TÜRKIYE
CHANNEL ISLANDS
ENGLAND
TRAVELS WITH MY MUM + OJM
URLA|İzmir_Türkiye🌙✨
Oh my days, Urla is hands-down the Aegean's best-kept secret, and I am utterly obsessed. It's raw, it's real, and it's dripping with heart. From the very moment we touched down, the locals welcomed us like long-lost friends—we could feel their warmth in every sip of tea + every mouthful of the most insane food. Irresistible little cafés lining the streets, local art that straight-up speaks to your soul, and food so ridiculously fresh + delicious, your taste buds won’t know what hit them!.
And don’t even get me started on those mornings—hello, Turkish breakfast heaven! Turkish coffee (sugar, yes please!!) and endless cups of Turkish tea. It was my mum’s first taste of a traditional Turkish breakfast, and oh, what a beautiful introduction to Turkish culture! I just know it’s a memory that'll be etched in her heart for years to come. Urla completely + utterly stole our hearts. It's one of those places you wish you could bottle up + relive forever 🕌 ☪️ 🍵
URLA İSKELE |İzmir_Türkiye.
Urla’s waterfront is one of those places that words simply can’t capture. Each step along the unspoilt shoreline greets you with scenery so breathtaking, you’ll have to pinch yourself. Picture this: the sun softly kissing your skin, the gentle lull of waves, turquoise waters shimmering under the sunlight, majestic mountains standing tall in the distance, and charming little boats rocking lazily in the breeze. And let’s not forget the beautiful restaurants hugging the water’s edge, serving up dishes that are just as stunning as the view. We kicked back in the shade, completely in awe. It’s the kind of place where life feels a little lighter, a little brighter _ everything just feels so perfectly right 🛶🏞️🌊
OD URLA |İzmir_Türkiye.
OD Urla is a MASTERPIECE boasting farm-to-table magic that screams Aegean tradition. We sat among the lush olive trees. I mean, come on – what an unforgettable backdrop for my mum’s first Michelin star experience! Each dish that arrived felt crafted with such care + creativity that I honestly felt like royalty! Now, let’s talk about the lamb ... WOW! I’m usually a well-done kind of gal, but when they suggested medium rare, I took the plunge—and it was OUTSTANDING! And just when we thought we’d decided on desserts, a selection of EVERYTHING on the menu arrived, compliments of the chef. Trust me, if you ever find yourself in Urla, you absolutely can’t miss this foodie haven 🍽️🥂🍾
ÇEŞME |İzmir_Türkiye.
Çeşme is a delightful blend of old-world charm and modern flair, where history and style dance together effortlessly. Vibrant shops burst with luxurious lokum (aka Turkish delight—my absolute fave!), scrumptious local cakes + pastries, free-flowing Turkish tea, sizzling kebabs, and mouthwatering arrays of gelato in crazy delicious flavours. Oliver + my mum—who’d both happily survive on just ice cream— indulged in far too many scoops as we explored the charming streets. And the Çeşme marina? Simply breathtaking! Gleaming yachts bobbing in the harbour, trendy restaurants + chic boutiques vying for your attention—though fair warning, the price tags might make your eyes water! And for an unforgettable evening dip, Atatürk Beach is THE spot as the day gently fades away.
⛵⚓❤️
ÇEŞME CASTLE |İzmir_Türkiye
Cesme Castle is wrapped up in history and drenched in views that make your heart skip a beat. Standing on the ancient castle stone walls, we were hit with the most jaw-dropping sight—the Aegean Sea stretching out endlessly, framed by stunning mountains that make everything feel almost too beautiful to be real! But the real show-stopper? Sunset. As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky bursts into deep oranges, fiery pinks + whimsical purples, transforming the castle into a dreamlike setting. Every step, every angle is just begging to be captured. Seriously, it’s that one spot you’ll never forget, where history, beauty + panoramic views collide, leaving you utterly spellbound.
🏰🌅🌸
DELİKLİ KOY |İzmir_Türkiye.
Imagine the most dazzling turquoise waters you could ever dream up, framed by stunning whitestone rock formations that look like they were sculpted by nature itself—completely surreal! The weather was sensational, even with the heat cranked up to full blast—the kind of warmth that makes you feel so alive, you know?! Dogs cooled off in the crystal-clear waters while we splashed about in the sea, and my mum, ever the wise one, claimed the perfect shady spot under a cluster of trees, expertly dodging the blazing sun like a pro. Undeniably, Delikli Koy was a slice of heaven that made my heart soar 🐶🏊♂️☀️
ALAÇATI |İzmir_Türkiye.
Alaçatı is an Instagrammer’s dream, a village that feels like it’s been plucked straight from a postcard! We strolled through its picture-perfect streets dotted with ridiculously gorgeous restaurants/cafés (each more inviting than the last!!) pass bougainvillea-draped stone houses until our feet were so sore we could barely walk! Dreamy bohemian boutiques + bustling markets overflowing with fresh produce + exquisite handcrafted creations. The temperatures climbed above 40 degrees, so we couldn't help but dash to Port Alacati Marina, ready to sink our feet into the silky white sands + leap into the most pristine, azure waters
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Alaçatı transformed into an enchanting spectacle— pastel-coloured doors + window shutters glimmering beneath twinkling lights while the streets buzzed with laughter, music + the alluring fragrance of gourmet cuisine wafting through the air. We were blessed to share this unforgettable time with our South African friends visiting from Istanbul, making it all the more special. Oh, and to top it all off, we watched the Euros final in the square—pretty sure we were the only English supporters for miles 🧁🌈⚽️
İZMIR CITY |İzmir_ Türkiye.
It was one of those whirlwind stops—just an overnight stay—and let me tell you, we seriously underestimated how massive Izmir City is. Way (way!!) bigger than we anticipated! We were more than happy to kick back + soak in the insane views of the sea, nature + city lights from our base in Balcova. The scenery was (once again) unreal—mountains stretching into the distance, while the sea seemed to go on forever. Mum, of course, snuck in some last-minute souvenir shopping (as you do), and we stuffed ourselves silly with kebabs + ice cream—because why not go all out before heading back to London 🚢⚓🌄
BRIGHTON | East Sussex_ England.
Even with its pebbled shore, Brighton is still one of my absolute favourite beaches in the UK—there's just something about it! From the excitement-packed, thrill-filled Brighton Pier + the majestic Brighton Palace to the quirky charm of The Lanes, this place radiates coolness! My mum loved it just as much as we did (if not more)! And of course, a day at the beach isn’t complete without classic fish + chips next to the waves. It’s the perfect way to savour that electrifying vibe 🏖️🌞🍦
P.S. My mum knows how to embrace+ live the moment, having heaps of fun (and sometimes descending into fits of a laugh) as Oliver dragged her from one ride to the next— the only ride you’ll ever catch me on is the teacup ride?!
THE HUNDRED | London_England.
Summer vibes were in full swing at The Hundred cricket tournament, and let me tell you, it was a blast! My mum, a die-hard cricket lover,hwo has always watched it on TV, was in her element at Lord's Cricket Ground. She’s always dreamed of attending a live match here. was in her element—what a treat! And Oliver? Well, we had to give him a crash course on cricket terms, explaining everything from “LBW” to “sticky wicket,” that was LAUGH-OUT-LOUD funny! I’m pretty sure he is still trying to figure out why they call it a “duck” when a batter scores zero runs! But don’t worry, the halftime entertainment had him on his toes + fully engaged 😂🏏🤣
ATATURK
Devoting time to passion projects has always been a fundamental part of my agenda. Here are a few snapshots I've captured along the way!
BRIGHTON
Devoting time to passion projects has always been a fundamental part of my agenda. Here are a few snapshots I've captured along the way!
NEASDEN TEMPLE |London_England.
Nestled in the heart of London, Neasden Temple, also known as BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, is a stunning sight that invites you to explore the beauty of Hindu traditions, culture + spirituality! Stepping inside for the first time (ever!), I felt a calming energy I'd only ever experienced once before ... at the Vatican in Rome! It was like being wrapped in a divine hug of peace + tranquillity—it felt as if the universe was smiling down on me, on us! And you definitely can’t leave without trying the temple food, which is, without a doubt, the best—you really can’t beat it! It was wonderful to see Oliver embrace all the traditions with such enthusiasm, and having my mum by my side was the cherry on top 🐘🕉️🌺
LONDON ATHLETICS MEET 2024
EAST LONDON, ENGLAND
Walking into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium for the London Athletics meet-up was just INCREDIBLE! My mum, who absolutely LOVES athletics (and sports in general!), was in her happy place. We simply COULD NOT pass up this amazing opportunity—especially since it was a warm-up for the world’s athletes gearing up for the 2024 Paris Olympics just a week later! With events unfolding all around the stadium, it was a delightful challenge to keep track of everything! The stadium was buzzing filled with endless cheers + encouragement from every corner! With my mum cheering (okay, shouting, actually!), it was impossible not to feel her excitement as she relished every second!
🏃♂️🥇🌍
CAMBRIDGE
Cambridgeshire, England
Visiting Cambridge was like walking into a history book brought to life, where each cobblestone whispered secret tales + every university building, with its epic centuries-old architecture, proudly echoed stories of genius. But it was the River Cam that stole the show with punting boats drifting lazily along its banks. And the best bit? Spotting cows—yes, I said cows—chilling along the riverbank, lounging like they were on holiday, happily munching on lush greenery with all the swagger of local celebrities. You really have to see it to believe it 🎓🐮🚣♀️
FAMILIA
Having my mum visit was such a joy! Every moment together felt like a precious treasure. Our family time meant the world to me—sharing stories, laughter + those unforgettable experiences that I’ll always cherish. Spending these moments with some of our extended English family made these moments extra special ❤️👨👩👧👧💖
LONDON
A CITY OF ENDLESS DISCOVERY
It’s practically a rite of passage to show a London visitor all the must-see spots—even when it’s your mum, and she’s been there, done that! We kicked things off with the hustle + bustle of Piccadilly Circus, wandered through the oasis of St. James’s Park (those gorgeous flowerbeds were a feast fo the eyes!!) + admired the regal charm of Buckingham Palace. We grabbed a cheeky peek at Downing Street, marvelled at the iconic Horse Guards Parade + treated ourselves to a quintessential cream tea at Fortnum & Mason. Then onto the wonderfully chaotic + eclectic streets of Chinatown and Camden Town, jam-packed like the London Tube at rush hour!
I also shared to some of my favourite spots closer to home: Ally Pally + Kenwood House flaunted their gorgeous views of London while the revamped King’s Cross pulsed with summer energy. And, we couldn’t forget the obligatory visit to the Arsenal—just to appease Oliver (?!!), even though I’m a die-hard United fan + Mum, unfortunately, is a Liverpool one 👑🍰🌳
