{"id":1601,"date":"2025-03-27T22:46:16","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T22:46:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/justtravellers.com\/?page_id=1601"},"modified":"2025-04-02T18:00:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T18:00:59","slug":"guideturkey","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/index.php\/guideturkey\/","title":{"rendered":"GuideTurkey"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1601\" class=\"elementor elementor-1601\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14282b5f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"14282b5f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;slideshow&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_gallery&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:1557,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;http:\\\/\\\/justtravellers.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/TurkiIMG_0372-1-scaled.jpg&quot;}],&quot;background_slideshow_loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_duration&quot;:5000,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_transition_duration&quot;:500,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30b8ec84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"30b8ec84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Visited in November\/December 2024<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c3e0d93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1c3e0d93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Turkey<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1272159 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"1272159\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Elfsight Website Translator | Justtravellers.com -->\n<script src=\"https:\/\/static.elfsight.com\/platform\/platform.js\" async><\/script>\n<div class=\"elfsight-app-4b24c9e0-3347-4ef6-92d2-90d0d89c9dea\" data-elfsight-app-lazy><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f11818b ekit-sticky--top e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f11818b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;ekit_sticky_offset&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ekit_sticky_offset_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ekit_sticky_offset_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ekit_sticky_on_desktop&quot;:&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;ekit_sticky_on_tablet&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;ekit_sticky_on_mobile&quot;:&quot;mobile&quot;,&quot;ekit_sticky_effect_offset&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ekit_sticky_effect_offset_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;ekit_sticky_effect_offset_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c2a7d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c2a7d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Content:<\/b><\/p><p><b><\/b><b><a href=\"#1\">Overall Impression<\/a><br \/><\/b><b><\/b><b><a href=\"#2\">Istanbul<\/a><br \/><\/b><b><a href=\"#2a\">2a. Things we did or saw<\/a><br \/><\/b><b><a href=\"#2b\">2b. Where we wined and dined<\/a><br \/><\/b><b><\/b><b><a href=\"#3\">3. Gastronomy<\/a><br \/><\/b><b><a href=\"#4\">4.Outside of Istanbul<\/a><br \/><\/b><b><a href=\"#4a\">4a. The ekspress<\/a><br \/><\/b><b><a href=\"#4b\">4b. Kars<\/a><br \/><\/b><b><\/b><a href=\"#5\"><b>5. Random<\/b><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d7bc259 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4d7bc259\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-662ced4a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"662ced4a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-427b61a e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"427b61a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e129d1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e129d1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1559\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98e572f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"98e572f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0417-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1558\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0417-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0417-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0417-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0417-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0417-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10b949d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"10b949d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e06473 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"2e06473\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"1\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-288e4cf animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"288e4cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Overall Impression<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4840c56 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4840c56\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We arrived in Istanbul after traveling through, among others, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania in Eastern Europe, and one of the first things that struck us was the friendliness and smiles. Whether it was here or other parts of the country later in the trip, the same thing happened again \u2013 you encounter an incredible level of hospitality &#8211; that alone makes the country worth a visit.<\/p>\n<p>There is much else that makes it worthwhile, though. The nature is fantastic \u2013 we saw a large part of it when we crossed the country to the east, heading toward Georgia. Snow-covered landscapes and views that constantly left us speechless.<\/p>\n<p>And then there are the cities. They don&#8217;t have as much charm as the nature, in fact, especially the larger ones are far from pretty. It\u2019s a massive collection of apartment blocks lined up both in the suburbs and the inner cities. It\u2019s as if no one lives in anything other than apartments. That said, you can find a lot of charming neighborhoods.<\/p>\n<p>In a huge city like Istanbul, life goes on 24\/7, and it feels like at least some kind of diversity among the 16 million residents exists. But this is probably more for the tourists and their peace of mind, because in the rest of the country, you don\u2019t really encounter it \u2013 there, it\u2019s Islam and cultural gender norms that dominate, for better or worse. When you see a social gathering or a driver, it\u2019s always men.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s something you must accept when visiting Turkey, just as you must accept another religion and the loudspeakers on every minaret, constantly, even at night, reminding everyone what to believe. Also, you need to respect and accept the fact that everything here is far from what it\u2019s like in Western Europe or the USA.\u00a0<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>But if you do respect \u2013 and of course you do \u2013 the local culture, religion, and customs, you\u2019ll feel nothing but welcome in Turkey. As long as you don\u2019t speak ill of the president Erdogan or mention the Armenian Genocide, which, of course, you don\u2019t do while you\u2019re there.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51a71b4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"51a71b4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73c33bb7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"73c33bb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Facts Turkey<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a81ecb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3a81ecb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-europe-17301647\">Turkey: 86 million inhabitants <BR>\u2028Capital: Ankara, 5.5 million inhabitants<BR>\u2028Biggest city: Istanbul, 16 million inhabitants<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfea4bd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dfea4bd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-495b0a8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"495b0a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7b4d40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"b7b4d40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"2\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ff53fd animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7ff53fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Istanbul<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d36080f e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d36080f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e7a5d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1e7a5d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0344-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1417\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0344-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0344-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0344-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0344-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0344.jpg 1609w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c682aec elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c682aec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0351-1-scaled-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1549\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0351-1-scaled-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0351-1-scaled-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0351-1-scaled-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0351-1-scaled-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0351-1-scaled-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f3680e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4f3680e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0354-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1541\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0354-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0354-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0354-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0354-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0354-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65b29e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"65b29e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0360-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1406\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0360-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0360-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0360-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0360-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0360-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecf419e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ecf419e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0361-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1538\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0361-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0361-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0361-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0361-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0361-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a75284 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4a75284\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0375-1-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1537\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0375-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0375-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0375-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0375-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0375-1.jpg 1916w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b22d73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b22d73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Welcome to the world&#8217;s 15th largest city\u00a0\u2013 a massive place that is almost impossible to grasp, which goes without saying.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s worth doing at least some research on the different districts beforehand and maybe choosing a few to explore rather than trying to see it all \u2013 which is simply impossible.<\/p>\n<p>The city is split in half by the Bosporus Strait, with the western part located on the European continent and the eastern part on the Asian side.<\/p>\n<p>Istanbul is furthermore divided into several major areas, and based on what we had read, we rented an Airbnb in the Beyo\u011flu district on the western shore \u2013 and luckily, we chose right. While parts of it are touristy, behind the main streets and attractions, we found charming little neighborhoods full of local life and decent places to eat and drink. Together with the Karak\u00f6y district, it\u2019s a bit like Istanbul\u2019s version of a hipster area. And let\u2019s be honest \u2013 we\u2019ve realized that we might just be hipsters ourselves.<\/p>\n<p>Now, don&#8217;t assume that the western shore feels like Western Europe and the eastern shore like Asia \u2013 that couldn&#8217;t be further from the truth. It\u2019s all very Turkish, but the western side has far more tourists, which means it also has a more Western feel, with alcohol, coffee shops, and shopping.<br \/>The Sultanahmet district, in particular, is packed with tourists since many of the major attractions are here. A good tip if you want to visit them: Get in and out quickly \u2013 unless you love overpriced, mediocre food and persistent street vendors trying to lure you into their &#8220;special&#8221; restaurant.<\/p>\n<p>Take a ferry across the strait, and on the other side, you&#8217;ll find the Kad\u0131k\u00f6y district. Here, you\u2019ll discover an incredible selection of Turkish restaurants and lively local street life \u2013 completely different from the other side of the water.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a950db e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a950db\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ab42ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5ab42ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0379-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1548\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0379-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0379-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0379-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0379-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0379-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a325650 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a325650\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0381-1-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1543\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0381-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0381-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0381-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0381-1.jpg 1422w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7325944 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7325944\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e85e0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e85e0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Transport in Istanbul &#8211; buy an Istanbulkart <\/b><br \/>Istanbul has an excellent public transportation system, and you can buy an Istanbulkart, which is valid for almost all modes of transport \u2013 including ferries and trams. It can be purchased from a vending machine.<br \/>We bought ours at the Halkali train station, where we arrived. From there, we could travel easily with Marmaray and buses to Beyo\u011flu, where we were staying.<br \/>One card is enough, as it can be used by multiple people. You can top it up at most stations.<\/p>\n<p>Use the ferries when you need to cross the Bosporus Strait \u2013 it&#8217;s convenient and a fun experience.<\/p>\n<p><b>Marmaray<\/b> is a train connection similar to an S-train\/metro that runs throughout the southern part of Istanbul, linking the two continents, from the far west to the far east.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79a57ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"79a57ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0406-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1407\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0406-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0406-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0406-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0406-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0406-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3aeb352 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3aeb352\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Our experience is that Istanbul is not a city packed with must-see attractions. The ones that do exist can be covered relatively quickly. To us, the real highlight is simply walking, driving, sailing, and exploring local life in some of the charming little neighborhoods scattered around the city.<\/p>\n<p>That being said, there are a few things that might be worth seeking out:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dcc3084 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1dcc3084\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5af7eed0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5af7eed0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c124190 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"c124190\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"2a\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1385d8c3 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1385d8c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2a. Things we did or saw<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d71e30f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d71e30f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This isn\u2019t a list of\u00a0<i>everything<\/i>\u00a0you can do in Paris and you won\u2019t necessarily find all the major tourist attractions here. It\u2019s rather a selection of places we\u2019ve visited and personally recommend and rate.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\ude82<b> Definitely worth a visit <br \/><\/b>\ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82<b> Really good<br \/><\/b>\ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82<b> One of our favorites<br \/><\/b>\ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82<b> Above and beyond<br \/><\/b>\ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82<b> Truly exceptional<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d46345 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5d46345\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9651b2 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"b9651b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0409-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"TurkiIMG_0409\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Blue Mosque <BR> \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAn incredible architectural masterpiece with six minarets and a stunningly beautiful interior.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6dd2aa9 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"6dd2aa9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0420-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"TurkiIMG_0420\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHagia Sophia <BR> \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAn equally impressive mosque and even older.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99b67fd elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"99b67fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0349-1-scaled-1024x768.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"TurkiIMG_0349\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGalataport Sahil Promenade <BR> \ud83d\ude82 \ud83d\ude82 \t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEven though it's a bit touristy, take a walk here (you\u2019ll need to go through a security check) and take a break while gazing out over the water. It\u2019s fascinating to watch the traffic, with everything from supertankers loaded with containers to tourist boats, police boats, and fishing vessels crossing paths. It seems chaotic, but there\u2019s apparently a system to it.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c04ac81 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c04ac81\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3705551 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"3705551\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"2b\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c7fac0 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6c7fac0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2b.  Where we wined and dined<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f750d04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f750d04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><i>To avoid harming or calling out anyone, we only speak in general terms about our bad experiences. However, we do name and grade the better places\u2014but only those we\u2019ve personally visited.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>\u2764\ufe0f<b> Definitely worth a visit <br \/><\/b>\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f<b> Really good<br \/><\/b>\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f<b> One of our favorites<br \/><\/b>\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f<b> Above and beyond<br \/><\/b>\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f<b> Truly exceptional<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d893d5c e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d893d5c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5c5346 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"b5c5346\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0400-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"TurkiIMG_0400\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tKarak\u00f6y Lokantas\u0131 <BR> \u2764\ufe0f\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tKemanke\u015f Mahallesi, Kemanke\u015f Cd. No:57 <BR>\nWorth a visit, but definitely a place aimed at tourists with money to spend. Almost exclusively foreigners at the tables. The service is good, they have a wide selection of mezes and a decent lamb crown.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2fdeec elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"e2fdeec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0387-1-scaled-1024x768.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"TurkiIMG_0387\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00c7iya Sofras\u0131  <BR> \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCafera\u011fa, G\u00fcne\u015fli Bah\u00e7e, Kad\u0131k\u00f6y <BR>\nLocal through and through. The sweetest owner, who happily explains the concept of Anatolian specialties. Very simple dishes and delicious, very sweet desserts.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc914cf elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"fc914cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0368-scaled-1024x768.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"TurkiIMG_0368\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t1932 Cihangir Doyum Mant\u0131  <BR> \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFiruza\u011fa, Firuza\u011fa Cami Sk., Beyo\u011flu <BR>\nFantastic service \u2013 they go out of their way to find you a table at this small, popular spot. As down-to-earth as it gets while still serving truly local and well-prepared small dishes.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-83ad4c3 elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"83ad4c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TbilisiIMG_92-scaled-683x1024.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"TbilisiIMG_92\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWell Breakfast & Coffee <BR> \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tKatip Mustafa \u00c7elebi, Ma\u00e7 \u00c7k Sk No: 6, Beyo\u011flu <BR>\nFriendly owners, decent breakfast.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f11a9b elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"0f11a9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg elementor-bg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IstanbulIMG_5245-scaled-1024x1024.jpg);\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"IstanbulIMG_5245\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__bg-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGeyik  <BR> \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCihangir, Akarsu Yk\u015f. Sok. No:22, Beyo\u011flu <BR>\nCozy and small. Excellent whisky sour.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41c6fda elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"41c6fda\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"3\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1599c8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e1599c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e358843 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e358843\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75b56bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"75b56bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"3\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c309395 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c309395\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Gastronomy <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffb5ac9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ffb5ac9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We are not blown away by Turkish cuisine, but there are certain elements that are simply great. And often, these are the ones we already know from Turkish eateries or restaurants in the West.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, the dishes here are often so simple that, as long as they are made with quality ingredients, they turn out absolutely perfect.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dce1198 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dce1198\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b8cfd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b8cfd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In general, Turkish gastronomy is a rich and diverse blend of flavors influenced by both Europe and The Middle East.<br \/>If you look for restaurants like in Western Europe with fine dining and western atmosphere you are in the wrong place. <br \/>Here, you often find small places serving local dishes \u2013 and often without alcohol on the menu. Typically, there are kebabs \u2013\u00a0<i>shish<\/i> grilled on skewers, or\u00a0<i>Iskender<\/i> which is meat served with yogurt and tomato sauce.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba8b2f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ba8b2f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0384-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1532\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0384-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0384-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0384-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0384-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0384-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11334c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"11334c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df1f5a4 e-grid e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"df1f5a4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-267d82e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"267d82e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Then, of course, there is\u00a0<i>Doner Kebab<\/i>\u00a0or wraps, which are great, especially for lunch, and various grilled lamb dishes or dumplings for dinner.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a759135 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a759135\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0369-1-scaled-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1531\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0369-1-scaled-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0369-1-scaled-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0369-1-scaled-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0369-1-scaled-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0369-1-scaled-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95d6350 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"95d6350\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Also well-known are\u00a0<i>Mezes<\/i>\u00a0\u2013 a wide selection of appetizers, such as different spreads and dips, as well as stuffed vine leaves. In many places, you choose your mezes at the counter and order your main course from the menu. If the restaurant serves alcohol, people often drink\u00a0<i>Raki<\/i> \u2013 a strong anise-flavored drink similar to Greek Ouzo.<\/p>\n<p>There is also a large variety of soups, such as lentil soup, and for dessert, you can enjoy\u00a0<i>Baklava<\/i>, a type of pastry, or\u00a0<i>Lokum<\/i><b> <\/b>(Turkish Delight)<b>. <\/b>And, of course, Turkish coffee or tea.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-051623c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"051623c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0403-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1530\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0403-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0403-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0403-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0403-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0403-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f301085 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f301085\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"741\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0388-1-scaled-741x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1529\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0388-1-scaled-741x1024.jpg 741w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0388-1-scaled-217x300.jpg 217w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0388-1-scaled-768x1061.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0388-1-scaled-1112x1536.jpg 1112w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0388-1-scaled-1482x2048.jpg 1482w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0388-1-scaled.jpg 1853w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a2fc90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"6a2fc90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"3b\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76e94b3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"76e94b3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72323d5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"72323d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e318adf elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"e318adf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"4a\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a4ca0b animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1a4ca0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Outside of Istanbul\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3076aa1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3076aa1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>4a. The Dogu Express<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><i>(Dogu ekspresi)<\/i><i><\/i><\/p>\n<p>This is a train going from Ankara to the small town of Kars in eastern Turkey.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a route that is becoming increasingly popular, making it difficult to get tickets\u2014especially if you want a\u00a0<b>sleeping compartment<\/b>, as there are only\u00a0<b>2-3 carriages<\/b>\u00a0with those. But trust us, you\u2019ll want one, because the journey is slow and takes a full\u00a0<b>24 hours<\/b>\u2014and that\u2019s without delays, which you can safely expect to be at least a couple of hours.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you have a\u00a0<b>sleeping compartment<\/b>, the trip is absolutely worth it!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed3980d e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ed3980d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4349de7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4349de7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0429-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1522\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0429-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0429-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0429-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0429-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0429-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acdbb7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"acdbb7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0431-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1524\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0431-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0431-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0431-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0431-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0431-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63b7823 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"63b7823\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0432-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1523\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0432-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0432-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0432-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0432-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0432-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81de86f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"81de86f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1559\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0434-3-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c9d731 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6c9d731\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0435-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1525\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0435-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0435-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0435-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0435-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0435-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-391ce7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"391ce7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"757\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0444-1-757x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1527\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0444-1-757x1024.jpg 757w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0444-1-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0444-1-768x1039.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0444-1.jpg 1122w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efafc33 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"efafc33\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9571447 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9571447\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0440-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1528\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0440-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0440-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0440-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0440-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0440-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5d400e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d5d400e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>How to Book Tickets for The Do\u011fu Express<\/p>\n<p>We had significant trouble booking at first, and we discovered that it&#8217;s because men and women are not allowed to share a compartment unless they are alone. Additionally, we couldn\u2019t book an entire compartment for two people online.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, we emailed\u00a0<i>info@ambertravel.com<\/i>, and we quickly secured a private compartment\u2014possibly because we traveled in\u00a0November, when demand isn\u2019t as high.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that if you are traveling with\u00a0Eurail\/Interrail, it\u00a0cannot\u00a0be used for this journey. The ticket must be purchased separately and costs for a private compartment\u00a0<b>\u20ac140 (2024)<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>Be aware that there are two types of departures \u2013 a\u00a0<b>special tourist departure<\/b>\u00a0and a\u00a0<b>regular one<\/b>. The\u00a0tourist version<b>\u00a0<\/b>is more expensive, takes longer, and stops at selected sightseeing spots.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4801fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b4801fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Once you\u2019ve settled into the slightly worn-out compartment, the first thing to do is make up your bed so you can sit or lie comfortably and enjoy the\u00a0stunning scenery\u00a0unfolding as long as there\u2019s daylight.<\/p>\n<p>The train passes through one breathtaking landscape after another, and the\u00a0morning views are absolutely spectacular\u2014you\u2019ll realize this when all the Instagrammers have taken over every window in the corridor.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a\u00a0dining car\u00a0on board, which is fine for a simple meal or a coffee, but keep your expectations low.<\/p>\n<p>And if the food and drinks are basic, the\u00a0toilets are on an entirely different level\u2014rock bottom. They are already\u00a0disgusting at the start\u00a0of the journey, and needless to say, things only get worse. It\u2019s unbelievable that they can\u2019t be kept clean\u2014by either passengers or staff\u2014but that\u2019s just the reality.<\/p>\n<p>Pro tip:\u00a0Bring\u00a0toilet paper and hand sanitizer\u2014you\u2019ll need it. Also, be prepared to\u00a0wipe your shoes, because when you brush your teeth or do anything else, you\u2019ll quite literally be\u00a0standing in urine.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff61f8f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff61f8f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>How We Got to Ankara from Istanbul<\/b><\/p>\n<p>We took the high-speed train from S\u00f6\u011f\u00fctl\u00fc\u00e7e\u015fme in Istanbul to Ankara, which took about 4.5 hours. The journey counted as a travel day on our Interrail pass, but we had to book seat reservations separately at the station the day before departure.<\/p>\n<p>In Ankara, we arrived at the new train station, but to find the Do\u011fu Express, you need to go to the old station right next door. Ask around, as the platform information on the screens isn\u2019t always correct. Also, look for the train itself\u2014if we had waited 30 minutes longer on the wrong platform, we would have missed it!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85683b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"85683b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you&#8217;re really unlucky\u2014and we speak from experience\u2014you might end up in a compartment next to a couple of over-sized men, who smoke constantly (just like the conductor) and make noise pretty much the entire journey (just like the conductor) in every possible and sometimes rather unpleasant way.<\/p>\n<p>And yet, despite all the above, it\u2019s an absolutely memorable trip. The key is to bring the right amount of food, drinks, and essentials\u2014like a pair of earplugs\u2014and to manage your expectations. Anticipate everything we\u2019ve described here, and you\u2019ll be prepared not to be disappointed. Then, just sit back and enjoy a cozy mode of travel, a unique view, and an unforgettable journey across Turkey.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11b31e6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"11b31e6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dd1c2d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5dd1c2d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8732a54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"8732a54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"4b\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ab4f4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ab4f4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>4b. Kars<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Kars is a historic city in northeastern Turkey, near the Armenian border. It has a little more than 90.000 inhabitants and is known for its harsh winters and stunning landscapes.<\/p>\n<p>It sits at an altitude of about 1,800 meters and has a rich history influenced by Armenian, Russian, and Ottoman rule, reflected in its unique and diverse architecture. The city has a distinct Russian architectural style, a legacy from its time under Russian control from 1878 to 1920.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>One of its main attractions is Ani, the ruins of a medieval Armenian capital, often called the city of 1,001 churches. Kars Castle, overlooking the city, offers panoramic views \u2013 from there you can see into Armenia, and with a little imagination it\u2019s almost as if you see into both Iran and Georgia as well. Alle three countries borders close by with Turkey.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Kars is especially famous for its Kars gravyer cheese, a type of aged cheese similar to Swiss Gruy\u00e8re. There is a cheese shop on almost every street, and the city center is charming but also worn down.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Kars is a gateway for visitors like us traveling on the Do\u011fu Express, and despite its remote location, Kars remains a cultural and historical gem in Turkey. It\u2019s worth a visit, but 1-2 days here is enough.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b56d21c e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b56d21c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d17c5be elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d17c5be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0445-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1553\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0445-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0445-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0445-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0445-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0445-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a119fc7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a119fc7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0446-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1555\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0446-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0446-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0446-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0446-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0446-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-703729c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"703729c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0453-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1554\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0453-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0453-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0453-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0453-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0453-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-560ff3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"560ff3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0455-1-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1556\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0455-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0455-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0455-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0455-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0455-1.jpg 1798w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34d2436 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"34d2436\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0464-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1421\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0464-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0464-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0464-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0464-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0464.jpg 1811w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8bd8ba e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a8bd8ba\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0f09b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e0f09b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>When You Arrive in Kars<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The train arrives late in the evening, so it\u2019s wise to have your accommodation booked in advance. We had reserved a room at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.fr\/maps\/place\/Grand+Ani+Hotel\/@40.6019285,43.0969969,3a,75y\/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipNuonErQUvWyldTcIh_kCz19nZ_KarL6xxhkqYN!2e10!3e12!6shttps:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/p\/AF1QipNuonErQUvWyldTcIh_kCz19nZ_KarL6xxhkqYN=w129-h86-k-no!7i7008!8i4672!4m13!1m2!2m1!1sHoteller!3m9!1s0x40698ed7587bc191:0x6960a3369fd3ff58!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d40.6019817!4d43.0970814!10e5!16s\/g\/11b6hpxls6?entry=ttu&amp;g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIyNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==\">Gran Ani Hotel<\/a>, a four-star hotel with a spa, as we wanted to treat ourselves after weeks of traveling by train and staying in Airbnb\u2019s. <br \/>It was a bit of a walk to the hotel, but we needed the exercise and chose to ignore the taxis waiting outside.<\/p>\n<p><b>Are you continuing to Georgia?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>After a night in Kars, we took a bus to the Turkish town of\u00a0Hopa.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Head to the <a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/yzYo6v6nKQ8Kxczx6\">bus station in Kars<\/a>, \u00a0find the <i>Ye\u015fil Artvin Express<\/i>\u00a0office, and ask for a ticket to Hopa. Our bus left around 10 AM and took 6.5 hours. If you\u2019re staying a day in Kars, book your ticket the day before; otherwise, arrive early to find the office and secure your spot.<\/p>\n<p>The journey in the bus was long, winding, and full of sharp turns\u2014several people on our minibus got carsick, so be prepared. That said, the scenery was absolutely breathtaking.<br \/>There\u2019s a break along the way, but bringing your own food and drinks is a good idea.<\/p>\n<p>Once in Hopa, cross the street from the bus stop and ask for a minibus to Sarp. It\u2019s a short 30-minute ride, and you pay onboard.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At Sarp, you\u2019ll find a border crossing that feels a lot like an airport. get dropped off at the entrance and walk through passport control.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66ae665 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"66ae665\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0448-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1552\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0448-1-scaled-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0448-1-scaled-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0448-1-scaled-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0448-1-scaled-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TurkiIMG_0448-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74234ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"74234ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_0474-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1031\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_0474-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_0474-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_0474-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_0474-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_0474-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c40b7af elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"c40b7af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"5\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64e04b6 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"64e04b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInUp&quot;,&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Random<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3219504 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3219504\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00ef<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Turkey is indeed part of Europe, but don&#8217;t expect it to be like the rest of Europe \u2013 especially when it comes to alcohol. It is not a common part of daily life here, and most restaurants don&#8217;t serve it at all. Exceptions are parts of Istanbul, but even here, it is still common not to have it. And we got along just fine without it.<\/p>\n<p>\u00ef<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>On the other hand, tea is a huge part of daily life. Turkey is reportedly the most tea-drinking country in the world, and they\u2019ll almost look at you strangely if you don\u2019t have it after a meal or when you arrive at a hotel. By the way, they make great tea, and you actually get a bit addicted to it while you&#8217;re there.<\/p>\n<p>\u00ef<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Another part of everyday life is smoking. Men in Turkey smoke like chimneys, and it is still allowed to smoke in restaurants, cafes, and many other places. And if it&#8217;s not allowed, they\u2019re usually completely indifferent to it. Expect your bus or taxi driver to light a cigarette as soon as the engine starts.<\/p>\n<p>\u00ef<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>When you visit Istanbul, expect to go through security checks everywhere. In large stores, at tourist attractions, and even at a promenade by the sea. But be glad they are looking out for you rather than being annoyed by it.<\/p>\n<p>\u00ef<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>If you&#8217;re a coffee drinker, you should try Turkish coffee, which stands out significantly from the coffee brewing in our part of the world. It\u2019s finely ground coffee mixed with water in a small copper pot and slowly heated. It is served in small cups, where you let the coffee grounds settle at the bottom.<\/p>\n<p>\u00ef<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Istanbul is a city full of cats \u2013 a fun change when you&#8217;ve just traveled through a series of countries that are dog cities. In Istanbul, there are feeding stations in many places, and at bars and restaurants, they often take up part of the seating areas.<\/p>\n<p>\u00ef<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Turkey is famous for its<b>\u00a0<\/b>traditional hammams<b>\u00a0<\/b>or Turkish baths. They were once an essential part of social life and still offer a relaxing and cleansing experience with a scrub-down and massage.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Visited in November\/December 2024 Turkey Content: Overall ImpressionIstanbul2a. Things we did or saw2b. Where we wined and dined3. Gastronomy4.Outside of Istanbul4a. The ekspress4b. Kars5. Random 1. Overall Impression We arrived in Istanbul after traveling through, among others, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania in Eastern Europe, and one of the first things that struck us was the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1601","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1601"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1783,"href":"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1601\/revisions\/1783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/justtravellers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}