This travel guide is a very personal account of our travels. What we saw, where we ate and stayed, and what we liked and didn’t like.
Along with our lists, we’ve included a few tidbits of wisdom that we wish we’d had before we left. We hope you find this information useful on your next trip as well.
Due to Turkey’s stubbornly high inflation, cash remains king here. Bring lots of it to avoid high ATM and credit card fees.
You’ll get the best rate by exchanging your Dollars or Euros at a money changer shop. While most places in the larger towns take credit cards, you’ll still need cash for many other places. Most merchants will also happily accept Dollars or Euros, but at a less favorable rate.
After recent changes in bank regulations, almost all ATMs will charge at least an 8% withdrawal fee, on top of whatever your own bank charges. One exception we’ve found is with a debit card from Wise. We were able to withdraw money using this card with no fee at all. Follow this link for more detail.
The recently opened Istanbul International Airport is a long way outside the central city and is miles from anything else.
With many international flights arriving late at night and onward domestic connections leaving early in the morning, it makes no sense to go to a hotel all the way in the city. We suggest either staying in the airport at Yotel, nearby at Park Inn Odayeri, or driving a few extra miles and staying in a nice local town. We enjoyed our stay at Villa Siesta Hotel, in the town of Karaburun, on the Black Sea.
Transfers from the airport to the city can be quite confusing, as the transportation companies cannot display a placard with the client’s name. Instead, you need to go to the transfer kiosk outside the terminal building and find a representative.
Many culinary experts consider Turkish cuisine as one of the three great cuisines of the world, along with French and Chinese. From its roots in the Ottoman Empire, culinary influences from Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean regions were blended to create a unique cooking style. This fusion created recipes that were both flavorful and healthy.
While visiting Turkey, make it a point to try local specialties like the many kinds of kebabs, börek and baklava. Turkish dinners also focus on the starters, or mezze. You’ll be presented with myriad varieties of starters to sample. Just be sure to leave some room for the main course and dessert!
Turkish people have a long-standing tradition of hospitality, stemming from the cultural values of kindness, respect, and generosity. It is not uncommon for strangers to be treated like honored guests in Turkish homes. The Turkish people believe in the importance of making visitors feel comfortable and valued.
Don’t be taken aback by these displays of warmth and generosity. They are sincere and heartfelt.
May 27, 2024
