My
first visit in Izmir was in this year. After dull, frosty and freezing
Khabarovsk Izmir was for me like a paradise. We stayed in the Alsancak region.
If to compare prices (apartments, restaurants) in this city with prices in Istanbul,
I can tell that Izmir much cheaper.
About
apartments. For our apartments there we paid about 60$ per 1 day, but I
didn’t like it. First of all this flat not comfortable to stay all time:
bedroom very small, kitchen, hallway and living-room were in one room. Balcony
was big but dirty and without windows.
“Living-room”
I liked most of all because there were air conditioner which produced warm air
and red sofa. I adore red color. And it was one of a reason why my friend decided
to rent that apartment. For rent that flat we used site airbnb.com. We use it
all time when we travel, and it was 2nd time when we were disappointed. That’s
why, if you will decide to rent any apartment look at the comments first! Also
read information which owner stayed about his flat (which kind of floor, TV,
Internet, elevator, stove etc.). If you have any questions don’t shy to ask –
it’s a place where you will spend some time, don’t let such things to
spoilsport.
In
the “kitchen” possible was to find just small electric stove, which worked very
slow. We ate in the morning just fried eggs and bread, in another time we went
to the restaurant. Also near our house was a small store with products. There
wasn’t big choice but for breakfast ok. That store worked 24 hours in the day
and there possible was to call and to order some food with home delivery. In one evening, when we were tired after
walking we decided to go in that store. We saw something very interesting there.
It was about 11 p.m. and street was fool of transvestites. They were in shoes
with high heels, short skirts, with wigs. I wouldn’t shock to met such kind of
people in Netherlands, France or even Ukraine, but Turkey!!! A conservative
country about clothes, behavior, with big role religion in social life! That
situation amused me: transvestites didn’t offer their service, they weren’t aggressive
or obsessive. But they tried to get attention from another people with their
style of conversation. When we came to store there was one blond “woman” with
long eyelashes and defined legs. I can tell “she” was more beautiful than real
women, which I saw in Izmir.
About
restaurants. Positive moment was that we stayed in the street where
much restaurants. I liked most of all place which calls “Tayfa Balikevi”. We
all time sat outside. There was white tablecloth from the paper, which we
didn’t scare to make dirty). All 4 days which we went in that place we ordered
1 kind of fish – mackerel which cooker baked on the fire, vegetables, cheese. From
drinks we bought just raki and it was right choice. At the 9 p.m. there started
music with national turkish instruments. Also was singer which sang dramatics
songs. I didn’t like such sounds but my friend was happy to listen. The middle
check per 2 persons in that place 40-50 dollars.
If
you will decide to have breakfast in any places in Izmir don’t expect something
unbelievable: maximum mushrooms with shrimps or eggs with tomatoes. About
prices I can tell that we were in 3rd restaurants in Izmir and it was almost
the same. Of course there possible to find luxury places, where people just in
dress-code, sit with serious face, have cold official conversations, and pay
per 1 cup of coffee crazy money. But we came in Izmir for fun, so such places
were not for us.
About
attractions. First of all I want to distinguish central park of Izmir.
Clean, pretty place with beautiful nature. There was possible to find many
kinds of palms, other trees. Everywhere benches, playgrounds for kids. In the
may starts work fountain, open funfair. In the same area big building where
often exhibitions make. In the summer here held music’s festivals and this
place becomes fool of people and joyful emotions.
The
second place which I liked was Konak near the Aegean Sea. I thought I get cold but
was ok. The most immemorial place there – Clock Tower. People come here to rest
after work and to feed pidgins.
A corn for them was possible to buy in sellers
which sat close to the Tower. Not so far from clock Tower Mayor Buildings:
modern and attractions. Almost everywhere near the sea different kind of
restaurants.
Not
so far from Izmir famous touristic place Kuşadası (Kushadasi). We came there 1
time in the evening and spent perfect our time.
Small kids can find here amusement
parks, water parks, climbing frames and very tasty ice-cream. Young and not so
young couples will be happy to spend their time in the park near waterfront,
which lights in the night with colored lamps.
People who prefer more active
life will find their happiness in the street of night clubs. Here people can
find everything in any time of day, but just in the summer. Prices in that
season a little bit crazy, but this moment doesn’t stop tourists.
So,
I can tell about Izmir in general that I liked this city. Here people more
modern if to compare with other cities in Turkey. In the streets not so crowed,
not such big traffic in the roads like in Istanbul. Here impossible to find
many tourists like in Antalya or Cheshme. Here the biggest port in whole Turkey
which gives people tasty and fresh sea products. All the year round the weather
is sunny and warm. People who live in Izmir without any difficulties can find
places in the summer where to swim and to rest. Izmir has many attractive towns
where people from whole world come to rest.
