made wonders, Pamukkale-Hierapolis has been made a UNESCO World Heritage site. For more information for a day tour, check out my blog https://wanderingar.wordpress.com/2018/05/27/a-trip-to-the-cotton-castle-pamukkale/

**On our way to Pamukkale – Basmane Station**

Take a day trip to Ephesus: Ephesus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, is a tourist magnet, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. You can tailor a day trip to Ephesus without buying any tours if you’re on a budget. Best way is to take the train from Basmane Station, which brings you to Selcuk in about 70 minutes. From Selcuk station you can walk to Ephesus in 30 minutes or walk across town to the bus station and ask for the minibus that goes past Ephesus. Another option is to take a taxi in the morning which will bring you to your destination in an hour. Unfortunately, we couldn’t plan a trip to Ephesus due to shortage of time but it is not to be missed!

Take a stroll at the Konak pier: It is located close to two of the city’s landmarks, Izmir’s famous clock tower and Konak square. Take a stroll by the walkway and enjoy the beautiful view of the Aegean sea. The walkway is lined up with some great restaurants and coffee shops, so it’s a perfect spot to unwind.

Chill out at Alsancak Mahellasi: You can’t miss out on visiting Alsancak when you are in Izmir. Two large streets parallel to the coastline, called the First Kordon and Second Kordon form the main shopping center. Its bustling with locals and the best place to go are usually where the locals chill. Many restaurants, bars, cafes, discothèques and other entertainment venues are concentrated in this area.

**Orange picking on the way to Alsancak**

Izmir Eats: We had most of our meals at Alsancak, our favorite restaurant was Chick’inn, a fusion of Turkish & Chinese cuisine! We also tried authentic doner wraps around the neighborhood, a delight to your taste buds! Hunting for food is not that difficult in this area. The streets are lined with Turkish & fast food alike.

Chick’inn – Beef Kofte & Tavuk Fajita

Kuncu Firin

Nar Suyu – Pomegranate juice

Chick’inn

Dondurmali Irmik Tatlisi

Chick’inn – Stir fry chicken & Beef Doner

Tavuk Doner

Doner Wrap

Explore the streets of Konak: Autumn in Izmir is magical, though it was chilly but a prefect time to explore the streets and get to know the locals. People are very friendly around here and are always ready to give you helpful tips and suggestions.

P.S.

I would recommend a 4 nights’ stay in this city only if you’re planning to take day trips to Pamukkale & Ephesus. You need at least 2 days more or less to explore the city and get a taste of the local lifestyle.

A trip to the Cotton Castle – Pamukkale

Truly a spectacular view, the geological phenomenon that is Pamukkale, literally “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, is the site of the well preserved ruins of the Greek-Roman city of Hierapolis. A unique combination of natural & man-made wonders, Pamukkale-Hierapolis has been made a UNESCO World Heritage site! It is Turkey’s single most visited attraction with over 2 million visitors annually.

How To Get There?

We traveled from Izmir to Denizli by catching the train from Basmane Station at 8:00 am. It is the best option if you’re traveling on a budget because the ticket costs just 18 TL each. It took us less than 5 hours to reach the Denizli Gar (train station).

Walk out the front door of the Denizli Gar, turn left, climb the stairs and look a bit to the left. Across the boulevard you’ll see the Denizli Otogar (bus terminal). Enter the building and take the escalator down to the lower level. At peron 76 (gate 76) you’ll find the minibuses to nearby towns. Take the one to Pamukkale and in about 15-20 minutes you’ll reach your destination. Don’t forget to mention Archaeological Site North Entrance. They charge you 6 TL for the ride.

Hierapolis Ruins

Once you arrive at the entrance and get your ticket from the reception (35 TL each), you can either continue walking towards the Hierapolis ruins or take shuttle van (2 TL each) to directly go to the travertines.

As you walk towards the ruins, you’ll find yourself lost in history. We spent about 10 minutes in the ruins then took the shuttle to the travertines.

Pamukkale Travertines

Once we reached the travertines, I was left speechless and couldn’t wait to get into the warm springs. This surreal, brilliant white travetine terraces with its warm, crystal clear pools is truly a picturesque treat to the eyes. It was a magical walk through this wonder!

Make sure you remove your shoes before you walk through the pools. December is a very chilly month in Turkey but I spent a very warm day at Pamukkale. It’s quite sunny during the day but cools down after 4:00 pm. The best time to visit this area is between 6:00 am to 8:00 am to be honest. The tourists start flooding in by 9:00 am. Luckily, we didn’t encounter many during our visit at this of the year.

One of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen in my lifetime was here. Hues of crimson and lilac filled the sky at sunset. It wasn’t easy to leave this wonderful place but unfortunately the site closes at 6:00 pm and we departed with huge smiles on our faces.

Departure

We took the last shuttle to exit the site and reached the gate to catch the minibus to go to the Otogar. We couldn’t catch the last train to Basmane station but luckily we took the bus departing at 7:30 pm for just 25 TL. Our journey back was about 3 hours. It was a long journey but one of the best and unforgettable experiences till date.

Tours & Tips

There are many tours available to Pamukkale and each of them with different rates and packages. Another popular option is to stay overnight at one of the hotels near the site. If you want to avoid the tours then follow the above instructions for an adventure of your own!

Incredible Istanbul!

Istanbul, historically known as the Constantinople & Byzantium, is located in the heart of Turkey. Istanbul is one of the world’s most populous cities and ranks as the world’s 7th-largest city. Istanbul is viewed as a bridge between the East and West.

What to expect:

1. Turkish currency is called Lira.
2. Some useful terms – Merhaba (Hello), Teshekkur Ederim (Thank You), Gooley Gooley/Hoschakal (Good Bye).
3. Purchase an Istanbulkart and get easy access to trams, trains, buses and ferries.
4. Bargaining over price is expected in all the bazaars, so don’t miss the opportunity to take down the prices by at least 40-50%.
5. Istanbul is a hilly city, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes when hitting the streets.
6. It’s one of the safest and busiest cities I’ve been to. The streets are lit up even after midnight!

Where to stay:

The old city is conveniently located near The Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmet, Hagia Sofia and the sea. I would say that it is the ideal location to stay as the streets are lined up with shops, restaurants, bars and it comes to life in the evening with the tourists and locals alike.
My husband & I stayed at the http://www.burckinsuiteshotel.com for a total of 5 nights. Staying for longer gave us enough time to explore but 4 days are good to cover the important landmarks of the city.
Our hotel was ideally located between the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. It’s about 2-3 minutes walk to the main street, very close to the tram station which will take you to Taksim Square.

Things To See:

1. Sultanahmet – The Blue Mosque

Dating from the early 1600s, the historic Sultanahmet Mosque is more commonly known as the Blue Mosque for the many blue tiles adorning its walls. Make sure you dress modestly as its a religious institution and wear your socks as you must leave your shoes before you enter the mosque.

Blue Tiles - Sultanahmet Camii — Blue Tiles – Sultanahmet Camii

2. Hagia Sofia

A structure built as a Greek Orthodox Basilica, and later turned into a mosque, when it was captured by the Ottoman Empire. It has now been turned into a museum. Consider buying your ticket online in advance as the queue can be very daunting. The ticket cost is about 40 Lira.

3. The Grand Bazaar – Kapali Carsi

One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with over 4000 shops which attracts over 250,000 to 400,000 tourists daily can be overwhelming! Its bursting with Turkish carpets, jewelry, leather goods and furniture, you name it! It can get very crowded during summer so make sure you take proper care of your belongings or you can go early during the day to avoid excessive crowd.

4. Bosphorous Cruise

Your trip to Istanbul isn’t complete without taking the Bosphorus cruise with the iconic landmarks gliding by you. I didn’t get a chance to experience the cruise as I was unwell at that time but this cannot be missed!

5. Galata Bridge

Today’s pedestrian-friendly Galata Bridge is as much a link between ancient and modern as ever, stretching from Eminonu to Beyoglu since at least the 6th century. It’s still a hot spot for local fishermen and a great point for admiring the sunsets for which Istanbul is famous.

6. Galata Tower

The nine-story tower was the city’s tallest structure when it was built 1,500 years ago! This medieval structure still offers the best views of the city, Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.

7. Old Town Karakoy

Once you get off the Galata bridge and take a quick stroll, you’ll arrive at this beautiful little Parisian like street buzzing with life! Its a perfect getaway from the crowd and grab some coffee or a beer!

8. Taksim Square

The cultural & social hub of Istanbul, it is the place to be for a variety of local action. Take the Beyoglu Tunnel Funicular in order to save yourself the trouble of the steep climb to the square. The square is well-known for its restaurants and buzzing nightlife!

9. Isteqlal Street

There’s no place to experience the city’s massive diversity than this cobble-stoned street. It’s a great option to grab a bite, get your shopping done or simply get lost among the crowd at any time of the day! This street, running from Taksim Square all the way to Tünel, is one of the city’s main shopping streets and is always crowded. You’ll find every brands possible from local to international names.

Isteqlal Street Grafitti — Isteqlal Street Graffiti

10. Gulhane Park

Also known as the “Rosehouse Park” is a historical urban park in the Eminonu district, it is located adjacent to and on the grounds of the Topkapi Palace. It is the oldest and one of the most expansive public parks in Istanbul.

Istanbul Eats:

A city like Istanbul needs no introduction to eatery! From sizzling iskander to juicy burgers, your options are wide open. Kasap Burger in Isteqlal Street was our favorite place to dine at. Do try the jacket potato traditionally known as the Kumpir while you’re in Isteqlal street. We found a cute little restaurant just 10 minutes from our restaurant called Ramiz 1928, it has a very urban feel to it and delicious Turkish food.
If you take a stroll behind the Sultanahmet Mosque, you’ll find a street filled with restaurants, that cater to hookah lovers. It’s a very relaxed environment. While you explore the delicious eateries, don’t forget to get your dessert fix! Our favorite was the Turkish dondurma (sticky ice cream) with baklava and some delicious Turkish tea at Mado & Osmanlizadeler cafe.

Shopping & Souvenirs:

Shopping is no problem in Istanbul but it is not just limited to Isteqlal street or Grand Bazaar. The Old City is lined up with hundreds of shops where you can get some really good deals on clothes and accessories. Same goes for souvenirs and ceramic shops,my favorite was Magnaura Palace ceramic store.

If you take the tram from Sultanahmet to Laleli University, you’ll find stores where mostly locals shop! You’ll find some great wholesale deals on women and menswear alike. Turkish menswear fashion has been booming lately, starting with high end to wholesale suits, shoes, denim products, anything to do with men’s fashion. They have their own market. They manufacture their own products and sell them to local and international markets alike. You’ll find endless options and I would say that it’s a shopping heaven for all.

Ceramic Store — Magnaura Palace Ceramic Shop

Cappadocia Chronicles

The magical city of Cappadocia is largely located in the Nevşehir,province, in Turkey. Popularly known for its Fairy Chimneys, Cappadocia has attracted thousands of visitors from around the world.

My trip to Cappadocia was during an off-peak season, in the month of November. Together, Roufel & I, spent 4 nights in the Land of Caves. One of our main interest to visit Cappadocia was to take the hot air balloon ride but unfortunately due to bad weather conditions, we couldn’t.

PRE-PLANNING:

Start with figuring out how many days you would like to spend there. I would suggest 3 days and you will be covering most of Cappadocia. We took a flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport to Kayseri Erkilet Airport and reached in the evening after sundown. You’ll find several coasters, buses and taxis too, right outside the airport. We took a coaster and reached the hotel in 45 minutes. It cost us 50 Lira per couple.

HOTEL:

We stayed in Artemis Cave Suites (http://www.artemiscavesuites.com/) for 4 nights. We got a warm welcome at the reception by Mr. Ferhat Erdogmus, who gave us several helpful tips. He has his own Hot Air Balloon Company which was a plus for us but unfortunately it didn’t work out. You can get in touch with him for future references, Contact: +905319844650.

Our hotel was not only located in Göreme (Nevşehir), also known for the famous Fairy Chimneys, which is the pearl of Cappadocia region, but also in a romantic street that smells of history, with magnificent caves all around us.

Our hotel room was quite interesting. Ever thought of having a relaxing stay in a cave?!? Then you are at the right destination. Our first experience here and it was a great. The room was well equipped with all the requirements, plus the view is just breathtaking. We would get up early morning, make some coffee and just enjoy it in the balcony. It was precious! Our room included a delicious breakfast buffet which was mainly Turkish and English.

WEATHER:

As I mentioned earlier, we went to Cappadocia in November, it was mostly gloomy with some amount of rain every now and then. We experienced quite a chilly weather to be honest and I do not do well with that! But the sky was unbelievably beautiful! On the day we checked out, I was in awe as the sky filled with hundreds of hot air balloons. It was a sight unforgettable.

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT:

Göreme has some good options for dine in and entertainment. Trip Advisor is our best friend when it comes to that. There were just too many options offering local cuisine. Our first night there, we walked into Anatolia Kitchen and we were not disappointed! Their popular dish ‘Lamb Testi Kebap’ served in a clay pot was just exceptional! We took a stroll around the neighborhood and found some restaurants with live music and hookah, saw a couple of Chinese and American restaurants just around the corner, which is ideal for those who are not used to Turkish cuisine. Some restaurants we tried were Sultan Restaurant & Cappadocia Pide House. One of my favorite place was the Viewpoint Café, where you get an outstanding view of the city, while sipping on some delicious warm salep!

SHOPPING & SOUVENIERS:

Shopping was interesting here. Too many stores selling local crafts. If you have an eye for that then you’ll love it. Unfortunately, we got tricked into buying an expensive table runner and a small purse for about 250 Lira, which was a waste! The shopkeepers are very convincing and insistent on selling you their products. Take my advice and ignore their calls if you’re on a budget. You’ll find magnets, key chains and ceramic products in almost all the stores so don’t waste too much time in one store. Bargaining can be a bit tricky due to the language barrier but you should definitely give it a try and you can get the price down by 30% to 40%.

PRIVATE TOUR:

The hot balloon rides were not operational during the 4 nights we spent there but the hotel manager, Reza, was nice enough to recommend us a private tour, which cost us about 350 Lira.

Our driver arrived around 9 am, so we got time to grab some breakfast before we started our day. The itinerary included Paradise Valley, Underground City, Pigeon Valley, Love Valley, Pottery Workshop Avanos, Fairy Chimneys, Devrent Valley, Ürgüp Valley & Goreme Open Air Museum. We were done by 5 pm.

Pigeon Valley

Love Valley

Pottery Workshop Avanos

Devrent Valley

Urgup Valley

Goreme Open Air Museum

Urgup Valley

Goreme Open Air Museum

Love Valley

Urgup Valley

Paradise Valley

I would recommend the private tour if you want to cover as much of Cappadocia in a short period of time. They have several tours available in Cappadocia like the red or the green line tour. Both tours have different routes but we covered most of the popular spot on our private tour. It’s a great time saver and you don’t have to rush through the tour unlike others.

In conclusion, Cappadocia is full of surprises but the best time to visit is from the end of April to June and September to October. During these months the days are warm, the nights are cool and there is very little chances of rain, perfect weather for a hot air balloon ride. To be honest, Cappadocia is more than just the balloon ride!

Hot air balloons around town

Continue reading “Cappadocia Chronicles” →