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[ad_1] The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is a great place to find souvenirs for your friends and family back home. But it’s also a great place to get lost in for a few hours! Best-known for its hundreds of shops flogging everything from spices to jewelry, the Grand Bazaar is one of the biggest and oldest covered markets in the world. Located centrally in Istanbul, the market is one of Turkey’s most well-known landmarks. It has been around for centuries and continues to be a busy hub of activity, with stalls selling an array of wares including spices to jewelry. Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is safe and easy enough to navigate. Good to know about Grand Bazaar in Istanbul Grand Bazaar opening hours The Grand Bazaar is open every day from 8:30 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. However, during religious holidays, the stores are closed. How much time should you spend in the Grand Bazaar? You need to spend at least 3 hours to visit the Grand Bazaar, including coffee and a lunch break. If you want to skip lunch, you can probably cover the market is about 1.5 hours – but we recommend tasting some of the local delicacies in the market. Is there an entrance fee to the Grand Bazaar? No, you do not pay an entrance fee when you visit the Grand Bazaar. Where can you meet when you are lost? There are 22 gates in the Grand Bazaar. The most common ones are Beyazıt and Nuruosmaniye, because Kalpakçılar Street, the main street of the bazaar, stretches between them. However, the other big gates are Çarşıkapı, Çuhacıhan, Jewelers, Mahmutpaşa, Örücüler, Sepetçihan, Takkeciler, Tavukpazarı and Zenneciler. Each gate also has a number. So I recommend choosing one of the major gates and remember its number, so if you should get lost, you could meet up there again. What kind of things can you buy at the Grand Bazaar? There are plenty of stores in the Grand Bazaar, with a wide variety of items on sale. The main things you should buy from the Grand Bazaar are listed below. Dishes Glassware Leather goods Textiles Carpets and rugs Antiques Traditional art Customized jewelry Turkish delight Saffron Spices and many other things Of the more than 4,000 shops in this 546-year-old rabbit warren, a handful have anchored the luxury scene for years, occupying the secret rosters kept by fashion designers, buyers and locals. The trouble is finding them. No one goes by street addresses; just as the Istanbullus do, regular visitors feel their way through the labyrinth by landmarks, righting themselves at Kalpakçilar Caddesi, the long wide thoroughfare known as the gold street when they get lost. And getting lost is probably the best way to explore this place. Popular souvenirs are caftans. They are available in many different qualities in the bazaar, from elongated tunics (hirkas) that you might take to the beach, to the long robes that Grand Bazaar merchants offer when you ask for a caftan. These typically fasten down the front with buttons. Haggling for goods at the Grand Bazaar The dealers will speak to you in Spanish, English, Russian, German and many other languages. Depending on the appearance or treacherous conversation as you walk by. If you say “Merhaba” (Hello in Turkish), it’s bad news for the other person, because you’ve already lowered the prices before beginning to negotiate. 😉 Don’t be fooled by the tag prices. Remember that you can always bargain in the Grand Bazaar. If you are not satisfied with what is on offer, move on to other stores. There are very few stores that sell rare products. You will probably find the same or similar product in 10 other stores. A good tip is to take a picture of that store and its business card. If you ever want to come back, this is the only way you can find it. Do not rely on your memory. Where to eat at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul At the Grand Bazaar in Instanbul, artisans work hard every day to create beautiful pieces of art. Similarly, restaurants in the area compete for customers by offering good food at reasonable prices. You can find some great places to eat if you know where to look! Nusr’et Steakhouse The Nusr’et Steakhouse is one of the most popular places to go when visiting the Grand Bazaar. The establishment, owned by Nusret Gokce, offers a variety of delicious options including kebabs, shish, burgers and steak. If you’re looking for an amazing dining experience while exploring the bazaar, be sure to stop by Nusr’et Steakhouse! Degirmencioglu – Self Service This restaurant is hidden in a tiny alley, but really worth visiting if you want to eat like the locals. You will most probably sit and ‘dine’ between the shop dealers. They cook a few dishes and you should come in time, because when all is sold, the chef won’t cook more for that day. The prices are low and the dishes are traditional and really yummy. And for Oriental coffee and tea lovers: Şark Kahvesi is located in the heart of the Grand Bazaar and is the perfect place to take a break from shopping with a cup of tea or coffee. The copper samovar rabbit blood tea is a must-try, and the nostalgic pictures on the walls and music in the background make it all the more enjoyable. Address: Beyazıt, Yağlıkçılar Sk. No:134, 34126 Fatih/İstanbul Extra tip: Walk up the stairs next to it on the right and you’ll be able to get a glance from above of the Grand Bazaar. Sights at or close to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul The Grand Bazaar has a long history, and in the past, it was also home to a number of inns that accommodated buyers and sellers from all over the world. There were 11 fully enclosed inns in total. The so-called “hans” or “caravanserais” offer shelter to the caravans of traders traveling the mythical

[ad_1] The 5 Best Hostels in Venice (Updated 2022) Get my best stuff sent straight to you! [class^=”wpforms-“] [class^=”wpforms-“] [id^=”_form”] [id^=”_form”] [id$=”_submit”] [id$=”_submit”] [+_a-z0-9-‘&=] [+_a-z0-9-‘&=] [+_a-z0-9-‘&=] [+_a-z0-9-‘&=] [ad_2] Source link

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[ad_1] Looking for the most mouth-watering street food in Athens? Keep reading… Every trip to any destination, to be complete, must include the local flavours and aromas of the place you’re visiting. A guilty pleasure of every trip is to try the street food that is available, starting with distinct local flavours but also including local versions of popular street food from other countries.  Athens is a real paradise of gastronomy, where the visitor can find and try everything. High gastronomy, national cuisines, local cuisines, patisseries, and bakeries, but also excellent street food. This article maps the most popular Greek street food in Athens and where to find it. We start with extremely unique local flavours, but we also refer to beloved international street food. See also: A Guide to Athens, Greece Enjoying street food in Athens Join this gourmet food tour to enjoy an authentic Greek breakfast, visit traditional food stores and try mouth-watering Greek desserts. Where to find the best street food in Athens For real local flavours, make sure to add the below street food to your “must eat in Athens” list. Koulouri Although you will have heard a lot about the rich recipes of Greek cuisine, you’ll be surprised to learn that the Athenians’ favourite breakfast is the koulouri. It is a small circular bread made with flour and yeast and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Sometimes it’s crunchy, sometimes soft, but it’s always tasty and healthy. Some historians believe the koulouri originated during the Byzantine period. It then became popular in Thessaloniki when the Greeks from Asia Minor brought it to the city in around 1922. That’s why you will often find it called koulouri Thessalonikis. In Athens, you can buy it in bakeries, street vendors, and, today, specialised stores that sell different variations of the classic koulouri. But you can eat the best koulouri in two places: The first one is Koulouri Tou Psirri (Georgiou Karaiskaki 23, Psirri), a workshop that has been around since 1960 and produces the same delicious koulouri all these years. It is also this koulouri that you find at most of the street vendors in Athens. The second point is the famous Takis Bakery (Misaraliotou 14, Koukaki), very close to the Acropolis. Takis Bakery is something like an institution for the citizens of the Koukaki neighbourhood. With a family tradition of baking bread since 1961, it is actually the first bakery to introduce the koulouri Thessalonikis to Athens. Street vendor selling koulouri at Monastiraki Square Loukoumades These are Greek doughnuts that have a round appearance and a nice golden colour. They are made with flour and salt and are covered with honey syrup and cinnamon. This dessert probably comes from Ancient Greece, where it was made and awarded to the winners of the Olympic Games. In today’s Athens, there are various shops that have loukoumades on their menu. However, the best ones you can try are in two shops that maintain a decades-old tradition and in one that wants to offer a more modern version: Krinos (Aiolou 87, Athens) was established in 1923 and was the first major patisserie in Athens with a sitting hall. It became famous for its loukoumades served with honey or hot chocolate. Loukoumades Ktistaki (Sokratous 59, Omonoia Square) is a small place hidden in the streets around Omonoia Square. Since the 1950s, it has been making delicious small loukoumades, crunchy on the outside but soft and full of honey syrup. On the other hand, Lukumades (Aiolou 21, Monastiraki) is a modern place that, apart from the classic version, offers loukoumades injected with many original flavours and added spreads on the top as well as gelato on the side. Loukoumades with honey at Lukumades Cheese Pie (Tiropita) Another favourite morning snack of the Athenians that accompanies their coffee is the cheese pie (“tiropita” in Greek). There are many variations of cheese pie. You can find it with puff pastry (sfoliata), with shortcrust dough (kourou), or with traditional phyllo stuffed with various types of cheese. But the original is always made with feta. In the centre of Athens, there are three shops that make cheese pies that really stand out and have become part of the gastronomic history of the city. The first one is Ariston (Voulis 10, Syntagma Square), which is a small bakery that has stood in the same place since 1910 and treats the people of Athens with its famous kourou cheese pie. The recipe came from Constantinople by its founder, Dionysios Lompotesis, and it is still a secret. The second place is Mam (Pesmazoglou 3 & Panepistimiou 34, Athens) which opened in 1958 and still serves its famous sfoliata cheese pie with a taste certified by the quality of the ingredients. Last but not least, Dodoni (Lykourgou 9, Omonoia Square) with excellent kourou cheese pie and nine more pies is also a beloved place of the locals. Cheese pie from Mam Bougatsa This is is a Greek pastry (sweet or salty) consisting of custard cream, cheese, spinach, chicken or minced meat filling between layers of phyllo. Bougatsa is served sliced into small pieces and the sweet one with powdered sugar and cinnamon on top. The origins of bougatsa can be traced back to Constantinople and Byzantium. Bougatsa spread all over Greece after 1922 and was established as a popular snack in Serres and Thessaloniki by the refugees from Asia Minor. There are many places in Athens that make bougatsa, but you can eat the most authentic ones at three places. Near the National Gallery, Makedonia (Michalakopoulou 27, Athens) makes excellent authentic bougatsa with a recipe from Serres. It has very good phyllo and rich cream. Another well-known place is Sante (El. Venizelou 74, Kallithea), in the suburb of Kallithea. It is a truly legendary shop that remains open 24 hours and serves freshly baked and delicious bougatsa with various fillings. Finally, at Krinos (Aiolou 87, Athens), you can try a bougatsa that prides itself on being authentically Athenian. It is made with

[ad_1] If you’re visiting Lisbon on your next getaway to Portugal, you might want to spend some time in Sintra.  Roughly 25 km from Lisbon, Sinta is a beautiful town steeped in history and was once home to poets, royals and aristocrats. Today, it’s perhaps best known for its lush greenery, impressive landmarks and expansive hilltops.  Whether you’d prefer a day in Sintra or want to find out the best way to visit Sintra, we promise it’s worth the effort.  Sintra is one of the most popular day trip destinations for tourists of all kinds. Here is your Sintra guide to finding the best way to visit Sintra.  See also: Not to Miss Experiences in Lisbon Best way to visit Sintra  The best way to visit is by making a Sintra day trip since from Lisbon. However, you might decide to spend a few nights here instead if you’re super keen on moving from Lisbon to Sintra for a change of pace. In our experience, the best way to go from Lisbon to Sintra is on a guided tour.  One of the best value-for-money trips is a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra to discover Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca and Cascais on the same day. You can book it right here or search for dates below: Everything is handled for you, so all you need to do is show up! See also: Exploring Lisbon in 2 Days Sintra guide to getting around  There are a few options for visitors when it comes to making the trip to Sintra. Bus and train travel are the two most popular options, but you might also be able to find a taxi service that operates this route.   The best way to visit Sintra via bus travel  Visiting Sintra from Lisbon is relatively easy to plan.  One of the closest bus stations is Marques de Pombal in Lisbon, which will take you directly to Sintra Station.  The cost ranges between €10 and €15 depending on whether you’ve chosen a return or a single ticket. You should note that most guided tours include this ticket price in their cost – which will likely be more cost-effective!  Once you’ve arrived in Sintra, one of the best options for travellers is to purchase a Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Travel Pass for Sintra and Cascais. This will ensure you don’t miss out on anything along the way and can spend ample time exploring the region to your heart’s desire. This is one of our favourite ways to get around when spending a day in Sintra.  Train routes from Lisbon to Sintra If you need more time, consider using a train when visiting Sintra from Lisbon. There are also trains available for visiting Sintra from Lisbon. This route will take roughly 50 minutes. The two main stations along this route are Rossio Station, close to tourist attractions, and Estacao de Oriente, which serves visitors directly from the airport.  The train is a great budget option, costing between €2 for a single ticket and €4.50 for a return trip. You’ll be able to get tickets at the train station. Your Sintra day trip itinerary When spending a day in Sintra, your proposed itinerary might look something like this: Meet in Lisbon in the morning and catch the bus First stop: a guided tour of Pena Palace, a Romantic castle nestled on the Portuguese Riviera Next, grab some lunch and explore Sintra and its cobbled streets After lunch, get back on the bus to visit the picturesque Cabo da Roca for a leisurely tour Head to Cascais, an old fishing town close to Sintra that’s famous for its museums, manors and fantastic variety of bars and restaurants At the end of the day, catch the final bus ride back to Lisbon, and the night is yours! Sounds good to you? You can experience this specific Sintra day trip at Sintra’s Pena Palace, Cascais and Cabo da Roca if you plan ahead!  Our Sintra guide has got you covered with everything you’ll need to prepare when visiting Sintra from Lisbon.  Sintra guide: Castles in Sintra Since Sintra is steeped in history, there are several castles and monuments. It’s worth checking out the top castles in Sintra to know what you can look forward to!  Pena Palace One of our favourite parts of Sintra is Pena Palace, which is also one of the most famous castles in Portugal. It was known as the Park and National Palace of Pena and was completed in 1854. This castle is unique because it’s located on a hill above Sintra and can easily be seen from Lisbon when the clouds are gone. It was initially intended to be a summer residence for King Ferdinand II. However, it was later purchased by the Portuguese government in 1889 after his death. This colourful castle is open from 9:30 AM until 6:30 PM every day. Peak viewing times are usually between 11 AM-12 PM and 3PM – 4PM, so avoid these peak times if you’d prefer a quiet tour.  You can find Pena Palace tickets for around €15 (book online before to avoid the queue). You should book online in advance; all you need to do is show up and enjoy the majestic scenery. Pena Palace, Estrada da Pena, Sintra, Portugal Moorish Castle  Castelo dos Mouros, also known as Moorish Castle in English, is one of Europe’s most famous medieval castles.   From as far back as the 10th century, this castle in Sintra gives you an authentic glimpse into a time when the Moors took over Portugal. Its snake walls, cliffs, and stunning views over the city and Atlantic ocean are part of what makes it famous. We suggest getting a Moorish Castle e-Ticket with an audio tour to boost your experience even more. Skip the line upon arrival and allow yourself to enjoy a self-guided audio tour at your own pace. Plus, walking on the ancient wall is a lot of fun!  Castelo dos Mouros, Sintra Quinta da Regaleira Quinta

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[ad_1] AirSWIFT, the Philippines’ first boutique airline, has kicked off a new route — Manila to Romblon! For quite some time, the only way to reach Romblon is by sea. It became easier to reach when Romblon Airport (also known as Tugdan Airport or Tablas Airport) in the municipality of Alcantara opened and regular flights started operating to the province. However, the pandemic put a halt to its operations. The sea, once again, became the only mode of commercial passenger transportation available. Fast forward to 24 September 2022: AirSWIFT had its inaugural flight! This makes traveling between Manila and Romblon much faster, easier, and more convenient again. No need to burn many hours on a ferry. This cuts the journey to roughly an hour. As of this writing, here are the details: Terminal in Manila: NAIA Terminal 4 Terminal in Romblon: Tugdan Airport (Romblon Airport) in Alcantara, Tablas Island Travel time: 1 hour and 15 minutes Schedule: Tuesdays and Saturdays (2x a week) Right now, AirSWIFT has an introductory promo covering flights to Romblon. If you’re flying before the year ends, you can snag tickets for only P3,819, all-in. More info in the image below: AirSWIFT has four types of airfare packages: Promo: This offers unlimited free rebooking and 7kg carry-on baggage. However, since it’s a promo, limited seats are available for this package. Basic: This allows rebooking 5x for free, but refunding and rerouting are not permitted. No check-in baggage allowance, but you have free 7kg for carry-on baggage. Value: This has 10kg check-in baggage allowance on top of the 7kg carry-on baggage. You can do rebooking 5X for free, but you can’t do rerouting. Premium: This has the same perks as the Value package BUT with a check-in baggage allowance of 20kg instead of just 10kg. NOTE: When availing of the free rebooking, you must keep in mind that fare difference may apply. AirSWIFT uses the ATR 42-600, a turboprop regional airliner manufactured by the Franco-Italian aircraft producer ATR (Avions de Transport Régional). It seats up to 50 passengers only, which means less fuss and stress at the airport, even during check-in and boarding. For more information about AirSWIFT and to check out their flight schedule and fares, visit www.air-swift.com. Here are the top Romblon hotels and resorts on Agoda. Take note of the location of these properties because the province is an archipelago and the properties below are in various islands. Villa M Resort Written by: Asta AlvarezPhotos by: Yosh Dimen Disc: We were lucky and honored to be invited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) – MIMAROPA to celebrate the occasion with AirSWIFT and the people of Romblon. The event and succeeding tour was organized by AirSWIFT. [ad_2] Source link