Istanbul, an iconic city and the most popular tourist destination in Turkey, has immense dignity and pride. The cultural infusion of various communities, modern influences, and its historical timeline is impossible to ignore. Most travel publications have detailed articles about things to do in Istanbul. They normally involve shopping in the historical Grand Bazaar, visiting […]
City of Istanbul : The Most Popular Destination in Turkey
How to Get From Ataturk Airport to Istanbul City Centre
Istanbul is the top visited destination in Turkey. So imagine the millions of foreign tourists that it receives every year! There are two airports in Istanbul but Ataturk airport is the busiest and most tourists will arrive via that route. Transport from the airport to hotels or the city centre is easy, because there are […]
How to Save Money with the Istanbul Tourist Pass
Tourism in Turkey is catching up fast with standards in western worlds. Gone are the days of rusty old buses and sub-standard hotels. The industry now provides tourists with every amenity they want and one concept to hit the market is the Istanbul Tourist Pass. It is the brainchild of the team behind the popular […]
Grand Bazaar of Istanbul : Photos & Shopping Guide
The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul is a lot more than your average shopping mall. Shopkeepers are not shy about letting you know they want your money and will do their best to get it. Sixty streets covered with thousand of shops can be overwhelming if you are not a hard core shopper. On my first […]
Cappadocia : Land of Cave Churches and Hot Air Balloon Trips
Goreme : The Backpacking Hub of Cappadocia
On my first visit to Goreme in Cappadocia, Turkey in November 2009, I was all over it like a hot rash. The summer had officially finished yet it was still thriving with backpackers arriving from Istanbul on the overnight bus. There seemed to be travelers from all over the world heading there with eager anticipation […]
5 Years Later : The Goreme Open Air Museum
I first visited the Goreme Open Air Museum of Cappadocia in 2010 and my write-up was neither kind nor full of praise. I accused the guidebook of incorrect information and my exact words to describe the historical UNESCO World Heritage site were… “Goreme Open Air Museum is 13 cave churches that all look the same. […]
Turkish Culture and Traditions
About Turkish Tea : The National Drink of Turkey
People who are unfamiliar with the country of Turkey assume the national drink is coffee, but in fact, tea is the inseparable drink of Turkish culture. Women, family, and friends often meet in tea gardens, while men flock to the male dominated teahouses that are a focal point of most villages and towns. Harking back […]
Turkish Culture – A Guide to Social Traditions
One thing you will soon realize when visiting Turkey is part of the Turkish culture involves being very sociable. Turkish people love to meet new friends and think nothing of spending half the day talking to a complete stranger while putting the world to rights. People who come from countries that are reserved may be […]
Mediterranean Coast & the Turkish Riviera
The Ghost Village Of Kayakoy
Kayakoy ghost village lies a short distance from the bustling and popular resorts of Fethiye and Olu Deniz. It is deserted, it is lifeless, the houses are crumbling and the streets are empty. However, there is an aura and an overwhelming presence that hovers over the village. Some visitors might not sense it, but I […]
Butterfly Valley
I handed my fare over to the taxi boat captain and sat down on the wooden seat bench breathing a great sigh of relief. In retrospect, my plans for that day were not complicated. I just wanted to catch the taxi boat from the beach at Olu Deniz to the well-known landmark of Butterfly Valley, […]
Aegean Coast
Beautiful Pamukkale and Ancient Hierapolis
Pamukkale and Hierapolis ancient city ruins in the Denizli region of Turkey is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nicknamed “Cotton Castle” because of its white calcium thermal pools solidified on the side of a hill, along with the landmark structures of Hierapolis, they were the country’s most visited tourist attraction in 2014. Sitting inland within […]
Majestic Architecture of the Celsus Library in Ephesus
The Celsus library in Ephesus is probably one of the most photographed historical structures of Turkey. It belongs to the ancient city located on the Aegean coast, near the holiday resort of Kusadasi and the working town of Selcuk. One of my interests, while I learn about my adopted country is the history of Turkey, […]
Random Information and Ramblings
Options for Mobile Internet Access in Turkey
For most people, a major concern when they come to Turkey is how to stay connected to the Internet. We are addicted to it and most of our daily lives require it, whether this is to chat with friends on Facebook, upload photos online, use maps, or gain access to mobile apps. Many people activate […]
Work In Turkey : Discussing Jobs & Working Permits
Every summer many holidaymakers fall in love with Turkey and develop a dream to return here but the only way they can sustain that vision is by finding work to support themselves financially. The article that I previously wrote about this subject received much attention because working in Turkey was a minefield to be negotiated […]
Should You Sunbathe Topless in Turkey?
Every year, thousands of women rush to the beaches and swimming pools of Turkey. The first day is consumed with thoughts of getting a golden sun kissed tan. Towels are laid on sunbeds, the oil is rubbed into pearly white skin, then the bikini top comes off and they lie back to relax while the […]
14 Ideas of Souvenirs to Buy in Turkey
Souvenir shopping in Turkey can be as cheap or expensive as you want but more importantly great fun because the Turks sell everything and anything. Famous things to buy vary depending on where you go. For example in Cappadocia, pottery from the town of Avanos is popular whereas, at Ephesus, statues of the Virgin Mary […]
Recent Posts
How to Avoid Getting Stung on Your Holiday Money
Preparing to go on holiday can be stressful. No doubt about it.On top of important things like work deadlines and getting your pet cat sorted, there are super-important things like choosing which factor sun cream to buy or constructing a witty “out of office” email. One thing that often gets left to the last minute […]
Good Reasons to Visit Yalova in Turkey
Foreign travellers tend to bypass Yalova in Turkey, but for many years, locals of Istanbul who want to escape city life for a few days, have favoured it as the ideal destination. Summer weekends when the children are off school are a traditional time for them to go. For city dwellers, Yalova offers everything including […]
Trabzon Travel Guide
Trabzon is not one of my favourite cities in Turkey, yet it serves as a good base for sightseeing in the area. Although few western tourists go in that direction, people from the Middle East are a frequent sight. During the 1990’s, it also enjoyed great financial success as a central hub of the suitcase […]
Quirky and Unusual Hotels in Turkey
When making holiday arrangements, our top priority after getting to our chosen destination is often the hotel. Some people just want cleanliness while others look for perks and facilities. We can choose all inclusive, B&B or room only. Another aspect affecting our choice is the theme and décor. The travel industry of Turkey knows this, […]
2016 and My Year in Turkey
As a nation of 80 million people, including many expat foreigners, 2016 has been a terrible year for the country of Turkey. Quoting Queen Elizabeth’s famous phrase, it has been our “Annus Horribilis.” This is Latin and means “horrible year” but this description is mild. We have endured a series of devastating attacks in the […]
11 Themed Travel Ideas for Turkey in 2017
One thing Turkey does well is entertaining foreign visitors. Its tourism board emphasises their hospitality throughout their campaigns and promises warm welcomes to any foreign nationalities spending time in the country. It isn’t hyped up false promises either because many previous tourists often comment on the friendly, kind attitude of Turkish people. Turkey also promises […]
Sailing the Olympos to Fethiye Blue Cruise Route
One of my best memories of travelling throughout Turkey is sailing the southern coast. As part of the Turkish Riviera, official Blue Voyage Cruise routes within it are widely sold every year. Even though the word Riviera conjures up images of luxury and private yachts, the Turkish equivalent caters for all price brackets, hence its […]
The Impressive Stadium of Magnesia on the Meander
I’d drove past the sign for Magnesia ancient city ruins many times. Hardly talked about or featured in guidebooks, I figured there was not much to see, yet curiosity still made me want to visit. So last month, our hobby photography group piled into the cars and made our way there. Sitting in the Aydin […]
5 Good Reasons to Visit Cappadocia
I like to think of Cappadocia as my second home. Even though I get a buzz from going to new places, I adore the familiarity of the region and I’m not the only one because there are many good reasons to visit. Sitting in the central Anatolian region of Turkey, Cappadocia is the country’s third […]
Memories of the Ayder Plateau
Out of all my travel memories from around Turkey, the Ayder plateau stands out for a quirky and possibly absurd reason. I remember that it was the end of June, and while my friends on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts were enjoying alfresco dining on warm summer evenings, I was huddled in my hotel room. […]