Turkish tourism was built on its beaches. However, Turkey's attractions encompass a huge number of interests and industries. Explore the huge array of options on offer during off-peak months. Whether you enjoy spa breaks or surgery, sampling food or skiing, we give you a few good reasons to explore this intriguing country this winter season.
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.
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.
Known as Turkey's most elegant town, Kalkan is fast becoming the go-to place for high luxury living, in this blog, we tell you exactly why that is. With superb sea views, an exclusive and private lifestyle, coupled with the high rental income potential for those who own real estate in Kalkan - it is easy to see why people love this Turkish getaway.
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.
You might be forgiven for thinking Turkey as being the land of sunshine and beaches. But scratch the surface and the country's incredible history springs to life. Underground cities, atmospheric ruins and abandoned villages - they're all part of Turkey's varied and colourful past. These sites each have a story to tell. Whether you believe in spirits or paranormal phenomena or not, we think you'll find these spooky sites as intriguingly fascinating as we do.
Sunny, chilled-out Fethiye is a favourite with many holidaymakers, as well as home to a sizeable expat population. We examine the things about Fethiye that keep people coming back again and again - and prompt so many to make Fethiye a permanent base.
The long list of Istanbul neighbourhoods run into hundreds and this is no surprise given, it is Turkey’s largest, most populated city. As a hub of everything and anything, including business, education, tourism, health, and economy, people flock from all over the world to boost the local population of Turks. Many Istanbul expats are working professionals, while others just like an urban lifestyle. All have one thing in common, though, and that is to live somewhere decent.
Since first being introduced to golf in the 1800's, Turkey has become one of the premier locations for golf around Europe with hundreds of thousands of tourists heading each year to one place - Belek. Home to over 17 Championship Quality golf courses, Belek is a golfers paradise that attracts those who are looking for exotic holiday homes within walking distance to world class clubhouses and golf courses. Within driving distance to neighbouring regions, Belek awaits over 300 days of sunshine per year, and you'll find plenty of expats and friendly faces awaiting. Find out what makes Belek tick here.
From tourist to expat, if you are thinking of living in Istanbul as a foreigner, it is a great lifestyle move to make. As Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul offers so much including a low cost of living, a unique culture, the best nightlife and shopping scenes in the country, as well as abundance of tourist and historical attractions.
Spain and Turkey have many similarities. They’re both large countries with diverse landscapes and temperatures and an eclectic cultural mix. They’re both holiday favourites - thanks to the favourable summer heat and the many miles of beautiful coastline. But after that, the similarities grind to a halt. We outline some of the key differences - and why we believe Turkey is still the best bet.
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.
Over the last 10 years, the Turkish government have ploughed money into developing some of the finest quality roads to rival Western countries and improve infrastructure and access to main cities in the country. However, depending on who you talk to, it is not the roads that are the problem in Turkey, but the people driving on them! In this blog we give you our best tips to driving in Turkey as a foreigner without giving into road rage or ending the day bruised and battered.
Is it OK to blow your nose at the dinner table? When you go to a friend’s house, who should you greet first? And why is making an “O” shape with your thumb and forefinger considered so rude? We explain a few customs and social rules that manage to bamboozle and confound visitors and new residents. Memorise these few rules and ensure you never get caught out again.
Negotiating is a way of life in Turkey. This comes as a shock to those of us who aren't familiar with a bargaining culture and are more used to paying fixed prices. However, by employing some of our handy tips and with a little practice, you should be an expert haggler in no time.
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.
While most expats retire to Turkey with the dream of putting their feet up while basking in the hot summer sun, some would like the choice of being able to work. Whether it is to meet people, keep active, or increase a monthly income, many jobs that require no training could be done by expats but how easy is it to work in Turkey?
If you want to understand a culture, you need to learn its language. The Turkish language is full of colourful expressions and wise sayings. It's not the world's easiest language to learn, that's certain. But these oft-used phrases are a great start, and using them will show a willingness to engage with the people around you - and some of them are very fun to say, too.
Fethiye with its spotless appearance, clean streets, and full fronted harbour with a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean Sea is one of Turkey’s holiday hotspots. Built over the ruins of Telmessus ancient city, it joins other coastal towns as a prominent landmark of ancient Lycia, one of many kingdoms from past civilisations that left their mark in the region - enjoy 24 hours of pure fun in Fethiye.
To get to know all about Izmir is to join the success and great admiration of Turkey’s third-largest city, and smaller coastal resorts. The province has long enjoyed fame as a central Aegean point, and throughout the country, its name is synonymous with setting trends and being a forward thinker.