Derinkuyu in our bags (Turkey III)

Derinkuyu is an underground city placed in Derinkuyu city (Cappadocia, Turkey).  In Cappadocia, in the center of Turkey, there are about 36 underground cities known and there were probably some hidden.

Can you guess how many people lived in this underground city during the invasions? Around 10,000 people! Think how big and deep Derinkuyu is.  Nowadays, it has been discovered 20 underground levels but the tourists can visit only eight of them.

The citizens of the Derinkuyu needed to be protected during the attacks to Cappadocia so they decided to create a city under the ground. Although the city was provided by stable, kitchens, domestic living rooms or water, it was not a place to live. When they were sure that there wasn’t any danger, they went back up.

In case some invaders entered from outside to the underground city, there were stone wheels which were opened only from the inside, so there wasn’t any possibility for them to attack.

If you have time to visit Derinkuyu, we highly recommend you to do it as it is something difficult to find in another part of the world. You must know that the tunnels and some rooms are very tight, so if you suffer from claustrophobia or another problem, don’t try to get in. Thanks that there are some lights which allow you to see the details and imagine how the life for the citizens were.

After visiting, you will find many women and kids trying to sell you any kind of souvenir. At first I thought they wanted to steal me because they pushed me to buy but Isak (the Turkish man here ;) ) told me that they just sell that stuff. I bought this traditional doll from this area.

Derinkuyu city

                                                     

Derinkuyu city

     Please, leave an email or comment if you have any question.

     Regards! :D

Irene Jiménez & Isak Uzun

Balloon trip in our bags (Tukey II)

HOLA, MERHABA, HI DEAR FANS! We are here again ;) In this post we are going to talk about our fantastic and wonderful BALLOON TRIP in Cappadocia (Turkey). 

Some of you probably have this dream, to feel that you are flying. This experience was not just flying like a bird. It was something more. During the balloon trip I enjoyed the best landscape I had ever seen. You should know that you have to wake up early in the morning, around 04:30, in order to see the beautiful Turkish sunrise. The balloon trip takes about one hour and you never know where it will land, it depends on the wind. But don’t worry; everything is under control by the balloon driver. Here you have some of the photos I took. I’m completely sure that you will fall in love with them.

 

Balloons are very close to the fairy chimneys

Some balloon companys offer champain and other presents to all those brave tourists who travelled.

So, did you fall in love with them? Are you dreaming with this trip? This could be a perfect honeymoon trip. Isak and I stayed in a luxury hotel in Uçhisar. Its name is Argos in Cappadocia. It was the best hotel we had ever stayed: amazing views, comfortable rooms and exceptional service. We highly recommend you to stay. Here you have its website: http://www.argosincappadocia.com/EN/

This is the view at the balcony

Perfect place for sunbathing

Sunset, around the hotel area

If you want more information or any question, let us know. We will be glad to answer you.

Regards! :D

The Ten Most Visited Countries in Europe

By Sophia Ghum

With such a crush of languages, cultures and opinions about what it means to be on time in such a small space, Europe has always held a certain charm to travelers, and it’s hard to choose where to start. The top ten visited European countries, based on international arrivals according to the World Bank, show that visitors are still keen on the romance of Mediterranean countries while giving eastern outliers a chance to show off their goods.

10. Poland with 13,350,000 foreign visitors each year

Chopin’s homeland is certainly a diverse one. With beaches to the north, mountains to the south and pristine countryside in between, the food and towns in each region are quite unrelated. Walkable Krakow is a tourist favorite with its pierogies, friendly denizens and several UNESCO world heritage sites. Outdoorsy types will be especially enamored with Poland, as there are tons of hiking trails in the summer and great skiing in the winter.

A look at the historical treasures of Krakow.

9. Greece with 16,427,000 foreign visitors each year

The unmatched Greek hospitality is something that needs to be experienced, as do the sunsets, beaches and food. Probably the best adjective to describe Greece would be “breathtaking”: a nighttime view of Athens from the Acropolis, the white-washed houses of Santorini and the 1,000 miles of coastline are more than enough to brush away any lingering cynicism. The home of the Olympics has nothing to prove yet it still does, over and over again.

The ancient Acropolis is at the center of Athens.

8. Ukraine with 21,415,000 foreign visitors each year

Ukraine is still on the periphery of must-go destinations, but one thing may change that: it’s cheap. The ability to stay on budget allows visitors to sample the local vodka and beer as well as the carb- and meat-heavy cuisine to their hearts’ content. The capital, Kiev, has some truly inspiring churches which stand in stark contrast to the Soviet concrete blocks that were constructed after the city crumbled in World War II. Ukraine also offers the chance for a truly unique day trip to Chernobyl and the adjacent town of Pripyat, which was abandoned overnight and retains an uneasy, spooky feel.

A look at golden domes of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra Monastery.

7. Austria with 23,012,000 foreign visitors each year

Many may have been introduced to Austria via The Sound of Music, but those pastoral scenes are just the tip of Austria’s charms. This tiny country is a mecca for skiers most of the year, but those who are less athletically inclined can still enjoy the scenic views while tucking into rich desserts on cloudless afternoons. Salzburg’s favorite son Mozart still comes back to life at the city’s yearly international music festival, and visitors can also browse through the country’s famous exports at the Zotter Chocolate Factory and the Swarovski Crystal Worlds theme park, which features exhibitions of the company’s crystal creations.

Innsbruck is a great jumping off point for ski holidays in the Austrian Alps.

6. Russia with 24,932,000 foreign visitors each year

Playing word association with Russia may not sound so inviting: cold, vast and mysterious are some of the first that come to mind. But vast just means more places to visit. For those who have the time, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the best way to experience the wide open spaces and cities. Russia also offers a ton of micro-climates. Strip down in the 2014 Winter Olympics host city of subtropical Sochi or travel by reindeer in the world’s coldest city, Yakutsk. In between, Russia’s signature onion-shaped domes adorn beautiful churches, and it seems like almost every area is a must-see due to its World War II history, wild scenery or importance to Russia’s industries.

 

The Kremlin in Moscow is at the center of Russia’s political power.

5. Germany with 28,374,000 foreign visitors each year

Oktoberfest tends to spring to mind first when thinking about reasons to visit Germany, and there are plenty more. The Bachfest Leipzig and Wagner Festival are a veritable heaven for classical music lovers, while Berlin’s underground culture, alternative art scene and famed nightlife draw in all walks of life. The countryside is not to be missed, either. The country’s well-marked hiking trails allow for spectacular views of village houses and castles. And certainly not least, Germany borders nine countries, which provides the perfect excuse to rent a car and zoom down the speed-limit-free stretches of Autobahn to the next destination.

A look at Cologne and its stunning cathedral.

4. United Kingdom with 29,306,000 foreign visitors each year

The British reliance on tradition is working in their favor: since Prince William’s marriage in 2011 and the arrival of Prince George last July, interest in the Royal Family and all things British has skyrocketed. England remains expensive, but the plethora of things to do for free, including the vast British Museum and National Gallery, help balance budgets. London is the main draw for many, as history is literally at one’s fingertips, but Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland all have their own fascinating history, culinary delights and enough castles to seriously consider investing in one.

Camden is a fascinating part of London that’s home to markets and alt-culture.

3. Italy with 46,119,000 foreign visitors each year

Where do we even begin with Italy? The fashion, the food, the art, the architecture, the history? Italy is a paradise for lovers, foodies, wine snobs and history buffs — and everyone else, too. A late-night stroll through Roman ruins, hopping from one local butcher to the next to find the perfect prosciutto, browsing the boutiques once all that gelato takes its toll: all these experiences are heightened by simply being in a beautiful country that takes its epic history very seriously.

The Colosseum is an impressive reminder of Rome’s glorious past.

2. Spain with 56,694,000 foreign visitors each year

It’s no secret that Spain is still trying to claw its way out of an unprecedented recession. But Spain is rolling in the riches of its history and the artists and writers it has fostered. It’s hard not to spend an entire holiday exploring the well-preserved Moorish architecture and history in the Andalucia region or zooming around the twisting streets of Toledo, which was once the epicenter of Jewish, Christian and Muslim groups living in harmony. Spain’s endless culture also includes Museo del Prado and two museums dedicated to Pablo Picasso. Those who are lost can find themselves on the Santiago de Compostela trail or with a few too many on a Barcelona beach.

The beaches of Barcelona are some of the best urban beaches in the world.

1. France with 81,411,000 foreign visitors each year

France also tops the list of most visited countries in the world. With a reputation for impeccably dressed women, sexy accents and an overwhelming emphasis on love and food, is there really any surprise that France bests the rest by a large margin? Everyone knows that Paris boasts the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, but there’s so much more to France. Lyon is renowned for having the most Michelin-starred restaurants after London, Paris and Brussels, and of course the shimmering waters of the French Riviera, the picturesque villages and Alps to the southeast beckon. Even better, hitchhiking is legal, giving the whole deal a more adventurous-yet-safe feel. Although no matter where you go, an award-winning bottle of wine or Champagne is just an order away.

 

Luxury yachts dot the coastline on the French Riviera, but nowhere more so than Cannes.

Special thanks for http://youthproji.blogspot.com.tr/ 

Kayseri in our bags (Turkey I)

Hi everyone! After a long time, Isak and I enjoyed some time together again in one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been, TURKEY! We had dreamt for two years about this trip and finally we made it. It was a short trip for this country, only 13 days, that’s why we didn’t have time to rest or even to sleep. Everyday we woke up early, went out, walked around all the cities and spent some hours on the plane or in the bus (once we had to travel for13 hours! I don’t recommend it). But we didn’t care about this bustle because we had a lot of awesome and lovely moments together that we will always keep in our memories.

During this trip we visited 5 cities, 1731 km: Kayseri, Cappadocia, Fethiye, Antalya and Istanbul.

In this post we will write about Kayseri, a city in the centre of Anatolia next to a well-known area, Cappadocia. Due to its airport and the short distance between the city and Cappadocia (about 1 hour by car), many tourists decide to visit Kayseri. The actual reason why we decided to stay in Kayseri is because Isak (My Panda :*) and his family live there, so we spent 2 days discovering the most important places and delicious Turkish food.

First of all, the main attraction in Kayseri is its gorgeous and huge Erciye Mountains. If you like skiing and want to spend your holidays here, these mountains are the best option because they have the longest sky slope in the world. Moreover, you should know that it is a half active volcano. The heart of the mountain is still filled up with lava.

The Grand Bazaar is another important stop that you should make in your tour. This bazaar is the biggest one in the centre of Turkey and it was built in the 13th century. It has around 600 shops where you can find real Turkish objects related to the tradition of its culture. We were in two different bazaars in Istanbul too (we will write a new post for this trip) but I personally prefer Kayseri Grand Bazaar because there are not too many tourists and you really can feel the traditional environment of Anatolia and see how Turkish people are in their daily life.

    

Our next stop was Republic Square where there is a huge Atatürk Statute in the middle. In this trip I realised that Atatürk is one of the most important people in Turkey, even after his death. He was the founder of the Turkish Republic and the founder of the new Turkey in 1923.

 Hunat Camii and Madrasah is a very interesting place to visit in Kayseri. Madrasah is a Muslim school, college or university that is often part of a mosque. Nowadays, this place is used for people to drink a tea in a quiet environment or to visit some of the antique Turkish customs in some of the several rooms there are here.

 

                                        Entrance of the building                          Isak, the best tour guide ;)

In one of the rooms there was a man who was painting flowers and other different paintings on posters with water and a kind of oil. This is a famous Turkish art called “Ebru”.

:’( I forgot mine

There were some women who were weaving pretty carpets which you can buy for a high price. In Turkey, weaving a carpet is another kind of art. All Turkish citizens have some of them in their houses and they have an important meaning in their home.

Nobody can deny that Turkish food is very tasty and extremely delicious. Don’t worry, we will write a post for popular meals and desserts in Turkey. For now, I’m leaving you a sneak peek, Just fall in love with all these edible presents that you can find in every corner of Kayseri:

Famous baklava

Kayseri pastirmasi

Halka tatlisi

Dried fruits and nuts

Turkish delights (Irene's mum favourites)

Famous manti from Kayseri

Kayseri used to be the central trade centre of Anatolia (today’s Turkey) but even now it is one of the trade centres of the country. Kayseri pushed the button for tourism and making huge investments for tourism. It’s a city full of historical heritages and culture.

It is common to find fountains in Turkey around parks, squares, mosques or bazaars with drinkable water. It’s an Islamic tradition (more than 92% of the population in Turkey are Muslims) and a cultural component too. Cleaning is the basis of Islam.

Most important and famous Architect of the world was Mimar Sinan the Arch, architect of Ottoman Empire in the 16^th century. He designed and built hospitals, food houses, libraries, schools, Madrasahs and mosques all around the world.

Mimar Sinan The Arch Architect of Ottoman Empire in 16th Century 

In the next picture we have the famous postcard of Kayseri. On the left side you can see Kayseri castle. On the right side Merkez Mosque.

Please leave an e-mail or comment if you have any questions

Regards

Irene Jimenez & Isak Uzun