World Traveler

As I got further down the coast it got more and more touristy, Didim was like little England!  Everything was in Pounds Sterling and it was almost impossible to buy Turkish food but there was plenty of eggs, beans and chips on offer in restaurants! Bodrum, which is a bit further down the coast was pretty much the same but not as bad but at least the partying there was good (apart from the fact that each place only seems to have one CD so I heard the same song about 7 times in one night!) and none of the bars and clubs ever seem to close, which I thought was fantastic!

There was much more Turkish food on offer and the waiters come out with funny lines as well “Do you want more tea, coffee, espresso….me?” each seemed to have some different line “How can I hassle you?” which made us laugh, but I must say that Turkish guys are very good looking!

I tried my first extreme sport (actually it sounds extreme but don’t know if it is, but its the closest I have ever got to one!)  Paragliding (me and a pilot attached to a big parachute)! We were taken up to the top of a mountain and I had to put on a funny suit with a chair stuck to the bum, then was harnessed up and told by my pilot “RUN NOW” at which I nearly soiled myself and suddenly thought ‘what am I doing?’  But it was too late so had to run, in the process I nearly lost a shoe and struggled to keep it on and then we were flying!  It was really cool but did make me feel sick (enough for the pilot top get out a carrier bag!)  It wasn’t that scary, except for when we got really close to crashing into a mountain or landing in a tree.  He also let me steer which did scare me but I didn’t crash and am still alive (obviously!)

http://www.worldtravelerjournal.com/category/turkey/

http://www.bodrum-info.org/

Just a few hours from Istanbul is a small town called Ayvalik where local Turkish people often take holidays, so there aren’t many tourists. I went on a boat trip during the day so I could check out some of the surrounding islands. The boat was fab and had a waterslide off the back (which made my bikini come off and look more like a necklace!) and everyone was out on deck dancing. The sea was freezing (because there are fresh water springs under the sea) and the water was so salty that you just float and when you get out you were covered with salt crystals (no its not the dead sea).

Later in the day they had party games on the top deck that random people had to join in on, I just watched as couldn’t understand anything as everyone except me was Turkish. Soon I realized that the man on the microphone was talking about me as everyone was pointing and cheering at me, I gathered I had to take part in the next party game so got up and stood with the other Turkish girls that were picked. This game, to my dismay, was a belly dancing competition and there was about hundred people on the boat watching me while I attempted to belly dance - IN A BIKINI for all to see! How embarrassing is that! They made me do it again after on my own too, as if the first time wasn’t embarrassing enough - I came second though!

There are plenty of different boat trips on offer, with relaxing options too, there are also night trips available. The town also boasts a fairly large market offering all types of clothing and food which is lovely to walk around. Don’t miss a panorama sunset with amazing views about 7km out of the town, there is also a restaurant there so you can make an evening of it, although you will need to take a taxi there and back as there is no other transport.

http://www.worldtravelerjournal.com/category/turkey/

http://www.turkeyinphotos.com/ayvalik.htm

Hello, or shall I say Mer ha-ba (that’s with a rolling R and a hacking up H!’)  I’m are trying to master the language but even a simple thank you is so long that it takes about 10 minutes to say it! Turkey is nothing like I had expected, I wasn’t really that up for it, I thought it would be all about carpets and pervy men but but its really cool and there are loads of natural amazing things to see with less perves than England (more carpets though). 

The capital, Istanbul is really cute!  Its like an exotic Coronation Street with its tiny cobbles streets and flowers and there are fabulous fairytale like mosques and palaces everywhere, the people are really friendly and chatty too (generally because they want to sell you something), and the food is to die for - I think I must have put on about 2 stone since leaving the UK!   The menu’s that have been translated to English are brilliant, we saw one that had ‘Sensitive meatballs’ on offer! There is plenty of choice even if you are vegetarian.

There is loads to see and do from sight seeing, history and architecture, beautiful scenery, ruins and temples. The nightlife is pretty good too and everyone is always up for a party. You meet loads of people, locals and travelers and its a very easy place to travel around. Transport links are good and bus travel is bliss as they have a steward that supplies water, cold drinks, tea and coffee and cakes! Prices are reasonable and you don’t get much hassle – unless you go to one of the bazaars!

http://www.worldtravelerjournal.com/category/turkey/

http://www.tourismturkey.org/

There is loads to see and do by night or by day. By day there are many beautiful buildings and mosques to see and of course all the bazaars – although all the shop owners will try and drag you into their shops and pressure you to buy something so stand your ground with a stern “No thank you.� There is also the spice market where you can get a potion for almost anything and there are plenty of free testers up for grabs too! If you fancy a lazy day the river cruises are lovely and usually provide lunch, although the quality of the food is fairly poor.

By night there are plenty of dining options or partying if you prefer there is an area in the city called Taxim which is great for both! Don’t miss out on some brilliant entertainment; dinner whilst watching belly dancing and traditional dancing, its definitely something not to be missed. One in particular that we went to was hilarious.  I sat right at the front and the biggest guy I have ever seen (think Arnold Schwarzenegger) came out in this hilarious short dungaree ans amble (like the outfit in National Lampoons European Vacation!)  obviously I couldn’t contain myself and was in fits of incredibly loud laughter at the sight of him, as was the woman next to me, then he started doing a kicky-up-leg dance which only increased my volume and made me laugh so much that my eyes were streaming!  I’m not sure if it was supposed to be funny but it definitely got me going!  Then two guys come out to do a dance but on their chests they had faces painted, fake arms swinging by their sides and their hands behind their heads and covered so it looked like they were little people wearing hats! 

Later they got 4 guys from the audience up and made them sit on stools next to each other and  asked them to put their feet and arms in certain positions and lean backwards then proceeded to take the stools away so they were just left sat in a tangle but it didn’t work and they all fell in a pile on the floor!

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/turkey/istanbul

http://www.worldtravelerjournal.com/camels-and-carpets/

One of the best ways to enjoy a trip is to move at a leisurely pace. And when you take a walking tour of County Galway in Ireland, a leisurely pace is just the thing.

County Galway is situated in the very west of Ireland, between the ocean and mountains. This means that you have the opportunity to enjoy some great hiking even as you enjoy sea and mountain views, enjoy learning about Irish culture and history and, of course, take advantage of the lively pubs.

Start your journey in Galway City, Ireland’s third largest, and then move from there. Connemara National Park allows you to experience a blanketed bog, Ireland style, as you explore pools and islands, and catch glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean. You can also see the impressive Twelve Bens. You can either ascend the Bens, or you can take the Western Way to wind your way through the Maamturks.

Other highlights include such rustic and picturesque towns as Cong and Clifden, which feature castles and abbeys to look at. Don’t forget the island Inishbofin (take the ferry from Cleggan).

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If you like horses, and if you like wine, you can have the best of both worlds when you go horseback riding in Italy’s chianti region. This ride will take you between the famous city of Florence, and the less famous city of Siena. You will ride through Castellina and Radda, which are well known for their fine wineries.

But horseback riding in Italy’s chianti region isn’t just about the wine (although that is a good part of it — don’t neglect Montalcino, where Brunello is made). You should make sure that you try the local Tuscan specialty: bistecca al fiorentina. This is one of the best ways to eat a t-bone that I’ve ever tried. Also, enjoy the medieval and Gothic architecture that abounds in Siena (check out the Palio festival on July 2 and August 16) and San Gimignano (see the Sword in the Stone at the Abbey of San Galgano, a little to the south).

Horseback riding in Italy’s chianti region offers you the perfect opportunity to take life at a slower pace, and enjoy the sights — and the tastes — of Tuscany.

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One of the features of the Netherlands, a country the emerged from the North Sea with the help of pumping and a clever system of dikes, is a rather flat landscape. And if you are looking for some pleasure biking, the flatlands of Northern Holland is a great way to go.

Biking paradise in the Netherlands

Northern Holland features a rather extensive network of bike trails that will lead you through villages dating to 500 B.C., and through the cultural heritage of Haarlam. Additionally, you can enjoy the open-air flower market featured at Keukenhof (which runs from March to May). You can also visit Giethoorn, which features waterways (much like Venice) and pay homage to the sugar capital of Western Europe, Groningen. One of the best bike trails is one that takes 4-6 days, around Lake Ijsselmeer. Don’t forget to stop at Edam for some cheese.

Because biking is so big in the Netherlands, it is possible to rent bikes just about anywhere. Most train stations offer rentals, and many provide high quality bikes and help for mechanical issues.

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If you are looking for an interesting experience in Berlin (and the former East Berlin at that), you should see about trying Berliner weisse. And the best place to get Berliner weisse just might be the Alt-Berliner Weissbierstube. And you may have to visit the Alt-Berliner Weissbierstube to get this sour drink. It is rapidly disappearing from the brewery scene. The New York Times offers this insight into Berliner weisse:

Thus the rub: though Germany is home to some of the greatest beer culture on the planet, local flavor is increasingly elusive. Ever since the rise of lagers like Pilsener and the spread of industrial brewing in the late 19th century, dozens, if not hundreds, of charismatic local beers have disappeared.

“It happened very quickly,â€? said Ron Pattinson, whose European Beer Guide lists many obsolete and rare German beers, including broyhan from Hannover, mumme from Braunschweig and keut from Münster. “The older styles were overwhelmed, and what we’ve got left are just the odd remnants of beers. It’s like a landscape that has been swamped, and you can just make out the odd tree and hilltop.â€?

So, if you are looking for a piece of this dwindling beer culture, you might have to travel to Berlin quickly. And to take the edge of the sour, order your Berliner weisse with shots of syrup.

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First Class is soon to disappear in airline travel. At least, first class as we know it. MSNBC Travel reports on the latest trends in airline travel:

“Business-class has been upgraded to first-class standards at some airlines, and it’s encroaching on first-class,” says Edward Plaisted, chief executive of Skytrax, a U.K.-based airline and airport quality ranking company that assesses quality of first-class long haul flights. “First-class is at the stage where the section is filled by upgrades and frequent fliers.”

As a result, he predicts that some airlines will eliminate their first-class altogether. Skytrax research shows that around 35 airlines currently provide first-class service globally. This number doesn’t include smaller airlines that may offer first-class on domestic routes. Plaisted estimates that in the next five years, only 20 or 25 airlines will maintain the service.

And the airline travel providers that do keep first class? Well they are expected to become more luxurious. Truly first class airline travel. In the new first class airline travel, it will be more like staying in a hotel, the MSNBC story continues:

Aram Gesar, editor of New York-based AirGuide magazine and AirGuideonline.com, publications for frequent travelers, says “there will be more square footage and more cabin attendants but fewer seats.” What’s more, seats will be more like mini-suites with sliding doors so fliers can be left alone to sleep, dine or hold business meetings. Emirates already offers this for first-class fliers.

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Athens, Greece is one of those places that gets hot and overly crowded in the summer. But many people want to head to Greece to see the glories of such things as the Parthenon and the Acropolis. And while these treasures (and those on display in the National Archaeological Museum) are well worth seeing, be warned: go NOW or you’ll know the reason why.

The best time to see Athens is between March and mid-May (and April is just about over), due to the fact that the weather is pleasant and somewhat mild (March can get a little brisk, though). Additionally, you can visit this crowded and congested city (even at the best of times) without the added frustration of larger tourist crowds. Now is the perfect time to go. But if you do, make sure you leave enough time to get stuck in traffic and take advantage of pedestrianized passages, such as the walk along Dionissiou Areopayitou Street (this is an excellent journey, sans cars, from Hadrian’s Gate to the Acropolis to Agora to Kerameikos). And save time to head out of the hustle and bustle of the city and take a jaunt to the Greek islands for a slower pace of life.

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Madrid, Spain is not known for its vegetarian restaurants. However, if you are looking for vegatarian food, head over to La Biotika. Not only does La Biotika serve vegetarian food, it is inexpensive and quite good. La Biotika is located at Amor de Dios, east of the famous Plaza Santa Ana. This is great, as it allows you the chance to do some sightseeing before or after you get your food.

Some of the delicious vegetarian offerings provided by La Biotika include homemade soup, salads (which are generous is portion size) and a variety of creative and tasty dishes made from tofu and a variety of vegetables (like zucchini). The recommended specialty of La Biotika is a rather amazing vegetable “meat” ball. While veggies will never taste just like meat, the veggie “meat” ball actually has a great texture and tastes good.

And, you can’t argue with the price. You can get this vegetarian food at Madrid’s premier vegitarian restaurant starting at as low as 7 euro (a little more than $8). You can also get some additional vegetarian eats at La Biotika’s macrobiotic market.

Click here for a list of more restaurants in Madrid.

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This week, the Washington Post has compiled some of the best travel deals around. These are great travel deals that include trips to stay at the Chesapeake Bay Resort (great family travel!) or head to a South African game reserve. But the Washington Post doesn’t stop there; great travel deals by sea are also available on cruises. Even great airfares are listed among these travel deals. Even though there are several travel deals to choose from, the Washington Post reports on my favorite package travel deal, the Greek Islands:

European Destinations has a package deal to the Greek Islands for travel in May. The Best of Greece deal to Athens, Paros Island, Santorini Island and Crete starts at about $1,355 per person double and includes round-trip air from Washington Dulles to Athens, with return from Heraklion; eight nights’ hotel in four different locations; and hydrofoil transportation between destinations. Priced separately, the deal would cost about $1,763. Book at 877-267-2247, www.europeandestinations.com.

So, no matter what you’re looking for, from family travel to a complete getaway, you can find some great travel deals by paying a visit to the Washington Post!

Find more travel deals on Family Trip Deals.

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Bulgarian culture is rich and has a long tradition. From fire dancing to carnivals to the mix of Orthodox Christian, Roman and Ottoman influences, travel to Bulgaria is an enriching and interesting experience. Indeed, the scenery is beautiful, and travel to Bulgaria includes verdant valleys and dramatic mountains, punctuated with charming villages. Additionally, cosmopolitan Sofia (the capital) teems with life — and with history.

But, as you travel to Bulgaria and experience the rich Bulgarian culture, it is important to remember a rather interesting idiosyncracy. “Yes” means no. In Bulgarian culture, a head nod (usually accompanied by a tongue cluck very reminiscient of Turkish influence) actually means no. If you want to agree with something, you actually shake your head.

This is one of the few cultures that has such a custom, so it is important to switch gears when you get into Bulgaria and remember to shake your head when you agree with something and to nod it in disagreement. And try to remember not to be offended when someone else shakes their head in agreement!

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Convent hotels offer a safe and fairly inexpensive place to stay when traveling abroad in Europe. One of the places that offers these convent hotels is none other than Rome, the Eternal City. CNN Travel offers this look at how convent hotels came to be in Rome:

Sister Milena, who helps run the 40-guest Fraterna Domus inn a few blocks from Piazza Navona, said the Missionaries of the Fraterna Domus (Latin for “brotherly house”) was among the first to have lodgings for tourists and pilgrims.

“Now everybody does it,” said Sister Milena. “We carry out the charisma of hospitality.”

Many of the convents started opening their doors to paying guests in the run-up to the Holy Year in 2000, when the religious and millennium celebrations drew 25 million visitors to Rome.

Worried about a shortage of hotel rooms, the government offered low-cost mortgages and remodeling loans to convents and monasteries.

So, if you are looking for a safe place to stay while viewing the sights of Rome, and you are on a budget, consider convent hotels. After all, they are often close to the action as well.

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When you head north in the U.K., you move out of the Lake District and onto the moors. The moors are wild, beautiful and great for cycling. You can go biking on the moors, getting a great adventure, and see some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. The Yorkshire moors especially offer some great sitghts, as they have an amazing North Sea coastline. Plus, some of the friendliest people inhabit the northern moors.

Biking in Britain is improving

For quite some time now, biking in Britain has lagged behind the Continent. However, efforts are being made to make the moors more accessible by bike, and some of the cycleways are quite pleasant. And, back to the Yorkshire moors, you’ll see more than thistle and gray skies (and the pounding — and frigid! — North Sea surf). You can enjoy a visit to York, an historic town with Roman and Viking artifacts, and a majestic cathedral, York Minster.

North York Moors National Park also offers great riding, and to get there from York you will take the White Rose Cycle Route up through such placces as Thirsk and Selby. And if you’re tired of biking Britain by the time you get there, you will find plenty of hiking in North Moors National Park.

You can find more information about Biking routes in Britain by visiting the Sustrans Web site.

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