Traveling with a gimlet eye.
“to have a gimlet eye”: to look at carefully and not miss anything
Welcome to The Gimlet Traveler. As our friends know, my husband and I are as particular about the quality of our vodka gimlets as we are about where and how we travel. For some time now, they have asked me for our vacation travel recommendations, so I’ve finally gathered my thoughts in one place, here, at The Gimlet Traveler. Most of these destinations are places we’ve visited, while some are planned itineraries for the future. New destinations, themed posts and pictures will continue to appear over time so be sure to check back! Hope you find this information helpful or inspiring. Cheers!
— Marc, the Gimlet Traveler
Istanbul, Turkey
A friend once told me that Istanbul is “a place with soul.” After exploring this rich and historic city full of contrasts between old and new, I knew exactly what she meant and can’t think of a better way to describe it. Once you visit, I expect you’ll think so, too.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cool geological rock formations, rose-colored canyons, wheat-colored valleys, ancient cave dwellings (not to mention modern cave hotels)…Capadoccia is well worth a special trip to the center of Turkey. And don’t miss the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride while you’re there. Its spectacular! Even for those of us afraid of flying and/or heights — I promise!
Sirince, Turkey and Ancient Ephesus
A surprise highlight of our trip to the impressive Ruins of Ancient Ephesus archaeological site was our stay at the Terrace House — a B&B with great views, good food and warm hospitality hidden in the rustic hillside village of Sirince. It’s worth driving the extra 15 minutes in lieu of the closer, but highly-touristed town of Selcuk.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon has a special place in our traveling hearts as it was the first stop on our honeymoon. Wander around its hilly neighborhoods, explore the charming old town and take a long walk along the Tagus river. It’s easy to become a fan of this beautiful mid-sized city — we can’t wait to go back!
Central Alentejo, Portugal
The third stop on our honeymoon tour of southern Portugal was the inland area of the Alentejo. Medieval cities to explore, wineries for wine tasting and a meal amidst the vineyards, picturesque hilltop towns (some with views into Spain) and a fab, high-style modern boutique hotel — complete with sheep grazing on their grounds.
Portugal Itinerary
For those who want all the info, this is the full Itinerary of our Portugal honeymoon trip. It includes a detailed map with all the various destinations (Lisbon, Sintra, Eastern Algarve, and Central Alentejo), along with some notes and tips.