For some time, we’ve wanted to explore more of the Aegean coast of Turkey. The beautiful coastal town of Çeşme (meaning ‘fountain’), seemed like the perfect place to use as a base and continue those explorations. We already knew a little about the Çeşme region and its reputation. Beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters of the …
Today, 9th September, is the day that Izmir commemorates Independence Day. So, as we’re thinking all things Izmir, and trying to work out when we can fit in a little return visit some time in the not-too-distant future, we thought we’d have a look back at previous visits… Because Izmir is a city that me …
Anyone who visits Harrogate is always told they must go to Betty’s Cafe & Tea Rooms. When we visited Harrogate, we dutifully took ourselves off to said tea rooms. Can’t tell you if it was a pleasant surprise or a disappointment because it was an age ago, but I do remember wondering why these places …
Yes, readers; if you are not a football fan, never fear. There is no need to glaze over and stop reading. This is not so much a match report as another tale of the under-prepared travels of Barry and Julia; it’s just that the setting happens to be a football stadium – Alsancak Stadyumu – …
Izmir is a great city to walk around. Try this circular walk, with two
short ferry sails, starting at Alsancak via Karşıyaka, Bostanlı,
Konak…and back to Alsancak
Sat at the foot of Kadifekale, sandwiched between the hillside and the streets of Kemeraltı is the ancient Izmir agora. When we wrote about the Lycian and Roman ruins of Xanthos, we said that around many of Turkey’s archaeological sites, modern daily life continues. Nowhere is this more evident than at Izmir agora. Izmir’s Ancient Agora Here …
This time last week, we were telling you about how we got ourselves happily lost in the warren of streets that is Izmir’s Kemeraltı. Many of the streets are covered with mesh and vines to keep them shaded, so it’s even more difficult to get your bearings because, at times, you can’t see any of …
We’ve made this comparison before, but for us, when it comes to size and personality, Izmir is to Istanbul what Manchester is to London in the UK. Izmir is completely different to Istanbul. But it’s impossible not to make such a comparison. Both cities link their opposite shores by ferries (and Izmir uses the iconic …
In the Izmir seaside neighbourhood of Alsancak, there’s a famous, pedestrianised shopping street called Kıbrıs Şehitleri Caddesi. Filled with high street stores, restaurants and patisseries it’s Izmir’s answer to Istanbul’s Istiklal Caddesi, though it’s much less crowded and the high-rise buildings are much less historic. So if shopping isn’t your thing (we’re most definitely not …
Each city has its own personality, with qualities that either attract or repel the visitor, and if you’ve read our previous posts on Izmir, you’ll know we were very much attracted to the Aegean city. It’s a confident city without being cocky or in your face. It’s surrounded by mass tourism but remains unaffected by …