Romantic Greece and Exciting Turkey : 2011 Trip Report
Jul 23rd, 2011, 02:33 PM
#82
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Your Turkey pictures are beautiful, Indiancouple. Thank you for sharing them. They truly bring your travelogue to life, and are very representative of the beauty of Istanbul and Cappadocia.
I'm sorry that your trip report has come to an end for I enjoyed reading it very much, but will look forward to your future reports. Any idea whats next on the list for your travels and when ?
Thanks again for the report.
M
I'm sorry that your trip report has come to an end for I enjoyed reading it very much, but will look forward to your future reports. Any idea whats next on the list for your travels and when ?
Thanks again for the report.
M
Jul 23rd, 2011, 03:50 PM
#83
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Excellent report and you are making it tempting for us to return to Turkey (and Greece as a new destination) instead of our original destination plans. We loved Turkey before and now Santorini sounds enchanting. Thanks for posting your lovely photos also. Great writing style!
Jul 23rd, 2011, 07:06 PM
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bon_voyage, good question about Urgup vs Goreme. I had asked this same question on the Fodors forum while planning this trip. The link to my query, and the replies that I received, are given below :
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...or-goreme-.cfm
As for my own views on the subject, after having been there, they are as follows. It really will not matter much as to where you stay. The two villages are only about 8 km apart. You will need to rent a car to tour the Cappadocia area, and with a car, the distance between the two is immaterial.
As a place to live in, I guess they have their minor ups and downs. Goreme appeared to be more touristy, a lot busier, with a larger tourist "market-place" so to speak (lined with tour operators, hot air balloon agents, eateries etc), whereas Urgup appears more sedate and somewhat "upmarket", with far fewer eateries and touristy shops. Both have a large number of great hotels, and sufficient number of places to eat. My advice would be to select whichever hotel catches your fancy (irrespective of Urgup or Goreme), and you will be fine. If you have to choose between the two, decide if you want more touristy activity around your dwelling (Goreme), or more peace and seclusion (Urgup).
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...or-goreme-.cfm
As for my own views on the subject, after having been there, they are as follows. It really will not matter much as to where you stay. The two villages are only about 8 km apart. You will need to rent a car to tour the Cappadocia area, and with a car, the distance between the two is immaterial.
As a place to live in, I guess they have their minor ups and downs. Goreme appeared to be more touristy, a lot busier, with a larger tourist "market-place" so to speak (lined with tour operators, hot air balloon agents, eateries etc), whereas Urgup appears more sedate and somewhat "upmarket", with far fewer eateries and touristy shops. Both have a large number of great hotels, and sufficient number of places to eat. My advice would be to select whichever hotel catches your fancy (irrespective of Urgup or Goreme), and you will be fine. If you have to choose between the two, decide if you want more touristy activity around your dwelling (Goreme), or more peace and seclusion (Urgup).
Jul 24th, 2011, 08:17 AM
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Yes, but do allow sufficient time in Istanbul. The historical sights are one part of Istanbul; enjoying the nightlife at the meyhanes is quite another - the fun part of Istanbul. It is a city with so many contrasts. Truly one of the great cities of the world.
Jul 24th, 2011, 10:11 AM
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Turkey is a fascinating country. Besides Istanbul and the Cappadocia region, I also flew to Izmir, then rented a car and drove to Ephesus, Selcuk and the beautiful hilltop village of Sirince (vineyards, orchards, olive groves, etc.), while also exploring the surrounding areas (beaches) with the car. It was quite a revelation. Apart from the landscape, the concentration of history (religious and otherwise) and archaeological discoveries and things to see is amazing. The people and food of Turkey are also a big draw. Both wonderful. Next time, I'd love to go to the Sapphire coast as well as towards the the NE part of the country.
So many places, so little time...
So many places, so little time...
Jul 24th, 2011, 04:15 PM
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Yes we are about to embark on a slightly more adventurous tour of the Aegean Coast (After flying Rome-Rhodes). Plan to pick up a rental car at Marmaris and drive up the Datca Peninsular , ferry ascross to Bodrum and drive all the little coastal roads ,towns and ruin sites as far as we can in 18 days with a side trip to Pamukkale through Selcuk. Really looking forward to it!
Jul 24th, 2011, 09:28 PM
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Indiancouple, thanks so much for a wonderful trip report! I am heading to Istanbul next month and have made many notes, especially appreciate the nightlife recommendatioins as that is the type of stuff my friend and I like to do besides the typcial sightseeing activities. Reading this filled me with so much excitement!!
Jul 24th, 2011, 11:35 PM
#93
Indiancouple, thanks for a very complete, informative and also personal report. I am sorry that i had no input in your trip but apparently you did not need any.
Next time you're here, i will try to fill in the gaps.
One subject regarding Istanbul night life that also pertains to JenV's post above is:
There are six other areas with varying differences for interesting night life.
Nisantasi-Tesvikiye-Abdi Ipekci Street: October-end May,
upscale, yuppies, fashion icons, some media personalities, good for people watching, side walk cafes and restaurants, reasonably good food, bars, good upscale shopping.
Galata Tower : weekend public concerts, many restaurants including one regional Turkish restaurant Kiva which is fine and not expensive. est jazz club, nardis, nearby, old 19th century neighborhood, some parts still run down, many expats and the best known synagogue.
Asmalimescit : Where the Nisantasi crowd goes slumming. Expensive but a mix of sub cultures, some good restaurants and meyhanes (better than Nevizade Street), location of good small concert hall, Babylon, in between Pera Palas hotel and Istiklal.
Ortakoy : South of the square, banyan restaurant-bar, house cafe and Angelique and Istanbul jazz Center, expensive in places and meeting areas.
Bebek : Always popular upscale area with many cafes, bars, restaurants and one of our favorite hotels, bebek hotel, Luca bar strangely popular with all ages including 20 year olds and old goats, excellent but expensive meyhane-fish restaurants, nice sea side promenade, location of hourly daily motor yacht rentals, close to the Rumeli Fortress, Good park, good breakfast and pastries at Divan Patissery on the sea, the best and atrociously expensive mashed pistacchio and almond sweets at Bebek Badem Ezmesi.
The Super Supper Clubs : North of Ortakoy, Reina and Sortie, horse's shoe shaped with 6-8 restaurants each and bar in the middle. need reservation for weekends, two seatings at weekends. bar area seating and even stands require bottle purchase. The places to see and to be seen. We had trouble getting our son-in-law's 84 year old grandmother from Detroit to agree to leave at 1AM, she was enjoying herself so much watching the people and the view and listening to the music. The third location is Su Ada, the former Galatasaray island, just off Kurucesme, has shuttle boat every few minutes serving the 3-4 restaurants and bar at night and the swimming pool, cafes and bar in daytime. Good meat restaurant, we have not tried other restaurants. These are open June to October. need to dress up for all three, casual-designer for men, anything that looks scrumptious for the ladies but with the highest heels.
Just a major note of thanks for writing about Dubb Indian restaurant. The few Indian restaurants we knew about were not good at all so i ended up mixing my own curries from spices i buy from the spice market (8-17 different spices) and making my own with some nan made by my wife and mango and lime pickles brought by friends visiting from abroad, using butter instead of ghee and alternately using yoghurt or coconut milk for cooking. I also make Turkish-Indian fusion recipes of my own creation.
Next time you're here, i will try to fill in the gaps.
One subject regarding Istanbul night life that also pertains to JenV's post above is:
There are six other areas with varying differences for interesting night life.
Nisantasi-Tesvikiye-Abdi Ipekci Street: October-end May,
upscale, yuppies, fashion icons, some media personalities, good for people watching, side walk cafes and restaurants, reasonably good food, bars, good upscale shopping.
Galata Tower : weekend public concerts, many restaurants including one regional Turkish restaurant Kiva which is fine and not expensive. est jazz club, nardis, nearby, old 19th century neighborhood, some parts still run down, many expats and the best known synagogue.
Asmalimescit : Where the Nisantasi crowd goes slumming. Expensive but a mix of sub cultures, some good restaurants and meyhanes (better than Nevizade Street), location of good small concert hall, Babylon, in between Pera Palas hotel and Istiklal.
Ortakoy : South of the square, banyan restaurant-bar, house cafe and Angelique and Istanbul jazz Center, expensive in places and meeting areas.
Bebek : Always popular upscale area with many cafes, bars, restaurants and one of our favorite hotels, bebek hotel, Luca bar strangely popular with all ages including 20 year olds and old goats, excellent but expensive meyhane-fish restaurants, nice sea side promenade, location of hourly daily motor yacht rentals, close to the Rumeli Fortress, Good park, good breakfast and pastries at Divan Patissery on the sea, the best and atrociously expensive mashed pistacchio and almond sweets at Bebek Badem Ezmesi.
The Super Supper Clubs : North of Ortakoy, Reina and Sortie, horse's shoe shaped with 6-8 restaurants each and bar in the middle. need reservation for weekends, two seatings at weekends. bar area seating and even stands require bottle purchase. The places to see and to be seen. We had trouble getting our son-in-law's 84 year old grandmother from Detroit to agree to leave at 1AM, she was enjoying herself so much watching the people and the view and listening to the music. The third location is Su Ada, the former Galatasaray island, just off Kurucesme, has shuttle boat every few minutes serving the 3-4 restaurants and bar at night and the swimming pool, cafes and bar in daytime. Good meat restaurant, we have not tried other restaurants. These are open June to October. need to dress up for all three, casual-designer for men, anything that looks scrumptious for the ladies but with the highest heels.
Just a major note of thanks for writing about Dubb Indian restaurant. The few Indian restaurants we knew about were not good at all so i ended up mixing my own curries from spices i buy from the spice market (8-17 different spices) and making my own with some nan made by my wife and mango and lime pickles brought by friends visiting from abroad, using butter instead of ghee and alternately using yoghurt or coconut milk for cooking. I also make Turkish-Indian fusion recipes of my own creation.
Jul 25th, 2011, 05:29 AM
#94
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Mathieu and Tommmo, I realize that there are so many other beautiful places in Turkey to visit, which we did not cover. I specially regret having missed out on Ephesus, which everyone raves about. But as you rightly said, so much to see and so little time.
Jul 25th, 2011, 05:33 AM
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JenV, all the best for your Istanbul trip. Hope you have a great time. Now that otherchelebi has elaborated on so many other nightlife options (and he is the best Turkey expert on this forum), you can have a greater partying time than us.
Do post a trip report when you are back.
Do post a trip report when you are back.
Jul 25th, 2011, 05:37 AM
#96
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otherchelebi, thanks for the compliments. It means a lot to me, coming from you, as you are perhaps the most knowledgeable poster about Turkey on Fodors that I have come across.
It is not true that you had no inputs on my trip. You may not recall, but you did respond to several of my queries when I was planning.
As for Dubb restaurant, the branch which is on a side-street off Abiyik Caddesi is much better than the one near the Sultanahmet tram stop on Divan Yolu. However, the chef (at the better one) told us that he plans to flee back to India soon, so you better rush there before he departs !
It is not true that you had no inputs on my trip. You may not recall, but you did respond to several of my queries when I was planning.
As for Dubb restaurant, the branch which is on a side-street off Abiyik Caddesi is much better than the one near the Sultanahmet tram stop on Divan Yolu. However, the chef (at the better one) told us that he plans to flee back to India soon, so you better rush there before he departs !
Jul 25th, 2011, 02:59 PM
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Otherchelebi thank you so much for the additional information on nightlife. I read all of your Istanbul posts and was planning to put together a post soon to fill in some gaps as you say for my trip. I really appreciate your input and indiancouple for this trip report!
IC, so far I have yet to post a trip report in 9 years of fodorsmanship and many trips (although I do answer questions where I feel I can be helpful), maybe this will be the year!
IC, so far I have yet to post a trip report in 9 years of fodorsmanship and many trips (although I do answer questions where I feel I can be helpful), maybe this will be the year!
Jul 26th, 2011, 06:05 PM
#98
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JenV, if you have been a regular visitor to this forum, and used the inputs from this forum for your trip planning, then it is only proper that you regularly post trip reports and give a lot back to the forum as well. So do make a beginning this time.
The trip report is as much for your own benefit as for others. It becomes a permanent online record of your trip, which you can go back and read yourself time and again, and re-live those wonderful days.
The trip report is as much for your own benefit as for others. It becomes a permanent online record of your trip, which you can go back and read yourself time and again, and re-live those wonderful days.
Aug 26th, 2014, 01:14 PM
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Excellent report. Have been to Greece (Athens, Olympia ) but not to Santorini. Wanting to go for long time now. BTW, cannot get your photos. Looks like the link is expired. Would you mind sharing the link again for Greece and Turkey.
