culture

Enjoy Alacati an Aegean town close to perfection

Considered as one of the finest resort towns in Turkey, Aegean Alacati certainly lives up to its name. With its tastefully restored Greek houses, colourful streets and wonderful cuisine, Alacati simply has to top your 'to see' list. Property supply is limited yet there are fine renovated stone houses for sale in Alacati that will give any Tuscan property a good run for its money, certainly in terms of affordability.

culture tourism in turkey
2015-January-21

Turkish Culture Explained: Ottomans and Diversity in Turkey

Turkish culture is often misrepresented. And in the comments we often get comments such as, "Turks stole this," "Greeks invented that," "Eastern Turkey belongs to us," and so on, and so forth. So in this article let's look at some of these misconceptions, along with Turkish culture as whole because it is so rich in history and cultural diversity. It is interesting to know how it became this way and why.

culture Turkish history
2022-March-18

Seven reasons you'll fall in love with Turkish people

There's much to love about Turkey. Great Turkish food, beautiful golden beaches, fascinating history and a great lifestyle for expats in the country. But what about the people? Loyal, passionate and embarrassingly direct, here's why we love the Turks in all their complicated glory.

life in turkey culture
2021-December-15

Famous Villages in Turkey to Visit and Live

The vast list of famous, pretty villages in Turkey is an excellent way to get to know this lovely country's heart, culture, and traditions. From Northern plateau regions to Mediterranean fishing villages, you could spend a lifetime exploring them and always be delighted at the beauty they portray. Many also still adhere to timeless, age-old Turkish culture, as seen in architecture, daily life, and the welcoming hospitality of locals.

culture life in turkey
2021-October-08

Nine Things To Know About Turkish Culture

The gateway between the Middle East and Europe, a vast and diverse country, Turkey stands at a crossroads of cultures and traditions solidified over hundreds of years of different empires and influences resulting in a huge variety of customs and local traditions that you should be aware of depending on where abouts in the country you find yourself. Highlighting the key differences between Turkey and what you come to expect as the norm back home, we blog to make your move to Turkey easier, your purchase of a house smoother, and your transition into life in Turkey a seamless and easy process. Think we have missed something from our list? Comment and let us know your experiences of culture in Turkey.

culture life in turkey
2014-August-26

Culture shock: expats reveal the Turkey no one tells you about

You can Google all you like, but you'll never know all there is to know about a country before you get there. The parts of culture that puzzle tourists and newcomers to Turkey can frustrate, annoy - or delight in turn. Discover what two expats living in Turkey found the most challenging when they first moved to Istanbul and Fethiye.

culture , moving to turkey life in turkey
2016-October-08

Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Turkey

As every tourist knows, no matter what country you go to on your holidays, you will always find common tourist scams and things to avoid once you land on your vacations. Turkey is no exception, here we provide you with some helpful tips to avoiding the classic tourist scams in Turkey. Prepare yourself with the knowledge beforehand and you will have no problem enjoying the holiday of a lifetime in Turkey.

tourism in turkey , moving to turkey , life in turkey culture
2015-August-20

21 signs you've been in Turkey too long

Stay too long in Turkey and you'll inevitably find yourself starting to adopt aspects of the culture - both positive and negative. The little cultural quirks that initially drive you mad will soon be forgotten and integrated: from haggling over the price of an orange, to fearlessly weaving across roads full of haphazard drivers, discover the ways expats adapt to living in Turkey.

culture moving to turkey
2017-May-04

Get Cultured in Istanbul

Straddling two different continents, home to over 12 million residents, Turkey's largest and busiest city - you might think that life in Istanbul could be a bit overwhelming, not knowing which area to visit or which district is best for certain pasttimes. In this blog we give you inside knowledge to surviving Istanbul and experience Turkish culture like never before. From trendy districts such as Bahcesehir or Cihangir, to where old meets new in Cukurcuma, Istanbul is awash with a history like no other city - come explore with us.

culture , istanbul , life in turkey tourism in turkey
2014-February-10

The Istanbul Shopping Maze

From the historic Grand Bazaar, to some of the largest shopping malls in Europe, to some of the most famous shopping streets full of boutiques and antiques - Istanbul is a maze for shoppers and a delight for those who are looking to shop until you drop. Follow us on a journey, an expensive journey, through some of the best malls, avenues, and markets for shopping in Istanbul.

istanbul , cost of living in turkey , life in turkey , culture shopping in turkey
2015-August-22

Delights of the Turkish Hamam, amazing baths

A tradition dating back more than 300 years, Turkish Hamams are found all over the country and enjoyed by millions of people every year. Offering the ultimate in relaxation and an intimate experience in bathing, the Turkish bath has historically been not only a place to cleanse and ease muscle pain, but a core nucleus to social life in Turkey - a place where political opinions were aired, news is shared, and more. A trip to Turkey without experiencing the pleasure of the Hamam would be a trip wasted. A guide to Turkish Hamams and what makes these amazing baths just that - amazing.

culture , istanbul , ottoman empire tourism in turkey
2014-March-28

7 unknown incredible historical Turkish sites

The ruins and underground cities of Turkey are some of the best preserved in the world. And excitingly, they’re still being discovered and excavated, gradually revealing a window into a long ago era. We’ve made a list of seven historical sites that are off the beaten track, and not for the fair weather traveller. The beauty of the internet, however, means that you won’t have to leave your home to get an insight into these incredible sites. Read on to discover a little about Turkey’s secret history.

tourism in turkey , culture Turkish history
2015-February-17

Turkish Tea for Two and Why it is a Cultural Practise

You may think that Brits drink a lot of tea, however the number one drinkers of tea around the world, are those in Turkey. Somewhat of a tradition in Turkey, tea is consumed by millions on daily basis - from welcoming friends, to making new friends, to just watching the sunset after a long day - a tea in Turkey can go a long way. Find out here exactly how Turks came to love tea so much, and how you should drink your tea when travelling around the rich nation. A total guide to the tea experience that started in the 1930's and quickly became the second most consumed drink in Turkey, after water. Sit back, relax, it's time to take a break - this one's on us.

culture turkish cuisine
2014-January-30

8 Books about Turkey that you should read

A country of the magnitude of Turkey, the diversity, and history is sure to have many a book written about it throughout time. From travel guides, to romantic fiction, to historical events, there are hundreds of books for you to read about Turkey to get a flavour of what this magical country is all about. In this blog, we have gathered eight books that we have personally read and think expats and tourists would enjoy a read also.

culture , arts life in turkey
2015-July-24

What are the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Turkey?

The World Heritage Sites in Turkey join many other countries to form an impressive collection of well-preserved historical and cultural sites that beat any history book. Often referred to as open-air museums, they tell stories of earlier civilisations, living trends and urban traditions. An organisation called UNESCO works with relevant government bodies in each country to preserve these protected areas.

tourism in turkey , culture Turkish history
2015-August-13

10 surprising Turkish superstitions that will have you scratching your head

Put the knife down - and the umbrella, too! Superstitions tell us a lot about a country, and Turkey is no exception. Learn about this fascinating culture by exploring the weird, the wonderful, and the downright head-scratching superstitions that you might encounter in Turkey.

culture
2020-February-16

Topkapi Palace: seat of an empire

Turkey's largest city, Istanbul is home to many gems and beautiful sites that attract millions every year to the city. However, not many are as grand as Topkapi Palace - designed and built by Sultan Mehmed II in 1459 and completed some six years later, the palace, when it was completed, was surrounded by five kilometres of walls and occupied an area of 700,000 square metres - a stunning site back then, and still today. Any visit to Istanbul is an empty visit unless you take in the breathtaking Topkapi Palace. Here is our total guide to getting the most out of your visit.

culture , istanbul , tourism in turkey , Turkish history ottoman empire
2014-May-13

10 Iconic Historical Attractions in Turkey: Places to Explore

To explore historical attractions in Turkey is to delve into one of history’s most diverse and varied stories. Turkish history is not as straightforward as many think. Having been ruled by many empires over the centuries, we see styles including Ottoman and Byzantine buildings in Istanbul, Mediterranean and Lycian ancient cities and Russian landmarks in the northeast Black sea Region.

tourism in turkey , culture Turkish history
2019-October-22

Souvenir Spices to Buy in Turkey

Go to any significant shopping place like the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, and the delectable range of spices and herbs are on display in large, wooden buckets for you to buy as much or as little as you want. Whatever your taste in flavourings and seasonings, whether mild, tart or chilli hot, the range of Turkish spices will perfectly compliment your pantry back home. But which ones should you buy? Here are our suggestions.

culture turkish cuisine
2018-January-10

Turkish Music and Dance Culture and Traditions

Turks love music, just as much as they adore food. With a strong emphasis on lyrics, as well as tunes, to dance to, a Turk does not need persuading to break out into song or start dancing, whenever or wherever. The complexity of Turkish music, formed by centuries of global influences include Persian, Arabic, Persian, Balkan and Ottoman to name but a few. Find out about Turkish music in this cultural blog.

culture life in turkey
2017-May-22