Yuva Blog

A Culinary Tour of Istanbul

Jun 09, 2021

The runaway favourite highlight of our recent trip to Istanbul was a walking culinary tour with Culinary Backstreets. This company operates several different walking tours in Istanbul; the one we chose was 'Two Markets, Two Continents'. It is truly an extraordinary way to experience Istanbul away from the tourists. It was outstanding and I cannot recommend it enough. We were two groups of 6, (the...

Our Favourite Things in Istanbul

Jan 27, 2021

I have some great new additions to my "Favourite Things to do in Istanbul' list. As well as my favourite Bookshop, Jewelry store, Rug shop, Hotel and cafe, I can now add the best place to buy fresh Turkish Delight, favourite Pub and favourite place to buy leather handbags (from where I just bought three!) Favourite Pub....Cozy Restaurant & Cafe. On Divanyolu Street (the main...

Balouch Weaving

Jan 27, 2021

The Balouch tribes are unevenly distributed among Afghanistan, Iran & Pakistan. As weavers, they have a reputation as copyists of other peoples' designs, however what they have borrowed, they have interpreted in an unmistakable and unique Balouchi way. Shining through the immediate impression of dark & sombre colours can be seen a patina of tribal life and history, a reflection of the harshness of the...