Kalkan is an enchanting place. Rising from a quaint fishing town, and trading port to an elite sector of Turkey’s real estate and tourism industries, it stands in a league of its own. While other Turkish coastal resorts garnered fame because of their colossal size and round-the-clock atmosphere, Kalkan established a more low-key identity. These days, it’s small size and exclusive, discreet reputation makes it a desirable place for holidays and permanent year-round living.
As tourists begin to explore the full potential of what Turkey has to offer, they're discovering places like Giresun Island, on the Black Sea coast. It's the spot where Jason supposedly hunted for the Golden Fleece. Today, it's a beautiful, quiet nature spot, ideal for a visit as you travel the intriguing Black Sea coast.
In August, the International Gumusluk Classical Music festival lights up the quiet Bodrum seaside town of Gumusluk. Marie Coggin writes about the festival's transformation from it humble beginnings behind the bus station to the glitzy affair it's become today. However, the magic, music and humour of the performances remain unchanged.
Turks drink tea at any opportunity. In fact, they go through a whopping three kilos of it each year, drinking it at home, work, and in cafes and restaurants. We explore the Turkish traditions and customs behind the popular drink, and let you in on a few little-known facts about the drink.
We hope that by writing an expat guide to living in Turkey, all our customers who have plans to move to the country on a permanent basis will have a useful system to follow. However, while we have many hints, tips, guides, and bucket loads of advice, it is worth mentioning that some characteristics will stand you in good stead during the first year of living in Turkey as an expat.
Wine lovers venturing outside the Bodrum peninsula will be richly rewarded: Mor Salkim's 96,000 square metres yield the varieties Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bornova Misketi. Turkey's growing reputation as a wine producing country might surprise some - but many historians believe wine began in the country, thousands of years ago.
Holidaymakers want more than a beach life. Rather than visit top rated attractions they look for unknown, weird and wonderful themes. They are todays independent travellers, full of curiosity and want to know about unusual things to do. They want to visit unique places or indulge in activities they can’t do at home. They want to holiday like a Turk and fully immerse themselves in all things quirky. Whether you are young or old, adventurous or simply curious, Turkey delivers when it comes to places and attractions.
The dream of living in Turkey fills people with hope. They imagine a life by the beach, with gorgeous weather and a stunning home. They think of their perfect utopia, and it is what motivates to wake up. Unfortunately, while there is nothing wrong with this dream, it rarely goes so smoothly. Moving to a different country can be a stressful experience if you are not prepared for the expat challenges that accompany a life in Turkey.
"Is Turkey safe?" is something we're asked a lot. It's difficult to get an idea of what it's like to live, play and work in Turkey unless you're actually there. Marie Coggin, who lives in Gumusluk, sums up the reasons as to why she has always felt secure living in Turkey, and fills us in on some of measures she's seen to keep Turks and expats safe.
Whether buying a new house or revamping the old, one of the most exciting ways to spend our money is buying furniture. From the living room to the bedroom to balconies and terraces, the many furniture brands in Turkey appear in houses across the country. Some focus on luxurious designs while others are cheap, cheerful and ideal for budget conscious homemaker. Some have also earned themselves a countrywide reputation for excellence.
Most people have heard of Mimar Sinan, the most famous Turkish architect. The Ottoman sultans adored his work, therefore cemented his place in their history. He inspired many of his students to go on and create masterpieces such as the Blue Mosque, but none could quite match his standards. However, during the last twenty years, Turkey has undergone a massive transformation in infrastructure and urban planning. Turkish architects are highly in demand.
Celebrating Christmas away from your home country doesn't need to be a sad occasion. On the contrary, there are many things to love about being somewhere different. From escaping commercialism to sampling cultures from all around the world, Bodrum resident Marie Coggin explains what she loves about spending Christmas in Turkey.
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