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Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
  • Mark Holmes
  • Janet Holmes
  • Mark Holmes
  • Janet Holmes

Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019

Taking advantage of a Travelzoo coupon to save $1100 off of a 13 day Treasures of Turkey tour, we’re heading across the pond once again. Have heard good things about Turkey, despite political upheaval from time to time. Read more
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  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    Heading for Pergamon.

    Coach stop

    October 20, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Stopped for 30 min break - souvenirs, a few Americanos (coffee) back in the bus heading for Pergemon. Driving along the Gulf of Edremit

    12:35 pm - driving through groves of olive trees now- rolling hillsides. Also pine nuts. Turkey exports tons of themRead more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    Our dining group with our hostess
    Our hostess and a few of the groupMother and daughterBulgar soup1Pomegranate straight from their treeGrspe leaves, bulgar wheat, eggplant and veggies and yogurtOur groupBaclavaOur hostessOven used to bake bread

    Lunch at a local's home

    October 20, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Great stop. We went in groups of six to different families to eat. Great food- interesting to see how Turkish families eat and live in the country

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    Looks weird but actually quite tasty. Baked chichen in curry sauce, stuffed with wild rice
    Flan - tastyNight shot from hotel room

    Hotel

    October 20, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    Arrived our hotel at 6:30 pm. Had dinner a half hour later. Went to the room - crashed immediately. Still trying to get over the jet lag.

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    View frim the hotel room this morning
    On the breakfast buffet –amazingAt the wsterfront, a block from our hotelPano of the waterfrontOne of the new curved buildings

    Trip to Ephesus

    October 21, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ 🌙 52 °F

    Starting two nights at this hotel, so nice not to pack again. Here’s the schedule for today. ( interesting that we used to live in Smyrna, GA). Call to prayer boomed out of loudspeakers every day reduces the need for an alarm clock. :)

    DAY 6, Monday - Full Day in Izmir
    Enjoy a full day at leisure in Izmir. With over 3500 years of history, the port city known historically as Smyrna offers a variety of impressive archaeological sites, not to mention easy access to ancient Ephesus. Perhaps, relax in the city and sip Türk kahvesi, authentic Turkish coffee, at a café set along the scenic Pasaport Quay. Don't miss the optional tour to Ephesus, considered one of the greatest ancient cities of the world. Here, you'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, Basilica of St. John, the library of Celsus, temple of Hadrian, the theater and the Odeon. After lunch at a local restaurant return to Izmir
    Optional: Full Day Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary with Lunch Overnight: Izmir
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    On the highway heading south , we learn that when they were constructing this Highway, they found a marble highway used by Alexander the Great.

    Heading to the House of the Virgin Mary this morning ( see map) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_the_Vi…    Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019

    Lunch

    October 21, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Oh my God! So, so awesome ! Wonderful lady, incredible food! I could only include part of the video. Maybe I can post all of it on Facebook. Bought her cookbook and told her “senin yemek harika! çok teşekkür ederim!” ; Your food is wonderful ! Thank you so much” ( (Thank you Google Translate). She gave me a huge hug which was pricelessRead more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019

    The Church of St John

    October 21, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    The Basilica of St. John was a basilica in Ephesus. It was constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century. It stands over the believed burial site of John the Apostle. It was modeled after the now lost Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople.Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    Our hotelDessert - tiny delicious sugar bombs!

    A short walk and dinner back at hotel

    October 21, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Got back from our day excursion around 4:30. Decided to stroll along the water ( a block from the hotel). Beautiful out- fun to watch all the dogs playing with each other. Cats and dogs are everywhere and are cared for by the public.

    After our walk, we stagger down to dinner, hardly feeling hungry after our massive lunch. Had hors d’ouevres , followed up be grilled sea bass and some tasty small desserts    Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    Traveling between mountain ranges

    Up early - destination Antalya

    October 22, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ 🌙 59 °F

    “Today, depart in the early morning from Izmir and drive to Pamukkale en route to Antalya where you will arrive in the evening. Visit the Necropolis and the ancient city of Hierapolis ("Holy City"), situated atop the Pamukkale hot springs, which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pamukkale hot springs have served as a thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C., primarily for the ailing and elderly, many of whom have retired here
    Overnight: Antalya Meals: Breakfast, Dinner”

    Alarm is set for 5 am. Bags out at 6. Departing at 7. (Ugh) fortunately spending 2 nights in Antalya.

    Map shows our route for the day    Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    Our good friend Amanda getting the cureWinston-Salem is everywhere!

    Pamukkale

    October 22, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Pamukkale is a town in western Turkey known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces on a nearby hillside. It neighbors Hierapolis, an ancient Roman spa city founded around 190 B.C. Ruins there include a well-preserved theater and a necropolis with sarcophagi that stretch for 2km. The Antique Pool is famous for its submerged Roman columns, the result of an earthquake.Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019

    Antalya

    October 22, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    Drive through the mountains today after stopping at Pamukkale. Beautiful scenery. (Not easy trying to take shots from the bus)

    Arrived Antalya around 7pm. Here for 2 nights at the 5 star Akra Hotel.https://www.akrahotels.com/akra_en/

    “Antalya is a Turkish resort city with a yacht-filled Old Harbor and beaches flanked by large hotels. It's a gateway to Turkey's southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters. Remnants remain from Antalya's time as a major Roman port. These include Hadrian’s Gate, built to honor the Roman emperor’s visit in 130 A.D and 2nd-century Hidirlik Tower, with harbor views.”    Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    Friendly bread makerCat enjoying mediterranean breakfastBeautiful setting for breakfast!

    Antalya with excursion today

    October 23, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ 🌙 68 °F

    Here’s the plan for today -
    “Enjoy a full day at leisure in Antalya. Founded by King Attalos of Pergamum as "Heaven on Earth," Antalya is an international resort city that has become a prime destination in Turkey. Long popular among yachters, the city also offers the liveliest nightlife on the southern coast, fantastic beaches, and world-class shopping, in addition to historic ruins in the surrounding region. A fascinating optional tour is offered to the Pamphylian city of Perge and to the ancient city of Aspendos. On the return trip, visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum with its artifacts dating back over 2500 years
    Optional: Perge, Aspendos & Antalya Archaeological Museum Overnight: Antalya
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner”

    We’re doing the optional. Up at 6:30 8:30 departure today. Wonderful breakfast , gorgeous morning, sitting outside feeling the nice breezes, watching cats scramble for table scraps. I could spend a few days just sitting here    Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019

    Aspendos

    October 23, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Aspendos is known for having the best-preserved theatre of antiquity. With a diameter of 96 metres (315 ft), it provided seating for 12,000.[9] It was built in 155[9] by the Greek architect Zenon, a native of the city. It was periodically repaired by the Seljuqs, who used it as a caravanserai, and in the 13th century the stage building was converted into a palace by the Seljuqs of Rum.[10]Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    MantiDelicious salad. Great dressingNo idea. But tastyOur patient observerThis beer tasted really, reslly good on a hot day!

    Yummy Yummy

    October 23, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    Our spot for lunch. Yep, that’s the name of the place! Boy was this tasty. Famous Turkish dish called Manti. Ravioli with small meatballs inside with yogurt and sauce. Delicious salad and yummy cake. Humorous waiter. Just took a chance and got lucky!

    https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/154920/homema…

    Afterwards strolled around old Town some more - walked down the hill to the old harbor and then hoofed it about 45 minutes back to the hotel.    Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019
    Random police stops to check credentials

    On the way to Cappadocia today

    October 24, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Here’s the plan for today:

    “Thursday - Cappadocia Caravanserai Sightseeing
    Today, depart in the early morning to travel to Cappadocia. En route, visit the 13th-century Caravanserai of Sultanhan, a large abandoned city and shelter in Cappadocia, built on the Silk Road, whose main portal gate is considered a fine example of Turkish Seljuk art. During the Seljuk period, trade flourished, requiring roads for caravan transport and inns for the traveling traders. The Caravanserai provided these traders, both foreign and native, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. There was even a small mosque, known as "Kosk Mescid," in the courtyard's center where the travelers could conduct religious practices. Continue to Nevsehir in Cappadocia where you will arrive in the evening. Tonight, be sure to attend the optional performance of the world-famous Whirling Dervishes
    *If time permits there may be a visit to a local school en route to Cappadocia.
    Optional: Whirling Dervishes Performance (PM)
    Overnight: Cappadocia
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner”

    https://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/cappadocia-…

    I’m not sure if this will work, but here’s a chance to listen to a bit of our tour guide’s discourse on what the day brings.

    https://www.evernote.com/shard/s9/sh/829bcfd6-e…

    You’ll have to let me know in the comments if you can actually listen to that. Used the App “Just Record” to record most of what he tells us each day on the bus

    Weaving our way through beautiful mountain scenery. Mountains up to 12000’ here    Read more

  • Turkey - Gate1 - October 2019

    Caravanserai - the Silk Road

    October 24, 2019 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    These buildings were like hostels along the Silk Road. This was one of the largest and dates back to the 13th Century. The front of it sheltered animals on the one side and humans above and then stores and shops on the other side. In the middle was a small mosque. In the rear were the winter quartersRead more

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