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Before my trip to Turkey 🇹🇷, I received advice from various people to bring salad dressing, instant noodles 🍜, etc., because their raw vegetables are really pure, and the food isn't quite to Asian tastes, so I ended up losing weight! But is that really the case? Let me share my experience of the food in Turkey over the past ten days, from the perspective of someone who doesn't eat beef or lamb! First of all, Turkish cuisine is considered one of the world's three major cuisines, blending cooking techniques and ingredients from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans, and using a rich variety of spices and seasonings. Since Turkey is a Muslim country, pork is not eaten, but meat options include beef 🐮, lamb 🐑, chicken 🐔, and fish 🐟. The general order of meals is bread 🥖, soup 🥣, salad 🥗 first, then the main course, and finally a fruit dessert 🍮. The bread was pretty much as expected, but the salad and soup were quite a surprise 👅. Turkish soups differ from typical Western-style thick soups. Some are sour, similar to borscht, and seasoned with unique spices; the taste can be surprising even before you take a sip. There's also a lentil soup with a slightly grainy, gritty texture, which I personally dislike. The salads, as seen in the video, are almost entirely chopped ingredients, like a simple farmyard of flowers 🧑🌾 with minimal seasoning, often resulting in a vibrant array of colors. Next up are the main courses, my main attraction! Most are chicken 🍗, such as chicken stew with potatoes, chicken skewers, etc. According to colleagues who tried both beef and chicken, the chicken is lighter and less oily than beef, and of course, it doesn't have the gamey smell of lamb (beef is often cooked with lamb fat). I was quite satisfied with the main meals these past few days. Aside from the meat, after bravely trying several buffets, I must say their potato dishes 🥔, mushroom dishes 🍄🟫, white rice 🌾 (Turkish rice isn't just steamed; it tastes like it's been stir-fried with butter), and eggplant dishes 🍆 were all excellent—no disappointments. However, because I skipped the soups, salads, bread 🥯, and desserts (which I'll mention later), I was only about 80% full at each meal just eating the main meals. The desserts were also a feast for the senses, with a dazzling array of choices and incredibly tempting appearances, but all overwhelmingly sweet! There were sponge cakes 🍰 that oozed syrup when pressed, and syrup-coated sweet potato balls that looked like moist versions of sweet potato balls. Although I initially tried them diligently, attempting at least five different small cakes at each meal, I simply couldn't handle it after a while 😂. While in Turkey 🇹🇷, I ate until I was about 80% full every day, but brought back almost all the snacks and biscuits I brought untouched. The reason was that I wanted to make the most of my time to experience the local food, and I discovered that I actually love Chinese food more than I thought! 🥰 #Turkey #Turkey🇹🇷 #TurkeyTravel #TurkeyTourism #turkey🇹🇷 #TurkishCuisine #TurkishCuisine🇹🇷

This 10-day, 8-night group tour, while mostly involving group activities 👥 and less interaction with locals compared to solo travel, still revealed many unique aspects of traveling in Turkey. If you're interested, keep reading! First and foremost, make sure to bring enough sunscreen! The air conditioning on the tour bus is very weak, and with long hours of driving under the blazing sun in over 30°C heat without any shade, you'll keep sweating 💦 even while sitting inside the bus. So, if possible, reapply sunscreen 🧴 every time before getting off the bus. I personally used up an entire sunscreen stick and a bottle of sunscreen, yet my arms still ended up with unavoidable tan lines 🥲. Due to the scorching weather ☁️, your phone might overheat after taking lots of photos under the sun, and wireless charging 🔋 will become very slow. Therefore, I strongly recommend using a wired power bank! This trip made me appreciate the convenience of plug-in power banks 😊. Next, locals often initiate conversations! Besides vendors asking "Where are you from" as you pass by, we also encountered a group of middle school students who took turns taking photos with us, and even little girls 👧 giving us finger hearts 🫰🏻 as we walked by. There were also instances where locals approached us, asking if we had discovered anything interesting, and then enthusiastically recommending attractions with a pen and paper 🚶➡️. One day, while sitting by the sea watching the waves, a cat 🐱 led to a conversation with its owner. Despite the language barrier, I ended up drinking their beverage and was even invited to join them for a ride to explore further… However, amidst all this kindness, there were some unfriendly incidents. For example, during my first visit to a supermarket, I noticed the price displayed on the scanner and calculated the change I should receive. Yet, the cashier handed me less money 💰. After double-checking the screen and the cash in my hand, I looked at the cashier, who reluctantly returned the difference without batting an eye, as if hoping I wouldn't notice and just leave. Overall, compared to all the countries I've visited, Turkey left me with the impression of being the most warm-hearted ❤️🔥. Many people were willing to show kindness proactively, reminding me how wonderful it feels to communicate with others abroad using just basic English.

Istanbul is a city we love with all our hearts! It’s a place where the magic of the Bosphorus meets elegant, millennia-old architecture. And while the city center might seem crowded, the real Istanbul is a delight that unfolds gradually, as soon as you step off the beaten tourist paths. Here, it’s always incredibly soulful, light, and beautiful. We’ve put together an itinerary that will let you truly experience the city in just a couple of days. Save it and start planning your upcoming trip!

Beyoğlu — Pera — Kadırga Timing: ~5.5–6 hours 09:30–11:00 — İklima Hamam (Beyoğlu, Firuzağa) A traditional Turkish hammam. Allocate about 1.5 hours for entry, main procedures (massage, hot room, kese, washing), and a short rest by the pool or sauna afterward. Historically, hammams were part of the urban infrastructure and were used for hygiene and social interaction. 11:00–11:20 — Walk to İstiklal Caddesi A leisurely walk through Firuzağa, considering pedestrian traffic. One of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in Turkey. 11:20–11:40 — Galatasaray Lisesi A stop at one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in Turkey. Founded in the 15th century, it was reformed in the 19th century following the French model. Usually, visitors do not enter but admire the facade and courtyard if accessible. 11:40–12:00 — Walk to the Pera district 12:00–13:15 — Minoa Pera A bookstore and café. Time to browse books, enjoy coffee, or have a light lunch. The format is suitable for a relaxed break. 13:15–14:00 — Transfer to Kadırga Optimal options include tram + walking or a taxi, depending on traffic. 14:00–15:00 — Kebab House Cade (Kadırga Meydanı Sk.) Lunch. A restaurant offering traditional Turkish cuisine, specializing in kebabs. A local-style venue catering to residents. 15:00+ — Stroll around the Kadırga district / end of the route Free time without a fixed program.

Galataport is a 1.2-kilometer-long promenade that is completely open and offers the most incredible panoramic views of the historic peninsula: you'll see Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace before you, but from a modern, European shore. Galataport has become a new magnet for those seeking contemporary culture and luxury: 🖼 Istanbul Modern is the complex's main cultural center. The Museum of Modern Art has moved here, becoming the largest and most significant center for contemporary art in Turkey. 🌊 The promenade is the perfect place for a stroll at any time. It's a wide, open area with modern, trendy cafes and restaurants where you can watch ships sail along the Bosphorus. 🛳 To preserve the view of the promenade, the Galataport cruise terminal was designed as the world's first underground terminal, with a complex system of hatches and ramps. Thanks to this, cruise tourists don't interfere with pedestrians enjoying the embankment. We think it's a wonderful modern idea. What do you think? #istanbul #turkey

The Galata Tower is a historic medieval stone tower located in the Galata district of Istanbul, Turkey. It stands approximately 67 meters (220 feet) tall and offers panoramic views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. Over the centuries, the tower has served various purposes, including a watchtower, fire tower, and even a prison. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction, known for its striking architecture, cylindrical shape, conical roof, and scenic observation deck. 🎟️💶 For most visitors (foreign tourists), the ticket price to go up the tower is €30. #hellochristmas #turkey #istanbul #turkiye