Turkey Archives - Top Spot Travel

November 16, 2015 by Jeremy

The Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Istanbul

Founded in Neolithic times, today Istanbul is a modern and vibrant city that still remains true to its historic heritage through its many iconic mosques, cathedrals, basilicas, and ancient bazaars. It is a city which wears it history and cultures well, blending them into a lively and exhilarating city which attracts travellers from all over the globe. Situated between the East and the West, the largest city in Turkey appeals to all visitors with its aura of charm and intrigue. If you are planning a holiday to Istanbul, we’ve put together a list of the top-rated and best tourist attractions in the city which you won’t want to miss.

Galata Tower

Ruling over the Istanbul skyline at 67 metres high, the Galata Tower offers exquisite views of the old city and the surrounding areas. Known as the Tower of Christ, the medieval stone tower was the tallest building in the city at the time of its building in 1348, and still stands tall over Istanbul today. Over the centuries the tower has undergone a number of modifications, and was once used as an observation tower in order to spot fires. Today, the upper level of the tower includes a restaurant, café, and nightclub which can be reached by elevator.

Istanbul Archaeological Museum

Combined of three different museums, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums in Turkey. Together, the Ancient Orient Museum, The Archaeological Museum and the Tiled Kiosk Museum contain more than a million objects from civilisations all over the world. These includes thousands of precious artefacts including Alexander the Great’s sarcophagus.

Chora Church

Although off the beaten tourist path, visitors to the Chora Church agree that the journey is one well worth taking. Known as the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora, it hosts magnificent mosaics and frescoes which depict the life of Jesus and his mother Mary. The church is one of the most stunning surviving works of Byzantine architecture and dates back to the days of Constantine.

Grand Bazaar

If you love to shop, you won’t want to miss out on a visit to the Grand Bazaar. With 5,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest indoor marketplaces in the world, and receives over a quarter of a million visitors per day. You will be spoilt for choice when browsing the many items featured, such as jewellery, carpets, antiques, hand painted ceramics and spices. Here is where you will find souvenirs such as old coins, inlaid weapons, antique furniture and precious gems.

Hagia Sophia

Once a place of worship that has served a number of different religions over the centuries, the Hagia Sophia was once the largest cathedral in the world, and has served as inspiration for a number of famous mosques, including the Blue Mosque. It is most famous for its range of mosaics depicting religious scenes, and was opened to the public as a museum in 1935.

If you can’t wait to go to Istanbul and check out the amazing attractions, click here for some great hotel deals.

September 3, 2014 by jfalbelda

A guide to the Best Vineyards and Best Wineries in Europe

If you are a wine enthusiast then visiting some wineries and vineyards should be a part of your next travelling plans. Beautiful vineyards are scattered throughout the globe, Europe especially has some magnificent vineyards that you can visit whether you’re enjoying your holidays in Turkey, in France or in Spain.

A brief history lesson for those who are unfamiliar with wines:

Made from fermented grapes, wine is a beverage which contains alcohol;
Wine has been around since 6000BC;
The winemaking process was cultivated and improved upon by the Greeks;
Wine plays an important role in religion (Christ’s blood) and was heavily supported by the Church. Monasteries even had their own vineyards (some of the best found in Europe);
Over the centuries, the technology behind making wine has gone through modifications and improvements;
A vineyard is essentially a plantation where grapes are grown (primarily for winemaking purposes).

Should you decide to embark on winery visiting trip, here are some suggestions to get your rolling.

1. Bordeaux, France

France is the world’s largest producer of wine (quelle surprise!) Bordeaux is located in southwest France and it’s the largest wine-producing region, it has been in the business of fermenting grapes since the 8th century. Mostly red wine is produced in this region, commonly referred to as ‘claret’ in Britain. There are multiple vineyards that are easily accessible in Bordeaux and you can make a day of it by visiting other historical attractions and taking part of a few wine tastings.

2. Champagne, France

Another great wine-producing region, Champagne is just a short train ride away from Paris. It is ideal for a one-day or one night getaway, you can spend your day touring the vineyard, tasting some great wines and even exploring some wine cellars that were built thousands of years ago.

3. Piedmont, Italy

Located in the northwest region of Italy, Piedmont can be reached easily via train from Turin or Milan. It’s a beautiful place, which specialises in Nebbiolo grapes. Some great wines to try if you’re in the area are Barbera del Monferrato and Asti Spumante.

4. Tuscany, Italy

If you’re in Italy and you have the time, Tuscany is a charming and beautiful place to visit on its own. The fact that there are vineyards scattered about is merely a plus. The best way of getting to these places is by driving since the train will take you only as far as Florence or Siena. Pack an overnight bag and head to Tuscany for a romantic weekend getaway complete with wine tasting tours.

5. Mosel, Germany

Mosel is the place to go if you want to taste some excellent German wine. Although Germany is typically associated with beer, it is the fourth largest wine-producing country in Europe.

6. La Rioja, Spain

Situated along the picturesque pilgrimage route of Camino de Santiago, La Rioja is known for growing Tempranillo, a very famous and ‘noble’ Spanish grape. The wines from this northern region are very strong since they are soaked in barrels for an extended period of time.

7. Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia is one of the oldest vineyard regions in the world and makes wonderful wine using sweet grapes and techniques that have been passed down through the generations family to family. The winery is a family business, owned by the Turasan family and open for wine tasting and visits during select times.

Even for non-wine enthusiasts, vineyards are a great place to visit and experience. Go for a drive with family or friends and enjoy a relaxing a day in the quiet countryside taking in some beautiful scenery.

If nothing else, you’ll learn a lot about this fascinating process stepped in rich history.

Do you have any other suggestions for the best wineries in Europe not to miss? Please share them below in the comments!

December 11, 2012 by jfalbelda

An Outdoor Enthusiast’s Paradise: Icmeler, Turkey

View of the mountains and ocean in Icmeler, Turkey.

If you’ve never heard of Icmeler in Turkey (pronounced each-mell-er), then don’t worry, most people haven’t! Located in the far southwest, it enjoys much better weather than the rest of the country and has become an ever-popular resort area over the past 20 years.

What makes Icmeler special is its beautiful location, comfortably hugged between green hills covered with pine trees which offer some of the best hiking in the country. The closest airport is about 100 km away so things haven’t been over developed like some other seaside resort areas in Turkey, namely Marmaris across the bay.

There are plenty of affordable hotels and restaurants to enjoy, but nightlife isn’t based around a throbbing club scene like in Bodrum. You can relax with some live music at the local pubs and manage an early rise to enjoy great diving in Icmeler and the surrounding area which is full of caverns to explore. There are also a lot of other water sports available like waterskiing and banana boating.

All around, Icmeler is a great place for a beachside vacation in Turkey that offers great options for both budget minded and luxury travelers. It also offers a much more authentic experience than some of the other options nearby. Bon Voyage!

December 7, 2012 by jfalbelda

Shake Your Bon Bon in Bodrum!

The Mediterranean is no stranger to fun, beachfront resort towns, but while destinations just rely on booze and bikinis to lure tourist in, Bodrum offers much more for the traveler looking for both fun in the sun and a little culture at the same time. If the best of both worlds is what you seek then look to Bodrum in Turkey for holidays you can truly write (or email) home about!

Bodrum is located in the far southwest of Turkey on the Bodrum Peninsula about 500 miles south of Istanbul. Its weather is pleasant all year round (February is the best). It’s pretty easy to reach via Bus from the big cities (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, etc) or via plane at Milas-Bodrum international airport 35 km from the city. Many low-cost airlines fly there from western Europe including The UK and The Netherlands.

Bodrum is very popular with boaters with its large marina and yacht club. Many seafarers spend a night or two there to refuel, have a good meal, shop at the high-end supermarkets right off the dock and shake it at night at one of the many nightlife venues. The Marina is located on the west side of town.

The east side of town is more known for the nicely maintained beach, bars and clubs that thump right on the waterfront all night long. One of the biggest clubs in Europe is located in Bodrum as well, Halikarnas.

If you’ve had enough sun, then check out the ancient city and explore thousands of years of history. One of the most popular sites in town is Bodrum Castle founded by the Knights of Hospitaller who originated in Jerusalem and were originally in charge of running a hospital for Christians on pilgrimages there. They then became a military order after the first crusade and were tasked with protecting the Holy Land. Bodrum Castle also now serves as Museum of Underwater Archaeology which houses an impressive collection of artifacts found beneath the water’s surface from shipwrecks and fallen cities.

One other historical place in Bodrum that is especially famous is the former site of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Tomb of Mausolus). It is one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world and was created for the Persian governor Mausolus, and both his wife and sister, Artemisia II of Caria. The structure stood 45 meters high (148 ft) but fell down during an earthquake. Now you can visit the remains of the tomb and learn a bit more of the interesting history. The word Mausoleum actually comes from Mausolus which literally means a grave above ground.

As you can see Bodrum has some cool things to see and do in addition to good sun and good fun!

July 18, 2012 by jfalbelda

Knife Wielding Rapists in Turkey: My Craziest Travel Experience

I’m no stranger to the hostel. Although I’m pushing a quarter century in the next couple of weeks, I still find hostels to be one of the best places to stay as a solo traveler, maybe just more in a private room these days than in the past.

My craziest travel experience begins where east meets west, in the ancient city of Istanbul, Turkey. I decided to make the 10 hour flight from Miami as it was always one of those places on my travel bucket list that has intrigued and attracted me.

My arrival into Atatürk International Airport was flawless and my first couple of days were great, but it’s when I decided to check into the Moon Star Hostel in the Sultanahmet neighborhood (right behind the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sofia) that things began to get weird, crazy and at the end scary. Read More »