ALACATI IN JANUARY, UNDISCOVERED BEAUTY OF TURKEY

Ah this was a great idea! People who live in big cities will understand, sometimes you just need two days gateway to a small town to freshen up and get more creative. Turkey is a gold mine for this idea, there are so many amazing small cities or towns that recharge you and you go back with so many new ideas without even noticing.

When we called Alacati "Undiscovered", do not think that this town is a hidden place. It has became so popular among Turkish people last few years during summers and it is almost impossible to book a hotel unless you do it at least two months ago before summer. 

This very western part of Turkey town looks like a mix of Greek Islands, Southern Italy and Spain

the extreme Mediterranean spirit! It seems like every local person of Alacati has a great taste of decorating as we had to stop in every corner to take a pictures!

We have started our day with a huge Turkish Breakfast at our hotel Viento Alacati Hotel. Everything was homemade or shopped from the local Alacati Bazaar.

When we saw all these fresh veggies, it was hard not to take the picture of :-)

Even though it is January, the weather is perfect here. We only wear thin jackets and we can use our sunglasses! This made us think, Alacati might be a great spot for Honeymoon couples during winter, maybe?

When we walk to the centre we found small local boutiques with handmade souvenirs and amazing antique pieces! Of course we picked many pieces for our webshop :-)

This Art Gallery is such a popular spot. Inside you can find from paintings to pottery, many different pieces, it is a good idea to bring a piece to home as a memory, we found one painting!

You can go into other boutique hotels to have some samovar made Turkish Tea and have a conversation with the sweet owners. Might be because of beautiful nature or all the organic foods, the local people here are amazing!

Food means `meze` when you go to the Western part of Turkey. As the life is calmer than the rest of the Turkey, they love enjoying long lunch or dinners. We had our lunch at the restaurant `Fava`and it was A-MAZING! 

Our hotel room. It was great to wakeup to calm sunny morning, we are coming back soon!

Planing to come to Alacati? For your questions, trip advices and reservations about Alacati, please email us to;

contact@grandbazaarshopping.com

You can shop all the pieces we have handpicked from Alacati on our website:

www.grandbazaarshopping.com

EZOGELIN SOUP RECIPE - NEW YEAR NEW SOUP

Most people who visit Turkey love this delicious soup! As it is one of our favorite, we thought you might want to try this recipe on the first days of 2016!

• 1 yellow onion
• 1 ½ cups red lentils
• ½ cup large grain rice
• ¼ cup Turkish bulgur
• 1 heaping tbsp. flour
• 4 tbsp. butter/margarine
• 2 tbsp. sweet red pepper paste or tomato paste (salca)
• 8 cups beef broth or boullion
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. hot red pepper flakes (preferably Turkish pepper, more or less to taste)
• 1 tsp. dried mint (to taste)
• PREPARATION
• Melt 3 tbsp. of the butter or margarine in a large, covered saucepan. Add the onion and fry until translucent and very tender. Next add the flour and stir until bubbly, but be careful not to let the flour brown or burn.
• Mix the pepper or tomato paste with two tablespoons of water, then add to the flour and stir until well combined. Next, slowly add the beef broth while stirring constantly. Continue stirring the mixture over high heat until it comes to a boil.
• 
  
• Wash the red lentils, rice and bulgur together in a fine wire strainer until the water runs clear. Add them to the boiling mixture. Add the salt, then reduce the heat and cover the pan. If you are using boullion, you may need to reduce the added salt. Let the soup slowly simmer until the rice and bulgur are very soft and the lentils have fallen apart, about 20 minutes.
   
• Melt the remaining 1 tbsp. of butter in a small skillet or pan. Add the hot pepper flakes and mint and stir over the heat for a minute or two. Stir the butter and spices into the soup and let it simmer a few minutes more. If the soup seems too thick, add a little more water or broth. Adjust the salt and spices to your taste.
   
• Serve a sliver of lemon for squeezing along with each bowl of soup as a garnish. We also suggest to put small bowls of red pepper flakes and mint on the table for sprinkling on top.

        Afiyet olsun! (Enjoy it!)

TULIP FIGURE IN TURKISH CULTURE

If you have ever visited Turkey, It is hard to miss the Tulip figures that are used on ceramic walls in Blue Mosque, doors in Topkapi Palace or ceilings in Grand Bazaar.. In Turkish Culture, Tulips always have a special place and meaning. Since the Ottoman Empire, the main reason Ottoman palaces and gardens are dressed with tulips is the meaning of 'Tulip flower' in sufism.

According to Sufism, Tulip, because of its red color and shape; considered as face, cheeks and lips of the loved one. Today, you can see Tulip figures in Mosques, Palaces and even in modern Turkish Ceramics in Turkey.

You can check out our Turkish Ceramic Plates with Tulip figures to get a traditional Turkish touch to your spaces!

SPRING HOME DECOR IDEAS WITH GRAND BAZAAR SHOPPING

Holiday season is over and it is time to start thinking about small changes and add some more bright colors to your decoration. It does not have to be big but some little touches make a big difference and great for freshen your home, preparing it to spring.  Here are some home decor ideas with the Grand Bazaar Shopping pieces :-) You can find all the pieces we have used on; www.grandbazaarshopping.com

Turkish Firuze Bowls

The traditional colors of Firuze Bowls are Turquoise, with relief floral figures. They bring this Mediterranean, fresh touch immediately to any space. 

You can buy this beautiful Firuze Bowl here: HERE

COPPER SUGAR BOWLS:

If you like to have some treats on the table it is a great idea to use a unique sugar bowl! Turkish copper art is really special (to know more about it you can see our blog post HERE) and this handmade sugar bowl is one of our favorites! You can shop it from HERE

This Ewer is a piece that pass generations, it is made of hand-hammered Copper and traditional Iznik Ceramic. You can find it HERE

Some Pomegranate to add fertility to your home, you can find it HERE

Large Turkish Ceramic Bowls and Plates bring the cheer of the fresh season to places.

Find them HERE

Hope everyone will enjoy the coming season!

I HAVE THIS THING WITH CEILINGS! AMAZING CEILING WORKS FROM ISTANBUL

Istanbul is blessed with Ceiling works inside its beautiful, old buildings thanks to two Empires, Byzantine and Ottoman. They knew how to create amazing buildings and never ignored the ceilings. Side note: While you are in Istanbul, it is a good idea to keep your chin up, you would`t like to miss all the action going on above you!

1) DOLMABAHCE PALACE

Must See place! Dolmabahce Palace stands in one of the cutest streets in Istanbul, Besiktas, right next to the amazing Bosphorus view. Do not forget to add this magnificent palace to your list.



2) SULEYMANIYE PALACE

Locates in Eminonu, Old Istanbul area, Suleymaniye Mosque is one of the most visited Mosque by tourists. No wonder why, the spiritual feeling captures you from the first second you step in! It is also so close to our store, right after you visit this amazing building, come have a cup of Turkish Coffee with us!

 

3) BLUE MOSQUE
There is no one that visits Istanbul and not talk about this building. It has completed in 1616, besides its breathtaking architecture, you can find the best examples of Blue-White Iznik Ceramics inside this Mosque, actually this is the reason why Europeans started calling it Blue Mosque, the original name is Sultanahmet Mosque which takes its name from the area.



4) HAGIA SOPHIA

Well, Istanbul offers so much when you are into architecture, art and history. Not days, even weeks are not enough to see all the beauties. But if you are lack of time ladies, put the Hagia Sophia to the Top of your list! You will understand why.



5) GRAND BAZAAR! 

Welcome to One of the Oldest and Largest (No kidding) covered market! The paradise of Turkish Handcrafts.  Most of the people get so amazed with all the colors, tourists and the building itself, they go back home with regretting not bought enough. Keep your eyes open while you visit this incredible souk, do not forget to check the ceiling works! And if you want to buy something from here, no worries you know where you can find Grand Bazaar´s beautiful pieces; www.grandbazaarshopping.com )

 


6) TOPKAPI PALACE

First of all, like all the palaces in Istanbul, Topkapi palace is huge! You probably need one whole day to see everything. If you are into the Turkish Culture and want to know more about it`s history, it is a great idea to visit! Side Note: The museum is closed on Tuesdays, it is better try to plan your visit beforehand. 

CUTEST KITTENS OF THE GRAND BAZAAR, ISTANBUL

These cute kittens prefer to live in the most popular part of Istanbul, with all the tourist attention and amazing buildings, around the Grand Bazaar. No surprise as the store owners looove them, spending their time mostly posing for tourist cameras or crawl down the middle of this historical area, watching the crowd..

#ANTIQUELOVER

# EVILEYESPOT

#CANIHELPYOU

 #MONDAYS

 #BAE

 #MEMYSELFANDI

DETAILS OF TOPKAPI PALACE

During Ottoman Empire, Topkapi palace was not only where the Ottoman Sultans and their families stayed but also a centre of the management, education. Built in 1460-1478 this magnificent building still has one of the most valuable Ottoman heritage..

We wanted to show the most magnificent corners of this beautiful architecture!

This photo turned out so iconic, probably our favorite!

Harem which comes from the word `Haram´(Forbidden) where Sultan`s concubines were spending their days and this part of the palace was forbidden to any man.

Gosh, Tiles! How much we love them, can be the best thing that Ottoman Empire left for the world.

And ceiling works are another story, we can just look and amazed by them.. These colors are simply  gorgeous!

Fountains are so common in Istanbul. You can find fountains in every gate of Ottoman Palaces. All the visitors needed to clean themselves before entering the palaces..

Another amazing ceiling and window. It is a good idea to keep your eyes up when you are in Istanbul!

#WeHaveThisThingWithOldWindows! But especially this one!