At first glance, Kalkan on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast feels like a mirror of its neighbour Kaş. Both are seaside resorts that draw thousands of visitors each year, both showcase whitewashed houses draped in bougainvillea spilling down steep hillsides toward traditional fishing boats, and both share a history shaped by Greek presence until the population exchange … Read more

Souvenir shopping in Turkey can be as budget-friendly or as luxurious as you choose, and it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of visiting the country. Each region offers distinctive items: pottery from Avanos in Cappadocia, Virgin Mary statues around Ephesus that reflect the area’s biblical links, and many other locally crafted goods. Before you … Read more

I am a history enthusiast and have been compiling a list of the best museums to visit in Istanbul. With hundreds of museums across Turkey’s largest city, choosing can be overwhelming. Narrowing the selection by your interests—such as art, history, or specialty museums—helps a lot. In the past decade, contemporary art museums have grown particularly … Read more

Dreaming of the perfect honeymoon in Turkey? Picture wandering hand in hand through Istanbul’s lively bazaars, rising in a hot air balloon above Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, and exploring the ancient streets of Ephesus. This romantic 10-day honeymoon itinerary highlights Turkey’s most iconic destinations — Istanbul, Cappadocia, and the Aegean coast (Izmir & Ephesus). It balances … Read more

The drive to Karagöl was neither easy nor pleasant. Known as the Black Lake, Karagöl sits high in the mountains of Borçka. It is so small that many printed maps omit it, yet it remains well worth a visit if you can handle the challenging mountain road. Driving to the Black Lake of Borçka Roads … Read more

According to history books, the ancient city of Priene in the Aegean region of Turkey is notable for two important items: the Priene Inscription and the Priene Calendar, both of which offer valuable information for later generations. While no single site can claim a legacy greater than all others, walking among Priene’s ruins sparked a … Read more

Full of excitement, I stepped into Kümbet Mosque, a must-see site in the city of Kars. Only as I was leaving did I realize I had forgotten to cover my head with a scarf, a customary request for women entering mosques — an oversight that left me feeling embarrassed. Many guidebooks, however, refer to the … Read more

The drive to Hasankeyf was short but unforgettable. We left Mardin and crossed countryside where nomadic shepherds tended their flocks. The sky was a threatening grey, hinting at rain, and it seemed to echo the subdued mood that hangs over Hasankeyf. The Ancient City of Hasankeyf Hasankeyf faces flooding as part of the GAP project, … Read more

My plan was simple: visit the Açik Saray, the Open Palace in Cappadocia. Riding in the front passenger seat, I watched the young taxi driver speed along the highway, slicing through traffic with the confidence of someone behind the wheel every day. I clutched my map, imagining that the rain-slicked roads and the next set … Read more

With a river that winds through its center, traditional wooden houses lining the banks, and gentle green mountains as a backdrop, Amasya feels like a town from a storybook. It frequently appears on lists of Turkey’s and Europe’s most picturesque small cities. Often overlooked by travelers, Amasya is known for its crisp apples, distinctive waterfront … Read more