Trip Report: Modern Cities, Seaside Resorts, Ancient Ruins, TURKEY Tantalizes Our Taste buds and Transcends All Expectations
Oct 31st, 2007, 07:43 PM
#23
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A great report! Thanks for writing it - I have Rami written down as a resto we want to try.
I shall carry a card with "Kokorec" written on it. Thank you Murat! Are there any other foods made of any other intestines that should go there too?
I shall carry a card with "Kokorec" written on it. Thank you Murat! Are there any other foods made of any other intestines that should go there too?
Nov 1st, 2007, 05:31 PM
#24
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Hi Happy...
Yes, I highly recommend Rami! We loved the food and it's located in an old Ottoman House and if you are seated in the front room there's a nice view of the Blue Mosque!
And thanks to all have read my report!
Yes, I highly recommend Rami! We loved the food and it's located in an old Ottoman House and if you are seated in the front room there's a nice view of the Blue Mosque!
And thanks to all have read my report!
Nov 2nd, 2007, 12:48 AM
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Hi Happy,Well, at restaurants if the mezes are open buffet or tray service you may want to know what Ciger means. Thats liver. Usually fried. But again, its worth trying it.
Only at specila places and at soup eiteries there are all kind of tribe based soups, called Iskembe, we usually take after a heavy night of drinking.....
For the rest you are safe ;-)
Happy travelling,
Murat
Nov 2nd, 2007, 03:06 AM
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Dear LowCountryIslander
It was great fun to read your story about your visit to Turkey.Iam happy that you did enjoy your stay here.
I have been in Turkey now many years and lived in many different places.For me Turkey really is full of interesting sights,culture,many amazeing places,customs and still respect for different nationalities and religions and Turkish cuisine.
So many thinks to talk about.
How was your visit to Ephesus?
Hope to hear from you or someone else who is interested in Turkey.
It was great fun to read your story about your visit to Turkey.Iam happy that you did enjoy your stay here.
I have been in Turkey now many years and lived in many different places.For me Turkey really is full of interesting sights,culture,many amazeing places,customs and still respect for different nationalities and religions and Turkish cuisine.
So many thinks to talk about.
How was your visit to Ephesus?
Hope to hear from you or someone else who is interested in Turkey.
Nov 2nd, 2007, 08:07 AM
#27
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Katinkka...
I enjoyed Ephesus, especially the terrace houses and the library there is amazing. It was a bit crowded (not as bad as in the summer is what I was told). I know it is a very popular desitination, however I enjoyed Aphrodisias a bit more than Ephesus.
I enjoyed Ephesus, especially the terrace houses and the library there is amazing. It was a bit crowded (not as bad as in the summer is what I was told). I know it is a very popular desitination, however I enjoyed Aphrodisias a bit more than Ephesus.
Nov 3rd, 2007, 05:31 AM
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LCI, great trip report! The hotel you stayed in at Istanbul is the first one I've seen that seems to be a really good fit for my wife and me. Thanks for mentioning it!
Based on your recommendation of Aphrodisias, I'll check that out too. I have no idea if it's near where we'll be.
Based on your recommendation of Aphrodisias, I'll check that out too. I have no idea if it's near where we'll be.
Nov 3rd, 2007, 05:40 AM
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Cheese, in case you misplace your card about kokorec, I'll take an extra one just for you. I'll even give you a bite of my sandwich because I can't wait to try it!
Thanks, Murat, for the information! In fact, I'm already thinking about the title to my trip report: "I met Cheese over a kokorec sandwich."
Thanks, Murat, for the information! In fact, I'm already thinking about the title to my trip report: "I met Cheese over a kokorec sandwich."
Nov 3rd, 2007, 05:10 PM
#32
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Sharon G...
I would encourage you to see the rest of Turkey. Although Kusadasi was a good location to stay to see Ephesus, it is geared up for the tourist trade. Turkey has so much to see...think about an in-depth trip there!
I would encourage you to see the rest of Turkey. Although Kusadasi was a good location to stay to see Ephesus, it is geared up for the tourist trade. Turkey has so much to see...think about an in-depth trip there!
Nov 6th, 2007, 09:19 AM
#33
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OMG Mike - I will be happy to watch YOU try that sandwich! I just can't do organ foods (that I know of, LOL).
I have to admit - eating out is the part of travel that is the hardest for me. While I eat PLENTY of what I like, it seems hard to find the right restaurant in the right place at the right time!
I have to admit - eating out is the part of travel that is the hardest for me. While I eat PLENTY of what I like, it seems hard to find the right restaurant in the right place at the right time!
Nov 20th, 2007, 10:55 PM
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LowCountryIslander,
The best part of my own trip to Turkey (of many wonderful parts!) -was- that balloon ride.
I notice you didn't seem to have pictures of it so I'll add a link here to my page of photos from our balloon ride for those interested from your incredibly thorough trip report.
Photos of the ride over the weird shapes;
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/cappballoon
Videoclips (brief) from the balloon:
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/cappballoonvideo
The video scenes are LOUD when the flame is boosted over our heads (and the flame was hot), so turn down the speakers as the sound can be annoying.
We had a pilot who loved getting us close to the mountains and then would boost the height at the last minute! We did have a problem in landing as we could not land where he had planned to so we looked for a suitable place for a while and wound up landing on a hill, with a couple of little bumps like yours.
AND we had the champagne and a certificate of our flight
- Andrys
--
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/turkey
The best part of my own trip to Turkey (of many wonderful parts!) -was- that balloon ride.
I notice you didn't seem to have pictures of it so I'll add a link here to my page of photos from our balloon ride for those interested from your incredibly thorough trip report.
Photos of the ride over the weird shapes;
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/cappballoon
Videoclips (brief) from the balloon:
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/cappballoonvideo
The video scenes are LOUD when the flame is boosted over our heads (and the flame was hot), so turn down the speakers as the sound can be annoying.
We had a pilot who loved getting us close to the mountains and then would boost the height at the last minute! We did have a problem in landing as we could not land where he had planned to so we looked for a suitable place for a while and wound up landing on a hill, with a couple of little bumps like yours.
AND we had the champagne and a certificate of our flight
- Andrys
--
http://www.pbase.com/andrys/turkey
Nov 21st, 2007, 12:30 AM
#35
Hi LCI,
what a great report - not long-winded at all and full of useful and interesting tips. It's particularly good to have a review of a tour as so few are posted here. Turkey is one of the where I might consider taking a tour, perhaps with some extra individual time as well just as you did.
Were you happy that you stayed in Istanbul twice?
regards, ann
what a great report - not long-winded at all and full of useful and interesting tips. It's particularly good to have a review of a tour as so few are posted here. Turkey is one of the where I might consider taking a tour, perhaps with some extra individual time as well just as you did.
Were you happy that you stayed in Istanbul twice?
regards, ann
Nov 21st, 2007, 06:16 AM
#36
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Andrys...
Thanks for sharing your balloon ride pictures, they are wonderful! In one of my posts I did give a link to my kodak gallery photo album from my trip, but maybe the link is not working propertly. Although my balloon pictures are burried pretty deep into the photo album and there are 800+ pictures!
Annhig...
Yes, I was very happy we went back to Istanbul for a second visit at the end of the group tour. It is such a huge city and there is alot to see and do and with the group tour we were only there 3 days.
Thanks for reading my trip report!
Thanks for sharing your balloon ride pictures, they are wonderful! In one of my posts I did give a link to my kodak gallery photo album from my trip, but maybe the link is not working propertly. Although my balloon pictures are burried pretty deep into the photo album and there are 800+ pictures!
Annhig...
Yes, I was very happy we went back to Istanbul for a second visit at the end of the group tour. It is such a huge city and there is alot to see and do and with the group tour we were only there 3 days.
Thanks for reading my trip report!
Nov 21st, 2007, 08:47 AM
#37
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Great trip report - I am planning on visiting Turkey sometime within the next couple of years. Your trip report especially interested me because you did use a group tour.
I've always been a die hard independent traveler, but I'll probably be going solo to Turkey. For whatever weird reason, I don't feel comfortable traveling to Turkey solo, which means joining a group tour. I've had a hard time finding a tour that provides a good bit of independent time - I'll have to check out the RS tour more.
I've always been a die hard independent traveler, but I'll probably be going solo to Turkey. For whatever weird reason, I don't feel comfortable traveling to Turkey solo, which means joining a group tour. I've had a hard time finding a tour that provides a good bit of independent time - I'll have to check out the RS tour more.
Nov 21st, 2007, 09:01 AM
#38
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The report comes just at the right time for me. Yesterday we decided that Turkey will probably be our next destination. I have a question about costs: car rental, hotels outside Istanbul. If you do not want to post them on the web, please e-mail me directly. Thanks.
Nov 21st, 2007, 09:14 AM
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Chepar...
I would encourage you to check out the Rick Steves website to see the Turkey tour itinerary. Also, that particular tour is only one of a few in the company where a single supplement is available. I traveled with a friend, but there were 2 women in our group who paid the sinlgle supplement and that was one of the reasons they each chose this particular tour.
Michael...
I'm sorry I won't be much help with the cost of car rentals, most of the trip was done via a group tour, it was only my extended time in Istanbul where I was not part of a group tour and did not use a rental car for that. Same situation with the hotels outside of Istanbul, that was all put together with my tour package. The hotel I stayed at in Istanbul while on my own was 90 Euro per night, but since then the rate has gone up to 99 Euro per night.
I can comment on prices in restaurants throughout the country and found them to be reasonable, not dirt cheap like I assume it was many years ago in Turkey, but our only very expensive meal was in Istanbul and that was approximately $80 USD for 2 of us including a bottle of wine.
I would encourage you to check out the Rick Steves website to see the Turkey tour itinerary. Also, that particular tour is only one of a few in the company where a single supplement is available. I traveled with a friend, but there were 2 women in our group who paid the sinlgle supplement and that was one of the reasons they each chose this particular tour.
Michael...
I'm sorry I won't be much help with the cost of car rentals, most of the trip was done via a group tour, it was only my extended time in Istanbul where I was not part of a group tour and did not use a rental car for that. Same situation with the hotels outside of Istanbul, that was all put together with my tour package. The hotel I stayed at in Istanbul while on my own was 90 Euro per night, but since then the rate has gone up to 99 Euro per night.
I can comment on prices in restaurants throughout the country and found them to be reasonable, not dirt cheap like I assume it was many years ago in Turkey, but our only very expensive meal was in Istanbul and that was approximately $80 USD for 2 of us including a bottle of wine.
Nov 22nd, 2007, 03:40 AM
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Hi Mike,
If you did not like kokorec I will pay you what you paid for and an extra Efes beer...You will love it.
Happy, do not worry about using restaurants as the yummy stuff we talked about available only at specialists kiosks & restaurants....
Michael; car rental prices vary depending on the season, type of car and the company. You can count 50 Usd starting from for economy... Lte me know if you need any other spesifics.
Happy travelling,
Murat
If you did not like kokorec I will pay you what you paid for and an extra Efes beer...You will love it.
Happy, do not worry about using restaurants as the yummy stuff we talked about available only at specialists kiosks & restaurants....
Michael; car rental prices vary depending on the season, type of car and the company. You can count 50 Usd starting from for economy... Lte me know if you need any other spesifics.
Happy travelling,
Murat
