Bodrum

I would probably not decide going on holidays to the Turkish Riviera, I came here for my friend's wedding. But I absolutely loved Bodrum. It was such a nice break from a grey Brussels, and actually the only holidays this summer. Sun, sea, seafood, meze, relax and friends.

On Sunday we all went on a cruise, we made a few stops, where, in the turquise water of the Mediterranean Sea, most of us took a bath :)

Istanbul

And here I am - in Istanbul, one of my favourite cities in the World. Actually my final destination is Bodrum, on Turkish Riviera, but I just had to pass by Istanbul... This is the place where everything - which means my big passion for travelling - has started. Exactly 6 years ago, almost to the day. Istanbul was the first place - outside Europe - I visited. Outside or inside - still the most exotic at that time. 

Arriving very late, and taking a Havatas (a shuttle) to the centre. I booked a hotel next to Taksim Square - Ash Otel Taksim B&B (Istiklal caddesi, Bekar St No. 26). Location is absolutely excellent and Taksim - despite 1AM is still full of people. I decide to give up the initial idea of going to sleep, and I go for a walk, and for a baklava!

The next morning, after a quick breakfast in the hotel, I decide to visit a bit. Since my time in Istanbul is very limited, I choose going to Sultanahmet, and to Hagia Sofia, although I've been there already. But I find it one of the most impressive buildings, I just have to see it again.

Unfortunately I don't have more time to visit the Blue Mosque, so I can admire it only from a distance.

After, I go to Grand Bazar where I wanted to buy a lamp. I was planning this purchase for quite some time, but once I'm there, I cannot find my dream lamp... Instead, completely spontaneously I decide to buy a carpet... I don't know whether this is the apple tea I was offered, charm of the Turkish seller or a good price I was given after several refusals to buy the carpet for the initial price, but yes, after a 15 minutes negotiation, I'm becoming a proud owner of a new carpet :-)

 

 The owner of the shop, after learning that I'm in Bazar only to get a lamp, proposes to bring me to his friend's shop, what I accept. His friend offers me an excellent price for my dream lamp! This is exactly what I was looking for!

I rush to the hotel, because at 18:10, I'm supposed to meet a very good friend. Evren already awaits me with Ceyda, we take a water tram, and we move to Kadikoy - Asian part of Istanbul. It was a great evening in a great company of friends :)

Lisbon story

Thursday, late afternoon, I leave work earlier as together with Kami, we decide to prolong slightly the weekend and we fly to Lisbon! We bought our tickets already in March, and we find out that it was an excellent choice of a weekend - in Brussels it it grey, cold and rainy. And Lisbon welcomes us with sun!

Access to the city from the airport is very easy, as there is a metro which takes us to the city centre. But before we take a metro, we spend half an hour on taking the photos with the murals located in the corridors of the metro station.

 

After check-in in our hotel ( Hotel Lisboa Tejo excellently located next to the Figueira Square), we look for some nice restaurant. On a street just in front of our hotel we find a nice, and totally local and authentic restaurant. I decide to go for a Polvo (octopus) - Portuguese style - highly recommended!

Next morning we start visiting Lisbon from our neigbourhood - Figueira Square and Rossio Square.

After a short walk, we decide to get a coffee in the famous Café A Brasileira - one of the oldest and probably the most famous cafe in Lisbon. Located at 120 Rua Garrett, near the Baixa-Chiado metro stop.

I think that Lisbon is not really a city to visit with a checklist, but rather a city to wander into, to get lost, to walk on your own paths and discover your favorite places. So we got lost in Bairro Alto while walking on its lovely narrow streets :)

In the afternoon we go to Belém, where in the famous Casa Pasteis De Belem we are trying this most famous Portuguese pastry. After the Pasteis we visit the stunning Jeronimos Monastery and the Tower of Belem. 

On Saturday we went to Sintra - a lovely and very touristy town, declared by UNESCO a World Heritage. It is perfect for daily trips from Lisbon (but do start early, as there is a lot to see and to visit) and it's easily accessible by a train.

After arriving to Sintra, we decided to take a Sightseeing Bus. It brings us to the main attractions of Sintra, which are Castelo dos Mouros and Palacio da Pena.

At the very end of the day, our bus brings us to Cabo da Roca, a cape which is the most westernmost point of the European continent. Beautiful views, which unfortunately we cannot enjoy too long, as it is bloody windy!

How do we spend the evening? Of course by watching the World Cup semi-finals ;-)

Sunday is our last day in Lisbon. We covered most of the attractions, but the (almost) last missing point is the ride with famous Tram 28 :)

Time is running out, our flight is getting closer, but there is one more place I just cannot miss - Oceanário de Lisboa (located near "Oriente" metro station, ticket for the permanent exhibition costs 14€).

It turns out that I have only one hour to spend there, which is definitly too little for a huge subaquatic life fan who I am. Still, it was definitly worth of making this effort and going there even for one hour. Highly reccomended!