I had visited Simena before, back in 2010 while touring Turkey’s southwest coast. The village is charming and traditionally simple, and I wanted to explore more of it. At the time I was with a sea kayaking group; unfortunately, nobody else wanted to visit Simena castle, so we moved on. That is one downside of … Read more

Cavusin, the old Greek village in Cappadocia, Turkey, is often overlooked in travel writing. When it is mentioned, it typically receives only a few sentences before attention shifts to better-known hubs such as Göreme. Despite two previous visits to Cappadocia, I had never gone to Cavusin until my third trip, when a local guide suggested … Read more

I have written before about expat life in Turkey and how foreigners often cluster into their own communities. Turkey today hosts a diverse multinational expat population. According to Eurostat, in 2013 there were 272,842 foreigners permanently residing in Turkey, a modest number compared with the country’s population of around 74.9 million. Still, many of us … Read more

I did not expect much from Soğanlı Valley in Cappadocia. Guidebooks and popular routes tend to highlight places like Ihlara or Pigeon Valley, leaving Soğanlı off many itineraries. Yet when I arrived I was pleasantly surprised. Tucked away from the busiest trails, the valley’s pigeon houses carved into rock chimneys, the centuries-old cave churches and … Read more

Altinkum boat trips offered the perfect escape from the monotonous routine that had crept into my life. For months I had been glued to my computer, saving money for travel and losing enthusiasm in the process. When friends mentioned a lazy day boat trip in Altinkum, I jumped at the chance. The idea of a … Read more

Looking for a hotel near SAW Airport Istanbul? Whether you have an overnight layover, an early morning flight, or a long transit between Europe and Asia, here are the top-rated hotels close to Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). As a resident of Istanbul who frequently uses SAW, I’ve reviewed and handpicked the best hotels nearby — … Read more

Phaselis sits beneath impressive mountains and faces the clear waters of the Mediterranean. It’s an ideal place to spend a day relaxing on a beach and enjoying the atmosphere of a Turkish seaside holiday. Phaselis Phaselis Ruins Phaselis is more than golden sand and sea. It was an active seaport from the 7th century BC, … Read more

Saint John’s Basilica in Selçuk remains a compelling site long after a visit. The wider area around Selçuk is rich in early Christian history: the nearby grand theatre of Ephesus is the scene in the New Testament where Paul faced the angry silversmiths for challenging the worship of Artemis, and the hill above the town … Read more

Have you ever put someone on a high pedestal because of their social position? Have you ever assumed they wouldn’t be interested in your presence or perspective because you thought you had nothing in common? I have. For years I considered imams to be entirely outside my comfort zone. I avoided speaking with them out … Read more

Staying connected while visiting Turkey is a common concern for travelers. We rely on the internet for everything from messaging and social media to maps and travel apps, and losing access or facing high roaming charges can disrupt a trip. Many people enable international roaming, but this can be expensive. There have been well-publicized cases … Read more