culture

Turkish Kitchen Culture: The Heart of a Home in Turkey

By far, the most important room in a Turkish household is the kitchen. Turks place great emphasis on food. Not only does it fuel the body but it is also an important bond between friends, families, and strangers. Hospitality is one of the strongest pillars of Turkish society. Indeed many holidaymakers and travellers to Turkey often receive random invites to dinner from Turks they have only just met. But, it all starts and end in the kitchen, the ruling centre of any home.

culture turkish cuisine
2017-May-17

Guide to Turkish Culture in the Workplace

If you plan to invest in Turkey or get a job, it will be hugely beneficial to brush up on Turkish culture in the workplace. On the surface, it may seem that Turkey operates much like western establishments. However, they don’t. Turks are slowly adopting globalised attitudes in the workplace, but culture and traditions still reign strong behind the scenes.

culture life in turkey
2017-May-17

An Introduction to Turkish Culture for Tourists

The term “culture” is an incredibly broad definition but experts agree it is what defines a social group of people. This includes their language, beliefs, traditions, regional cuisine, folk dancing, and so forth. So, looking at Turkish culture for tourists, it would be wise to focus on characteristics that they will encounter as they holiday or travel around the country.

culture tourism in turkey
2017-May-15

Turkish Culture and Traditions in the Home

People making the transition from being a holidaymaker in Turkey to living here permanently; often remark that one of the biggest differences in lifestyle is Turkish culture. While on holiday, the laid-back attitude of tourism staff makes it seem like the country has alienated themselves from their ancient heritage. Yet, living here, the culture differences become glaringly obvious. Enjoy a fascinating journey into the beliefs and daily routines of Turks.

life in turkey culture
2017-May-15

7 famous castles in Turkey that will blow you away

While kings built palaces, armies built magnificent castles to defend their strongholds. The numerous castles dotted around Turkey are - thankfully - not in use in a defensive capacity, and are instead impressive tourist destinations, a window into Turkey's 3,500-year-old past and an opportunity to learn about a fascinating culture.

tourism in turkey culture
2016-October-28

Churches in Turkey: Sign of the Cross

As a predominately Muslim country, people are often surprised to learn that Turkey has a historical timeline steeped in Christianity. The most abundant and obvious relics from that era are old churches, still standing in places like central Anatolian Cappadocia and Istanbul. Indeed one doesn’t have to look far to see the signs of Christianity’s history in Turkey, here you can read all about churches in Turkey.

religion in turkey , life in turkey , culture
2015-September-17

9 reasons we LOVE Bodrum

It's not hard to find something to love about the Bodrum peninsula. After all, we're talking about a place of great natural beauty, where the sun shines 300 days of the year and there's a wealth (too many to count) of things to do, all year round. The real difficulty lies in narrowing it down to a short list. From parties to pootling around in boats, explore our very favourite things about Bodrum.

bodrum culture
2016-October-06

How cats conquered Istanbul

One of the first things new visitors to Istanbul notice is that Cats are everywhere. In restaurants, cafes, schools, businesses - cats of all shapes and sizes and colours are found loitering, dozing and purring on whoever cares to show them some affection. We explore the history behind Istanbul’s enduring love for its feline residents.

life in turkey culture
2015-October-15

9 Turkish habits that will drive you crazy, and how to manage them

Moving to a new country isn’t easy. It’s not just sandy beaches and sparkling seas - navigating a new culture can be interesting at best, and utterly infuriating at its worst. From driving to queuing, discover the nine Turkish habits sure to drive a new expat round the ben. But don’t worry - we also give you a few ideas of how to manage them without blowing a gasket.

life in turkey , moving to turkey , safety in turkey culture
2015-April-21

Famous Handicrafts of Turkey

It is inevitable that when man perfects an art skill, a stream of respect and admiration follows. This is true in particular areas of Turkey well known for developing certain handicrafts because many skilled artists and craftsmen, use simple tools or construct an item purely by hand. Despite the onslaught of modern machinery, skilled artisans still make a roaring trade in Turkey, and some of this can be credited to tourism and people’s desire for authentic souvenirs. It is worth looking at these trades history though because many flourished during a glorious era of the Ottoman Guild system.

arts , culture , life in turkey , tourism in turkey shopping in turkey
2016-August-06

Beautiful and Famous Mosques in Turkey

Opening their doors to everyone regardless of faith, the mosques of Turkey provide a unique insight into the role of Islam in this secular, democratic country. Even though a large proportion of the country is Muslim, not every citizen practises the religion so away from the bars and restaurants of the coastal resorts, seeing inside a mosque is an alternative and easy glimpse at one of the biggest religions of the world.

religion in turkey , life in turkey , culture
2016-July-24

11 Underrated Ancient Sites to Visit in Turkey

As one of the most fascinating countries for history, Turkey attracts millions of foreign visitors looking to sample some of the historical attractions in Turkey. But while most tourists beat a path to the likes of Cappadocia, Ephesus, or old Istanbul, dozens of other ancient sites receive little or no recognition, from the rest of the world. With more than 60 sites waiting for ratification as UNESCO World Heritage sites, here are some of the best ancient sites to visit in Turkey.

tourism in turkey , Turkish history culture
2016-April-18

Istanbul's Street Art: Graffiti or Talent?

Some of the most creative designs, motifs, logos and stencil drawings are seen across a variety of districts, but the stand out neighbourhoods are usually around Istiklal Avenue, in Taksim Square; Tunel, Karakoy; Sishane; as well as Maltepe, Kadikoy and Moda. Is Istanbul street art graffiti or talent? Have a read of this blog and discover some of the best street art of Istanbul.

istanbul , tourism in turkey , arts culture
2016-March-30

6 strange festivals in Turkey

In Turkey, you will always find a celebration, whether that is a birthday, a family occasion, or a whole town coming together in a festival - Turks pull out all the stops to celebrate events successfully. Yearly there are several festivals that raise an eyebrow, and in this blog we present to top 6 weird and wonderful festivals that you simply have to see when you go Turkey.

tourism in turkey , culture , arts life in turkey
2015-August-13

11 things that will surprise you about living in Turkey

There's plenty to like about living in Turkey. Moving away from home has its challenges, but it certainly has its rewards. From its colourful street vendors to its great customer service, here are the things that keep people coming back again and again - and even up stakes and moving to the country where east meets west.

life in turkey culture
2015-September-29

12 MORE unspoken Turkish rules you might not know

Our first article on Turkey’s unspoken rules generated much discussion and debate. Based on the original article we’ve compiled a few follow-up rules. Have you encountered any of these during a trip to Turkey or among your Turkish friends? Read on and learn about some of the nuances that many people miss when they visit Turkey.

life in turkey , moving to turkey culture
2015-August-30

How moving to Turkey could increase your life expectancy

Researchers from a Turkish university have just completed a study exploring why the populations of certain villages have a life expectancy way beyond the norm. Turkey’s life expectancy has increased a great deal in the last couple of decades thanks to economic prosperity - but this is more than that. Whether it’s the Mediterranean diet or the high number of sunny days allowing people outside to exercise, We explore why life expectancy in Turkey is growing - and how it can impact anyone looking for a new life.

moving to turkey , life in turkey culture
2015-September-02

11 questions first-time travellers ask about Turkey

Travelling to Turkey for the first time? Wondering what you’ll encounter? You don’t need to be the world’s most intrepid explorer to travel to Turkey, but there are still a few need-to-know things first-time travellers might not know. From what Turks eat for breakfast to how much to tip a waiter, we answer the most asked questions about travelling to Turkey.

tourism in turkey , life in turkey culture
2015-September-06

The top free things to do in Istanbul

Istanbul is crammed with quality free sites. You can feast your eyes on free art, or sit in a square and enjoy free music. You can explore parks where tulips nod in their thousands, or gaze upon Ottoman mosques, palaces or mansions. You can learn about a city’s history, or step inside the home of one of its most famous inhabitants. From museums to beaches, we have compiled a list of the very best cultural, historical and leisure attractions available to all in the city.

cost of living in turkey , culture , istanbul tourism in turkey
2014-November-21

10 expat blogs about living in Turkey

There are thousands of expats living in Turkey - from the charming beach resorts in Bodrum, to the busy city life in Istanbul, to the sweeping town of Kalkan, it seems as though those who move to Turkey just can't get enough - some going so far as to write down their thoughts on life in the country in the form of blogs that have became credible sources of information for those thinking of joining the trend by moving to Turkey. We bring you the top 10 Turkish blogs by expats.

life in turkey , moving to turkey culture
2014-October-17