Cappadocia

Due to the fact that we had seen EVERYTHING in Istanbul and were still stuck in Turkey for at least another 4 days, we opted to make the best of it and take a side trip.  I would recommend a trip here if you are in Turkey.  It is so relaxing and is a great place for some hiking.  It all looks like something out of Star Wars or something.  We hired a guide who drove us around and brought us to the outdoor museums.  I wouldn't have known how to do this otherwise.

Istanbul

Tulips are everywhere!!

We spent two weeks in Istanbul, one week being forced upon us due to the Volcanic Ash in Iceland.  But who are we kidding, it wasn't such a bad place to be stuck!  Check out the hotel post to see info on our hotel.  Some of the highlights of the trip were: going on a Bosporus River Cruise to the Asian side of Turkey, visiting the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia, and walking around this lovely city.  We had some great meals downtown and smoked a hookah a few evenings.

In Hagia Sofia-
Sticking your finger in the center brings you good luck.

    The view of the Bosperus.
We hiked up to the fort.

Porto

 
Porto was one of our best trips!  We were there for a long weekend and spent the whole time wine tasting and eating!  We did do the Hop On/Off bus here, although I would not recommend it.  If you stay in town, you don't need to even get on the public bus.  The food here was probably my least favorite, but the wine was fantastic!

       

Mosel Region

We took a weekend to drive up to the Mosel Region for some wine tasting.  http://www.spaeter-veit.com/index.html  This link will bring you to the restaurant/wine place we bought from.  Really good wine and a nice ambiance.  

Paris

The Louve

Paris is one of my top favorite cities and I got to spend my 30th Birthday here!  Visit everything!  My two favorite restaurants are Le Soufflé and another I can't remember the name of!  When I do, I'll add it in here.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a lovely town.  It's got an old bridge with really old paintings in it.  While here, you have to go for Fondue!  So Yummy!!

Pisa and Milan

Climbing to the top in Milan!

In Pisa

While we were driving through Italy from Tuscany to Milan, we stopped in Pisa for a look around.  Not sure if we missed a lot, but I think we saw the major sights and we were there for half a day.  

Onto Milan..we really liked this city.  Perhaps because we had low expectations, but it surprised us.  The Gothic cathedral is beautiful and of course, we climbed to the top!  We ate lunch one day at this Mozzarella Bar.  So yummy!