LUST LIST - Day 2 - May 22, 2012
TURKEY
Okay, so I know that Turkey doesn't top everyone's travel wish list. But it should. Or at least I'll keep it on mine. This past summer I got to spend 6 weeks in Europe and how bummed am I that it flew by SO fast! 6 weeks sound long but believe me, when you try to conquer the world, you don't see enough of it! While I was in Portugal, during the final 2 weeks of my trip, I got to speaking with a businessman who had asked if I had been to Turkey. I thought, "Turkey, really?" He explained to me that if I liked Greece (Loved is an understatement!) then I would love Turkey. "Same coastline but cheaper" is how he explained it. SOLD.
Did you know that Turkey is the ONLY country to have a city that spans over 2 continents? That would be Istanbul. Part 1 of why I want to go to Turkey. Its like standing in the 4 corners of the US, only way better!
I'm an Art major. Art history is fascinating to me. So clearly, the Hagia Sophia had to be on the list. When it was built, it was the largest building ever, and have you seen it? It's gorgeous. Google it. Istanbul also has the world's largest covered outdoor market, the Grand Bazaar. (Hello shopping!) All those bright colored prints and jewelry that are so popular right now? Totally standard (and cheap!).
Here's another shot of history: Remember having to read Homer's Iliad? Achilles battled the Trojans in Turkey. Remember Brad Pitt in Troy? (Swoon!)
Okay, so I proved by my first post I'm a beach lover so lets not disappoint. Turkey's beaches are insane. Sunshine 300 days a year, the turquoise blue of Mediterranean and Aegean seas, ancient hot springs, jasmine gardens, and last but not least...Karaoke bars! Check out Oludeniz or Patara Beach. Oludeniz is the most photographed beach of the Med and it has a gorgeous blue lagoon. Patara beach is nearby and has the longest stretch of sandy beach in the Mediterranean (I've been, LOTS of rocky beaches!), it is surrounded by ruins, and my favorite/most appealing/exciting part: a breeding ground of the endangered Loggerhead turtle (TURTS! Cute little old man faces!). Basically sold me on the entire country right there.
So that's that. Today I lust for Turkey and the beach, culture, and history, and a Brad Pitt look-a-like. You need a visa to travel here, but luckily its only $20, lasts for 3 months and you get unlimited re-entry. Go see Greece and come back! One day..
TURKEY
Okay, so I know that Turkey doesn't top everyone's travel wish list. But it should. Or at least I'll keep it on mine. This past summer I got to spend 6 weeks in Europe and how bummed am I that it flew by SO fast! 6 weeks sound long but believe me, when you try to conquer the world, you don't see enough of it! While I was in Portugal, during the final 2 weeks of my trip, I got to speaking with a businessman who had asked if I had been to Turkey. I thought, "Turkey, really?" He explained to me that if I liked Greece (Loved is an understatement!) then I would love Turkey. "Same coastline but cheaper" is how he explained it. SOLD.
Did you know that Turkey is the ONLY country to have a city that spans over 2 continents? That would be Istanbul. Part 1 of why I want to go to Turkey. Its like standing in the 4 corners of the US, only way better!
I'm an Art major. Art history is fascinating to me. So clearly, the Hagia Sophia had to be on the list. When it was built, it was the largest building ever, and have you seen it? It's gorgeous. Google it. Istanbul also has the world's largest covered outdoor market, the Grand Bazaar. (Hello shopping!) All those bright colored prints and jewelry that are so popular right now? Totally standard (and cheap!).
Here's another shot of history: Remember having to read Homer's Iliad? Achilles battled the Trojans in Turkey. Remember Brad Pitt in Troy? (Swoon!)
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| (Oludeniz Beach) |
So that's that. Today I lust for Turkey and the beach, culture, and history, and a Brad Pitt look-a-like. You need a visa to travel here, but luckily its only $20, lasts for 3 months and you get unlimited re-entry. Go see Greece and come back! One day..
I forgot to mention Patara beach was the birthplace of St. Nicolaus during the Byzantine Era! Hello... Santa?! The North Pole is actually in Turkey!!!!
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