Understanding Turkish Culture
Turkey is a country rich in culture, with a history spanning thousands of years. To travel alone in Turkey is to gain an insight into this world, with its complex traditions and ancient practices. It is also an opportunity to gain an understanding of the country’s hospitality and warmth. From its wonderful landscapes to its people and their customs, one can gain an appreciation for the rhythms of daily life in the land of Turks. To make sure travelers make the most of their time and truly experience Turkey, here are some tips for travelers to be aware of.
Safety Considerations
As with any destination, it’s important to familiarize yourself with local customs, laws, warnings, and advisories before travelling. While Turkey is generally quite safe, it’s best to take precautions and know your boundaries. Research the area you’ll be visiting and the people therein for any potential problems, while always maintaining a high level of vigilance in unpredictable places. Additionally, when travelling alone, familiarize yourself with the local language to ensure you can communicate any dangerous or uncomfortable situations you may find yourself in.
Accommodation and Transport
From cruise ships that criss-cross the Aegean Sea to cozy hotels tucked away in the quiet hills, travellers have a spectrum of options for lodging and transportation in Turkey. However, in pursuit of cost-effectiveness or overall convenience, visitors should consider taking buses or car rentals, depending on their plans. Train and plane tickets can be a great help as well if wanting to travel longer distances. When looking for suitable accommodation, travellers should always ensure the hostel or hotel they’re staying at is in a safe neighbourhood and, even more important, registered with the city’s local government.
Make Local Friends
No experience in Turkey would be complete without learning about the everyday culture and making a few local friends. Whether chatting with the friendly barista in Istanbul or taking a tour with a local guide in Ankara, making connections is an essential for going off the beaten path and getting to know the real Turkey. What’s more, locals always have the best tips for “secretly hidden” tourist spots and recommendations on lesser-known restaurants and bars.
Try Traditional Meals
From vibrant streetfood to homely stews, Turkey is a paradise for foodies. As with the rest of the country, this experience can be best gained by connecting with locals and getting tips from them. Turkish cuisine, in particular, is much more than just kebab and the traditional tea served in a tulip-like glass. To gain insight into something special, take the time to eat in unsuspecting restaurants that only locals usually know about. Not only can one discover the beauty of Turkish cuisine, but with local knowledge, one can also experience the distinctiveness of each region.
Discover a Diverse Landscape
Beyond its vast cultural heritage and exquisite meals, Turkey has an equally diverse landscape. From the lovely beaches of Bodrum to the ice-capped peaks of Mount Ararat, the varied terrain can be explored however the traveller wishes. Whether travelling alone or taking an organised tour, a range of outdoor activities such as trekking, biking, and canoeing can be experienced. Turkey is also home to several archaeological sites, including the ruins of Sillyon in Lycia, the Ionian Greek city of Miletus, and the ancient city of Ephesus. Visiting these locations can help visitors gain a better understanding of Turkish history and culture.
Health and Hygiene
Given the mix of countries that have occupied the land over the centuries, Turkish cuisine creates a unique flavour through its fusion of rich spices. Although this can be quite wholesome, those with sensitive stomachs should stick to using distilled water, avoid uncooked foods, and avoid consuming dairy products or meat from roadside vendors. Additionally, to avoid minor inconveniences during travels, visitors should take with them some basic hygiene items such as a wet wipe, toilet paper, and a hand sanitizer. Since the summer months see temperatures soar over 35 degrees Celsius, travellers should also consider taking precautions against sunstroke.
Planning Ahead and Being Flexible
Travelling solo can be both liberating and unnerving at times. To better enjoy the experience, travelers should plan ahead and book tickets ahead of time, as this will help to avoid surprises such as costly last-minute tickets and overpriced accommodation. To add flexibility to the trip, consider opting for bus rides or hiring a rental car, catering to both budget and convenience. Even if not traveling alone, Turkey can often be quite challenging to explore. Travelers should thereby consider staying an extra day in case of unanticipated delays or unexpected itinerary changes.
Remaining Connected
Staying connected is an important part of the traveling process, even if that means only checking in on friends and family during meal breaks. To ensure connectivity during trips, travellers should consider ensuring their mobile device is unlocked with a local SIM card or access to local WiFi spots. Carrying an international power adapter helps too in recharging multiple devices when needed. Keeping up with the news is also important, hence it’s best to stay abreast with the region’s news and trends.
Keeping Track of Important Documents
Travelling solo also involves more responsibility in making sure important documents are not lost. To this end, it’s advisable to make photocopies of important documents should the originals ever be lost or stolen. This can range from passport copies and ticket stubs to copies of bankcards and receipts kept in two different places like the hotel safe and a bag pack. For those bringing money with them, ensuring it is kept in different places is a must; exactly how much currency, credit cards, and money transfers should be needed during trips is important to consider beforehand.
Engaging in Local Experiences
No trip to Turkey can be complete without engaging in local experiences, such as visiting the public baths in Istanbul, spending the day relaxing in a mud pool in Pamukkale, or soaking up the renowned nightlife in Bodrum. Unexpected cultural activities, such as attending a rural village wedding, watching a snake charmer in a small village, or participating in religious ceremonies should also be embraced. Additionally, to ensure an enriching cultural experience, the traveler should carefully consider attending both high- and low-profile festivals, blending with the crowd and immersing themselves in an unfamiliar world.
