Across the world, one common complaint about city living is that it loses its intimacy. However, builders in Istanbul, the most forward thinking and advancing city in Turkey have found a way around this. Knowing their heritage like the back of their hand, they are incorporating the traditional community features into the large skyscraper buildings springing up all over the city. So, the social traditions are still there; they just look different.
In the last thirty years, the concept of living abroad has opened to the masses. Whereas pre- 1990s, it was restricted to affluent retirees, the advancement of travel, technology and the Internet means more people are looking at upping sticks to seek out an alternative lifestyle and in many cases, one that is more laid-back, healthier and of course, full of copious amounts of sun. Have a read of why you should consider retiring to Turkey.
Turkey is one of the ten most popular tourism destinations in the world, yet it lags far behind other countries in marina, sailing and yacht tourism. While places like Spain, Portugal and France were building marinas and yacht clubs in the 1940s, Turkey did not start until the 1990s. Hence it missed an excellent opportunity to become a leader in the yachting world. Real estate investors have a prime market for long-term investment, as naturally once a new marina is built, property values automatically increase.
Some people like familiarity. They have a small select group of lifelong friends, and they live their entire lives in the same city or town. However other people get the urge to spread their wings and these days. Indeed, many expats have descended on the shores of Turkey and are often found in the small Aegean and Mediterranean towns. Unfortunately, not everyone stays because there are some aspects of Turkish life that they just really can’t get their head around.
Autumn in Turkey is an ideal time to travel. Firstly, travel agents drop their peak time premium charges, so there are many opportunities to save money on flights, hotels and exploring. Sitting somewhere between the hot sticky days of summer and the quiet ambience of winter, no matter where you go, fewer crowds also ensure freedom, peace and relaxation.
Glance at any picture postcard of the famous tourist region of Bodrum, and you will see the nostalgic white houses, with blue doors and windows, and flowing pink bougainvillaea tumbling down the walls. Yet, head away from the main town centre, and you will also find modern properties featuring the latest in architectural trends and often featured in home and architecture magazines.
On September the 1st, fishermen across Turkey eagerly donned their gear and boarded large trawlers to sail the seas after a five-month fishing ban finished. Marking the beginning of the fishing season. So, is now the right time to be eating fish in Turkey? It certainly is, and this is our insider guide on how to ensure the best catch of the day ends up on your plate.
Out of all the things Turkey is famous for, one of the most under-rated is its ice cream. In contrast to other industries, we are not talking about some fake, copycat dessert for sizzling summer days but real Turkish ice cream with the unique ingredients of milk, sugar, salep and mastic. Turkish ice cream is called Dondurma which is a literal translation to mean “freezing.”.
A year or so of poor performance for the Turkish Lira saw the currency become one of the most talked about on the planet - for all the wrong reasons. But in a remarkable reversal of fortunes, the rebounding lira is now opening up a world of opportunity for investors with a 15% gain against the Dollar this year. With analysts saying the only way is up, the lira potentially offers some of the highest returns of any currency in the world.
In our series about expat life in Turkey, we talk to real people in the country to get a realistic outlook and viewpoint on what living in Turkey is like. In this article, we talk with Natalie Sayin. She has lived in Turkey for 15 years, been married and divorced here, worked as a rep, estate agent and is now a location independent freelancer. We asked her to tell us more about her life in Turkey as an expat.
The vibes of a new destination are strangely enticing, but sometimes, we wish there were certain things we had known before. Whether it was how to save money, cultural mistakes, or recommended dishes to try, knowing the secrets of the locals before you step off the plane brings its benefits. With that in mind, for first-time visitors in Turkey, here are our tips to get you off to a good start.
Turkey is one of the top beach holiday destinations in the world, and rightly so. Just over 7,000 kilometres of pristine coastline that during summer become “must-visit” places for couples, friends, solo travellers and families have earned it this sought-after reputation. But can we guess your favourite beach in Turkey? Have a read and let us know if we have missed any of your top Turkish beaches out.
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