Istanbul journal: The Turkey is Finished Before Thanksgiving

a entry by Four Explore from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

By Dan

As a matter of convenience more than anything, we saved Istanbul for the end of our time in Turkey. I hesitate to say that its leaving the best for last, but it is certainly leaving something huge for the end. We have given ourselves five nights here, and as those five nights wind down, we feel that we have barely scratched the surface of this fascinating city.

Christina, in her role as Minister of Tourism, once again shone in her hotel selection. In my role as Minister of Finance, Ive got to grumble a little that it isnt in the budget, but weve really enjoyed the ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Urgup journal: Fly Me to the Moon

a entry by Four Explore from a trip to Urgup, Turkey.

By Christina

Wednesday the 7th of November found us on our first domestic flight in Turkey, on Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Kayseri and, other than Abby learning how to say barf bag in yet another language, the flight was relatively uneventful. Kayseri is smack dab in the middle of Turkey. The only reason one goes there, is it is the gateway to some of the most magical topography in the world. Dan and I had both been admiring pictures of Cappadocia for years, and to say we were jazzed to be there is a major understatement.

Things started out great, really great. I had chosen ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Goreme journal: Best Hotel Ever!!

a review of Esbelli Evi, a place to stay in Goreme, Turkey.

The Esbelli Evi is a cave hotel located in Urgup, not Goreme (the Real Travel website did not offer Urgup as a city!). This place is beautiful and cozy as can be. We thoroughly enjoyed the proprietor who provided a host of information, the room which was so beautifully decorated, and the breakfast which was wonderful. If you are going to Cappadocia, Turkey, you must stay here!

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Pamukkale journal: In Hot Water Again

a entry by Four Explore from a trip to Pamukkale, Denizli.

By Dan

After six nights in Turkey, it felt a little weird to be striking out on our first real foray into Turkey proper. Somehow, a quick run to Fethiye, 3 nights on the gulet, and then the Olympos and Antalya stops had seemed too easy. (OK, maybe the passage of time has dulled the memory of some of our early misadventures!)

We had booked a car for a week, planning to work our way up to Istanbul. Ill confess to some serious butterflies in my stomach (the size of helicopters) as we took a cab to the Antalya airport on November 1 to pick up the car. Unlike in France, where I could ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Olympos journal: Livin the Dream

a entry by Four Explore from a trip to Olympos, Turkey.

By Christina

One of my favorite people on the gulet was an Australian guy named Phil, who was touring around Turkey with his lovely wife Sharon. I liked him from the very first morning, when he and I found ourselves loitering around the kitchen area waiting for the water to boil for coffee. That led to a long discussion on coffee and food generally, two of my favorite subjects. We both lamented the fact that coffee in Turkey is of the Nescafe variety, and laughed that there we were, waiting with baited breath for our Nescafes. He did also tell me where to find the Starbucks in Istanbul ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]