From textiles to tomatoes, Turkey's largest city offers a wealth of bargains for keen shoppers. Istanbul is a shopper's paradise, with markets found in every corner of the city on every day of the week. There is truly something for everyone - even non-shoppers will enjoy sitting down with a cup of tea and watching locals and tourists sift through the piles of antiques, leather goods, brassware and produce. We give you the lowdown of the 10 very best markets.
Ancient tombs in Fethiye used as a dumping ground have been cleared after a media outcry; a group of excavated gladiator tombs are to be exhibited in Mersin; two trade deals with Russia could earn Turkey $100 billion; a sunken island in Istanbul is attracting great interest; the site of the Ankara bombings is to be renamed Democracy Square, and EU states attempt to hammer out a deal to ease the flow of refugees into Europe.
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.
The Turkish language is full of unusual proverbs. Some will be slightly familiar to English speakers as there are equivalents in our language. However, there are a number of proverbs that will leave you scratching your head. Once explained, however, most of them tend to resonate as proverbs are by and large the expression of common sense.
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.
As the largest, and certainly the busiest city in Turkey, Istanbul is a hive of frenzied activity for the tourism, business and financial sectors all fighting for public transport and highway access. Naturally, these are all supported by an intense network of transport options, ranging from the Metro, tram, car hire, taxis and buses, all used by millions of people per day. Here is the lowdown on navigating and moving around Turkey's greatest city.
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.
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.
As Turkey becomes one of the top destinations in the world for expats and foreigners purchasing real estate, more people are asking: Do you need to learn Turkish in order to live in Turkey? In this blog we take a look at the language barrier you might experience if you move to Turkey, including some helpful tips for getting around it, and some helpful phrases to get you started on your way to learning some Turkish language skills.
For years, Cappadocia has been one of the top destinations in Turkey for travellers and tourists, becoming the third most visited region in Turkey. An important region in Turkish history, Cappadocia has also attracted many an expat and foreigner looking to make it their home. With amazing hot air ballon trips, underground cities, and cave hotels, lets take a look at living in Cappadocia - the fascinating, and not to be missed region of Turkey.
Turkey's largest city and one that brings the East to the West, Istanbul is making a name for itself as a popular city break destination of the world. The city attracts millions of tourists every year who enjoy the bustling vibes, exotic ambience, and sheer size of the region to explore. More often than not, first time visitors find themselves returning every year, and some even purchase a second home in the city - giving you a perfect place to getaway to enjoy some Turkish culture. So, for those who already know Istanbul or have been before - what is there to do? after the touristic sites? Actually, in this blog we will show you that there is a lot to put on your bucket list, from the less well-known attractions to places where the locals hang out - have a read.
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.
Moving abroad is not a step you take lightly, it is a huge decision for anyone. From around the world people uproot and move on a daily basis, whether to a new city, a new country, or new continent. Those who make the decision to go for a life abroad probably face the hardest questions of all - it is not a lifestyle cut out for the faint-hearted. Once you have decided to buy a home in Turkey, what decisions are you going to face? What is the difference between life in Turkey and life at home? We answer the tough questions for you and try to make your move a smooth and easy process along the way.
With so many hotspots around Europe for water lovers to choose from, here is our guide to the top destinations for watersports in Europe - giving you everything from snorkelling with exotic sea creatures, to parasailing off high mountains plunging down to the turquoise waters below, plus, you don't need to head all the way out to Australia to catch some humongous waves, there are plenty of surfing spots to be found in Europe and we give you access to our top locations in this must-read blog on watersports in Europe.
There are many things to consider when planning to move overseas. Cultural fit and religion are certainly right there on top of most European's check lists. Should we buy a home in a Muslim country such as Turkey? Shall we fit in? Will it be safe and liberal? These are natural questions that would be overseas property buyers have on their compatibility check-lists. Our blog cuts straight to the chase and looks at the essence of life and religion in Turkey. Is Turkey really the 'Islamic' country we thought it was or is it something that is even superior to what we have in our home countries?
Those of us who have animals, know that an animal is certainly for life. Falling in love with your pet is easy, but what happens when you also fall in love for a region abroad? How easy is it to take animals abroad and back home? Karen tells her story about how she fell in love with Fethiye but was reluctant to move to Turkey at first for fear of leaving her beloved cat, Bungle, back home in the UK. It turns out, bringing a pet to and from Turkey isn't as hard as Karen first thought. Read how you can do the same, here with this blog and guide to all you need to know about pets and life abroad.
In this blog we take a look at why so many expats and foreigners are choosing Turkey as their number one destination to move overseas. We take a look at everything, from the weather, to the food, to the cost of living - Turkey is coming up trumps on all fronts and foreigners are loving live here.
In this blog we take a look at the management of homes purchased in a complex - how are complex properties in Turkey managed and maintained? What is the easiest way to maintain a complex? This article provides you with all you need to know about management in Turkey.
Residency permits and visas - never the words people want to hear when looking to buy a home overseas. Choosing the right place to buy your property and in some cases, retire abroad is essential for long term happiness with your decision. Our guide to getting a residency permit in Turkey is a step by step walkthrough for everything you will need to complete your move abroad without any hassle with trusted international estate agents.