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2023 has come to an end and we just woke up to a brand new year.
If you've been following us over the last year, thanks for making it this far!
We're sure you're just like us, and we hope that 2024 brings with it the opportunity for some peace and tranquility in the world.
Until then, let us all carry on as best we can in our daily lives.
I spent a couple of hours sifting through photos from January 2023 through December for this article on our look back at the past year.
And this, along with a quick look at our monthly Fethiye news articles, has been a truly lovely exercise full of important happy memories.
Amidst all the turmoil in the world, we have experienced many special moments.
- Time with friends on vacation, some of whom we hadn't seen since before the pandemic.
- With those friends, visiting many of the must-sees in Fethiye. Some of these places we hadn't seen for years. A crazy busy summer and it's been great to get reacquainted with some of the beautiful sights around us.
- Some short breaks; both discovering parts of the country new to us and rediscovering regular meeting places.
- Lots of highlights for foodies – we had some great meals in restaurants around Fethiye and elsewhere. And we have prepared some great dishes to add to our list of Turkish recipes.
- And of course, last but not least, we celebrated (and are still commemorating) 100 years of the Turkish Republic!
So, without further ado, before we launch into what 2024 has in store for us, let's stop and take stock with some quick highlights…
Best of Fethiye 2023
On this blog we always try to showcase everything this area has to offer, especially with our list of the best things to do and see in Fethiye.
Some of these things we see and do as part of everyday life.
But for others, we didn't visit them and spend quality time there for an eternity!
In 2023, taking small tours with visiting friends has changed everything!
- A troop around Aşıklar Tepesi, admiring the Fethiye rock tombs along the way. We know the views are fantastic from the rock tombs, but it was nice to sit on the steps below Amyntas' tomb and enjoy those views again.
- A couple of days in the ruins of Kayaköy and a barbecue in Cin Bal.
- Two visits to Saklıkent Gorge: We only entered the gorge once. Enjoying the rafters passing over the river was preferable the second time around. One of these trips also took us to the Gizlikent waterfall – our first visit there.
- Ancient ruins of Tlos – when we wrote the article on Tlos, we said that it was one of our favorite archaeological sites. Since then, we have visited many other archaeological sites. How did Tlos perform when we revisited it in 2023? It's still up there, we can tell you! Two visits this year and it's amazing!
Best eating (out) 2023
Not necessarily what you might think. Fethiye's bar and restaurant scene is constantly evolving.
These are just a few of the highlights that come to mind as I look back at 2023.
- The best special occasion experience of 2023 – Incir restaurant at Hotel Casa Margot, overlooking the bay, offers views and a seasonal Anatolian menu (update April 2024 – Incir unfortunately no longer exists but the hotel is still open). Çarıklı Et also deserves a mention – I love going there for my birthday.
- 2023 pleasant surprise – Shout out to Kabak's Olive Garden. We hadn't been there in years because we like to try a few different places in that area. But an afternoon there with friends in September: great meal!
- In 2023, grab something to eat while you're in town – Oh, Nefis Pide Kordon has become a go-to place to grab a kuşbaşılı pide while shopping in the city. And a hot beef roll (et dürüm) at Paşa Fırın is also good competition for this.
- Main regional gastronomic news of 2023 – Gaziantep cuisine is famous in Turkey and, increasingly, in the world, thanks to UNESCO recognition. Fethiye ha Can Çekti, a small, unpretentious kitchen serving classic Antep dishes, including a great beyran çorbası (lamb soup). A winter lunch of beyran soup is a real treat!
Best (slow) trip 2023
However, being able to travel for pleasure is a privilege. And everywhere we go is a highlight. In 2023 we were able to take a few short breaks throughout the year.
- 2023 discovery: It's nice to be able to explore new places. And 2023 was the year we decided to start exploring the beautiful Aegean coast more. A fabulous few days in August where we finally got to explore Çeşme and beautiful Alaçatı.
Attending running events in Türkiye also gives us the chance to be in both familiar and new places.
- Return to Istanbul: Ahhh, a real highlight. After 5 years away from this wonderful city, we returned in April for the Istanbul Half Marathon. We hung out for a few nights, catching the beautiful tulips in Gülhane Park and sailing along the Haliç (Golden Horn) after a visit to Pierre Loti Hill.
- Annual Antalya: The first weekend of March is the Runtalya Marathon event and, barring a year or two here and there, we are there every year to take part in it. The 2023 event, of course, took place in the shadow of the devastating February 6 earthquakes. We did our fundraising run and also relaxed in Kaleiçi and around Karaalioğlu park. After a winter in Fethiye, our change of scenery in Antalya is always much appreciated.
- The year of Kaş: Not one but THREE trips to Kaş in 2023. We have always loved this city but feel we know and love it even more after those trips. A great place to just relax and unwind. That said, one of those trips was once again for a running event: the I wish it was Halftone which takes place every October. Barry's birthday and an overnight stay with visiting friends mean lots of special memories from Kaş in 2023!
Of course, every trip to Kaş also gives you an easy opportunity to visit another country…
It's been years since we went to Meis – the Greek island of Kastellorizo. So 2023 was the year we solved the problem.
It's great to be back!
Most popular post of 2023
In 2023, we added 13 new recipes to our collection of Turkish recipes.
These included Turkish desserts and vegetarian and vegan dishes, as well as meat and fish.
And this brings us to ours most popular post of 2023. The rule is that the most popular article of the year must be written in that year.
And you loved our Turkish Balloon Bread recipe! The big winner of 2023 on the blog!
In 2024
We both hit the Big 50 in 2024 and have some ideas penciled in, but nothing set in stone. Whatever happens, we'll be happy to share it in our highlights at the end of the year.
In the meantime, thanks so much for reading through 2023.
And if you took some precious time out of your day to leave us a nice comment on the blog, thank you very much. These comments are always much appreciated!
The blog has gone from strength to strength in 2023 with record numbers of visitors.
So, a big thank you and a big happy new year! A thousand thanks. Happy birthday!
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