The glorious and stunning Hagia Sophia of Istanbul – Turkey! I have been twice, and I would go again. The former church, Ottoman Mosque, the official museum and now mosque again has a saintly ambience combined with Islamic and Byzantine architecture. Sitting in Istanbul old city part known as Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia joins other nearby […]
City of Istanbul : The Most Popular Destination in Turkey
Ottoman Intrigue at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul
If there were ever a home with juicy untold secrets, it would have to be the 15th century BC Topkapi palace in Istanbul city. Covering nearly 600,000 square meters, the Ottoman Empire’s royal Palace was originally the brainchild of Sultan Mehmed, the conqueror. In Topkapi Palace, they courted their concubine slaves, harem fights for power […]
Grand Bazaar of Istanbul : Shopping and Souvenir Guide
The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, Turkey, is a lot more than an average shopping mall. The market dates from the 15th century after the Ottomans conquered Constantinople (former Istanbul.) Markets like this were traditional throughout the world where they reigned. Sultan Mehmet the 2nd ordered the construction. The Grand Bazaar shop rents were then sent […]
Save Money with the Istanbul Tourist Pass When Visting Attractions
The Istanbul tourist e-Pass is rapidly growing in popularity with visitors thanks to huge savings and many attractions, museums, and experiences. After a few slow years, the tourism industry in Istanbul is up and running again at full pace! Tour operators try to offer visitors the best tours, packages, experiences, and value for money. So, […]
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. […]
A Boutique Hotel in Cappadocia called the Castle Inn
Sometimes the most unexpected and delightful events occur if we are willing to step outside of our comfort zone. A perfect example is what happened to me on my last visit to Cappadocia, when I discovered what was to be my favourite boutique hotel in Cappadocia. On every visit to the region, I always book […]
Mustafapasa: The Greek Sinasos
Like many other small villages of Turkey, Mustafapasa in the central Cappadocia region of Turkey is steeped in Greek Orthodox history, specifically the Ottoman years before the Turkish War of Independence in the early 20th century, when Turks and Greeks lived side by side in harmony. Stories of the ethnic groups residing together throughout Turkey […]
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 […]
Learn How To Speak Turkish : The Beginner Guide
Despite my love for Turkey, one aspect of living in the country that I absolutely hate is learning how to speak Turkish. Do I need to know it? Well, not really. Many expats live in Turkey without speaking the language but I believe that life is a lot easier when you know the lingo. So […]
37 Ways to Tell if You Act Like a Turk
When I first came to Turkey, the constant barrage of all things new and in some cases frankly odd, fascinated me. Little Turkish quirks displayed by my newfound friends and learning about daily aspects of life in the country like how to catch the bus, banking systems, and social greetings, made me feel like I […]
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, […]
Santa Claus and His Life in Turkey
Every year around Christmas time, millions of parents across the world take part in the biggest deception concerning Santa Claus. It starts in the early years of a child’s life when the parents promise an abundance of presents from Santa for good behavior. They tell stories of the North Pole, the fat man who lives […]
Kas : Mediterranean Delight in Turkey
Kas is everything that a typical Mediterranean seaside resort in Turkey should be. White washed houses cascade down the winding mountain roads to show the way to beautiful beaches and a harbor that reminds you that life is in fact quite good and while in Kas, the best thing to do is to adapt quickly […]
Aegean Coast
Guide to Ephesus Ancient City and Ruins
Ah, to see the Ephesus ancient city ruins is to see one of the world’s most significant historical sites. The colourful timeline of Turkey’s history means the country is awash with historical sites dating from many civilizations. Out of all them, Ephesus is probably the most well-known, attracting thousands of visitors every day. Ephesus ancient […]
Beautiful Pamukkale in Turkey: Thermal Pools and Ancient Hierapolis City
Pamukkale in Turkey is a top visited attraction and a sight to wow at. Pamukkale in the Denizli region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is nicknamed “Cotton Castle” because of solidified white calcium thermal pools that cascade down the side of a hill. Sitting inland within an agricultural province, on my 2002 visit to Pamukkale […]
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 […]
Things to Do in Kusadasi: Around the Port, Centre, & Close By
I have been rather critical of Kusadasi in the past. Yet following developments in the town; I’m warming up to it and now highly admired it for the famous international reputation it has built up. It is also extremely hard to ignore the fact that there are plently of unique things to do in Kusadasi. […]
Random Information and Ramblings
The Guide to Using Money in Turkey
People visiting Turkey usually want to know about the money first. After all, it makes the world go round and whether or not, you have a budget, knowing about the currency, exchange rates, fees, and charges, means you will spend wisely. So let’s get started by discussing the relevant facts about using money in Turkey […]
Teach English in Turkey
As part of the monthly posts about how to financially support yourself while travelling or moving to this country, one option that pops up, again and again, is to teach English in Turkey as a foreign language. Now this is something that I’ve never done, although many of my online friends have or are doing […]
Ways to Fund Living in Turkey as a Foreigner
One question I am frequently asked is how I fund my life in Turkey. People enquiring are generally girls who have met someone while on holiday here, and they would like to stay in the country. Others are middle-aged couples who do not want to wait until pensionable age to experience the life in the […]
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 want to work in Turkey so they can stay here permanently. They develop a dream to live here, but they can only sustain that vision by finding a job in Turkey to support themselves financially. The article I previously wrote received much attention because working in Turkey was a minefield to […]
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 […]
Recent Posts
Living in Turkey Permanently and What to Know Before Moving
With Turkey’s rising fame as an ideal expat destination, many people want to know about living in Turkey permanently. I understand the lure, and while it is not all roses and sunlight, my lifestyle in Turkey is better than if I had stayed in the UK. For me, the move was easy. I didn’t own […]
23 of the Best Places To Visit in Turkey
When choosing the best places to visit in Turkey, get ready for an avalanche of choices. Repeatedly called the bridge between East and West, I often say the country of Turkey is the world’s most beautiful place. However, I admit to being biased because I do not travel anywhere else. Turkey’s ability to amaze is […]
Galata Tower in Istanbul and a Beautiful 360-Degree View
Galata tower in Istanbul is the best place for a marvellous panoramic view over the Golden Horn, Bosphorus and city. Six years before, I went to Galata tower to attend a Turkish show at night-time. I could see lights from buildings, dotted across the horizon, and the lights of traffic moving, but that was it, […]
The Basilica Cistern of Istanbul and the Heads of Medusa
I walked down 55 stone steps, sensing dampness from water as I reached the bottom and the Basilica cistern. Sitting in Istanbul’s touristic district near the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, it had been on my bucket list for months. The only sounds were whispers from tourists and odd drip of water. A vendor of […]
A Guide to Gulet Sailing Holidays in Turkey
I am incredibly grateful for countless travel memories that I can look back on with fondness but one of my favourite is gulet cruising in Turkey. It was a four night, five-day sailing holiday along the Mediterranean coast from Fethiye to Olympus. Choosing to partly detox from an Internet addiction, and relax at the same […]
4 Documentaries About Istanbul Worth Watching
Mert Gurel is a Turkish film enthusiast with a particular passion for interesting documentaries about Istanbul. This is natural, given that he lives and works in the bustling city. His job as a fixer for video productions means he sources everything that foreign and domestic companies need to make a good film or documentary in […]