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Food and Travel Blog, Turkish Food and Culture, Food Stories, Local Food, Food Photography. Charming woodenhouse II in Çıralı in Kemer. Diana’s place is special.

charming woodenhouse II in Çıralı in Kemer

Just off the main road on a lovely piece of land that she has infused with her creative and colorful touches, some animals (ducks and chickens), gardens and flowers. I am glad I gave myself several days to sink into the place, to walk the trails, to explore, to feel the magic. I enjoyed spending time chatting with other travelers and with Diana around the common table next to the outdoor kitchen, where it was easy to prepare a meal, a cup of çay, or Turkish coffee.

I enjoyed the sense of separateness from the commercial scene in downtown Çıralı. I liked the clunky bikes that were available to use to get around. Diana offered some wonderful suggestions for my stay, including an evening hike up and over from the backside of the mountain to see the chimaera (yanartaş) flames, and a hike south along the coast following the Lycian Way. Off the beaten path vs. tourist must sees - Turkey Forum. 4.

off the beaten path vs. tourist must sees - Turkey Forum

Re: off the beaten path vs. tourist must sees We all have different travel styles, so please ignore my advice if it doesn’t suit. With only 9 days in Turkey and a desire to be immersed in local culture, I probably wouldn’t venture beyond Istanbul and one other destination. I say this partially because I can’t imagine spending fewer than 4 days in Istanbul, particularly if you want to absorb some local culture. Yes, Istanbul is full of historic sites but it oozes with local culture once you move beyond the historic core. That leaves 5 days remaining (again, ignore totally if this doesn’t suit), and I find that immersing myself locally takes time. If you do want to squeak in three locations (and I understand fully the desire to see as much as possible when travelling such a distance), I would suggest trying to fly directly to your first non-Istanbul location when you arrive.

Best restaurants in Istanbul. Fat kebabs sweating on spits near Taksim Square; mussels stuffed with rice and sprayed with lemon from a mobile street stall along Istiklal Avenue; sandwiches stuffed with fish plucked from the Bosphorus -- this is Turkish street food in all its glory.

Best restaurants in Istanbul

But over the past decade the best restaurants in Istanbul have proven themselves on a par with most other foodie cities, with a diverse offering from international super-brands to cafes catering to Istanbul’s growing community of young, creative, fine-dining professionals. Here's a sampling of the best restaurants in Istanbul. Turkey's best kebab restaurants. Put any kind of meat on a stick and roast it over a flame and it immediately becomes food fit for gods.

Turkey's best kebab restaurants

No country understands this sacred rule of seared meat like Turkey. Turkish kebabs are the incarnation of the meat lover’s most exotic fantasies, with grilled lamb, beef and chicken as skewer MVPs. Turkey: 4 off-the-beaten-path destinations. Grand palaces, ancient ruins, magnificent mosques -- there are many things that can pique a traveler’s interest in Turkey.

Turkey: 4 off-the-beaten-path destinations

But get past the popular spots and you’ll find several destinations that even the greatest Turkophiles may not have visited. Urla: Slow food, slow life. Explore Turkey and the Ottoman Empire. Special ValueThis tour is specially designed for a small group of 16 to 24 Smithsonian travelers and offers outstanding travel value.

Explore Turkey and the Ottoman Empire

Prices include airfare, airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees. OverviewVenture off the beaten path to explore central and southern Turkey. Begin with a three-day stay in Istanbul, which introduces you to its cultural and spiritual heart. Then travel to Gaziantep, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, and learn more about the city’s Arabic and Assyrian influences. A cruise on the Euphrates evokes stories from the Bible and ancient civilizations, as does a tour of Urfa (thought to be the birthplace of Abraham) and a day-trip to the early city of Harran. At Mt. Check out our slide show for a photo journey of this tour! ItineraryDays 1-2 — Depart for Istanbul, TurkeyUpon arrival, settle into your hotel located near Taksim Square, the heart of modern Istanbul.

Day 9 — Mt. Day 15 — DepartBoard an early flight to the U.S. Taskonak Hotel in Göreme, Turkey. Situated less than 2 km from Goreme Open Air Museum and a short walk to the village centre, this hotel offers both cave and stone rooms, and a terrace with views of Goreme Village and Rose Valley.

Taskonak Hotel in Göreme, Turkey

Free pick-up from the bus station and free Wi-Fi are available. Both cave and stone rooms at Taskonak Hotel are naturally cool and come with heating and an electric kettle. All except one room have an en suite bathroom. Breakfast is a feast of local tastes with homemade jams, yoghurt and cheese, as well as freshly baked banana bread and local pastries. Complimentary fruit, tea and coffee service is available all day long.