Best for an Anniversary
Base Camp: Istanbul
If you love the tumble of city life for a steal, then East/West ancient/modern Istanbul is the place to be. The Turkish economy has crashed some 5 percent this year (worse than the annual rate during our Great Depression), and flights now cost 20 percent less than a year ago. You can live like a king and queen in the jail from Midnight Express, now a Four Seasons, and arguably Istanbul’s finest hotel ($500; fourseasons.com). Or enjoy a bargain at the Naz Wooden House Inn, built on the ruins of an eighth-century Byzantine palace, with views of Istanbul’s Blue Mosque ($100; nazwoodenhouseinn.com). Cross the Bosporus to Asia for Turkey’s best restaurant, Ciya Sofrasi, so seasonal there’s no set menu; brave the intestines stuffed with lamb ($8, ciya.com.tr). After haggling for spices you’ve never heard of at the Spice Market, have a beer under the Galata bridge ($2) and watch the flickering lights of the Old City while leathery fishermen reel in their catch.
Excursion 1: Cappadocia
Take a one-hour flight to Kayseri ($130; thy.com) to explore the sci-fi moonscape of Cappadocia. The ultrasoft volcanic tufa rock has worn into minaret-like pillars, which early Christians carved underground churches into. Stay at Serinn House, a stylish five-room cave hotel ($150; serinnhouse.com).
Excursion 2: Troy
Ruins from the city of antiquity, as well as the bloody battlefields of Gallipoli, are a half-day’s drive away.
Can’t Get It At Home: Raki
This elegant anise-flavored brandy is the national drink.
Read Before You Go: Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk
The Nobel winner explores the city’s hopeful melancholy.
This article is part of our See The World — at 50% Off package.
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November 4th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
[...] Go here to read the rest: Turkey: 35% Off | Men's Journal [...]
November 4th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
[...] Turkey: 35% Off | Men’s Journal http://www.mensjournal.com/half-turkey – view page – cached If you love the tumble of city life for a steal, then East/West ancient/modern Istanbul is the place to be. The Turkish economy has crashed some 5 percent this year (worse than the annual… Read moreIf you love the tumble of city life for a steal, then East/West ancient/modern Istanbul is the place to be. The Turkish economy has crashed some 5 percent this year (worse than the annual rate during our Great Depression), and flights now cost 20 percent less than a year ago. You can live like a king and queen in the jail from Midnight Express, now a Four Seasons, and arguably Istanbul’s finest hotel ($500; fourseasons.com). Or enjoy a bargain at the Naz Wooden House Inn, built on the ruins of an eighth-century Byzantine palace, with views of Istanbul’s Blue Mosque ($100; nazwoodenhouseinn.com). Cross the Bosporus to Asia for Turkey’s best restaurant, Ciya Sofrasi, so seasonal there’s no set menu; brave the intestines stuffed with lamb ($8, ciya.com.tr). After haggling for spices you’ve never heard of at the Spice Market, have a beer under the Galata bridge ($2) and watch the flickering lights of the Old City while leathery fishermen reel in their catch. Read less [...]
November 5th, 2009 at 9:29 am
[...] online now too, here, here, here, and [...]
November 5th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
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