with our spain trip a few months away, h and i have been booking hotel rooms and figuring out barcelona and madrid logistics. along with all of that planning we also have been researching other travel destinations. i have been dreaming of turkey for a while now and h has been checking on ticket prices for weeks. the other night he finally found a great deal (and a non-stop flight) to istanbul! we'll be traveling to turkey at the end of april 2012!! eeep! so excited!!
any turkey OR barcelona/madrid travel tips?
food we need to try? sites to see?
xo,
jillian
93 comments:
SO jealous! You will have a great time...
This will be such an incredible experience! Both places have so many things to offer in terms of food and adventure and sights. I'm so excited for you!
I would LOVE to travel there! Hopefully someday soon! Enjoy your trip :)
I hope you have time to see Seville. It was my absolute favorite part of our trip to Spain last spring. And try to get to La Alhambra in Granada if you can. Enjoy!
How nice! You'll have an amazing time!
hooking you up: one of my great study abroad friends was born and raised in istanbul! i can ask her some of her fave places and send you a list soon!
xoxo so pumped for you two!
wow so much fun! enjoy!
I can ask my co-worker, she's from Barcelona!
SOOO envious of the travel you have to look forward to! you guys will have such a blast! xo
That is awesome. I have a gf who lives in Europe and she has traveled more than anyone I know- she says Turkey has been her favorite place so far!!
This is so exciting! I'm so jealous. I've wanted to go to Barcelona for so long now. You're gonna have so much fun! :)
oh you're going to love Turkey! I don't remember much cause I went when I was really little, but the pictures look amazing.
And as for Barcelona/Madrid...I LOVED Madrid...be sure to soak it all in!
LOVE Barcelona! What a great trip!
Also, my uncle has been to Turkey several times... While I've never been, it sounds incredible. Great choice!
Oh both places are on my "to visit" lisit. My sister in law was in Barcelona last year and instead of a pub crawl they did a tapas crawl and she said it was a blast
I went to Turkey this past summer. My best advice is to be mentally prepared. When I was there, in July, it was hot and dusty. Water was essential, along with good walking shoes. My family and I went to Ephesus, and we also ate local food, which was good.
Happy travels!
That's so great! I've always wanted to check out Turkey.
Barcelona is absolutely amazing - definitely check out all things Gaudi - Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila apartments - his work is amazing!
i have visited spain twice and there isn't any one place that i did not like or enjoy to the very fullest. everything there is absolutely beautiful. i can't remember where toledo is in relation to barcelona and madrid but i loved that town as well! enjoy it all!
life spelled jen
i have visited spain twice and there isn't any one place that i did not like or enjoy to the very fullest. everything there is absolutely beautiful. i can't remember where toledo is in relation to barcelona and madrid but i loved that town as well! enjoy it all!
life spelled jen
OMG I'm so jealous! That sounds like such an amazing trip! You have to post pictures when you get back.
How exciting! I love the anticipation of trips and you have two great ones coming up!
Wow! Your trip is going to be amazing!
How exciting!! Turkey is definitely at the tippity top of my "want to travel" list :) I'm so excited for you!
As for Barcelona tips (I've never been to Madrid...but when you go, can you please see La Guernica for me?! :), I put together a thorough Barca travel guide, hope it's helpful to you...http://www.unstitchedblog.com/2011/05/globetrotting-guide-barcelona/
Hooray!! So excited for you two world travelers :)
OMG I am a bit jealous!! I've never been. I'm sure you will have lots of fun. Cannot wait to see photos. :)
xoxo,
Mel
no tips from me, just completely happy you get to go to Spain! It's on my list of travels, so I'll expect beautiful pictures and lots of tips from you :)
Oh girl! I am so jealous!!! I have no tips though, but the Madrid airport is pretty giant and you have to run if your plane is the slightest bit delayed getting in :)
You're gonna have the best time ever!
Wow sounds like you have an unbelievable list of vacations ahead of you!!! Have so much fun
You'll have a magnificent trip no matter what!! These sites are gorgeous!!
Geez... I must have the wrong job! You're going to Spain and Turkey, Julie's in Greece... and I'm staying right here in Durham, NC. Someday maybe :) In the meantime, bring me back some of those gorgeous dishes from Turkey!
Love your blog!!!! Your trip looks so amazing. Now following :) XO
swirlsofhappy.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh, how fun! I am so jealous of all this traveling you get to do...I know that you are going to have an amazing time in both of these places!
xoxo,
Joelle
Oh my, my, my that sounds like such a fabulous trip! The closest I've been is to Greece so no travel tips ... you'll have an awesome time!
Oh my I am soooo jealous. I totally have the travel bug, but since we have a 5 month old we probably won't be going anywhere till next year at least. I'll live vicariously through you! ;)
Alexa
Two amazing trips! I am so jealous :).
ooo this is so exciting! I want to go!!
In Spain, make sure to try croquetas! they are delish!!
How fun! Those are both on my list of places to go! So fun to have trips to look forward to :)
Wow! I am SOOOO jealous!! Two great trips in less than a year! You lucky girl :)
One of my best friends from college lives in Madrid. I went to visit her a few years ago and she took me to this huge, fabulous flea market called El Rastro. I was kind of amazed by all the awesome jewelry, food, clothes, etc. that were there. It's only on Sundays. Hundreds of vendors are there and all the locals (madrilenos) go there. You should definitely check it out. I don't remember what street it's on but I"m sure if you Google it something will come up!! :)
xo
If you can, go to one of the beach cities in turkey for a night or two. The Med Sea is sooooo beautiful. We rented a boat for the entire day and I think it was around $30 a person. You'll have so much fun no matter what you do.
If you can, go to one of the beach cities in turkey for a night or two. The Med Sea is sooooo beautiful. We rented a boat for the entire day and I think it was around $30 a person. You'll have so much fun no matter what you do.
I have been dying to go to Istanbul! Im so jealous! If you dont mind me asking, where did you find your flights? You guys are going to have a blast!
@birdie to be- we always use expedia.com
thanks for all of the great tips! xo
Go to Botin Restaurant in Madrid. It is the oldest restaurant in the world and is magnificent. The food is delicious and the decor is to die for!
:)Erica
http://3point1journey.blogspot.com/
LUCKY!! How amazing.
Congrats! I've been to neither but so wanna go to both!
I'm so jealous. Turkey looks amazing. My mom's dad was born there. I've always been dying to go. Can't wait for the recap! :)
Fun!! My BFF is in Spain right now...can't wait to hear all about it! That sounds like a trip of a lifetime! :)
i wrote a little barcelona post a few months back for friend. go check it out.
also, i am so jealous about turkey!
http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com
Ahhh lucky lady! Have fun and i hope to see endless posts about these trips!
xx
Z
I have been to turkey and spain and loved them both. Turkey becarefull about getting trapped in the rug rooms. Food is amazing.. shopping AMAZING!
Barcelona- artwork shopping is amazing and food delicious. be careful about eating seafood. :)
So so jealous! Can't wait to see pics :)
Kiwi and I have always wanted to visit Turkey... I can't wait to hear about your travels!
Have a great time in Spain... be sure to check out all the Gaudi architecture and eat as much paella as you can :)
Ahh so Jealous!!
Hope you both have a blessed trip and take lots of pictures!!
~Anya
Oh!!! You are going to have so so so much fun! Turkey is beautiful and Barcelona is one of my most favorite places... Definitely check out Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia while you're there... it's the most breath taking, unique and incredible cathedral you will ever see!
that's so exciting! i can't wait until i can take the time off work and school for a big trip!
recommend visiting Granada as well if you can! never made it to Barcelona, but I've heard it's amazing
SO jealous!! all these gorgeous places are on my list :)
Oh my gosh, I want to go there so very bad. That is wonderful. Start the countdown.
Wow, you plan trips so long before you actually do them?
I went to Barcelona in March. There's this local food - damn my goldfish memory, I cannot recall it! Definatelly go to flamenco! D-E-F-I-NA-T-E-L-L-Y. Also, go to the spanish Village. That way you'll get a bit of a taste from all of the Spain.
Also, walk down the Rambla to enjoy all the streey artists. Take your time! Oh and by the way, stay away from a particular street artist dressed as Edward Scissor-hands. He (mock)attacks people.
No he doesn't really hurt them.
Also, my mama, an Instabul enthusiast, says you should try baklavas and drink tea there.
Αντίο!
I am SO jealous of your travel plans!!!!
Congrats!! That is so excited, Turkey is next up on my list of places to go, but first ROME! :)
Looks like this will be an amazing trip! Have a great time.
http://blog.badjoan.com/
wow, that's awesome! i'm going to be living vicariously through all of your travels :)
That is great news!! Wonderful to have both Spain and Turkey to look forward too! Can't help you on any tips though..
I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Turkey, so I'm SUPER jealous that you are getting to go! Regarding, Barcelona I lived there for 7 months and I would say to explore areas outside of Las Rumbles, so you get a better feel for the city. :)
What exciting trips! You're going to have an absolutely amazing time! Just make sure you enjoy plenty of Gaudí, and grab an Albhambra beer if you can-John and I still dream about them!
I went to Spain a few years ago, and it was beautiful! You'll love it!
Wowza, it will be incredible! It is always so fun to have a trip to look forward to:)
just gursting for you honey!!!! this is a dream vacay like no other, how wondrous. a gf of mine recently got back from Turkey and she raved about the whole experience. you will be floating on air with these plans, sweet dreams!!!!!!!!! ♥
I am so jealous (in a good way...like white lies) of your up coming trip! Barcelona is number one on my "to go" list :)
thistimeisacharm.blogspot.com
Good choices! I studies abroad in Spain. Barcelona was my favorite > Madrid. Cal Pep was a great tapas restaurant. I really liked spending afternoons above the city in Park Guell. One of the pretties public spaces in the world. Have a great time! I can't wait to hear about Istanbul. I bet you can't wait to go.
lovely!!! two of my good friends from college were children of expats and grew up in istanbul. I've always wanted to visit them - their stores and pictures are phenomenal! I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.
omgosh, how exciting!! super jealous. good luck with all of the planning!!!
Jillian, this is SO exciting!!! Yay for you guys :) I absolutely LOVE Madrid!!!! I have been twice now and could honestly live there! I just love the sweet Spanish people and their laid back culture. They truly know how to enjoy life! How long is your stay in Madrid? If you are looking to hang out with any locals, let me know...I have the sweetest friend there that I could possibly hook you guys up with. (met her through couchsurfing... don't know if you are familiar... but that would be a whole separate message outside of the comments box) I'll stop it with the novel of a comment...but I can give you more info along the way :) xoxoxo brynn
I don't have any Spain or Turkey tips but I do have a LOT of jealousy, the trip sounds great!
I guess I do have one tip, my husband and i just got back from a month long trip in Europe and I wish I would have brought a few more like stylish outfits, I felt a little underdressed compared to all the fancy Europeans.
i would love one of each of those pretty dishes please!!! :)
oh i cannot wait to hear about you espana travels!!
gosh i wish i had something to add here. how about take me with you?
I loved Madrid! Loved it! Just amble around all the different plazas and you'll find plenty of great local places to sip beers and nibble tapas. Oh, and the party doesn't get started there until late! Tip: take a siesta.
Oh my I've wanted to go to Spain for years now! I will be looking forward to seeing your posts about it because I'm dying to go.
As for Turkey that will be awesome too. x
My dad was born in Turkey, so I've always been dying to go! How exciting! xoxo Marissa
http://happiness-is-the-little-things.blogspot.com/
That is so fantastic and the photos are breathtaking. Wish you a great weekend, darling
Muah
so so jealous!!I want to go to Turkey!! enjoy your trip!!! xo
I would LOVE to go to Spain some day!! You lucky gal - have a blast!
SO JEALOUS. be sure to share every detail please
Nice! Have a blast.
Hello Jillian,
I was just passing by and I'm glad to see this post :)
I'm from Turkey and I assure you it's gonna be a very very lovely trip!! The landscape (urban&rural) of Turkey is very different than of Europe/America.
I suggest you to have a look at a travel blog that I suggest to all my friends who visit Turkey:
http://mrmrsglobetrot.blogspot.com/
Check Where we've Been section, there is Turkey there. You'll find very precious information on their blog ;)
Enjoy!
Betül
http://balladofseasons.blogspot.com/
I LOVE that you are about to go on one trip, and already have another booked!!! Awesome!
We've been to Madrid...just a few nights. It is a bustling city, for sure. We stayed in a cool, inexpensive hotel near Plaza Mayor (is that what it's called? can't remember) The most memorable thing we did was visit the bath house, Medina Mayrit. It's busiest at midnight, certainly unique and a cool experience. Not oogie.
This is the most amazing post. It's so visually appealing. I'm so jealous. I love that you're going to Spain and then heading off to Turkey. SO amazing! So are you going on another big trip for your honeymoon? So much fun!!
Can I have your life?
Or at least can you fit me into a suitcase?
Seriously...
So so jealous! Can't wait to hear how it goes!
I live in Istanbul and I'm really happy for your Turkey trip. Hopefully the weather will be good and spend a good holiday. If you need help, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I just came across your blog via twitter & I love it! Spain is next up on our travel list. My fiance has been ALL over the world & Turkey is his favorite place. :]
My DH is Turkish, so we spend a lot of time there, particularly in Istanbul. My main advice is don't stick to the Sultanahmet area! Go explore the other parts of town, particularly Taksim, Beşiktaş, and even the Asian side. The Princess islands are a lot of fun in the summer too. My favorite food there is mantı (teeny tiny raviolis) or çiğ köfte (translates to raw meatballs but the etsiz, meatless, is the best!).
Have fun!
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