Vayama Travel Blog

Discover Turkish Delights this Summer in Istanbul’s Bazaars and palaces.

By Max Milano

Europeans go mad for the Med in the summer. But nothing beats the eastern Mediterranean for its beauty, history and affordability (as long as you are outside of the Eurozone). So when in Europe, do as the Europeans do, and enjoy the charms of the Aegean in Turkish Liras, not Euros.

Vayama and Turkish Airways are teaming up to offer 2 free tickets to Istanbul. Visit Vayama’s Facebook page and sign up for this sweepstakes, you might just be heading to Istanbul this summer for free!

Istanbul: Getting There

Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city and its main gateway. The capital was moved to Ankara when modern Turkey was created but Istanbul is still the country’s main commercial and cultural capital, as it has been for over 2000 years. Istanbul is hot this summer, and it’s not just the weather. The city is trendy and getting trendier. Boutiques, nightclubs, lounges and fashionably dressed locals are now a staple, sharing the city with ancient Roman and Ottoman palaces and Mosques. The fact that Turkey is outside of the Eurozone has been noted by appreciative European tourist who formerly would vacation in Greece. Tourists now flock to Istanbul and the beaches of Aegean turkey to enjoy the eastern Mediterranean way of life for less. Visit Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar for that traditional Turkish shopping experience, followed by an even more traditional visit to a historical hamam (Turkish bath). Start your night in a traditional meyhane restaurant for a plate of mezze and kebabs. Istanbul’s casual eateries are part of city’s fabric of life. Join the locals sitting in the many outdoor cafés sipping small grasses of raki as they watch the world go by.

Istanbul: Half in Europe and Half in Asia

The Bosphorus straits divides Istanbul into European and Asian parts. Grand Ottoman palaces line the waterfront and the skyline of Mosque spires now competes with the glass towers of the new financial district. Don’t miss the Hagia Sophia Church/Mosque. Originally a Byzantine church, it was later turned into a Mosque with the advent of the Ottoman Empire. Hagia Sophia is now a museum showcasing the clashing empires that have shaped Istanbul thought its history.

Aegean Turkey

After enjoying Istanbul’s charms, head south along the coast to Izmir. Izmir is the epicenter of Aegean Turkey. You will be forgiven to believe that the rolling hills and coves around Izmir belong to a Greek shoreline (and it used to). This part of Turkey was fully Hellenized until the advent of the Ottoman Empire and the food and beaches have a lot in common with the Greek islands just off shore. Visit the nearby Roman ruins of Ephesus, once the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor and now the best preserved Roman ruins in Turkey.  Take a day trip to Pamukkale, these petrified waterfalls have been used as a spa for centuries, where you can swim with next to Roman ruins in a large natural swimming pool.  For the full Aegean experience, you can rent a traditional wooden Gulet boat and sail the coves and islands of the Aegean coast.  A typical Gulet day cruise will include meals and some offer accommodations below deck.

Gulet boat in Aegean Turkey

Enjoy Istanbul and the Aegean side of Turkey this summer. You will be happy you did.

* Max Milano is the Author of  “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”Available at Amazon

Fly South African Airways to one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Cape Town.

By Max Milano *

Fly South African Airways to Cape Town, South Africa’s second city and legislative capital. Located near the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town is the southernmost city on the African continent and one of the most iconic ports in the world. When you book your flights to Cape Town, you will discover a place where oceans and cultures meet at the foot of Table Mountain. A city blessed by nature, warmed by the African sun and visited by an amazing array of aquatic life; including whales, penguins, seals and some the largest great white sharks in the world. The perfect day in Cape Town starts with sunbathing with dolphins on Boulder Beach in the morning and then cage diving with great white sharks in the afternoon!

Visit Cape Town’s world famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, set against spectacular Table Mountain. The Victoria & Alfred is one of the most iconic shopping and entertainment centers on earth, with many shops, restaurants, cafes and even a pair of ocean aquariums.

Cape Town's waterfront and Table Mountain

Cape Town’s Dutch heritage is visible in its architecture. Walk along Long Street for its well maintained colonial era buildings and visit the British Imperial Edwardian City hall.

Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for the great views and unique flora and fauna. Rent a car and check out Chapman drive, one of the most spectacular scenic drives on earth, with soaring views of the ocean against craggy cliffs. Drive to Constantia for its wine route, centuries-old estates, and fine dining.

Take a walk in Cape Town’s colorful Bo-Kaap district (Cape Town’s Malay quarter), where the narrow streets are lined with pastel houses and restaurants serving spicy Cape Malay curries.

Take one of the en vogue township tours to the Cape Flats area of Cape Town. These popular walking tours will usually include a visit to a local shebeen (pub), a school, a community center and a traditional South African healer. The best music in Cape Town comes from the townships. A visit to South Africa would be rather lacking without a visit to these vibrant communities.

Night life in Cape Town is also legendary and some of the best restaurants in the whole of South Africa are there. Join the party at the end of Long Street, where restaurants, night clubs and bars hop all night long.

Cape wine is very fine.

Top your Cape Town trip with a ferry ride to Robben Island. This is the island prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years during the struggle against apartheid. South Africa today is a vibrant multicultural nation and Cape Town is the best place to enjoy it all in one place. Even the Penguins agree, they love it here, and you will too.

March of the Cape Town Penguins

* Max Milano is the Author of  “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”Available at Amazon

With Vayama’s “Win 2 free Tickets to Paris this Summer” sweepstakes, you have a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the city of lights and discover Europe’s wonderful tradition of  summer festivals.

By Max Milano *

Top Europe Summer Festivals of 2012

Summer in Europe is an endless parade of fiestas and festivals. From Hemingway to the cast of the Jersey Shore, American tourists and expats have been attracted to their incredible (and sometimes downright wacky) variety. From running down cobblestoned alleys while being chased by wild bulls (Pamplona’s Running of the bulls), to the world’s largest tomato fight, Europe’s quirky summer fiestas offer something for everybody. These festivities are often the best way to experience the best of a country’s culture, cuisine and drinking habits.

France

The French love motorsports, bicycle races, egalitarian revolutions, and summer. July is the month of the Le Mans 24 hour race, where you can camp and be festive as the race continues through the night. If you prefer human powered vehicles, the Tour de France races along the most picturesque French alpine roads, culminating in glory on the Champs-Élysées. For a sample of Gallic egalitarian pride, be in Paris for Bastille Day. It’s the biggest bash of the summer, with parties, fireworks and égalité galore. Fly to France for free this summer with Vayama’s Win 2 Free Tickets to Paris Facebook Sweepstakes.

Tour de France!

Spain

Spain has perhaps the most famous summer festivals in Europe (La Tomatina & the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona), but it also has a plethora of lesser known summer festivities that are no less raucous and fun. Galicia’s “Romeria Vikinga” (Viking Romp) features the whole town of Pontevedra dressed either as a Viking raider or a Christian defender to re-enact the Viking invasion of “Torres de Oeste”. After the mock battle, everyone joins in on a large feast of red wine and free seafood. Fly to Spain for less with this hot airfare deal and don’t forget your Viking helmet.

Galicia's Viking Hordes

Italy

What can be better than Italy in the summer, especially during festival season? Siena’s famous Palio races (featured in the last James Bond movie) is just one of many Italian festivities you can enjoy this summer.  Enjoy this discounted airfare to Italy and get festive, James Bond style.

Siena's Palio: James Bond was here

Russia

Russians love any excuse to celebrate with vodka, and given their long cold winters, who can blame them? So it comes as no surprise that the summer solstice is celebrated with the St Petersburg’s White Nights Festival.  It’s a weeklong party where the best of Russian opera, ballet and theatre is showcased, as well as plenty of open air drinking at dusk (which occurs around 12 am). Hence the White Nights moniker! Fly to St Petersburg for less with this airfare and watch the sun set after midnight.

* Max Milano is the Author of “The Mechanicals of Recoleta”Available at Amazon