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Where to Stay in Kadıköy: Neighborhood Guide and Top Hotels

Want to avoid Sultanahmet’s tourist crowds and discover a more local, lively side of Istanbul? Consider staying in Kadıköy. On the Asian shore of Istanbul, Kadıköy…

Avoiding the Istanbul Shoe-Shine Scam: What Travelers Must Know

Note – The shoe shiners shown in the photographs for this article did not scam me and never used any of the techniques described below. They…

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Rides: Sunrise Flights & Tips

You might expect this post to recount the day I finally climbed into one of the many hot air balloons that drift over Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys.…

Uyku Valley: Discovering the Sleeping Valley’s Hidden Wonders

Uyku Vadisi, which literally means “Sleeping Valley” in Turkish, is a peaceful, scenic retreat that perfectly lives up to its name. My visit on a spontaneous…

Inside Ani: Exploring Traditional Village Life in Turkey

There is one advantage to joining tours with Turkish companions: they often ignore strict schedules and planned itineraries. While this can frustrate travelers from cultures that…

One-Day Itinerary for Exploring Ürgüp, Cappadocia

I faced a tough decision: where to stay overnight in Cappadocia — Göreme or Ürgüp. In the end I chose Ürgüp but spent a day there…

Top Places to Stay in Cappadocia for an Authentic Experience

I received an email from a reader asking where to stay in Cappadocia. D wrote: “I was wondering, which town in Cappadocia should I make my…

Capture Turkey’s Colors: A Photographer’s Guide to Vibrant Scenes

If you’ve come here wondering about the colours of Turkey’s flag, it’s a red field with a white crescent moon and star. This article, however, isn’t…

Menemen: Authentic Turkish Tomato and Egg Breakfast Dish

One of my favorite Turkish dishes is menemen, a flavorful combination of onions, peppers, tomatoes and eggs. Menemen is highly adaptable — you can easily tailor…

Tlos Ruins & Lycian Rock Tombs — Home of Pegasus

With a lifelong interest in exploring Turkey’s historical sites, I thought I knew most of the major ancient ruins. The Mediterranean coast in particular is rich…