The Powerful Turkish Evil Eye and Other Souvenirs From Turkey
Shopping in Turkey for souvenirs, like the Turkish Evil Eye and other meaningful gifts is simply a joy. What kinds of items make the best Turkish souvenirs? Check out our guide.
Turkey
Turkey is like a second home to us, living there for over four years. We traveled the country extensively and have written it up just for you. Start planning your trip to Turkey today.
Bursa and the Birth of the Ottoman Empire
In 2014, Bursa and Cumalikizik were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Bursa is the fourth largest city in Turkey and has for centuries been a center of trade. It was well-established on ancient trade routes trading, especially known as a center for Chinese silk; eventually some wily tradesment conspired to acquire some silk worms, creating their own silk industry. Silk scarves are still some of the best buys you can find in Bursa. Cumalikizik is about a half-hour drive from Bursa. It was inscribed as a typical Turkish village which contributed to the wealth of the bigger city. Today it is mostly popular with Turkish movie producers as it is quaint and colorful with village ladies selling homemade foods, embroidery, …
When is the Best Time to Visit Cappadocia, Turkey?
Cappadocia is one of the most magical, mesmerizing places on Earth. You will want to make the most out of it so definitely choose it’s the best time for you to go.
How to Get Your Henna On at a Turkish Henna Party!
Living in Turkey gave us the unique opportunity to make lots of friends, mostly from work. That, in turn, afforded us a view into the daily life, personal milestones, and how they are celebrated. My friend Çakal was getting married, and of course she was going to have a bridal party. In Turkey, brides are wished good luck at her henna night. We had so much fun at our first Turkish henna party. At A Turkish Wedding – Henna Tattoos for All! In Turkey, the typical “bridal” shower is a “Kına Gecesi,” which literally means “henna evening.” Only women attend henna parties, although these days, some men sneak in towards the end of the evening when the party is in …
How to Get Your Henna On at a Turkish Henna Party! Read More »
Awe-inspiring Istanbul Itineraries and Travel Tips
Istanbul is the most exotic city on Earth, and you will want to see and experience its best. Check out our 1-3 day itineraries.
A Turkish Barber Experience
…or Whatcha gonna do with that straight edge? Turkey is full of fun things to do, some are more different than others. Reading all our lives, books regale the shave of Turkish barber, so Jim just had to give it a go. A traveling friend of mine makes it a point to get a new hairstyle in a local hair salon in every new city or country she visits. This sounded a bit extreme to me, but one thing I’m bad at during travel is shaving. I just can’t be bothered. So, why not opt for a shave in every country I visit instead? This sounded much more practical. And who doesn’t miss those good old days of the straight-edge …
What is Hamam? The Best Turkish bath in Istanbul!
Heading to Istanbul? Try the soothing massage of a traditional hammam and Turkish bath. You will never want to leave!
The Rumelihisari Fortress – Don’t Miss This Epic Must in Istanbul
Istanbul’s fortress, Rumelihisari. If you love the romanticism of the Ottoman empire, this is a must visit spot in this exotic city!
Where is Cappadocia?
Where is Cappadocia? Most people think it is a city in Turkey…not the case. Find out all about where it is and some great facts about the area.
A Visit to Çatalhöyük, Turkey
For some reason, I had a hard time getting to Çatalhöyük, a newly inscribed archaeological site in Turkey. It was located only about three hours from my house in Ankara, and yet it took me four years to get there. I kept putting it off and putting it off. A good friend of mine moved to Turkey, and it was high on her list so she kept on about it the whole year…and we finally made it. Once I did finally go and walk around the windswept plains, I felt kind of justified. There isn’t much out there. I had been meaning to get there, but soon after I arrived in Turkey there was the great hoopla over Göbeklitepe, which is …
Camel Wrestling in Selçuk
Walking down the street through the market stalls of Selçuk on a January Saturday afternoon, a cacophony of noise erupted. Hurrying to see what was happening, we ran to the town square. There backed by a huge banner of Atatürk on one side and an ancient aqueduct on the other, was the largest camel I have ever seen. He was frothing at the mouth and decked out in all the latest camel finery. His saddle, covered with colorful felt and sequins, made him look like he was at least twelve feet tall. There would be no way that I wouldn’t mess around with him. What was he doing here? And why was there so much slobber being generated in that mouth? Every time he …
How to Get to Know the Turks in Ankara
Travel is about experience, about people. Throw away that guidebook and follow these steps to know the friendliest, most hospitable people on earth. The Turks have been invaded, rarely conquered, and always admired for thousands of years. Living on land that has long been the crossroads of civilizations they have always dealt with visitors from around the globe. Modern day tourists can’t help but trip over these remains of ancient cultures. Famous people such as St. Paul, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and even Barack Obama have come here to conquer or court this country for its supreme position. Ankara has been the capital of Turkey since 1923, and it is here that great people still come to meet the …