CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Turkish Airlines Long Layover Posted on October 3, 2018November 15, 2025 Free City Tour of Istanbul I love long layovers if it allows me to explore a new city. And Turkish Airlines offers a great perk if you have a long layover Istanbul. They offer ticket holders a free Istanbul tour. It’s a great option if you have at least a… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES How to Fall in Love with Istanbul Posted on October 1, 2018December 20, 2025 It’s so easy to fall in love with Istanbul. The city is so beautiful– so romantic, it resembles the set of an epic love story. Romance in Istanbul is around every corner. You can smell it, hear, feel it with each step. And every street brings you face to face with a… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Best Things to Do on the European Side of Istanbul Posted on September 29, 2018July 24, 2026 I love Istanbul, Turkey. Apart from its architectural beauty, it’s also the only city in the world that straddles two continents– Europe and Asia. The Asian side does have its share of attractions– especially the food stalls and cafes in Kadiköy Market. However, the majority of the well-known tourist attractions… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES How to Experience Istanbul’s Asian Side Like a Local Posted on September 27, 2018February 26, 2026 Because they visit the more popular areas, most first-time visitors skip the Asian side of Istanbul. That’s a shame, since it’s one of the best places to enjoy authentic Turkish food and drink. While the European side has the big tourist attractions, the Asian side offers a calmer pace, welcoming… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Visiting Turkey as an American: What You Need to Know Posted on September 17, 2018July 24, 2026 Is Turkey Safe for American Tourists? I hope so. Because we are going there for a couple of days later this month. And I’m really excited to see some of the things I missed on my last trip. But politics in Turkey, like many places around the world, is relatively unstable right now. So, it makes since that we keep vigilant and ask the question before and not after we go. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES How to Get a Turkish eVisa in 10 Minutes Posted on August 20, 2018December 20, 2025 Getting a Turkish eVisa will probably save you time. It will definitely save you money. And more than likely save you some peace of mind in a country that will test your patience. Actually, it’s also pretty darn easy. How to Get a Turkish eVisa in 10 minutes or less. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD How to Pay Rent in South Korea Posted on March 11, 2018November 15, 2025 Paying rent in South Korea is not as easy as writing a check. American military who live off-base has to go through a few steps in order to pay rent to their Korean Landlord. It seems complicated at first but becomes just one of those things you have to fo… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Experience the Signature House Special at Darband Bar & Lounge Posted on October 19, 2017November 16, 2025 A hookah, also known as a water pipe, features a bowl for holding tobacco, a pipe, and one or more hoses for inhaling the smoke. Available in various sizes and styles, hookahs are popular worldwide for their leisurely smoking experience. Many enthusiasts argue that smoking from a hookah offers a more relaxed alternative to cigarettes. However, this raises the question: Are there any drawbacks to this method compared to cigarette smoking? Intrigued by these considerations, I decided to explore this further by trying the House Special at Darband, a well-known hookah lounge. Read more