Life & Style - turkofamerica.com

Trends in Turkish Tourism: Expat Tours

By Elizabeth Gündoğdu
Ever dreamed of life abroad? Being able to enjoy a country as a non-native, but with all the benefits of local knowledge? Imagine visiting old friends who've relocated to an exotic place. They'd take you to all their favorite places off the beaten track, and guide you through the major attractions knowing just what you'd most like to see and do.

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

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Worlds Apart, Together in Turkey

By Valerie Block*
I’d been dating Musa for several months when he told me he was going back home to Turkey. I figured it was goodbye boyfriend, but he surprised me by phoning often. Two months into his absence, I was on a plane to Istanbul!

February 15, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

Dangers of Turkish Travel

By Catherine Salter Bayar *
As a Californian clothing designer in my thirties, I’d traveled alone on business to at least 40 countries worldwide. When I announced that I intended to travel solo in Turkey in 1998, however, I was bombarded with warnings from concerned friends about the danger inherent in my plan.

February 15, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

A Weird American

By Nathan Redd
I’ve been called a lot of things in my life, but “weird American” has probably taken the top spot in recent years. There are many reasons I’ve been called this, but my following the game of futbol (I refuse to call it “soccer”) is one of the major ones.

February 15, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

Cappadocia, A World of Caves in the Middle of Turkey

By Pat Yale
Stick a pin into the middle of a map of Turkey, and chances are that you will hit Cappadocia, that wild and wonderful part of the country where a combination of prehistoric volcanic activity and much more recent erosion have created a crazy, mixed-up landscape of soaring rock cones (‘fairy chimneys’) and deep gorges.

February 15, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

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The Pearl of the Aegean

By Ayşe Önal Zamboğlu – San Francisco
There are a couple of cities in every country with distinct characters. When you visit such a city, it tells a fairly different story than the rest. If you are planning to visit wonderful Turkey, İzmir will show you a different side of Turkish culture and heritage very well.

February 15, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Ayse Onal Z.

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Selcuk: Aegean Hot Spot

By Catherine Salter Bayar*
This historical valley on Turkey’s West Coast has more than its share of diverse cultural attractions – from centuries of wonders at Ephesus, a city founded by a mythical tribe of women warriors known as Amazons, embellished by King Croesus, liberated by Alexander the Great and nearly as important as Rome – to the tomb of Jesus’ favorite disciple and last home of the Virgin Mary, both sites of Christian pilgrimage, as well as a charming Ottoman village best known for its traditional pleasures of homemade wines and handmade lace.

February 15, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

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Incentive and Congress Tourism Boosts In Turkey

By Müge Emirgil
Turkey’s tourism sector has undergone an accelerated rate of growth in the past three decades. In a sharp rise from the annual 500,000 visitors at the end of the 1970s, 2007 saw 24 million tourists visit the country (12 million of whom came from EU member states).

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

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Istanbul's Most Revealing Market

By Anastasia M. Ashman*
I’m bouncing along in a stream of shoppers at a neighborhood pazar, or weekly general street market. Tented for protection from the hot midday sun, this narrow Istanbul road in a residential district called Ulus is lined with merchandise that wasn’t here a few hours ago and will disappear in a few more: rows and rows of olives in plastic tubs, stands of feta cheese, and wooden carts packed with squash straight from the farm.

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

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Istanbul's Oldest Synagogue: Ahrida

By Büşra İpekçi
Jews, Greeks, Bulgarians, Armenians and Roma have all had a presence there and still inhabit the area in smaller numbers. Due to its formerly predominant Jewish population, Balat developed in a way that reflects Jewish architectural character.

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

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Symbol of Turkish - Jewish Amity: The Zulfaris Synagogue

By Naim Güleryüz
A city straddling two continents, Asia and Europe, Istanbul is at the same time a bridge linking Eastern and Western cultures. It is the world's only city where for five centuries people have worshipped in peace and harmony at mosques, synagogues and churches standing side by side.

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

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A Thumbs-Up to Investors from the Real Estate Sector

The stability that the Turkish economy has attained, the steps taken towards European Union membership, and the huge influx of Gulf capital have all pushed Turkey's real estate sector into a dynamic position. There is a huge boom occurring right now in real estate, ranging from housing to industrial construction, and shopping center to hotel construction.

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

Istanbul's Top Tourist Sites

By Kathy Hamilton
Istanbul’s rich past spans thousands of years and numerous empires, creating a historic mosaic encompassing the city, as well as two continents. With so much to see and explore, it can be overwhelming for the first time visitor to try to decide which sites are ‘must-sees’ in order to have a sampling of Istanbul’s varied past. The top sites on any itinerary should include the following places.

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

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Key Facts About Turkish Tourism

• Great geographical advantage - one quarter of the world’s population can be reached within four hours of flight time.
• Tourism is the fastest developing sector in Turkey.

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism
Written by Admin TOA

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