Ron
Denver
My wife and I are going at the end of the month, and we're looking for out-of-the-way restaurants and activities. Any and all suggestions most welcome.
Dear Ron,
I hope I'm not too late! I'm a huge fan of Roman cuisine and have some suggestions that I hope you'll be able to enjoy during your travels.
I wrote a short blog post with a bit more about these places and their surroundings, so feel free to have a look if you want more detail. I hope you have a delicious trip! :)
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For Rome; to eat try Il Bacaro on the Via Degli Spagnoli, near to the Pantheon. It does wonderful quintessentially Roman dishes and amazing, authentic carbonara.
Al Duelloon the Vicollo della Vaccarella is also spectacular for something a little fancier, whilst still being relatively economic. Both places are off the beaten track and you won't get mobbed by tourists.
For coffee, you must try Tazza D'Oro- it is Rome's oldest and most famous coffee shop and you can't beat it.
I wrote a piece about Eating in Rome and about a couple of my favourite sites. If you want to read more about places I rate have a peek :).
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In Istanbul Babel Cafe Restaurant was me and my partner's favourite restaurant. We went there 4 or 5 times just so we could try as many things on the menu!
Address: Turnacibasi Cad. No 56 Beyoglu/Istanbul | Beyoglu, Istanbul, Turkey
Here are some memorable, somewhat out-of-the-way restaurant experiences we enjoyed when we were in Rome in the Fall of 2012. In the Trastevere area: Osteria la Gensola for its seafood, Antica Trattoria da Carlone for its carbonara and mezzemaniche, and Roma Sparita for the Bourdain-approved Cacio e Pepe. The Trastevere is a great neighborhood to just walk around through its old, well-worn maze and find your own experiences.
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Hello Ron,
Congrats for choosing Istanbul as your destination :-)
Places to stay: Since most of the interesting attractions in Istanbul are within walking distance from the Blue Mosque that's the neighborhood where I'd look for accommodation. There are quite a few of very nice small hotels and pensions - family run B&B, clean and friendly.
Sites to visit around Blue Mosque:
Off the beaten track destinations and attractions:
Meir Jacob, Founder of Trips for Photographers.
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Hi Ron,
Places to visit in Istanbul... Hagia Sophia museum, Topkapı Sarayı, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Hipodrome, milione stone Bosphorous, Grand Bazaar, Egyptian market, Eminönü, Taksim Square, Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, etc...
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I am notoriously bad about restaurant names—likely because I tend to just stop into places that look good. I'd encourage you to do so, too. Just maybe be smarter than me and write down the names :).
In Istanbul, Meir's suggestion to go out the Princes' Islands, and Buyukada Iskelesi in particular, is a really good one. It's beautiful place with a relaxed atmosphere—do try to take a carriage ride, or if you like, ride a donkey up to the monastery at the top of the island.
Within the city, try going beyond Sultanahmet and the area right around Istiklal Caddesi and Galata Tower, just to get the feel of some other neighborhoods. Cukurcuma and Nisantasi are fun to walk around and if you're in town on Tuesday, you could go over to the Asian side for the Kadikoy Tuesday market.
Wish I could give you an off-the-beaten-path rec for Rome, but we stayed pretty well on the path—there's just so much to see in the city, and you can just kind of wander and find little pockets of everyday life.
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Two restaurants in Istanbul with incredible views of the Sinpaş GYO Bosphorus City and amazing food: Ulus 29 and Reina
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In Istanbul I enjoyed Simdi Cafe for lunch .Modern and with it with good food.(Off Istiklal in Beyoglu).There are some decent fish places on Galata Bridge.(Yes on the bridge).I went to Galata Balikon the bridge.In Rome I can't member where I ate but search for two things- cacio e pepe and the Roman style artichokes.This is local specialty food and good ,in a city not really known for great food.
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Hello, although it sounds biased, but I have the best answers for you written on my blog post :)
Istanbul, a millennial fusion of cultures and ethnicities&
Vacanze Romane or 3 days in RomeI don't know how "out-of-the-way" it is, but my husband and I stumbled across the original restaurant of fettuccine alfredo, Ristorante Alfredo alla Scrofa, one night and it was fantastic! Have a great trip!
Erin