On the third day of our Bodrum road trip we drove from Turgutreis to Yalıkavak along the coastal roads, allowing us to stop wherever the scenery or small towns caught our eye. Gumusluk was already on our plan, but we only learned about Kadikalesi the night before while chatting to a couple at a restaurant … Read more

For anyone who loves nature, getting outdoors and exploring, hiking and trekking in Turkey offer exceptional experiences. To help future travelers, I spoke with an experienced long-distance walker who shared his firsthand observations and advice. Who is he and what makes him an authority? His name is Matt Krause. He walked the length of Turkey … Read more

The winter months in Turkey have treated me well. Between the excellent food, frequent beers and a largely sedentary desk job, I’ve found myself carrying a few extra pounds and noticing the appearance of a spare tyre and an extra chin or two. I don’t need anyone to point out my weight gain — I … Read more

The Greek island of Meis is colourful, calm and populated by locals with distinctive characters. I went there simply because I could — not out of obligation. When I first moved to Turkey, short trips to nearby Greek islands were a routine necessity for many expats to reset visas. At first the crossings were novel, … Read more

Many people arrive in Turkey with preconceived notions. I admit I did too, and it wasn’t until I visited that I truly fell in love with the country. Each year I live here I discover more fascinating facts about Turkey, and some of them are surprising. 9 Facts about Turkey 1 – Tulips actually originated … Read more

Planning a halal beach holiday in Turkey? You’re in the right place. Southern Turkey offers many beautiful, halal-friendly properties—from all-inclusive resorts in Antalya to private villas in Bodrum and family-focused boutique hotels in Marmaris. Whether you need women-only pools, alcohol-free properties, halal dining, prayer facilities, or family-friendly beaches, this guide highlights top choices across the … Read more

I returned to Pasabag, the Monks Valley just outside the tourist town of Göreme in central Anatolia’s Cappadocia region. Standing there alone, I gazed up at the tall, imposing rock formations. Some faces were rugged, others smoothed by centuries of wind and erosion. Many guides call them mushroom-shaped, but to me they also bore an … Read more

The Hagia Sophia in Trabzon is very different from the grand landmark in Istanbul. Smaller and less adorned, it sits quietly with the sea visible in the distance, modest and unassuming on the skyline. For a long time I assumed there was only one Hagia Sophia in Turkey—the famous Byzantine masterpiece opposite the Blue Mosque … Read more

I walked down 55 stone steps, feeling the cool dampness underfoot as I reached the bottom and entered the Basilica Cistern. Located in Istanbul’s tourist core near Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, this site had been on my list for months. The only sounds were hushed voices and the steady drip of water. In … Read more

To visit the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey is to explore one of the largest and most impressive Roman archaeological sites in the world. Turkey’s layered history means the country is rich in ruins from many civilizations, but Ephesus stands out on the Aegean shore. Attracting thousands of visitors daily, Ephesus is to western … Read more