Are you invited to a Turkish wedding? You may feel a little nervous if you have no idea what they’re like. If you want to learn what to expect, you’re in the right place! There are lots of interesting Turkish wedding traditions. As a matter of fact, my foreign friends are fascinated by some of them! In this article, I’ll share some things you should expect in a Turkish wedding, so you can enjoy the ceremony and have fun with the locals. Pre-Wedding Traditions We can divide Turkish wedding traditions into two categories: pre-wedding and wedding-day traditions. Let’s start with the first step, w ..read more

Turkish people drink tea anywhere, anytime. Çay is their favorite drink, and that’s why it’s known as the national drink. They make tea at home, in stores, cafes, restaurants, and everywhere you can think of! As a foreigner in Turkey, you may wonder why Turkish people are obsessed with tea and what makes it so special. Because Turkish tea culture is much more than just drinking it. It’s about socializing and bonding. Çay is an offer that nobody can resist in Turkey. So, let’s explore more about it in today’s blog post! What Is Traditional Turkish Tea? Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a plant whose l ..read more

Although the first hammams were built in 2500 BCE, they are still popular in the Middle East, including Turkey. To this day, Turkish bath culture is an important part of self-care rituals. If you’re in Istanbul and visiting historical places such as the Hagia Sophia Mosque and Topkapi Palace, you may have come across a building called a hammam. You may already know what it is, but do you know what happens inside? Read this Turkish bath guide to prepare yourself for the experience! What Does Hammam Mean? The origin of the word lies in the Arabic word Hammam, meaning bath, and the Hebrew word Ha ..read more

If you’re crunched for time but still want to see Turkey’s famous Mount Nemrut (Nemrut Dağı) ruins, then this 3-minute Mount Nemrut Guide is perfect for you. I know it sounds impossible to plan this incredible UNESCO site in just three minutes but stick with me—I’ve got the need-to-know stuff that’ll set you up for an awesome whirlwind visit.  As someone who has lived in Turkey my whole life, I know first-hand that tourists mostly follow the same predictable routes when visiting—especially for a renowned site like Mount Nemrut. While there are a ton of online guides available, only us loc ..read more

Let’s be real: Dating a Turkish woman (kadın) can throw some exciting cultural curveballs beyond the usual romantic fare! Without knowing all those modern minefields around conservative values, family approval, and chivalry customs, you risk losing the love of your life.  Lucky for newcomers mesmerized by an Istanbul beauty’s dark gaze yet clueless about her intricacies, you now have a Turkish dating starter kit to review! In this guide, I’ll cover key areas traditional women still prioritize, like spiritual devotion, feminine modesty, and, yes…the family’s blessing. I’ll also share here ..read more

Did you ever dream about a cotton castle when you were a kid? You may not believe it, but that dream has become a reality in Turkey! Pamukkale – literally, cotton castle in Turkish – is a beautiful formation of white terraces that’s made up of a carbonate mineral left by the flowing thermal water. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and even has incredible-looking terraced pools of hot springs, so if you’re a traveler who likes visiting natural beauties, it’s a must-visit in Turkey! With that in mind, this Pamukkale travel guide will help you plan a day trip to this incredible site. Page Content ..read more

Given the country’s geographical location, Turkish culture is a blend of Asia and Europe. It’s a country that’s neither too conservative nor too modern, but moderate in-between. You may be wondering how this influences Turkish dating culture. Although the country’s dating culture is becoming more and more Western-like, traditional influences are still apparent. So, if you want to go by the book when dating a Turkish person, keep reading, as you’ll learn all you must know about Turkish dating culture in this blog post! Turkish Dating Culture In traditional Turkish culture, romantic relationship ..read more

If your ideal partner is a traditional man with instincts to provide for and protect their woman, then you can have a happy relationship with a Turkish man! Dating someone from a different country can be difficult since both sides have cultural differences, different world views, and speak different languages. However, if you find yourself falling for a Turkish man, you should have an idea of what a typical Turkish man is like in a romantic relationship. So, here are some must-know tips for dating a Turkish man and winning over their heart. Tips For Dating A Turkish Man These tips will help yo ..read more

Cappadocia (Kapadokya) is a breathtaking region in Turkey famous for its fantastic scenery, interesting rock formations, cave dwellings, canyons, and hundreds of hot air balloons that rise in the sky. Because of these numerous beauties, hiking in Cappadocia is a privilege! There are many hiking trails in Cappadocia. However, if you have only a few days to visit this beautiful Turkish region, you probably won’t be able to explore all of them. That’s why I’ve listed the best hiking trails, along with their distance and duration, in this blog post! Hiking Trails In Cappadocia Here are the best hi ..read more

If you’re a foodie visiting Turkey, you have plenty of delicious foods to try! To do that, you should know how to order food in Turkish restaurants! Although waiters usually understand English in major tourist areas, it’s a good idea to learn useful phrases for ordering food in Turkish. Waiters working at small restaurants may not speak English, plus it’s an opportunity to impress your local friends! Ordering Food In Turkish In this blog post, you’ll learn what to say when calling the waiter, ordering food from the menu, and paying the bill. So, let’s get started! Entering The Restaurant (Rest ..read more