Guest Posts
Guest Post by Guy Arnold
Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans over two continents. The western side is in Europe, while the eastern side is in Asia. Apart from this unique and quirky fact, Istanbul has recently become an official city of culture, giving way to dozens of reasons to explore it.
Perhaps its most stand-out landmark is the otherwise known “Blue Mosque” in Sultanahamet, the ‘touristy bit’ of the city. Its vast cascade of domed roofs and slender minarets (six in total, one of very few in the world to have such) dominate the skyline and attract thousands of visitors each year. In summer, from 9pm, there is a historical narrative and a light show which are performed for tourists (spoken in Turkish, English, French and German on various different nights).
Of course, while you’re marvelling at the many sites of the city, you’ll start to feel peckish sooner or later. If you’re after a true flavour of Istanbul culture then you’re in luck, however, you will need to do a little digging to find the most authentic restaurants and other eateries. Going off the major streets and poking around the back alleys will be the best bet. Here, you’re likely to stumble across, for example under the Galata Bridge just south of Sultanahamet, a place serving traditional fish sandwiches. Fisherman atop the bridge will catch your lunch before your eyes while you wait below, at a table, to eat it straight from the open grill.
Also off Sultanahamet, and on the Kabatus tram to Gulhane or the Sirkeci Station, are pockets of pleasant little restaurants serving more authentic Turkish cuisine. Beneath awnings shading the streets from the sweltering heat you can enjoy plenty of local foods from the grill or the traditional Turkish pizza, the pide. One such place specialises in a kebab consisting of slices of lamb which had been raised on the rich thyme hills of Mount Uludag. They are laid on a base of diced, flat pide bread and topped with dollops of savoury tomato sauce and browned butter together with a side-serving of yoghurt sprinkled with parsley – lezzetli (or, ‘delicious’ to the non-Turkish speaking)!
The dining in Istanbul really is excellent and, when it comes to traditional eating, the locals pride themselves on it. Finding authenticity in and around Sultanahamet (or the ‘old part’ of town) is easy, you simply need to know where to look i.e. not in the most obvious places. Poke about, follow your nose not the crowd. The chances of you finding a small restaurant or cafe serving reasonably-priced, quality local food are high. The chances of you being disappointed are, thankfully, slim. 
p/s: The author, Guy Arnold has travelled extensively and loves to write about his favourite adventures.
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Guest Post by Imogen Nation
I’d had enough. The bitter, English, winter weather was just too much to bear. Why should I endure it when many parts of the world bathe in glorious sunshine? My solution to this mild depression my friends, was Kenya. The African sunsets, endless heat, vibrant cultural experiences and oh yes, the safaris were the perfect (if not pricey) answer to all my winter woes.
Armed with mountains of suitcases and armed against every possible tropical disease, my flight departed from Heathrow, bound for Kenya’s exciting capital, Nairobi. While not a prime tourist attraction, I decided to explore what the city had to offer. The first on my to-do list was the world-famous Nairobi National Park, the only game-reserve to border a large city. Gazing at lions, giraffes and black rhinos with the city skyline as a backdrop was a truly memorable experience. A trawl through Nairobi’s many museums is also a must for those who wish to immerse themselves in the country’s culture.
The young party animal within me craved a crazy night out in this buzzing city. However, after being warned by the hotel receptionist that clubbing or going to bars unattended can be a dangerous option, I decided to stay safe and choose another aspect of Kenya nightlife to soak up. The capital is renowned for its lively music scene, most notably the Benga genre (a cross between jazz and Luo). Venues for these colourful concerts can be found by asking at your hotel.
But enough of the city already. I’m in Africa I thought. So away from the crowds and into the wild… Zebras, lions, elephants, I wanted to seem them all and where better to see all these animals than at the Masai Mara Safari Park? Kenya accommodation is certainly well represented at this luxurious location. Private plunge pools, verandas and butler service are all at your disposal. What’s more, there is a safari to suite every taste and budget. For the romantics amongst you, why not try a balloon safari and view the incredible savannah from above? I much preferred the idea of my feet on the ground so opted for a migration safari. Viewing the wildebeest migration and a world-famous, African sunrise was truly spectacular.
Having to leave Kenya, knowing you are going back to the cold weather is quite possibly one of the hardest things you will have to do. But the memories you will take with you are incredible. My only advice is not to get lost in the wild…
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Guest Post by Hannah Copues I have two priorities when it comes to booking a holiday! With an eye for a bargain, and tradition and class being a necessity, this combination often makes the perfect destination hard to find. Yes, I do have high standards and expectations considering my choosy preferences and parsimonious nature. However, [...]
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Guest Post by Isabella Rose Sitting at my desk early last September, wistfully daydreaming of distant summer holidays, I decided to take action. My life had become a monotonous routine of work followed by more work and I desperately needed an exciting escape. Enlisting the help of my most resourceful friend Maria, we trawled through [...]
A holiday in New York is the ultimate in city breaks. Everybody knows about the Big Apple, and near enough everybody wants to visit there someday. Many people, however, refrain from doing so simply because of rumours and misconceptions about the price of cheap hotels in New York, restaurants and general living while you are [...]
