Things to Remember When Holidaying to Turkey

If you haven’t been to Turkey yet, you’re in for quite a treat. No other place in the world manages to fuse East and West together so easily; the cobblestone streets, morning prayers, delicious food, culture, and everything else all help to create a magical experience. If you’re soon to be travelling to Turkey (which I definitely recommend), here are some things to remember on your travels:

It’s Much Easier When You Know Some Turkish

When you travel outside of the big cities, there aren’t many people who speak English in Turkey. This makes things much easier if you know a little Turkish to help you get by! The great thing about this language is that the words aren’t that hard to learn either. Even just a small amount of Turkish will get you far - you’ll find they are much more hospitable and friendly when you try to speak to them in your own language! Your trip will be much more rewarding this way, too.

Eat Well, but Take it Slow

There’s such a vast amount of food in Turkey, it’s very wise to take it slow from start to finish. As they try to be extra hospitable to people like you and me, it’s best if you take one spoonful off each plate brought out to you - in many cases, the plates just won’t stop coming! Also, if you want to eat cheaply, remember that street food can be just as satisfying.

Dress Respectfully

Women in Turkey dress very fashionably, in a wide range of dress. You might find some of them covering their bodies and heads with scarves, while others wear skirts and heels. You can pretty much wear what you like, but dress respectfully so that you blend in. A scarf does help matters though, for example if you were to get invited into a mosque where you’ll need to cover your hair.

Travel Outside of the Cities

There are lots of regions to understand in Turkey, more than just the famous Istanbul, Izmir, and similar places. Places like Mardin can give you a unique insight into Turkey from an everyday point of view. You might even find yourself hunting for after a visit like this!