TURKEY - Istanbul

We really loved going to the famous place for BAKLAVA Karakoy GULLUOGLU We went to eat at Döner is one of Turkey’s most famous dishes. It’s a way of preparing meat on a vertical spit, which is then cut into thin shavings. It’s most commonly served as a kebab, but you’ll also find döner at restaurants served on a plate with sides of fries, pilaf, grilled peppers and tomatoes. A good place to try döner kebabs is Durumzade, a small, unassuming shop located a short walk away from Taksim Square. The shop was rec We followed this guide for a day in Istanbul https://journeycompass.com/taksim-square-and-sultanahmet-guide/

UZBEKISTAN

We really enjoyed meeting Filipino friend of Alma's TIM. He has opened a hotel in Khiva and runs a tour company: https://www.instagram.com/go_anywhere_tour/ We booked our five-day silk road trip with Elladia with CROSS TRAVEL. She was recommended by Tenney. They were fine, they got the job done, but I don't feel like they are an extra special company. I would send friends and family to TIM if I were asked for recs. First stop was SAMARKAND We stayed at the Sultan Hotel, perfectly comfortable. Second stop was BUKHARA Alma and William joined us so that was really special. We stayed at ASIA hotel. It's not a very memorable hotel but it was walking distance to all things we needed and there was a pool. Third and last stop was KHIVA Khiva is stunning. We stayed in a Madrasah which is pretty cool.

TURKEY - Cappadocia

FLIGHT You can do a domestic flight for Cappadocia from Istanbul. There are two airports, one is 40 min (Navshir) from Goreme one is 60 min. We took the further away one b/c it was the only one available the days we needed to fly (KayseriO. We flew Turkish airlines. HOTEL We stayed at Historical Goreme Hotel. I just looked on booking.com and it was available for the dates I wanted and they had triple rooms. The reivews said it was in an excellent location and it really was. The two brothers who run the hotel definitely put in 100 percent. They are very friendly and want to make sure you have a good stay. Considering it was only $100/night for a triple room, you really can't beat the view from their breakfast room. The bedroom is spacious too. We loved being able to walk to all that we needed to reach. They can arrange airport pick up and drop off for only EUR 10 per person. They operate by using whatsapp. They offered tours but we found the tours at HIRO were much lower. TRAVEL TOUR AGENCY HIRO TOURS hirotour@hotmail.com TEl +90 384 271 2542 Muze Cad, No 22/A Goreme Cappadocia We booked a private car and a driver with them, it was 90 EUR for the whole day. We squeezed in SO MUCH! Cappadocia has two tours - Green and Red. By doing a private tour we were able to mix red and green which is (more or less) north or south of Goreme. Price was for just car/driver, we had to pay for entrance fees and our lunch. The elderly gentleman was Ravrazan, he was grandfatherly and very kind. He told me that he lost about 102 relatives on his wife's side of the family. He sent me his number 05364188331 Kids really liked the underground city of KAYMAKLI. We booked ATV tours with them, we did the sunset one. There were TONS of people doing the sunset tour. It was major traffic at all the main sights but if you don't mind crowds, it's still super fun. We paid EUR 20 per person, I think it's usually EUR 30. Horseback riding was fabulous, we thought that someone would just pull the horse, but Lulu and I really did just trot along by ourselves. I loved the slow speed and how we could really enjoy the countryside.

NORMANDIE

Day trip to Honfleur Ate seafood at l'Homme de Bois 30-21 rue de l'Homme de Bois, 14600 Honfleur Eve suggested GAMBETTA it's sister restaurant but it was full. 58 rue Haute, 14600 Honfleur

CHAMONIX

Bianca, Max's mom, Canadian and was expat SG and SH, has a place in Chamonix and recommended these restaurants. Mumma, Rose du Pont, Big Horn Bianca Ollie Max : Super casual but fun & delish place - Cool Cats

Asheville NC updated with extra MHF info

Asheville NC is a fantastic place to visit. I have recommendations from friends below and we followed most of what they said but found some new places we loved. Early Girl Eatery is listed in so many places as the best spot for breakfast, but we loved Sunny Point so much more. Our top places to eat were: Sunny Point Café for brunch – huevos rancheros amazing, peach pound cake with vanilla bean ice cream and berries were amazing. The Local Taco – we loved this casual joint and their fish tacos. Excellent food and service! 12 Bones – BEST BBQ experience ever – hole in the all – eat outdoors – try the key lime and pecan pie – excellent. Best rub on the ribs is the blueberry chipotle one. AMAZING coconut cream pie at this place: True Confections Suite 147, Exterior/Interior, Page Avenue The Grove Arcade Our top places to visit were: We actually skipped Biltmore b/c we were there for the outdoors,but we did go to Grove Park Inn for dinner one night and we loved the views, the ambience etc. Mateo thought it was a little too crowded to fully relax. My favorite thing was to go to Chimney Rock to hike for an hour to some gorgeous waterfalls and take an elevator up to see a beautiful view. This place could feel very touristy but since we went at the end of the day, we were pratically the only ones there and it was so special! Last of the Mohikans was filmed here. Mateo’s favorite was renting a pontoon boat on Lake Lure, it is a beautiful man-made lake and the lake houses were gorgeous. Dirty Dancing was filmed here. Kids’ favorite was sliding rock, which is just outside Asheville in Brevard, NC off the Blue Ridge Parkway. So fun for them to slide down a natural rock slide. There is a national park in the south where the Hunger Games was filmed. HOTEL – we stayed at Country Inn – great for a family with the one-bedroom suite. We were about a 10 minute drive downtown. I believe they have a few locations, we were the one on Brevard Road. Would be fun to stay in one of the downtown hotels if we didn’t have all the kids with us. Info from my friend Quinn: Hot spots include Barleys for great pizza, Doc Cheys noodles, wicked weed for fantastic buffalo burgers. Also city bakery on Biltmore ave near these restaurants. Posana cafe is a great vegan restaurant at 1 Biltmore ave...right.in pack square....the center of downtown. Grove park inn is a must see..at sunset.its quite nice. Biltmore estate is also a must do. Amazing! For breakfast Early Girl Eatery.....get there early! Tupelo honey good too . Bouchon has great food-french-small and quaint, if you have the kids then go into Mast General Store....om Biltmore Ave. They have a Candy Barrel- all kinds of old time candies. Info from Alexis’ friend- there is a jcrew discount store and it is WAY better than a factory store. It's 1 Clifford way in Arden (5-10 miles outside Asheville). I have gotten such good deals there. Some days are better than others but I think it is worth the trip! The sights... There are a lot of family friendly hikes right around Asheville. Biltmore of course. Grove park inn which is free. Just walking around downtown.... Tons of good restaurants and shops.... The local taco, 12 bones, tupelo honey cafe, doc Cheys (my favorite), French broad chocolate lounge. The parkway is right here so just getting on there and driving is gorgeous. If they are interested in hikes I can get them more info. If I think of anything else I will let you know! BARLEYS pizza Barley’s is located at 42 Biltmore Avenue in Downtown Asheville, NC 28801 Phone:(828) 255-0504 DOC CHEYS 37 Biltmore Ave. Downtown Asheville, NC Call for Take Out: (828) 252-8220 CITY BAKERY 60 Biltmore Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 828-252-4426 *wifi available Hours Mon-Fri 7 am-5 pm Sat 8 am-5 pm Sun 8 am-4 pm POSANA CAFE Vegan/Gluten free, farm to table Only brunch sat and sunday, closed monday Phone: 828.505.3969 p | 828.505.3968 f Address: One Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 288 Early Girl Eatery Add to trip 8 Wall St, Asheville, NC 28801-2710 (Downtown Asheville) 828-259-9292 Saturday breakfast all day!! Tupelo Honey cafe Tupelo Honey Cafe (828) 255-4863 12 College St Asheville, NC There is one in Charlotte! BREAKFAST JOINT AGAIN Sunny Point Cafe Add to trip 626 haywood rd, Asheville, NC 828 252 0055 Jana kala recommended THE LOCAL TACO looks fresh and fab ASHEVILLE 68 N. Lexington Avenue Asheville, NC (828) 575-9667 12 BONES 5 Riverside Dr Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: 828-253-4499 Fab bbq can only go Monday! WICKED WEED - burgers buffalo Phone: 828-575-9599 Email: info@wickedweedbrewing.com Address: 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, NC 28801