Books to Read if You’re Going to Turkey
Having been a keen traveller for years, I have also been an avid reader. These two passions easily overlap as, while planning trips, I love reading about places I will visit to see if I can improve my cultural understanding and appreciation of a new place and I also enjoying revisiting, through books, places I have been. While we’re all temporarily grounded (thanks Covid-19), I thought I’d share some posts about travel literature during this period of solitude. I’m going to start with Turkey. Having lived in Turkey for a number of years myself, albeit a while ago now, these days I am mostly reminiscing when I read books set…
Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia
Hot air balloons are almost as much a feature of Cappadocia as the magnificent underground cities and fairy chimney houses. When you wake on your first morning to a sky filled with colourful balloons drifting almost silently over the remarkable landscape around you, you know you’ve arrived somewhere magical. But do you want to fly in a hot air balloon? Here’s why you should. Waking up in Cappadocia Waking up on my first morning in Cappadocia, I was aware of two sounds that I don’t normally wake to. The first was a determined mooing, so loud the (presumably) cow could have been standing at the end of the bed (but…
12 Turkish foods you should try
If you haven’t tried Turkish food yet, you really should! There is far more to it than just Turkish delight… Turkish cuisine has developed continuously over the centuries since Ottoman rule and has adopted influences from all over the place including Central Asian, the Middle East, Greece and the Balkans, resulting in wonderfully diverse, unique and flavoursome menus. Having just returned from a visit to Turkey, on which I binged shamelessly on all my favourite dishes, I thought I’d go one further than the boastful ‘holiday food’ photos on Facebook and write a post on the highlights of Turkish cuisine.Here are some of the best Turkish foods that I recommend…
First impressions of Cappadocia
Arriving somewhere new late at night and in the dark is always exciting, and Cappadocia is no different. The limited glimpses I got of buildings and road signs from inside the transfer bus from the airport to Goreme only made it more exciting. My first morning in Cappadocia started suddenly with the loud and insistent mooing of a local cow. I looked out of the window and was amazed by what lay before me. It’s not every day you come across a view so unique you want to drink in every detail. Across the part of Goreme that fell in view I saw homes and livestock buildings dotted between a…
17 Things you might not know about Istanbul
Turkey’s historic city Istanbul is known for many things, like being the world’s only city to straddle two continents, and being a great place to buy a Turkish carpet. However, this ancient city has lived many lives and has lots of stories to tell. There are probably several you haven’t heard yet. Here are 17 things you might not know about Istanbul. 1. Despite being the capital of the Roman Empire three times, and being by far the largest city in Turkey, Istanbul is not the capital. Ankara is the nation’s capital city, since Ataturk declared Turkey a republic in 1923. 2. Constantinople (also previously known as Byzantium, Stamboul and…
Three of Europe’s best coastal hikes
Europe has some incredible scenery, and a hiking adventure is one of the best ways to truly appreciate it.The European continent has it all, beautiful lakes, majestic mountains and spectacular rivers, with unique and charming towns and villages, often historic, scattered throughout, not to mention the food! There is an enormous variety of walking paths, offering everything from simple strolls to hardcore hiking. These three walks are my favourite coastal hikes in Europe, and worth the effort for the views alone. The Lycian Way, Turkey Covering more than 500 kilometres, the Lycian Way (Lykia Yolu) is made up of several historic pathways that stretch along Turkey’s beautiful south west coast…
Survival Guide – Turkey
Turkey is a beautiful country of dramatic landscapes, magical stories, rich history and friendly people. The food is fantastic too. It is an incredible destination and is unique in several ways. Here are a few things you should know before you go so you can make the most of your visit. There are so many magical things about Turkey you could spend years there and constantly be learning things. Whether you are considering moving to Turkey or simply enjoy the privacy of cheap holiday villas the experience of being self-sufficient in a foreign country is both interesting and very satisfying. Turkey can seem loud and chaotic at times but I have…
Kekova – Turkey’s Spectacular Sunken City
The Turkish coastline boasts many beautiful spots but Kekova is one of my favourites. From the narrow streets and ruins of nearby Simena to the picturesque mosque in Ucagiz and the underwater cities at Kekova, it is a region I find truly magical. Kekova refers to both the island and the region. Some will also refer to the underwater ruins as Kekova. The island, Kekova, is an uninhabited island from which ancient civilisations have tumbled into the sea as a result of earthquakes. Twenty years ago strict restrictions on swimming in the area were introduced to protect the ruins but these have all since been lifted or relaxed and it…
Violence in Istanbul as Police Attack Protestors
I awoke to shocking images and stories of violence on the streets of Istanbul today. It is probably something that has been a long time coming. Turkey is arguably the most westernised country of its Middle Eastern neighbours but the government has long neglected what many regard to be a basic human right, the freedom of speech. I usually share intriguing destinations, adventures and expat experiences on this blog, but I can’t ignore what is happening in Istanbul. Turkey was my home for years and while the current violence is terrifying the resistance, hopefully, marks a turning point in Turkey’s history. What is going on? A peaceful protest against the…
Where to stay in Istanbul
Spectacular Istanbul is a fascinating city spanning many different periods of history as well as the continents of both Europe and Asia. It offers many accommodation options across several areas of the (very large) city but most visitors opt to stay near the centre on the European side in either Taksim or Sultanahmet. Read on for more information that can help you decide where it is best to stay during your visit. This post is based upon these two areas of Istanbul because they are the areas with the highest density of visitor attractions and hotels (for more information on what to see in Istanbul click here) and also because…
