http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34211 John - the owner and host who made our stay the highlight of Iguazu; spotless rooms in a quiet neighborhood; 7pm drinks to swap stories and laugh; great breakfast.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34211 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34116 We return a few days later for brunch- heaven on many little plates: Pan fried paprika infused white cheese, a selection of local cheeses, poached paprika egg dish, fresh bread, salads, organic tomatoes and cucumbers, a selection of home grown olives in various marinades, home made jams and honey and the list goes on! My daughter plays with bunny rabbits and works up an appetite chasing roosters and chickens with Adam's children.
Adam's Place allows you to escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy tourist town and experience a traditional Turkish meal in a relaxed informal setting.
Adam is charming, helpful and friendly. He and his family are gracious hosts. We have been frequenting Adam's Place since first coming to Kalkan in 2007. All meals include home grown organic produce. Whether an al fresco breakfast, brunch or dinner, Adam's Place does not disappoint.
Adam will even drive you to/from your holiday home in Kalkan as his restaurant is about a 5-10 minute drive from the centre of Kalkan.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34116 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34098 He then set off in his little boat along the coast with us wondering why he left in such a hurry. 7pm arrives and we apprehensively approached the cushioned area at the front of the Pension. (It was out of season so not set up for a restaurant.) To our great surprise Cemil laid out a wonder of treats before us. Meze to start with Babaganoush style dip, fresh Turkish warm breads, a tatzijki sort dip and fresh rough looking pitted olives. The main was just as I asked, freshly caught fish to order just hours old and home-made sizzling koftas with a delicious fresh mouthwatering local salad. We ate our feast to the sun setting, looking out to the sea and delightful Turkish music playing in the background. We were offered cold beers or Raki and water (a traditional Turkish combo). I would never have imagined that a small pension in the middle of nowhere could have produced us such a wonderful meal in such a picturesque and idyllic setting. I would recommend Cemils Pension in Cirali as a relaxed and beautiful place to eat a delicious and memorable meal.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34098 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34097 A few minutes later, a huge tray arrived, laden with dishes. A saucer of olives picked from the tree in her garden and home-cured with thyme and lemon was followed by sliced tomatoes in which you could taste the warmth of the Medittarenan sun. A plate of strong, crumbly local goats cheese came accompanied by bowls of creamy chicken soup that our host indicated had also come from her garden, gesturing outside at the small flock of happily clucking hens. It was all served with piles of yufka – delicious and impossibly soft and thin village flatbread. We ate it, attempting to communicate in our few words of Turkish with our host and her assorted children, grandchildren and their friends. The warmth of this welcome and the delicious simplicity of the food is the real taste of Turkey.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34097 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33920 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33920 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33887 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33887 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33862 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33862 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33404 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33404 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33199 Excellent base for The Peaks, with lots of information on what to do and where to eat.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33199 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33130 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33130 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33031 From the very first moment that John shows you round town and then offers a cooling drink, through the excellent (and seemingly endless) caipirinhas, tapas and snacks in the early evening, to the extremely generous and tasty breakfasts with home-made jams, and the lovely evening conversations with John as a charming host: it is an entirely delightful and special experience.
John's advice on how best to divide your precious time in Iguazu - as well as on restaurants, transport or any other question - can be followed unhesitatingly.
We spent three full days in Iguazu and enjoyed our time enormously. Even the after-effects of a huge tropical storm that wiped out some two-thirds of a precious day was leavened by John's generosity and our fellow guests' company.
The staff who cannot do too much to help, bouncy Roxy the Jack Russell, the chalet room that has everything one could want, the lovely garden ... and, above all, John. Truly a very very special experience.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33031 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31945 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31945 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31756 However, the Mow’s major claim to fame is as host of World Championship Hen Racing. This eccentric mix of serious racing and training and hopeless enthusiasm means that the thoroughbreds of the hen racing world stand as much chance as any have-a-goer who can acquire a hen and turn up on the day.
Occasional battles between competitors see yellow warning cards for fighting on the track. Hens might take the warning to heart and reform their behaviour, or ignore it, get the red card and be sent off. Competitors have been known to travel from as far afield as Belper (10 miles), Chesterfield (15 miles), Finland and Australia.
A great family day out, the World Championship supports the Battery Hen Welfare Trust, a registered charity which aims to provide a comfortable retirement for battery hens. (www.thehenshouse.co.uk.)]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31756 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31581 I recommend the place for it's great view over the bay - we could see whales jumping from our bed!
The posada is run by a lovely young couple who recently moved there and will go out of their way to make you feel at home. The breakfast is a killer with homemade bread and jams, and the location is a must!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31581 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31536 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31536 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31402 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31402 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31389 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31389 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31305 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31305 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31302 Tomo and Zeljka were there for us any time we needed, and they offered us their help in everything they thought we might need, including preparing sea food and the barbecue.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31302