Istanbul

Five plates of a variety of meze and kebaps from Ciya Sofrasi in Kadikoy, on the Asian side of Istanbul.
· · · · ·

My favorite restaurant in Istanbul: Ciya Sofrasi

Because I had a bit of a reputation as a foodie back home in Hawaii and now having spent more than nine years exploring the various regional dishes in Turkey, I’m often asked for my favorite restaurant in Istanbul. The question makes me nostalgic! I can remember the exact moment I fell in love with…

Neighbors
· · ·

Neighbors

When I first moved into my apartment it was unfurnished. In Turkey that means a complete blank slate: no appliances, curtains, not even light fixtures. I felt excitement at being able to fill up my space thoughtfully, surrounding myself only with carefully-selected things I loved. But at the same time, furnishing a whole 2-bedroom apartment…

Beautiful arrangements of tulips at Emirgan Park at the Istanbul Tulip Festival
· · · · ·

How to Visit the Istanbul Tulip Festival (2024)

Tulip season in Turkey really kicks off in April, and it’s a beautiful way to welcome the spring in Istanbul. If you’re visiting Istanbul during the month of April, you definitely should make a stop to visit the Istanbul Tulip Festival! As of April 3, 2024, we saw that the tulips were already in bloom…