Even I have been gone to İzmir several times every year, I had only passed through Urla for those years. Before writing anything, I would like to apologize to Urla 🙂
You can visit Urla anytime of the year as it has different spirits in each season. The last time I have been there was in February. I went for a weekend getaway with my friends. Of course, it was colder compared to summer season, but it is so calm and peaceful that you will probably love it in winter too 😊
Our trip was planned around wine tasting and Od Urla. Urla vineyards road is one of the best locations in Turkey that you can enjoy your road trip as well tasting and drinking local wines. Even if you are not drinking wine, you can still take a trip to explore the nature, view and enjoy the food. Vine and grape culture go back so many years. In this road, there are lots of local winemakers with their vineyards of different sizes. Some have also restaurants and hotels so that you spend your entire time in this environment. This region has also delicious food culture. Good food with a good wine makes you in love with this place. If you go to harvest season which is in August and September, you can also have a chance to see all process.
Before I went, I made a list of vineyards but we only have a chance to visit USCA and Urlice. If you have a wine taste event, you can spend at least 1 or 2 hours. We had one tasting event and one vineyard tour. However, if you want to see multiple vineyards, you can quickly visit them all in a day.
Wineries
- USCA Wines
USCA comes from the “US” philosophy of Anaxagoras. Traditional production methods are used without corrupting the nature. All wines that are produced by the inspiration of William Shakespeare, are named by the number of sonnets from Shakespeare. If you make a reservation before, you can see their wine cellars besides tasting wines. Currently, they do not have a restaurant.
https://www.usca.com.tr/Anasayfa
- URLİCE
Urlice is the first boutique winery in this region. You can enjoy the delicious food in the restaurant with their local wines. The view is perfect. You should make a reservation.
Gastronomy
- Od Urla
What an experience! Od Urla is one of the things that cannot be described but only experienced.
Osman Sezener is one of the best chefs in Turkey. He created a heaven with an amazing garden and guesthouse in Urla. The architecture of the main restaurant with high ceilings will amaze you. If you make an early reservation, you can book a place around the chef’s table which gathering around the open wood fire as bar concept. Of course, you can also drink delicious local Urla wines as side. There is also a second restaurant that you can enjoy seafood.
https://www.odurla.com/index.php
- Leone Patisserie & Boulangerie
Leone created by the family with both Turkish and French culture. There are three locations only in İzmir as Alsancak, Karşıyaka and Urla. When you first stepped into café and saw the patisserie window, you will probably cannot chose, and you will buy more than you can eat 😊 If you are a group, it is best to taste all rather than eating one fully.
I went there for breakfast, but you can go anytime in day. You should definitely try “Croissant aux Amandes”. The taste is still in my mount 😊 The first thing I asked was if they ever plan to come to Istanbul. Hopefully, they are planning to open one in Istanbul soon 😊
Events
You can check out these events not to miss the festival spirit !
- Urla Traditional Harvets Festival
check for planned date (in August) : https://www.urla.bel.tr/Kultur-Sanat.aspx
- Chill out Festival
check for planned date (in June ): https://www.instagram.com/chilloutfestival/
Accommodation
We preferred to stay in a bungalow reserved by Airbnb. If you go to in winter and stay in a bungalow, you should learn how to light a stove! It can be colder especially at night. We enjoyed the time in bungalow with stove-roasted chestnut and a hot tea which I highly recommend 😊
Kanken's Escapades 
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