Comprehensive travel guides, detailed trip plans, and trusted tips from tourism experts to make your journey an unforgettable experience
Travel Guides 13 min readA practical guide to choosing a family hotel in Istanbul: areas compared for families, family vs connecting rooms vs apart-hotels, well-known examples per area, halal food, mosques and kids' attractions nearby, and common booking mistakes.
Visa Guides 11 min readHow to apply for a French (Schengen) visa from Istanbul as a resident of Türkiye: when France is the right country, the France-Visas online form, VFS Global centres, documents, when to book, Paris and Riviera itineraries and common mistakes.
Visa Guides 11 min readItaly (Schengen) visa guide for residents of Türkiye: applications for the Istanbul consulate, Ankara embassy and İzmir via iDATA, when Italy is the right country, documents, appointment seasons, Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan itineraries, and the Vatican.
Visa Guides 11 min readSpain (Schengen) visa guide for residents of Türkiye: applying via BLS International, when Spain is the right country, documents, Andalusia (Granada, Córdoba, Seville), Barcelona and Madrid itineraries, Camp Nou and Bernabéu tours, and common mistakes.
Visa Guides 11 min readGermany (Schengen) visa guide for residents of Türkiye: iDATA as the sole provider for the German missions, the waiting-list system instead of picking a slot, documents, trade-fair and medical trips, Berlin, Munich and Black Forest itineraries, and common mistakes.
Visa Guides 11 min readGreece (Schengen) visa guide for residents of Türkiye: Kosmos Visa is the only authorised private provider for the Greek missions in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir and Edirne; its offices across cities, consular districts, documents, entering by land or ferry, and the islands, Athens and Thessaloniki.
Visa Guides 12 min readThe Georgia travel guide for residents of Türkiye: Turks, Gulf citizens, Jordanians and Lebanese visa-free for a year, entry with a valid Gulf, EU or US permit or visa, the e-visa for Egyptians, consular visas for Iraqis and Syrians, mandatory health insurance, and the Sarp land crossing.
Visa Guides 9 min readWhy do tens of thousands of foreigners choose Antalya? Climate, sea, hospitals, international schools, how to get a tourist or family residence permit — and which neighbourhoods are open for residency registration.
Travel Guides 16 min readThe Turkish residence permit guide from Law No. 6458: when you need a permit, the six types, short-term grounds, the US$200,000 property rule, documents, closed neighbourhoods, renewal from 60 days before expiry, and family, student and long-term permits.
Tourist Destinations 6 min readCar-free islands one ferry ride from Istanbul: Büyükada vs Heybeliada, ferries, the Aya Yorgi hilltop, bikes and swimming.
Trip Plans 7 min readFrom Istanbul Aquarium and Miniaturk to KidZania, the Rahmi Koç Museum and the Princes' Islands — tried-and-tested activities for every age.
Trip Plans 11 min readEverything you need for an Istanbul trip: the best time to visit, top sights and their closing days, where to stay, airport transfers, how many days you need and halal food — from a licensed Istanbul travel agency.
Destinations 12 min readA Fethiye & Ölüdeniz guide for families and couples: the Blue Lagoon and best beaches, paragliding from Babadağ, the 12 Islands boat trip, Butterfly Valley, Saklıkent gorge, Kayaköy, where to stay, getting there from Dalaman Airport, and what runs in winter 2026–2027.
Destinations 12 min readA Marmaris guide for families and couples: the promenade, marina and castle, İçmeler and Turunç, the Dalyan river trip with İztuzu turtle beach and the Kaunos tombs, Sedir (Cleopatra) Island, Kızkumu beach, the Bozburun peninsula, where to stay, getting there and winter 2026–2027.
Tourist Destinations 10 min readThe capital of the Turkish Riviera: Kaleiçi old town and harbour, the Düden waterfalls, Konyaaltı and Lara beaches, ancient cities, the best months for sea or sightseeing, plus 3, 5 and 7-day plans.
Nature & Adventure 11 min readA volcano with blue flames and toxic gas, a rock ledge over a 700-metre drop, a pool on the edge of Victoria Falls and the depths of Dahab's Blue Hole — worth visiting if you know the rules.
Beach Tourism 11 min readSun and turquoise seas from December to March: the Maldives, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Zanzibar, the Seychelles, the Red Sea, Dubai and more — with the best months for each and the areas to avoid in the rainy season.
Trip Plans 11 min readEvery day, a new story. Alwan's complete Thailand programme: two nights in Bangkok with a dinner cruise and Safari World, then five nights in Phuket — Phi Phi by VIP yacht, an adventure day and James Bond Island. Flights, hotels, tours and a guide. Feel the trip on video before you go.
Travel Tips 10 min readIstanbul has two international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side. Location, distance to Taksim and Sultanahmet, airlines, metro and buses, transfers between them, and which to choose for your hotel.
Travel Tips 9 min readA booking guide for flights from Istanbul for residents of Türkiye: Istanbul Airport vs Sabiha Gökçen, Turkish Airlines vs Pegasus vs AJet, the cheapest days and times to book, baggage, children, and the most requested routes (Cairo, Jeddah, Riyadh, Damascus, Dubai, Baghdad).
Travel Tips 7 min readAntalya Airport is just 13 km from the city. Every way to reach Kaleiçi, Konyaaltı, Lara, Belek, Kemer, Side and Alanya: how long it takes and which suits families, luggage and late arrivals.
Travel Tips 9 min readAn interactive list you tick off as you pack: essentials for every trip, clothes for hot and tropical countries, clothes for cold and snowy places, smart gadgets, and what's banned in hand luggage.
Culture & Heritage 10 min readDon't tip in Japan, don't touch heads in Thailand, be on time in Germany and accept tea in Turkey. A guide to local customs so you're a welcome guest wherever you go.
Travel Tips 6 min readWhy millions choose Türkiye for treatment, how to check a clinic's licence, how many days to plan and what to arrange before you fly — a practical, no-hype guide.
Trip Plans 9 min readWhen does Ramadan 2027 start? (expected 8 February). Ramadan in Istanbul: iftar between the mosques of Sultanahmet, the mahya lights strung between minarets, tarawih at Hagia Sophia and Süleymaniye, iftar tents, the best areas and hotels, and tips for Gulf families.
Trip Plans 8 min readEid al-Fitr 2027 is expected on Tuesday 9 March. How long the Eid holiday is in Türkiye and where to spend it: Istanbul, Antalya, Trabzon, Cappadocia, Dubai, Cairo, Sarajevo or a post-Eid Umrah — with early-booking tips for flights and hotels.
Football & Events 9 min readIstanbul is safe and welcoming, but big-match crowds attract tricksters. The classic tourist scams, what to watch and what to simply ignore, and the emergency numbers to save before the Super Cup.
Everything we've published in one place, by topic. Pick your topic and open the guide you need.
Schengen, UK, Saudi & Umrah, USA, Asia
Residence permits, housing and daily life
Itineraries, where to stay, families, honeymoon
Cappadocia, Antalya, Trabzon, Fethiye, winter & ski
Thailand, warm escapes and travel safety
Choosing flights and hotels, airport transfers
Budget, packing, Turkish food and etiquette
Spanish Super Cup, Ramadan and Eid
