Life in Turkey Blog Posts


11 Weird and wonderful Turkish proverbs

11 Weird and wonderful Turkish proverbs

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. 

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What to expect during Kurban Bayram, the Sacrificial Feast

What to expect during Kurban Bayram, the Sacrificial Feast

Kurban Bayram, or the Sacrificial Feast starts 70 days after the end of Ramadan. The four-and-a-half day festival is centered around family and community, and usually celebrated by slaughtering a goat or sheep and preparing a great feast. Read up on how Kurban Bayram will affect you if you're in Turkey - and what you can expect if you're taking part in a Kurban Bayram feast.



Churches in Turkey: Sign of the Cross

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. 


A beginner's guide to tipping in Turkey

A beginner's guide to tipping in Turkey

The whens and how-muches of tipping -or baksis (baksheesh) - can be confusing to newcomers to Turkey - especially those of us who come from a non-tipping culture. Here is a breakdown of how to navigate Turkey's tipping culture. When to tip, how much and those times when a tip just is not appropriate at all.


11 questions first-time travellers ask about Turkey

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.


How moving to Turkey could increase your life expectancy

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.


Navigating Istanbul’s Transport System

Navigating Istanbul’s Transport System

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. 


12 MORE unspoken Turkish rules you might not know

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.


The Istanbul Shopping Maze

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. 


Common Tourist Scams to Avoid in Turkey

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. 


Seven mistakes people make when they move to Turkey

Seven mistakes people make when they move to Turkey

There are two types of people who move to Turkey: the planners, who spend time researching their new country and all their new lives will bring, and the impulsive, who dive in headfirst, making it up as they go along. Which group you belong to can greatly impact your chances in a new country. However, as much as you plan for the concrete there will always be a few things you hadn’t anticipated. We look at some of the most common mistakes people make when they move to Turkey - and how you can combat them.


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