I am incredibly grateful for the many travel memories I treasure, and one of my favorites is gulet cruising in Turkey. I spent four nights and five days sailing along the Mediterranean coast from Fethiye to Olympos. Intentionally stepping back from the constant pull of the internet and simply relaxing, the trip felt far more … Read more

Nuray Aykin is a Turkish woman whose outlook and determination set her apart from many in her generation. Her conception was unplanned; what might have been a sad ending instead became a turning point when her parents called off an abortion and devoted themselves to providing their daughter with a loving, supportive home. Raised in … Read more

Imagine strolling through a park filled with millions of tulips in shades of yellow, pink, red and more, all while enjoying mild spring weather. This is not a dream — it’s Istanbul’s famed tulip season. The Istanbul Tulip Festival (Istanbul Lale Festivali in Turkish) isn’t held in a single venue. Instead, millions of tulips are … Read more

Sitting by Lake Bafa for breakfast always puts me in a creative, bohemian mood. Even better, the meal is a traditional Turkish breakfast rather than my usual English fry-up that once cured many hangovers. The rustic lakeside setting, fresh organic ingredients and perfect summer weather whisk me away from the routine 9-to-5 life. I enjoy … Read more

I stopped in Kayseri on my way to Göreme, Cappadocia. Locals told me many Japanese and Russian visitors come through Kayseri, while relatively few British, American or Australian tourists do. Most travelers head straight to Göreme and bypass the city entirely. That’s unfortunate, because Kayseri has a distinct character and several worthwhile sights. Because most … Read more

Hidirlik Hill is modest in appearance: at the summit you’ll find a small café, a few picnic tables and a row of local women selling spices. Yet despite its simplicity, it remains one of my favorite spots in Beypazarı. Why is that? Because from Hidirlik Hill you get a complete, sweeping view over the town—an … Read more

When I reviewed the tour itinerary and saw the name “Sobesos Excavation Site,” I was immediately curious. I have visited many off‑the‑beaten‑path locations in Cappadocia, so encountering a place I had never heard of suggested one of three possibilities: A: It had been discovered only recently. B: It was not particularly notable. C: I overestimated … Read more

Welcome to my curated list of travel resources I rely on when planning trips to Turkey. I put this together because readers frequently ask how to organize a trip, the best ways to travel, where to stay, and which guides or services I recommend. I can’t respond to every email, so this page collects the … Read more

I enjoyed exploring the cobbled streets and admiring the Ottoman architecture of Beypazarı. I was especially grateful my host had a car and agreed to act as both guide and driver, which meant I could get off the beaten path. We visited several small villages that felt cut off from the outside world, but the … Read more

I looked left, then right. There was not a soul in sight in the small village of Yesiltepe. I had visited this area several times before, but those visits were always brief. Curious why many expatriates were buying property here, I decided to give Yesiltepe one more chance before dismissing it entirely. Yesiltepe : Akbuk … Read more