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On Engagement and Coffee
Every country has its traditional customs around engagement and marriage, and engagement in Turkey is no different. Although times are rapidly changing, today as you drive through some small rural...
View ArticleSelcuk Camel Wrestling
Camel wrestling is a long-standing tradition in the Aegean region of Turkey, although it can be found in some other parts of the country. The Selcuk Camel Wrestling Festival is held on the 3rd Sunday...
View ArticleThe Ephesus Gladiator Graveyard
Discovery of an Ephesus gladiator graveyard has rocked the archaeological world. We all know gladiators right? They were the sporting heroes of the ancient world who battled condemned criminals,...
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The Evil Eye
You’ll see them hung outside and inside homes, in cars, in shops, on bracelets, worn as earrings, on animals, and babies often wear one attached to a small safety pin – it’s the Nazar Boncuğu, which...
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Top 5 Traditional Festivals in Turkey
1. Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival – this festival is held in July every year in Edirne and draws crowds of thousands. The wrestlers (known as pehlivan in Turkish) wear traditional trousers made from...
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Saying “I Do” Turkish Style – 10 Facts about Turkish weddings
If you have ever been to a Turkish wedding you will know that they are a lively affair, and that even modern Turkish weddings have a traditional vibe and have a heap of customs and superstitions...
View ArticleNew Year’s Eve in Turkey
Well here we are, on another New Year’s Eve, and it seems that 2015 has flown by. New Year’s Eve in Turkey is a big deal – tonight the streets and restaurants will be full of people celebrating, and...
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What do Ebru & Oil Wrestling Have in Common?
It’s true that Ebru (the art of marbling) and Oil Wrestling don’t have much in common, however, they are both listed by UNESCO as cultural traditions requiring protection. When you think about the...
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Selcuk Bazaar
For Turkish families, no week is complete without a trip to our local bazaar (pazar) to stock up on our fresh fruit and vegetables for the week ahead. We’ve been doing this since Ottoman times, and...
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Turkey’s Tulips
So, one of the most frequent questions I get asked as a tour guide is “what’s going on with Turkey’s tulips? Tulips are everywhere!”. It’s true, tulips have a very special place in Turkey, and given...
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