Turkey is a country that has a lot of history, and the people there are very proud of it. Of course, you may have heard in the media that some bad things happened a while ago. Something about a coup d’etat. However, that does not mean the country is not safe for tourists. In fact, that has not changed at all, which is why Turkey receives a lot of visitors each year. If you want to go there as well, you should know that there are plenty of places and traditions you can enjoy. The Turkish people are generally welcoming, and you will know that every single time you are offered a cup of tea. Before you leave, there are some rules you need to follow. Just like in any other country you may go to, you need to know a list of dos and don’ts. It is traveling 101. You cannot travel without knowing what you are allowed and not when you visit a new location. With that being said, here is what you need to know before going to Turkey. The first thing you need to be aware of is that you need to follow a dress code. As you may very well know, Turkey is a country mostly populated by Muslims. Even if you are a tourist, you cannot walk around wearing just about anything. There are no specific rules for men, but women should always wear clothes that cover the shoulders and the knees. Also, if you are a woman and you want to visit a mosque, you need to have a scarf that you can cover your head with before entering. Another rule about entering a religious site is that you cannot keep your shoes on, regardless of the gender. Speaking of restrictions, Turkish people frown upon public displays of affection. It may seem odd to you, but they do not like seeing people kissing or hugging in public. It is okay if you and your partner are holding hands, but that is just about it. However, Turkey is not a country known for its tolerance for LGBT couples, so even if it is just holding hands, they will still give you a dissatisfied glance. If you ever find yourself in Turkey during the Muslim’s month of fasting, which called Ramadan, you should avoid eating in public from dawn until dusk. You do not have to fast with them, of course, but you should at least respect their tradition. They are holding this tradition very dearly, and you do not want to show disrespect. Leaving restrictions aside, there are a whole bunch of things that you can do in Turkey that will entertain you. You cannot visit Turkey without going to one of their famous bazaars. The smell when you get there will make you want to live in one of those markets. You can find all kinds of things from souvenirs and other merchandise to spices and pastries. And the pastries are to die for. You need to try their baklava. You will never manage to replicate the recipe, no matter how much you try. When visiting bazaars or other markets, you should probably prepare your skills. Turkish people love to bargain, and if you see products that do not have a price tag on them, it means that the seller expects you to give an offer. It can be fun to bargain with a Turkish vendor, just make sure that you let him or her know that you are doing it for fun. You do not want to leave the impression that the products on sale are not worth their value. At the same time, you can expect to be ripped off once or twice. The prices will not be the same during different tours, and in Turkey, it is all about connections. However, do not take it as an insult. Treat it as experience and move on. There is no need for confrontation or anything. Your loss is not worth the conflict. Food in Turkey is absolutely delicious. The Turkish cuisine can satisfy all diets, and if you are a vegetarian, you should probably know that the people there can make any vegetable taste amazing with some olive oil and spices. When you are invited to eat with someone, it can be construed as rude to not eat everything on your plate. The thing is that Turkish meals are pretty significant, but since the food is delicious, you should not have too many issues leaving your plate clean. You will be drinking a lot of coffee and tea in Turkey, but try to avoid tap water since it does not have the best quality. Especially if you have a sensitive stomach, it is recommended that you always buy bottled water. Remember that Turkey is more than Istanbul, Ankara, and other such large cities. There are beautiful landscapes all over the country, and you should not limit yourself to the urban areas. Sure, you may not have the same facilities, but keep in mind that Turkey has mountains and sea. You can take a tour through nature and admire the beautiful scenery. If you want to lay on the beach all day, one of the tourists’ favorite is Antalya. It is a small piece of paradise where people go to have an exotic (ish) vacation. Unlike other Muslim countries, Turkey does allow alcohol drinking. The locals are not drinkers, but they are aware of the tourists. Even so, you will not find alcoholic beverages in all stores. You may have to look for a while. International hotels usually have alcohol on their bars’ shelves, but you can ask the locals where to get a beer from as well. Turkey has plenty of attractions to offer. You will have a wonderful time there. Just do not leave Turkey without visiting the famous Turkish hammams. You probably heard about the Turkish baths. It is an incredibly relaxing experience, and nobody in the world can replicate the Turkish hammam like the Turkish. Obviously. Other than that, enjoy Turkey, even if you are somewhat restricted.
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