Urla

Oh my days, Urla is hands-down the Aegean's best-kept secret, and I am utterly obsessed.

The locals welcomed us like long-lost friends, the food was absolutely insane, irresistible little cafés lined every street, the art and crafts scene blew my mind, and the mountains, sea, and endless olive groves? You won't know what hit you!

We stayed in the most beautiful little hotel tucked away on a quiet street just a few mins from the main hub of activity.

And don’t even get me started on the mornings—hello, Turkish breakfast — think warm bread, cheese, olives, honey, juicy tomatoes, Turkish coffee (drowning in sugar, obviously!) and unlimited pots of çay, in the garden.

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's waterfront is straight-up breathtaking — calm turquoise waters, mountains standing tall in the near distance, and charming boats rocking lazily in the breeze. he restaurants hugging the water's edge? Unreal.

We practically lived under the shade because it was absolutely boiling, hopping between different spots for homemade ice cream, Turkish coffee, fresh squid, or dishes just as stunning as the view.

And then there was OD Urla — a complete masterpiece. Farm-to-table magic set amongst ancient olive trees, and the most stunning setting for my mum's first Michelin star experience. Every plate was a work of art — creative, colourful, and packed with flavour.

Now, let’s talk about the lamb ... and oh my days, best decision of my entire life, it was outstanding no contest. And just when we thought we'd picked our dessert, a selection of EVERYTHING on the menu arrived, compliments of the chef.

Urla left us completely in awe — everything about it just felt so perfectly, beautifully right.