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Senior Member
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Re: Hotel suggestions and places to visit!
Vic, Izmir is one of my favorite places, of course growing up there might have something to do with it. there is lots to do, lots of shopping, lots of eating..
If you are interested in old churches, there are a couple you should visit.
San Policarpo is across from the Hilton, it is very very ancient, dating back to the crusades. then behind that is Santa Maria, the priest there is Padre Ezio who babtized us.....
the international fair isnt on, too bad, otherwise that is usually fun, there is a zoo there, and an archeoligical museum, these are open year round.
Alsancak is the place to be, all the best restaurants, shopping etc.,
The waterfront is amazing, if you consider that 30 years ago it was the sea, they reclaimed it and made a green park there, there are statues, walking paths etc.,
take the ferry to karsiya and stroll around there for a bit
take the metro to Bornova and visit the new mall "the forum" and next door is the Ikea shop.
I doubt you'd get a thrill of visiting the italian school, but if you go shopping in "kibris sehitler caddesi" and you see the old building that houses the Italian Turkish association, well, that's the backside of the school.....
On that kibris sehitler caddesi, there is an alley that does nothing but kebabs and doner, you have to try one of those places.
and for tea, try the Sevinc pastanesi, which used to be "the hang out" when I was a teen, I do go and have tea there now, but you wont believe how old i feel when i see all those younguns hanging around much like i did at their age. course now, they have closed off the street (ali cetinkaya bulv) there are really nice shops there. then if you keep going on that street, you will come to ikinci kordon, check out "zara" a spanish clothing store. really nice stuff, and cool styles.
what else.....oh for a shopping extravaganza, try konak, kemeralti is the market to beat all markets, well, nothing like the big closed bazaar in istanbul, but izmir's version of it.
as for hotels....... well, depends on your budget doesnt it?
I have stayed at the crown plaza in Inciralti which was to die for, but not really within walking distance to anything......
the hilton is nice too
behind is an old hotel called the Karaca, the american movie theatre used to be where the chinese restaurant is.....
the Ege palas is nice too, i remember staying there as a kid when our house was being painted.
too bad the old EFES hotel isnt still around, although, good news, swiss hotel has bought it and they will renovate it.....cant wait
oh yeah, then there is the Kismet, and old one, and I stayed there a couple of years ago, and I dont think they had changed one stick of furniture since i was there last 30 yrs ago......
Cant think of anything else......
have fun
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