🇹🇷 Turkey

Turkey straddles two continents and countless cultures, blending Ottoman heritage, Islamic traditions, and European aspirations. Turkish culture centers on 'aile' (family), hospitality, and respect. The concept of 'hoşgeldin' (welcome) reflects genuine warmth toward guests. Tea culture ('çay') brings communities together daily. Secular and religious elements coexist in daily life, creating a unique modern Turkish identity.

Tea Culture: Accept offered çay (tea) - refusing hospitality can seem rude. Mosque Etiquette: Remove shoes, dress modestly, women cover heads. Bargaining Expected: In bazaars and markets, start at 30% of asking price. Shoes Off: Remove shoes when entering Turkish homes. Ramadan Respect: During holy month, be discrete eating/drinking in public during day.

Turkish society balances secular modernism with Islamic traditions. Family bonds are extremely strong with multi-generational respect patterns. 'Ağabey/Abla' (older brother/sister) terms show respect for elders. Regional differences are significant - cosmopolitan Istanbul vs. conservative Anatolia vs. Kurdish southeast. Turkish hospitality is legendary - guests are considered blessings from God and treated with extraordinary generosity.

Spring (April-May): Perfect weather, blooming landscapes, fewer crowds, temperatures 15-25°C. Summer (June-August): Hot and busy, beach season, Ramadan may affect travel, temperatures 25-35°C+. Autumn (September-October): Excellent weather, harvest season, comfortable temperatures 18-28°C. Winter (November-March): Cool and wet, skiing in mountains, fewer tourists, 5-15°C. Coast warmer than interior.

Dolmuş: Shared minibuses on fixed routes - authentic local transport. Long-distance Buses: Excellent network with Metro, Kamil Koç companies, comfortable and cheap. Domestic Flights: Turkish Airlines and Pegasus connect major cities. Trains: Limited network but scenic routes, especially to Ankara. Car Rental: Good for coastal drives and Cappadocia, drive on right, highways modern.

Budget Travel (TL 150-300/day): Hostels/pensions TL 50-120, street food/pideci TL 15-40, public transport TL 5-15, free mosques and bazaars. Mid-Range (TL 300-600/day): Hotels TL 150-350, restaurant meals TL 50-120, attractions TL 20-80, occasional dolmuş/taxi. Luxury (TL 600+/day): Boutique hotels TL 300-1000+, fine dining TL 150-400+, private guides, hamam experiences. Excellent value for authentic experiences.

Turkish is the main language with Arabic script heritage but Latin alphabet. Essential phrases: 'Merhaba' (hello), 'Teşekkür ederim' (thank you), 'Affedersiniz' (excuse me), 'İngilizce biliyor musunuz?' (Do you speak English?). English common in tourist areas and among younger people. Kurdish widely spoken in southeast. Learning basic Turkish phrases brings huge smiles.

Turkey is generally safe with friendly people. Exercise caution near Syrian border areas. Petty theft possible in tourist areas of Istanbul. Respect local customs, especially during religious periods. Earthquakes occur - know evacuation procedures. Don't photograph military installations. Emergency numbers: 112 (general). Medical facilities good in major cities.

Turkish Lira (TL/TRY) is the currency. ATMs abundant, cards increasingly accepted in cities. Typical costs: Çay (tea) TL 2-5, Kebab TL 15-30, Dolmuş ride TL 3-8, Hamam experience TL 50-150, Mid-range hotel TL 150-350/night. Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants, round up for small services, TL 10-20 for hamam attendants.