Turkey

Vialand Theme Park is a huge amusement park and shopping mall located in Istanbul, Turkey. We visited this theme park at the end of May 2023, during our weekend trip to Istanbul. We paid a 240 USD entry fee for a family of three (also kids pay full fare). After visiting the park I was left with the feeling that the price might be way too overpriced for the attractions we actually used.  As we were traveling with our 4-year-old daughter, we were using just the bare minimum. The total price of…

Hotel Baykal is located on the shores of Golden Horn in Unkapani, Istanbul. This hotel is located about 3 km from the historical Sultanahmet area.  Free WiFi is accessible in all areas. We booked Hotel Baykal for a 3-night stay at the end of May 2023 during our short trip to Istanbul. At the time of booking, we were just choosing the cheapest options available, and I have to say this was a bargain deal. In total, we paid about USD 160 for our 3-day stay here, which is something really…

Staying connected while traveling is crucial in today's digital age, and having access to mobile internet is essential for most people. Turkey, with its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, is a popular destination for travelers from around the world. To ensure you stay connected during your trip, one convenient option is to use an eSIM (embedded SIM) for mobile internet.  During our latest independent trip to Istanbul, I was exploring my options for getting a sim card with…

In late May 2023, my family and I embarked on a spontaneous adventure to Istanbul, immersing ourselves in the lively atmosphere of this vibrant city.Our itinerary was filled with the thrill of amusement parks, where we embraced the joy of heart-pounding rides and laughter. Amidst the fun, we had the pleasure of meeting a dozen skilled Turkish mechanics, adding a unique touch to our journey. Engaging conversations and shared moments made this encounter a highlight of our trip.Now, picture this:…

I have traveled back and forth to Istanbul for dozen times, sometimes just by a connecting flight, sometimes just to spend a day or two in Istanbul. Most of the time, I have relied on shuttle services ordered from hotels or using public transportation. The last time when we visited Istanbul, via Sabiha Gokcen airport (May 2023) I noticed the price for one way transfer to the city center was EUR 60 (a few years ago I paid USD 40 for the same ride). This time I decided to check if there is a…

Sarpi is a small village on the coast of the Black Sea of Georgia, on the border with Turkey. There is a border crossing point between Georgia and Turkey. Sarpi is the main land border crossing between the two countries and a major conduit for business travel, especially for Turkish companies doing business in Batumi. Sarpi is located about 12 km south of Batumi and about 20 km northeast of Hopa, Turkey. I used this border crossing quite often about a decade ago, first crossed it back in…

Almost 38.8 GB (676 clips short clips per year) footage resulted in almost 2 hours of film. (1h 56 m). As every year - documentary cinema - in the style of home video, but we have thought about your vestibular aparatus - trying to avoid the tremors of the hands and the desire to work with and around the zoom as much as possible (undoubtedly, the couple places ar filmed in a manual mode). Filming with a tripod and a baby on the move is difficult The length of the film is determined by its main…

Istanbul has been on my travel map ever since I remember (Okay, I first were here back in 2009). Time after time we like to take layover flight via Istanbul, and so did happen last time, at the end of February 2020 - we booked a connected flight Tbilisi - Istanbul - Riga with Turkish Airlines so we have a chance to spend at least a day in Istanbul After taking a hammam in our centrally located Istanbul hotel (Best Point Hotel Old City Istanbul (Sultanahmet)), in the next morning after…

Located in the Old City of Istanbul, this hotel is within walking distance to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Best Point Hotel Old City offers air-conditioned rooms. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel. We booked here a one night stay at the end of February 2020, during a layover flight from Tbilisi via Istanbul to Riga. We booked a family room which included a really comfy bed (s) and even a private hammam (Turkish sauna). Our price about $95 per one-night stay (…

As one of the biggest aquarium complexes of the world, Antalya Aquarium offers inspiration, entertainment and education all at once. After touring the 40 thematic aquariums, you will come across the biggest tunnel aquarium of the World with a length of 131 meters and a width of 3 meters. We paid about an hour and a half long visit to Antalya aquarium in June 2019. We booked a trip here while staying at Kirman Belazur Resort &Spa from Pegas Touristik, and paid about $100. The fee included…