Turkey | Medhills Travel

Mar

At a stretch – Turkish icecream

In Turkey, when you a buy a fridge, they don’t tell you how many liters it holds. Instead, they tell you how much icecream it can store. Not just any icecream though. Called dondurma, literally meaning ‘freezing’ in Turkish, Turkish icecream is made with two magic ingredients, mastic and sahlep, and Kahramanmahraş, in Eastern Turkey, …

Feb

Where to stay in Istanbul?

Istanbul has over 900 hotels and finding the best one for your stay can be a little overwhelming. First, you need to figure out which area you want to stay. Here are few tips. Sultanahmet & Sirkeci: If you have limited time and want to be closer to the major sites then Sultanahmet and Sirkeci …

Feb

Fun Things to do in Cappadocia

Not many places can present a wide variety of things to do and places to see, but Cappadocia can. Situated in the central Anatolian region of Turkey, its moonlike landscape makes it one of the quirkiest destinations in the world. Mentioned in the Bible, it was a pivotal player in the spread of early Christianity …

Jan

Best Turkish Bath (Hamam) in Istanbul?

No visit to Istanbul is complete without taking time out of your sightseeing schedule to experience a real Turkish Bath; a hamam. The ritualistic cleansing process is more than just a wash, it is a chance to soak in the history and culture of Turkey in a thoroughly relaxing manner. There are many options for …

Feb

7 Reasons to visit Istanbul Now!

7 Reasons to Visit Istanbul Now I am often asked to describe the city of Istanbul in one paragraph but for many reasons, this is impossible. The metropolis is a complicated blend of historic and modern, European and exotic, scenic and urban, tradition and innovation. Despite the miss-mash of direct contrasts, all aspects have fused …

Feb

Goreme, Cappadocia

Göreme The very first time I saw a fairy chimney, it was at the end of an all day and all night journey from Istanbul involving hitch-hiking, trucks, cancelled trains, buses and helpful policemen. Tired as I was, I have never forgotten the awe inspiring view of the central Anatolian region called Cappadocia. As the …

Feb

To market to market

Everyday, in a suburb somewhere in Istanbul, a weekly street market is being held. One of the many traditions brought to the big city from small towns and villages, these vibrant, crowded, noisy events persist, despite the increasing number of supermarkets opening up every year. Trucks loaded with produce criss-cross the city before light to …

Jan

Vegetarian Turkish Cuisine: The Meat Trend is a Myth

Vegetarian Turkish Cuisine: The Meat Trend is a Myth When I speak to people who have not visited Turkey, often their first impression is a country full of meat lovers, existing on the typical donor kebab. However, the truth lies at the opposite end of the spectrum. High prices of meat and a history of …

Jan

Magnificent Christian Landmarks in Turkey

Magnificent Christian Landmarks in Turkey When I first came to Turkey, I was extremely naive about the culture and history. Before arriving, I had neglected to read information that most tourists want to know before they depart on holiday. So, once I was here, I frequently learned weird facts that either immensely surprised me or …

Jan