Life in Turkey

This post was posted by The Hipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on September 2nd 2015 Being in a foreign environment tends to provide travelers with a feeling of anonymity. It’s regarded as a space governed by different social rules, and while abroad people often engage in behavior that they would normally not allow. But we wanted to know just how naughty they would actually get—or at least, what they would cop up to. From stealing food to … [Read more...]

You might think meditation doesn’t play a part in Turkish society but look deeply and it is found in many traditions and customs. The tespi (prayer) beads, typically used by old men who sit all day in tea houses, are a counting tool to help the mind connect to its higher religious purpose. Likewise, the Whirling Dervishes, now a popular tourist attraction, especially in Istanbul use the active meditation technique of the circling Sama Sufi … [Read more...]

This post was posted by The Hipmunk on Hipmunk's Tailwind blog on August 28th 2015Whether you’re building libraries in Zambia or adventuring around Madrid, any trip warrants a first aid kit. While it’s hardly the sexiest of travel topics, having basic first aid items on hand can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major catastrophe. Here’s how to build a travel first aid kit for maximum health and safety—no matter where … [Read more...]

This post was posted by The Hipmunk on Hipmunk's Tailwind blog on August 25th 2015.No one would prefer lugging four suitcases through the airport over picking up a backpack and whistling past the baggage claim. But that doesn’t mean packing light is an easy feat. Develop a strategy for packing light, and you’re much more likely to actually do it in spite of anxieties. Whether your goal is to pack for a multi-week vacation in a carry-on or … [Read more...]

Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations for British travelers, and it truly has something to offer everyone’s tastes: white sand beaches; cosmopolitan holiday resorts; the ruins of ancient civilizations; delicious food and potent spirits. No matter when you visit, a great holiday is always possible because of the diversity in geographical landscapes, seasons and vast range of activities, but you might want to time your visit … [Read more...]

Throughout my whole life, I had a burning question that could never be answered. I wanted to know what the point of my existence was. What was the meaning of life? Refusing to believe that I was just put on this earth to eat, sleep, shit, work, clean and then do it all again the next day, I never stopped searching for the answer. Note :  At this point, if you think I am insane, in my defense, according to Google, more than 500,000 people a … [Read more...]

2 Turkish holiday resorts that are popular with all types of tourists are Antalya and Olu Deniz. Antalya is the bustling holiday capital of Turkey and it’s the perfect choice for those who like their holidays action-packed and exciting. Busy beaches, throbbing nightlife and extreme water sports are all synonymous with Antalya. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a party animal to enjoy the holiday atmosphere. What if you’d prefer somewhere more … [Read more...]

I have written previously about expat life in Turkey. I mentioned that we tend to gather like packs of wolves into our own clans. Indeed, Turkey has become a multi-nationality expat community, and according to EuroStat, in 2013, a total of 272,842 foreigners were permanently residing in Turkey. That is not many considering the population of Turkey is 74.9 million people, but I like to think a majority of us, are happy with our lives here and … [Read more...]

Update - July 2106 - If you have arrived here looking for information following the July 15th coup in Turkey, you should follow the advice of your government's travel department. The reason being is that any holiday insurance policies can become invalid if your actions are in direct contrast to what your government is saying. As of the 18th July, the USA has updated their policy to say... "In light of the July 15 coup attempt and its aftermath, … [Read more...]

Along with writing, I adore reading. I believe one of the most pleasant moments in life, is when we read a fact or fiction book that moves and motivates us to experience more and enjoy each day to the fullest. With that in mind, I am eager to share my list of books about the country of Turkey. I have read each one and update this list, when the last page of each book has been closed. All of them can be purchased on Amazon, in either hard back … [Read more...]

Welcome to my list of travel resources that I love and hopefully will help you plan a trip to Turkey. Why have I made this list? Quite often, I receive e-mails from readers asking numerous questions including how to organize a trip, methods of travel, finding places to stay etc. It is a great ego boost that people want my advice but unfortunately, I don’t have time to answer all emails. So, this is intended to be a complete list of the sites I … [Read more...]

Turkey boasts of a colourful historical timeline, Mediterranean and desert climate, plenty of sun, sea, and sand, nomadic passion, and great cuisine. Therefore camping in Turkey could be a popular travel genre but sadly the Turkish government has never actively promoted this  tourism opportunity to the outside world.Caravan and Camping sites in Turkey Dalyan CampingThis coastal site has a direct access to a natural reserve. It is flat … [Read more...]

Such is the diversity of Turkey; its general appearance to the outside world can differ in many ways, mainly depending on nationalities. I am no longer surprised to receive e-mails from readers in countries like Australia or America, who plan to visit Turkey  but are hesitant about travelling independently and question if they should they sign up to a guided tour instead?My Opinion - Independent Travel vs Guided Tours Having done both … [Read more...]

Over the years, Istanbul has lured many foreign film production teams, by offering them unique locations to create an orientalist atmosphere that Western audiences love to see on the big screen. This includes Ian Fleming’s, charismatic and dare-devil agent 007, who on his quest to fight evil is often led into the chaotic environment of Istanbul. His last film, Skyfall also featured scenes in the Mediterranean Turkish resort of Fethiye, and … [Read more...]

Ashley Howell is a cycling enthusiast. He does not do it professionally but takes his hobby seriously. Having cycled in various areas of Turkey on many occasions, he shared his tips with me on how to plan and complete a successful long-distance trip. I have to admit that it is not something I would attempt but beginners at cycling will find his methods for navigating Turkey handy.Biking in TurkeyAshley says… A biking trip in any area of … [Read more...]

For anyone who loves nature, getting outdoors and exploring, then walking and trekking in Turkey is a great opportunity.Unfortunately, I am lazy but to help future travelers, I interviewed an expert on the subject. Who is he and what makes him an expert? His name is Matt Krause and he has walked across Turkey, from the west to the east, without stopping. He has encountered many terrains and spent many nights camping under the stars. He is from … [Read more...]

A Turkish christmas is impossible right? Most of my friends and family who have never visited Turkey say this. “After all, Turkey is a Muslim country”. It might be a Muslim country but one thing  the Turks have got down to a fine art, is that where there is money to be made, they will make it. Around 2004, Turkey started becoming popular among ex-pats, hence a new business opportunity for all those restaurants and bars. It is possible to spend … [Read more...]

Whether you are a seasoned traveler or it is your first package holiday to Turkey, here are my top travel tips to help you. They have all come from my own experiences, when I  used to work as a holiday rep for British tourists and also of course, my own travel experiences over the last 14 years.Travel Tips for Turkey1 – Turkey is slowing phasing out the old sticker visas given at the airport. They aim to implement a full e-visa system … [Read more...]

Driving in Turkey has got a colourful reputation and foreigners gasp at the total disregard for safety.  Many first time visitors to Turkey will stand on the pavement( if there is one) for about five minutes just staring at the traffic. Their mouths fall open and they seem to think their eyes are playing a trick on them. They are not. No doubt you've heard of "when in Rome do as the Romans do". So read on and learn how to drive like a … [Read more...]

I have always admitted that I am not a person who does budget travel well. Where possible, I like to spend my cash in the most luxurious way possible. Unfortunately, I don't have a budget for some of Turkey's most expensive hotels. I can only dream of pampering myself, fine cuisine, and jumping up and down on the large king size beds covered with pure feather pillows. I dream about room service bringing me champagne for breakfast and open the … [Read more...]

Many visitors to Turkey will head straight for the beautiful city of Istanbul or the resort towns of the Turquoise Coast. Although both have their obvious merits, I think there is so much else to see when it comes to exploring Turkey’s history and culture, especially if you’ve already done the main tourist attractions and are looking for a more in-depth visit. Heritage architecture is everywhere from ancient Roman cities to antique Ottoman towns. … [Read more...]

A couple of weeks ago, I was surfing the web reading other peoples blogs and realized that my love and appreciation for Turkey has only developed because of other people. I have met people in the summer time, who tell me their Turkish holiday tales with howls of laughter. I have read blog posts written by people who have visited the shores of Turkey and then wrote candidly about their personal thoughts and experiences. I have also stared in … [Read more...]

I like helping people when possible. I often receive questions about travel in Turkey via Facebook and email. A lot of the time though, people ask the questions on Google and the mighty search engine displays my site as a possible source for answers. All the search terms that bring  people to my site are displayed in my Google analytics account that I review monthly. This morning while looking at them, I was seriously baffled by a few questions … [Read more...]

The other day I came across a picture called the most beautiful horse in the world. It blew my mind. Look at the photo below and I am sure you will agree. Stunner isn’t it? The majestic stance and the golden coat is pure beauty.More to the point, my interest had spiked because the picture said the horse lived in Turkey! "Eh?" was my first response. I was quite surprised because Turkey has not been known for its excellence of horses since … [Read more...]

Don’t you just love it when you happen to be in the right place at the right time with your camera? The result is a photo that makes you smile and feel very proud at the same time. I spend a lot of time practicing my photography skills and out of every hundred pictures; it is  easy to assume that I will only be pleased with one. The picture below is one photo that I am really proud of.My Photo of a Bird in FlightI took the picture while I … [Read more...]

Readers, if you missed part one, you can catch up with what has happened here. The short version is that I received a love letter from an ex-boyfriend who is currently behind bars. I had no intention of waiting for him or visiting him in prison but was undecided on what my response should be. After many draft versions, I finally wrote a heart-felt letter back. As normal, names or very private information have been omitted.Turkish Love … [Read more...]

Readers, before I show you my Turkish love letter, it is important to know the background of my story, more so if you are not familiar with the hot-blooded libido of Turkish men for Western women. Any tour of Turkey by a single female, whether pretty or hideously repulsive, will produce numerous marriage proposals; requests for Facebook addresses and on the odd occasions, you may even gain a dedicated stalker or two. Do not forget the excessive … [Read more...]

Turkey is fast emerging as one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Where once the Turkish tourism industry was struggling, it now flourishes and attracts thousands of visitors every year. As such a vast and constantly changing country, there is so much to discover while on holiday here and we present five aspects that will help you gain an idea of what Turkey is like for a holiday.What is Turkey Like for a Holiday? Turkey has … [Read more...]

Most of the travel within Turkey is done by using the bus system however more and more people are latching onto the idea of domestic flights within Turkey. It is not often that it will work out cheaper however sometimes the cost can be as little as 20 dollars extra. If this enables you to get to your destination in half the time then it may be worth looking into to.Airline Websites for Domestic Flights in … [Read more...]

Experts say one of the most stressful events in life is a divorce. It is the nail in the coffin of a failed marriage. When I married my Turkish Romeo seven years ago, I never imagined, it would end in divorce. Sure, there were cultural issues but we always managed to resolve them and many people often remarked that we were a good couple. Therefore, to sit here and write about my recent divorce is quite surreal. Even more strange, is while the … [Read more...]

The last article I published was a heavyhearted confession asking readers to wait for me while I tried to deal with a serious bout of depression. Anyone familiar with social decorum in Turkey would have realized the battle I faced. This is a country where depression is not discussed openly. It is a weakness and people suffering from it are abnormal. I had become a freak of society. So I devised a plan of action to shake off my mental sadness … [Read more...]

Readers : I wrote this post over three years ago. All of it still applies and I stand by what I have written. However you may also be interested in my latest post regarding Turkish men called "My Turkish Love Letter" (November 2013)Turkish Men and Holiday Romances Turkish Men are once again causing heartache all over the globe. Every year, thousands of foreign women enter Turkey and strike up a holiday romance. For some, the holiday romance … [Read more...]

Every country has myths that are believed by foreigners. In this post I am going to bust all those travel myths that you have heard about Turkey. I dare any reader to prove me wrong. 1 – Midnight Express. Many travelers who have announced their plans to visit Turkey,  have heard the rather stern words of  “have you never seen Midnight Express?” If you are one of those who believe that Midnight Express happened exactly how it was told, then … [Read more...]

Circumstances dictate that in two months, I must return briefly to the “Dear old Blighty”. The small and dark Island floating in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The island that provokes doom and gloom memories of miserable people who are incapable of muttering good morning without moaning about their daily lives and the poor performance of their government.  Where am I talking about? England. I do not want to return but needs must be and … [Read more...]

I am a great lover of landscape photos and in the country of Turkey; there is no shortage of beautiful places. Every landscape that I see has its own admiring quality that makes photography an interesting and exciting hobby to learn. Even though I have hundreds of landscape photos, I have picked 23 of what I think, are the best. I hope you like them to. Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom, letting me know which one is your … [Read more...]

Many people have a pre-conceived idea of Turkey before they come here. I will admit that I did and it was not until I  had visited Turkey that I fell in love with it. Every year that I stay here,  there are more and more interesting facts about Turkey that I learn and some of them are quite astonishing9 Facts about Turkey1 – Tulips originated from Turkey and not Holland. They were taken to Holland from Turkey in the 16th Century. To see … [Read more...]

One of my favourite parts of the day is to sit down at the end of it with a nice, ice cold beer and watch the sun go down. There are certain areas within Turkey that are famous for their sunsets and you will find professional photographers flocking there to catch the perfect picture. A glowing orange sky disappearing behind mountains or into the sea is enough to make anyone stand still though, whether you have a camera in your hand or not. On … [Read more...]

So I am doing my goal setting regarding The Turkish Travel Blog and I figure that to do this, I have to review past results. While doing so, I happened to stumble across some amusing but weird search terms that were used in Google to find my blog. Taking an idea from Michael at Go see Write, I have decided to list those search terms here. Some of them may bring a smile to your face but I do give a word of warning, not to read this post while you … [Read more...]

A search term on expats lead a reader to my blog this week and it has prompted me to write this post.  The search term used to find my blog was “mental health of expats in Turkey”. I was intrigued as to why someone was asking this. Had they been traveling around Turkey and come across the totally crazy expats that occupy these shores?  Were they thinking of moving here but were concerned about what expat life can do to a person’s mental health … [Read more...]

Over the winter,  I have been scrambling around the countryside taking pictures of everything and anything including the animals of Turkey.My friends are quite used to me and while the locals raise their eyebrows in amazement, they will  just claim they don’t know that crazy English women that can take up to 400 pictures a day just to get the one picture that makes her happy. Thank god for digital cameras because if we were still in the old days … [Read more...]

Turkey has changed dramatically in the last ten years.  It is no longer the cheap destination it used to be. For visitors on a budget, this causes problems, especially when they compare the cost of travel in Turkey with other countries. If you aware of where the major costs occur though, it makes it easier to save money. The below are my experiences from my time spent in the country. If you have any to add, please list them at the end.Tips … [Read more...]

Here at the Turkish Travel Blog, I normally spend copious amounts of time indulging in activities that have no productive results what so ever. So, while reviewing some stats of the tourism industry in Turkey, I decided to make a pretty picture so they would be easier to read, and I can say, that I do actually produce something in my spare time. Some very interesting results appear on the official  figures taken from the website of Turkish … [Read more...]

Today's post is by Kerri Ware who is a seasoned traveller. Her favourite method of travel is road tripping across countries. She hates bad weather and suffers from Jet lag. When she is not traveling, she can often be found somewhere on the internet, planning her next stress free trip. Turkey is a treasure trove for travellers; it might sound clichéd, but it can’t be denied. From stunning coastlines, to the Eurasian city of Istanbul and the … [Read more...]

My absence from my blog for the last 12 days has not been intentional and I have certainly not decided to turn my back on the blogging world.  On March 2, I returned home for a brief visit after living abroad for eight years. Friends had already warned me that I would see a difference but I paid no attention to those words. After all, I grew up in the UK so was not expecting that much of a change. It turns out it was a big change for me. The … [Read more...]

Much of my travels plans have been centered on the coastal resorts so whenever I arrive in a destination, the first thing I do is check out is the beach. Some have impressed me. There have also been others that I turned my back on. For example Kemer beach. I don’t do crowds and I hate rows of sunbeds packed in with no personal space.I judge a beach on how busy it is, cleanliness and what the water is like for swimming in. After all, there is … [Read more...]

If your passion is photography, there is no shortage of beautiful places in Turkey. I still have hundreds of photos to publish and one technique I am messing around with is tilt shift photography. Tilt shift photography is manipulating a scene to make it look like a miniature model, almost doll like and it gives the feeling that you can pick up the buildings and landscape with your fingers. Professional photographers will use the camera however … [Read more...]

If you have arrived at this post, looking for the colours of Turkey's flag, then it is a red background with a white moon crescent and star. This post is indeed not about the flag but more reflective of the surrounding landscapes and some of the most beautiful sights that I have come across during my travels around Turkey. We identify everything through colours, from flags to symbols but colours also evoke emotions in us. Emotions that can be … [Read more...]

The winter months in Turkey have been very kind to me. The fine dining, copious amounts of beer and my desk job have all combined to bless me with a spare tyre and a couple of extra chins. I don’t need people to tell me that I have put weight on. There are six pairs of trousers sitting in my wardrobe that I cannot pull over my hips. The English ex-pats have been diplomatic to me. They remember our culture background that is rude to discuss a … [Read more...]