Ruth Terry

Ruth Terryhttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/ruth-terryRuth Terryhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/middle-east/turkey/off-the-beaten-path-turkeyNomad Ruth shares her secrets for discovering Turkish history and culture and avoiding the crowds.2020-12-08T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/middle-east/turkey/off-the-beaten-path-turkeyhttps://www.worldnomads.comAs any seasoned traveler will tell you, the most memorable travel moments take place when you veer <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-avoid-the-masses-when-you-travel">off the well-trod tourist trail</a>. This seems especially true in Turkey, where layers of history seem to effortlessly coexist and “off the beaten path” is often just a few steps away – or even right in front of you, if you know where to look. Here are a few of my favorite experiences around the country. <ul> <li><a href="#tahtakale">Shopping in Tahtakale, Istanbul</a></li> <li><a href="#burgazada">Quiet beaches on Burgazada Island</a></li> <li><a href="#gokceada">The former Greek island of Gökçeada</a></li> <li><a href="#ankara">Turkish history in Ankara</a></li> <li><a href="#gobekli">Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa (home of Göbekli Tepe)</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="tahtakale">Shopping in Tahtakale, Istanbul</h2> Most Istanbul visitors head to the Grand Bazaar to shop when they’re in the Old Town. But only a few make it to Tahtakale, the warren of narrow streets behind the Spice Bazaar, where every street has something different on offer. I’m a die-hard DIYer, and Tahtakale is where I hunt for my supplies: Wavy, Rapunzelesque hanks of raffia for a crochet basket. Fine wire mesh to form the bones of a papier-mache dragon sculpture. Plastic, cafeteria-style trays to lay out the magazine cut-outs I use for collages. Many stalls supply other merchants, from salons to restaurants, which makes Tahtakale a great place to find unexpected <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/mindful-souvenir-shopping">souvenirs</a> – wooden honey dippers, hammocks, gemstone slices and geodes, black cumin seed oil – in addition to typical trinkets like refrigerator magnets and Turkish delight. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/turkey-off-beaten-path/turkey-tahtakale-yunlutas.jpg" alt="Wooden utensils for sale in the Tahtakale shopping district of central Istanbul." /> <figcaption>Wooden utensils for sale in Tahtakale. Photo credit: Getty Images / yunlutas</figcaption></figure> Wandering past stores selling mop heads, plastic bins, and cheap light fixtures, you might not guess how much history is all around you. Many shops are actually in refurbished hans – the Turkish precursor to the shopping mall – like the recently restored Beta Yeni Han, where you can buy coffee, tea, dried fruit, and collectibles. Rüstem Paşa Mosque is as memorable for the patchwork of cobalt and turquoise outside as it is for its serene interior. And I always find myself entranced by the rich, earthy smell of roasting coffee wafting through Tahtakale from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, a coffee roastery that has operated as a family business since 1871. It’s easy to lose yourself in Tahtakale – literally and figuratively – and I highly recommend that you do. <h2 id="burgazada">Quiet beaches on Burgazada Island</h2> Burgazada is one of the smaller Princes’ Islands, an archipelago that lies about an hour outside Istanbul by ferry. Like many tourists and locals, I’d been to nearby Büyükada and done the obligatory horse-drawn carriage ride. But until a friend suggested a <a href="/explore/worldwide/visiting-major-cities-during-the-pandemic">weekend trip to Burgazada this summer</a>, this island wasn’t really even on my radar. I’m so glad she did. There is blissfully little to do on Burgazada, so even in the height of summer, it is calm – and socially distanced. There is one boutique, some convenience stores, one tiny hipster cafe, and a handful of restaurants serving meze, small plates like sea bass in mustard sauce, broad beans in savory sauce, and briny samphire (a personal favorite). You can take in the stunning panorama of Istanbul’s Asian side while strolling along the coast road that stretches around most of the island. Or take an electric minibus to access the interior of the island more quickly. The Greek Orthodox church of St. John the Baptist is the island’s most visible landmark. Its history stretches back to the Byzantine era, and its domed design reflects that Greco-Roman heritage. Personally, I head straight for the beach. Burgazada stretches steeply up from sea level and, with the island at your back, even popular spots feel as enclosed as private swimming holes. I love a rugged coastline, and Burgazada’s beaches, with their craggy rock formations and pebbly shorelines peppered with sea glass, do not disappoint. <h2 id="gokceada">The former Greek island of Gökçeada</h2> Burgazada is not the only island known for its Greek heritage. Homer name-dropped Gökçeada, known then as Imbros, in his epic tales. Formerly part of <a href="/explore/europe/greece">Greece</a>, the Treaty of Lausanne ceded the ruggedly beautiful island, situated about 9mi (15km) from the Gallipoli peninsula, to Turkey at the end of World War I. This kicked off a “population exchange” between Turkey and Greece that displaced more than 1.5 million people. Göçkeada was not part of the 1923 exchange; however, in the 1960s, Greek inhabitants were forced to leave and abandon their properties, modern ruins that are still visible today. Glimmers of Greek culture linger on Gökçeada – businesses like the Baba Yorga winery and restaurants serving Greek cuisine. Occasionally, you’ll hear an elder speaking in Greek. The island is becoming popular as a summer destination for Greek visitors, as it lies just two hours away from the country by ferry, and there are a few boutique hotels and cafes sprinkled around the hilly terrain. Take time to visit the small market where you can buy aromatic mint and dried thyme, fruit molasses, and handmade olive oil soap, as well as the family-run apiary that sells honey from lavender-fed bees. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/turkey-off-beaten-path/turkey-gokceada-YONCA60.jpg" alt="A table at a terrace restaurant overlooking vineyards on the Turkish island of Gokceada." /> <figcaption>A terrace cafe overlooking vineyards on Gökçeada. Photo credit: Getty Images / YONCA60</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="ankara">Turkish history in Ankara</h2> In our first years in Turkey, expat friends – who usually had never actually been to Ankara – recommended we avoid Ankara because “there’s nothing there.” When we finally took a weekend trip there (it’s a comfortable four-hour train ride from Istanbul) we were pleasantly surprised at how much the city had to offer. The capital is replete with Brutalist architecture, a mid-century international style typified by clean lines and raw materials. The Middle East Technical University, designed by architect Behruz Çinici, who was inspired by regional Turkish structures like Anatolian flat-roofed homes, is particularly noteworthy. Hamamönü, a charmingly restored 19th-century Ottoman village now filled with restaurants and sidewalk cafes, is the perfect counterpoint to all this architectural austerity. Walking around Anıtkabir, the dramatic and imposing mausoleum complex where modern Turkey’s founder, Atatürk, is buried, taught me more about Turkish national identity than any history book I’ve read. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/turkey-off-beaten-path/turkey-ataturk.jpg" alt="A bas-relief sculpture at Ataturk's mausoleum in Ankara." /> <figcaption>A bas-relief sculpture at Atatürk's mausoleum in Ankara. Photo credit: Ruth Terry</figcaption></figure> Ankara delivers on ancient history, too. The Ankara Castle is a hilltop fortress dating back to the 8th century B.C. that offers a 360-degree panorama of the city. There are also the ruins of a Roman bath complex and temple. Finally, in a country filled with great museums, Ankara has my favorite. The Museum of Anatolian Civilization is home to the mother goddess figurine discovered at the seminal Çatalhöyük archaeological site, as well as massive stone slabs featuring Anatolian hieroglyphics. <h2 id="gobekli">Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa (home of Göbekli Tepe)</h2> Southeast of Ankara, Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa offer even more opportunities to delve deep into Turkey’s ancient past. To see how the ancient Romans – who settled into the area circa 60 B.C. – once lived, head to the expansive Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep, which houses exquisite mosaics depicting scenes of daily life. The Gaziantep Museum of Archaeology features tools and objects from as far back in human history as the Bronze Age. For more modern metalwork, head to Gaziantep’s Coppersmith’s Bazaar, where master craftspeople make and ply their wares. No trip to Gaziantep would be complete without sampling two local delicacies: the regional version of baklava, and its culinary cousin, katmer, ground pistachios layered into tissue-thin layers of crackly pastry. <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/explore/turkey-off-beaten-path/turkey-mosaic-2.jpg" alt="An ancient mosaic of domestic animals at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep, Turkey." /> <figcaption>Ancient mosaic at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep. Photo credit: Ruth Terry</figcaption></figure> From Gaziantep, head by car or bus to Şanlıurfa. The picturesque two-hour drive will lead you across the Euphrates River, said to border the Garden of Eden. The area was also allegedly the birthplace of Abraham, a prophetic figure in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. You can pay your homage at the Balıklıgöl, a lake that, according to legend, formed spontaneously when King Nemrut attempted to burn Abraham alive. The fire turned to water, and the wood into the sacred carp that still live in the lake today. Şanlıurfa’s main draw, Göbekli Tepe, predates all of this by millennia, providing evidence of human activity as early as the 10th century B.C. Göbekli Tepe may be the world’s first temple, making it one of the most significant archeological discoveries of all time. A center of worship amidst rolling meadows, the small excavation features otherworldly stone megaliths – some up to 18ft (5.5m) tall and weighing in around 16 tons (14,500kg) – painstakingly carved with scorpions, animals, and birds. I was awed by the site, but I found myself completely immersed in the very 21st-century exhibition at the small, on-site museum. I think it’s technically for kids, but I was so entranced by the projected images of ancient human activity and swirling night skies – all set to crescendoing drum music – that I went through it three times. Göbekli Tepe is certainly off the beaten path, but it is well worth the effort of getting there.Ruth Terry 0 Ruth Terry Ancient monoliths at Göbekli Tepe temple in Turkey.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/middle-east/turkey/turkey-scams-cons-and-shady-dealingsHow can you spot con artists in Turkey? Our Nomad shares her tips on how to spot scammers and dodgy carpet salesmen.2022-04-21T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/turkey/turkey-scams-cons-and-shady-dealingshttps://www.worldnomads.comThe first time I went to a local street pazar (weekly market) I was mesmerized by symmetrical displays of aromatic cantaloupes, lush cherries and juicy peaches on one stall, and nuts, plump dates and sweet dried apricots on another. I excitedly pointed out what I wanted and even though I tried to explain how much and how many of each, the vendors packed my bags so full I walked out with enough fresh and dried fruit to set up my own market stall. I wasn’t scammed exactly. After all, I got what I paid for and everything tasted great, even the erik (green plums) I didn’t set out to buy. However I paid out more than I’d planned, and a lot more than on subsequent visits. I look on it as a good learning experience and I’ve learned a lot of lessons that will keep you from getting taken advantage of during your trip to Turkey. The first one is the upsell (remember the erik?). While the upsell might not technically be considered a rip-off, pretty much every scam can be avoided if you <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/middle-east/turkey/essential-safety-advice-for-travelers-in-turkey">do some research</a> and set boundaries before you go. Taking the time to understand cultural nuances is a great way to prevent yourself from being duped. Armed with knowledge, you can relax and enjoy interactions with people, and be able to identify problematic behavior or possible threats, should they come your way. Here’s what you need to know to prevent two common scams before they even start. <ul> <li><a href="#drink"> When a stranger invites you for a drink </a></li> <li><a href="#carpet"> How to know you’re buying a real Turkish carpet </a></li> <li><a href="#scams">Other scams to be aware of in Turkey</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="drink">When a stranger invites you for a drink</h2> Turkey has a rich and deeply ingrained <a href="https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/turkish-culture/turkish-culture-core-concepts">hospitality culture</a>, in part due to the <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/turkey/how-strict-is-islam-in-turkey" title="How Strict is Islam in Turkey? Tips for Travelers">influence of Islam</a>. Locals take great pride in their history, cultural heritage, and national identity and are eager to share it with visitors. Talking to tourists, and even asking direct or personal questions, is normal and doesn’t necessarily mean the local in question has an ulterior motive. Especially in Sultanahmet and surrounding neighborhoods, including the Grand Bazaar, it’s customary for vendors to strike up conversations and offer you a tea or small gift, a hediye. However, don’t accept “free” jewelry, chewing gum or flowers from random people on the street – unless you want to pay for it and be stuck carrying a flower around all day. Similarly, if a person offers you an alcoholic drink or invites you to a bar, that’s a red flag. Alcohol is heavily taxed and very expensive relative to other goods in Turkey, making it extremely unlikely anyone is going to offer you booze for free. A common scam, usually targeting lone male travelers, goes like this: A man will approach you, say hello and engage you in conversation, and then ask if you want to get a drink. He’ll recommend a bar or restaurant, saying it has the best wine or the best kebab and insist on taking you there. Once seated, you may be joined by a group of women or some of his friends. At the end of the night, you’ll find yourself in possession of an inflated bill. If you refuse to pay, things could get very nasty. Fortunately, this scam is incredibly easy to avoid. The internet veritably teems with reviews of bars and restaurants. Choose to go to reputable ones with positive reviews. If your new “friend” insists that you only go to this particular bar he knows, and won't compromise on an alternative, don’t go with him. You can always find drinking buddies at trusted establishments recommended on review sites. While you’re online, check out the <a href="https://www.osac.gov/Country/Turkey/Content/Detail/Report/a94d506b-aada-4dd4-bbe6-194543283ae7">Overseas Security Advisory Council</a> report on Turkey and <a href="https://travelscams.org/europe/turkey/would-you-like-a-drink-bar-scam-in-turkey/">Travelscams.org</a>, a crowdsourced database of scams spanning more than 100 countries, to see what other scams may be trending. <h2 id="carpet">How to know you’re buying a real Turkish carpet</h2> Turkish hospitality also permeates the business culture in Istanbul, a merchant city since Constantine founded it in 330 A.D. Shopping here is more relational – and more protracted – than you may be used to. Just try buying a carpet without storytelling and tea. You’ll fail. In fact, it’s considered downright rude to talk money without first asking after each others’ families/health/countries and drinking the aforementioned beverage, gallons of it. Sellers aren’t necessarily trying to “butter you up”; this is just how business is done here. Travelers to Turkey always worry about getting ripped off when buying a carpet. As in any country, there are a few dodgy dealers but, again, there’s a lot you can do beforehand to protect yourself. Learn from my fruit debacle: decide what you want, how much of it, and what you can afford to spend before you even start looking. Check out YouTube videos, articles, and the <a href="http://www.turkishculture.org/">Turkish Cultural Foundation</a> website for information about traditional Turkish crafts, including carpet weaving, so you know what to look for. Understand what makes Turkish carpets distinct – especially from imports made from inferior synthetic materials. For example, Turkish rugs are traditionally made from wool, silk, and cotton yarn, which is colored with natural dyes like madder and indigo. Wool dyed this way has tonal variations that add visual depth and interest, while silk has luster and reflective properties that synthetic fibers can’t match. Make a list of trustworthy sellers by talking to friends who’ve bought carpets in Turkey and then check their reviews online. Also look at the Turkish Cultural Foundation’s “<a href="http://www.turkishculture.org/whoiswho.htm">Who’s Who</a>” list to discover master artisans associated with various Turkish crafts and how to contact them. These days most carpet dealers speak English so you can ask all the questions you need to make a choice. If you don’t want to carry your carpet with you, almost all of them can arrange to send it using an internationally known, reputable courier company. It’s very secure, reliable and quick. The dealer will weigh your carpet, tell you the delivery and insurance charges, and ask for your full contact details. Remember to take a photo so when your carpet arrives, you’ll know it’s the one you purchased. <h2 id="scams">Other scams to be aware of in Turkey</h2> From time to time counterfeit money does the rounds in Turkey, usually in larger denominations, so don’t be embarrassed to check notes are genuine. Hold them up to the light and look for a thin line (a black metallic thread) running through the center. If you don’t see it, don’t accept the note. Lastly, there’s the issue of taxis. Outside of big cities, they’re generally OK but in places like Ankara, and especially Istanbul, it’s essential to be on the alert, not least because they’re notorious for taking tourists the long way round. I only catch taxis to and from airports and favor older drivers because I imagine (or hope) they’re likely to be more honest and have more to lose by reckless driving. Luckily I’ve never experienced the money-switching scam expat friends and tourists have told me about. When they handed over a 50 or 100 lira note the drivers said they’d given him a 5 or a 20. The best way to avoid the problem of money switching is to hold up the note you’re paying with, maintain eye contact, and say the amount out loud. Most drivers understand the words for fifty (elli) or one hundred (yuz) in English. It only takes a little research to avoid the most prevalent scams in Turkey. But after that, don’t sweat the small stuff. Does it really matter if you paid the yabancı (foreigner) price for that box of Turkish delight or set of teacups your mom adored? Do your homework before you come and don’t let the worry of being scammed steal the joy of traveling in Turkey. Additional reporting by <a href="/about/contributors/lisa-morrow">Lisa Morrow</a>.iStock/emreogan 0458628693 iStock A shop salesman waits at the 550-year-old Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/middle-east/turkey/how-strict-is-islam-in-turkeyTurkey is a predominantly Muslim country, but how strict is the adherence to Islam, and is there a need to modify your behavior?2021-02-22T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/turkey/how-strict-is-islam-in-turkeyhttps://www.worldnomads.comDue in part to how Western media portrays Muslim countries, some travelers may have concerns about visiting Turkey.  In reality, Islam shapes travelers’ experiences in overwhelmingly positive ways — through the indelible impressions it has left on everything from Turkish foodways to the country’s iconic architecture.  Islam in Turkey dates back to the 8th century, when Turkic tribes fought alongside Arab Muslims against Chinese forces at the Battle of Talas in 751 A.D. Spurred by the influence of ruling dynasties, many people converted to Islam over the next few centuries. Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 as a distinctly secular republic — a key difference between Turkey and countries such as Saudi Arabia or Pakistan — but Islam remains inextricably intertwined with Turkish culture.  Turkish children are designated Muslim at birth unless their parents are affiliated with another religion, leading to a population that is 99% Muslim but diverse in how strictly individuals and families observe Islam.  Regardless of where they personally fall on the spectrum, Turkish people tend to approach religion with respect and decorum. We spoke with Fatih Özkan, from the <a href="https://www.crossculturalcenter.org/">Süleymaniye Mosque Cultural Info Center</a>, about what you should keep in mind while traveling in Turkey so you can do the same. <ul> <li><a href="#muslim-practices-in-turkey">Muslim practices in Turkey</a></li> <li><a href="#call-to-prayer-in-turkey">Call to prayer in Turkey</a></li> <li><a href="#ramadan">Ramadan</a></li> <li><a href="#visiting-a-mosque-in-turkey">Visiting a mosque in Turkey</a></li> <li><a href="#eating-and-drinking-in turkey">Eating and drinking in Turkey</a></li> <li><a href="#other-public-behavior-to-avoid-in-Turkey">Other public behavior to avoid in Turkey</a></li> <li><a href="#religious-extremism-in-turkey">Religious extremism in Turkey</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="muslim-practices-in-turkey">Muslim practices in Turkey</h2> The most prevalent form of Islam practiced in Turkey is Sunni Islam — another departure from neighboring countries where most people adhere to Shia Islam. Turkey is also known for its Sufi community, an Islamic mystic tradition associated with the city of Konya and the poet Rumi.  Devotees, known in the West as “whirling dervishes” use a spinning movement to deepen their spiritual connection. Some groups provide demonstrations where visitors can observe this tradition in person.  It’s good to know the roots of religious traditions but, ultimately, Özkan cautions against putting too much emphasis on the different titles and sects of Islam, which the Prophet Mohammed never mentioned and are not in the Koran.  <h2 id="call-to-prayer-in-turkey">Call to prayer in Turkey</h2> One way that observant Muslims show their devotion is by praying throughout the day.  In every Turkish city, the call to prayer reverberates from mosque speakers five times daily, announcing central tenets of the Islamic faith and reminding Muslims to pray. The first one takes place before sunrise and admonishes the faithful to remember that “prayer is better than sleep.”  When they hear the call, practicing Muslims stop what they’re doing, kneel facing Mecca, and pray. Non-Muslims are not expected to partake in this, but there is some etiquette you should practice when you encounter others who do:  <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Avoid standing in front of anyone who is praying </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Stay silent during the call </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Give worshippers their space and refrain from taking pictures of them.</li> </ul> <h2 id="ramadan">Ramadan</h2> Ramadan, called Ramazan in Turkey, is a <a href="/explore/worldwide/traveling-muslim-countries-ramadan">month-long period of fasting</a> that Muslims around the world observe each year, usually in May and June. (The actual dates vary according to the Islamic lunar calendar.) Participants eschew food and beverages — this includes water — from sunrise to sunset, breaking their daily fast <a href="/stories/connection/breaking-fast">with a celebratory meal</a>, or iftar. Taking part in the fast “is a kind of praying,” explains Özkan, and people who do are intentionally “kind of starving” as a way to build empathy. “They are trying to understand what poor people feel. Otherwise, how can we understand that?” No one expects visiting foreigners to fast – many Turks don’t. But if, during Ramadan, you happen to be traveling in any Muslim country — or even a predominantly Muslim community or neighborhood — you can be courteous by not eating and drinking in public during the day. Opt for indoor seating in restaurants and if you need water, sip it discreetly. At sunset, head to restaurants to sample special bread, dates, and other delicacies that are traditionally served at the meal. <h2 id="visiting-a-mosque-in-turkey">Visiting a mosque in Turkey</h2> Visiting a mosque is one of the best ways to learn about Muslim culture and experience unparalleled examples of Islamic architecture and design, which is typified by jewel tones, gold embellishment, and constellations of geometric patterns. Many historic mosques, including the Süleymaniye Mosque where Özkan works, are part of larger complexes that once included schools, cemeteries, and shops.  Mosques are open to all visitors except during prayer times. (Non-Turkish Muslim travelers are always free to join in prayers, says Özkan.) You can also engage registered guides for an educational tour of mosques like Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque, and Kariye Mosque.  During prayer, the Süleymaniye Mosque Cultural Info Center offers 20-minute presentations about Turkish culture, with complimentary tea or Turkish coffee — and sometimes even soup and baklava, says Özkan. The center’s volunteers are also available inside the mosque to answer questions about the history and architecture of this striking space. When entering a mosque, both men and women need to have their legs covered and shoes removed. Women are expected to cover their heads with a scarf. (Don’t worry if you forget; most mosques have scarves you can borrow.)  Note that many Muslims come to mosques to pray or read the Koran or just relax in a sacred space even outside scheduled prayer times. <a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/respectful-travel">Respect them</a> by refraining from public displays of affection, taking pictures of them, or engaging in disruptive and loud behavior. <h2 id="eating-and-drinking-in turkey">Eating and drinking in Turkey</h2> Islam does have some guidelines for food and drink, but they are unlikely to affect travelers, particularly in major cities like Istanbul.  Pork is not widely available and very few restaurants serve it. Alcohol, on the other hand, is, even though Islam technically prohibits intoxicants.  That being said, Özkan suggests having “clear limits” when you are drinking in public. Keep it close to your hotel if you can and understand that no one really wants to deal with drunk, rowdy foreigners.  <h2 id="other-public-behavior-to-avoid-in-Turkey">Other public behavior to avoid in Turkey</h2> In addition to public drunkenness, public displays of affection are not customary in Turkey. While kissing both cheeks is a typical greeting, kissing on the mouth is considered private.  “Muslims in Turkey and generally [in the] Islamic world, they keep these touches [and] physical things in their houses,” says Özkan.  Turkish women also tend to dress more modestly than their Western counterparts, particularly in conservative communities like Fatih or Uskudar in Istanbul or smaller towns and villages. That being said, Özkan believes that men should refrain from staring at women — something male travelers should also keep in mind during their time in Turkey. “Allah created us and… we have a freedom” of behavior, he says, but “that free will brings us responsibility.” <h2 id="religious-extremism-in-turkey">Religious extremism in Turkey</h2> Just because a community is conservative doesn’t mean it is a hotbed of religious or political extremism — or a threat to your safety.  Despite what Western news media may imply, Islam doesn’t make people more violent than any other religion does. You’re no more likely to encounter extremism in Turkey than you are in your home country.  Freedom of speech and assembly is handled differently in Turkey than in Western countries, so if you encounter protests or demonstrations during your travels, it’s best to simply walk on by. Also, check your government’s current advisories before traveling to southeastern Turkey, an area of fluid politics due to its proximity to conflict in Iraq, Iran, and Syria.  All smart travelers know the importance of paying respect to local customs and beliefs. But you are much more likely to be bitten by wild animals or get struck by lightning than you are to be kidnapped or caught within the midst of a religious or political upheaval while traveling in Turkey. Getty Images/SkyVizyon 1486479684 Getty Images Aerial view of a mosque in Turkey