| Practical Information: |
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| Turkish airlines offers really comfortable, affordable and reliable service |
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| All about Turkey - Burak Sansal is Turkey's version of Greece's Matt Barrett. Although we've never used Burak, we love his website |
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| Argus Car Rental offers good cars at good prices at many locations throughout Turkey |
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| ISTANBUL |
| Apartment rentals and Hotels: |
| Ansen Suites - $$ - contemporary rooms with kitchens near the Istiklal (a great area across the Bosphorus from the choas of tourism |
| Sumahan Hotel - $$-$$$ - a beautiful hotel on the Bosphorus. It's a little far from the central city but they offer a free boat service |
| Bentley Hotel - $$ - contemporary hotel near Taksim Square and all the trendy shops of European Istanbul |
| Four Seasons - $$$-$$$$ - What once was the old prison is now the Four Seasons. It's location is perfect if you like being in the thick of it. |
| Ciragan Palace - $$$$ - Live like a Sultan in this converted Royal Palace. The building alone is worth the stay. The service is amazing. |
| Museums and Destinations: |
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| Agean Coast (Assos, Ephesus, Bodrum) |
| Apartment rentals and Hotels: |
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| The Muses - $-$$ is a glorious British Colonial retreat in the midst of a small Turkish farming village. I truly wonderful discovery |
| The Butterfly - $-$$ is a very small boutique hotel in Bodrum |
| The Marmara Bodrum $$-$$$ sits above Bodrum with beautiful views of the harbor and the castle |
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| Cappadocia |
| Apartment rentals and Hotels: |
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| Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel |
Luxurious Caves in the beautiful town of Urgup. The most fun you can have in a cave. |
$$$ |
| Museum Cave Hotel |
Luxurious cave hotel in Uchisar; a beautiful hill town next to the Pigeon Valley |
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| Guided Tours: |
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| Argeus Tours |
make sure you ask for Ülkü Yilmaz (also known as Alec) |
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| Restaurants and Food: |
| Mezes (starters ranging from stuffed grape leaf domades to stuffed pastries), Hummus, tomatoe salads, lamb kebabs, pasta, break baked fresh in a wood oven, meat stuffed pasta (like ravioli) called manti, grilled eggplant, tomato stew with lamb or chicken and kebabs (meat or fish on a stick). My personal favorite is testi kebab (lamb, tomatoes, onions and carrots slow cooked in a clay oven for 5 hrs). |
| Sömine Restaurant in Ürgüp. I highly recommend the Testi Kebabi |
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