Turkey is a beautiful country, where a visit to the country will be more than worthwhile. Like all other countries, Turkey is also known for many things. Perhaps good to know before you visit the oh so beautiful vacation country!

Asking for photos

Don't be surprised if in Turkey you are asked for a nice picture. In many places in Turkey there are mainly people of Turkish origin and therefore they find it quite special, as soon as someone with a different origin walks past them.

Unexpected visit

In Turkey, receiving unexpected visitors is very normal. In Turkey, the inhabitants are very hospitable and receiving visitors is something they hold in high esteem. You are not seen as a stranger, but as family. For that reason it is not common that they often indicate that they want to come along. Whether the visitors come super early in the morning or stay until late at night, this is all normal. Often they even offer to stay the night and this is not something strange to be surprised about.

Turkish tea

Something that can't be missed in Turkey is drinking Turkish tea. It is sometimes seen as rude if you refuse to drink Turkish tea (for example when visiting). Keep in mind that the locals often don't stick to one cup and will refill your cup despite your indication that you don't want any more. Putting your teaspoon on the cup is a sign that you really do not need to fill it up again, this is an often used tactic to indicate in a polite way that you do not want to drink any more.

Deceive customers

Currently, the economy in Turkey is not doing well and many locals see only a way to cheat people in order to provide a (good) income. As soon as they notice that you are from abroad, you need to be extra careful. Often the prices are not mentioned on the product and you have to ask how much it costs. If you come from abroad, you will be asked a much larger amount. Try to take someone with you who speaks the language and/or avoid these kinds of stores and only buy in stores where the prices are already listed.

Ice Cream Man

Want to get some ice cream from the ice cream man? Then be ready for a fight with the ice cream man, because you don't always get that ice cream just like that! The ice cream men in Turkey often play pranks, this is what they are known for. Once you want to take the ice cream, this does not always go as you had hoped. On YouTube you can find nice movies of how people, often children, are fooled by the ice cream man. 1 thing is certain: being an ice cream man in Turkey cannot be seen as a boring job!

Point system (school, study & profession)

In Turkey they do not have the luxury of being able to make many choices regarding their school, study and profession themselves, it is all based on a points system. You score an amount of points when you take an exam, based on the number of points scored, you are offered a number of options of educations that you may study. After choosing an education, you often end up in a draw first: it is not certain whether you can take that education. Even if you succeed in being admitted to the education, you are not there yet, because within the education there are also exams based on points that determine the direction you may/must take within the education. A small example is if you are training to be a 'police officer', you are not allowed to just stand everywhere like a cop. The more dangerous your position as a police officer is, the more points you need for this. In addition to the fact that you can't just choose an education and pursue a particular profession, you also don't have the option to choose a school or the location of your work. You give a number of preferences, to study and/or work in certain cities in Turkey and then they will look to see if there is a place there for you as a student and/or employee desired. Many students find the whole points system to be poorly work and unfortunately this is reflected in practice. Finding work is incredibly difficult, so much that even many students who have completed university are retracing a new university education in the hope that they will be able to find work that way. At a young age, children already live with a great deal of stress because there is nothing but uncertainty about studying and working in Turkey.

Family

Family is incredibly important, specifically when it comes to parents. People spend a lot of time with family and everyone has a lot of respect for each other. There are no flaws in caring for the parents and older people in the family, as they deserve good care from the family members and this cannot be handled loosely. They feel it is important that their honor is not affected and they contribute to this together.

Cats

Cats are very popular animals in Turkey, they are also seen as beautiful animals in Islam. You will often see residents giving cats something to eat, often you will see trays with food and water ready for the cats. You can also pet them, they often do nothing and love to be loved.

The bus

Want to catch the bus? Then keep in mind that sometimes the buses drive off with the doors open. Do not stand near the door and pay close attention to this as well.

The army

It is mandatory for men in Turkey to enter the army for a certain number of months. By doing this, you get a salary and the great title of "soldier" for this. Being a soldier, is seen as something honorable and important. Parents are therefore prouder than proud. Once their son enters the army, they proudly calling themselves 'the parent of a soldier'.

Going out in the evening

In Turkey, it is not the case that it is better to stay at home during the evening hours due to safety concerns. Due to the heat that is least tolerable during the day, many locals tend to congregate outside only after sunset. Until the beginning of the night you see that everywhere is full with many families sitting together. Moreover, there is also a different kind of fine ambiance in the evening hours, therefore do not feel withdrawn to try this out.

The weather

The weather in Turkey can be quite different. Winter is known for being colder than cold, there is so much rain and snow that there is often severe weather. There are small annual floods in various places and some people can't even leave their homes because of the height of the snow that has fallen on their doorstep, which can be meters high! The summers on the other hand are often very hot, with temperatures around 40/45 degrees. It is not recommended to walk outside in the afternoon, because the sun is at its strongest. The three most important things to pay attention to are sunscreen, avoiding the sun as much as possible and drinking enough water.

Throwing garbage on the street

Don't be surprised if you see people throwing trash on the street instead of in the trash can. Throwing trash on the street is seen as normal and certainly not as the end of the world. Sometimes, when asking for a trash can in the neighborhood, people will even indicate that you can just throw it on the ground somewhere.

Hospital

If you become unexpectedly ill while in Turkey, you can expect to receive a serum when you visit the hospital. In Turkey, a serum is often administered directly in the hospital as a first resort. This serum is intended to make you feel well again as soon as possible, preferably within an hour of being administered.

Production of food

Every province/city in Turkey is known for producing something to eat. For example, the city of Malatya is known for the best dried apricots. Around summer time, if you visit this city, you can find apricots everywhere, openly dried on the ground under the sun. This total work usually takes about three/four months of time, this is then sold in the market and/or to big suppliers for abroad. Many people do not have the opportunity to work and see this as their chance to make money, annually for several months they are busy all day with heavy physical work under the sun. This is also the money they have to live with for the year, but don't underestimate this: this often yields a lot of money!

What are the customs in Greece regarding food?

• Greeks love good food, and eating out. Small snacks (mezes) are often eaten before dinner with a drink.
• Greek food is quite simple, without elaborate sauces or many herbs. However, a lot of olive oil, garlic, thyme, oregano and onion are used to give the food flavour.
• Olive oil and olive trees can be found everywhere in Greece. The Greeks love their olive oil.
• Mezedes, these are the Greek tapas. Keftedes, salad, calamaris, souvlaki, octopus, spanakopita (spinach and feta in dough).
• There are still many Turkish influences to be found in the Greek cuisine, such as the sweet bakeries (zaharoplasteio) where baklava is usually also sold.
• The Greeks eat late, around 9:00 PM, 10:00 PM or even 11:00 PM with a lot of ouzo (anis drink with 40% alcohol) and cosy moments around the dining table.

What are the best recipes in Greece?

• Specialities in Greece Dolmades: Stuffed vine leaves.
• Missed: Tomatoes, peppers and courgettes stuffed with rice.
• Moussaka: Eggplant with lamb, cinnamon and red wine.
• Souvlaki: Roasted meat.
• Horiatiki: Greek salad with real feta cheese and olives.

What are the best drinks in Greece?

• Greek mountain (herbal) tea.
• In Greece you are allowed to drink alcohol from the age of 16.
• Greek wine is very affordable and easy to drink.
• Although not everyone likes it, Retsina is a special type of wine made with pine resin.
• Ouzo: Strong aniseed drink.
• Greek coffee is strong, and many Greeks therefore add enormous amounts of sugar to it. 

What are notable holidays and festivals in Greece?

• A Greek year revolves around saints' days and festivals. Most people are conventionally devoted to a saint, areas, stations, boats, you name it. Did you know that name days are more important than birthdays? And of course, take the Mediterranean ones to celebrate it all!
• Panigiria is a party where everyone/the entire village comes together to celebrate. Music, food (souvlaki), the syrto, the sirtaki and other dances are ingredients of this party. On May 25th, Greek Independence Day celebrates the revolution against the Turks. Every city loves parades, with the most impressive military parade in Athens. May 25th is also a Greek Orthodox religious holiday.
• On O(c)hi day, which is on October 28th, every year the Greeks celebrate their resistance against the occupation of Italian structures of strategic areas in Greece. Ohi means no.
• From June to September, the Hellenic Festival is held in various places in Greece. With music, dance and theater performances in the Odeion of Herod in Athens and classical Greek tragedies in the amphitheater in Epidaurus.

What are the notable habits in Greece?

• The Greeks are often very warm and temperamental people who elevate hospitality as an art. There is often contact (arm or shoulder) and kissing, both by men and women naked. A conversation within a conversation is not acceptable.
• A Mediterranean standard is everything in moderation and was invented by the Greek philosopher Cleobulus. It is the key to good living.
• Messimeri is the Greek siesta, from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Shops are closed, people have lunch or sleep.
• The Greeks meaningfully put plates on the floor after the meal. This tradition is typically Greek, but already forbidden. It is dangerous because of the flying scraps. If your plates fly around, it may be because the restaurant has a license.

What are the customs in Portugal regarding food?

• Eating is a social occasion in Portugal, lunch is between 12 and 3 pm and can easily last 2 to 3 hours. Portuguese cuisine is Mediterranean, with typical Portuguese influences. Bread, cheese, pork and fish are the main ingredients of every Portuguese meal.

What are the best recipes in Portugal?

• A lot of fish is eaten, which is not surprising given the coastline of 850 kilometers. Popular fish dishes are the bacalhau recipes used to prepare dried cod. It is said that there is a bacalhau recipe for every day of the year. Besides dried cod, grilled sardines and caldeirada, stew with potato and different types of fish, are favorites. The Portugese love their meat as well: chicken piri-piri or arroz de sarrabulho (rice with pigblood).
• Bacalhau is salted cod. Bacalhau is more than a fish dish: in Portugal it is linked to myths, history and tradition. Nowadays most cod is imported from Scandinavia, but the demand for it has not decreased.
• Bollo de arroz: A kind of cake that together with a cup of coffee forms the Portuguese breakfast.
• Portuguese sweets such as ‘Pastéis de Tentugal’ are almost all made from egg and are loved by Portuguese and tourists.
   

What are the best drinks in Portugal?

• Coffee is a fixed part of the Portuguese breakfast. The price is low and the quality is good.
• A visit to Porto is not complete without one or more glasses of white or red port.
• Vinho verde is a light green wine.
• Ginja - The liqueur is always served in a shot glass, with a spirit at the bottom. 

What are notable holidays and festivals in Portugal?

• About 80 to 85% of the Portuguese population is Catholic. Most holidays are therefore based on Christian holidays, such as Christmas, Easter and Ascension Day. At Easter, every Portuguese city sees beautiful processions, with floats decorated with flowers. 
• Most towns and villages in Portugal have their own traditional festas or romarias. Romarias are local religious festivals that honor the saints of a particular area in Portugal.
• Queima das Fitas: Coimbra’s students celebrate the end of the academic year in the first week of May with parties, concerts and exhibitions.
• Festo de Santo António is on 12 and 13 June. Lisbon’s favourite saint is honoured with all-night parties in the city streets.
• Festa de São João: Porto and Braga in northern Portugal ‘go wild’ in June in honour of Saint Juan, with fireworks, concerts, campfires and lots of noise.
• Medieval Festival: The medieval market in the still-walled town of Óbido is the place for two weeks of sword fighting, singing minstrels, roasted pigs and spirits in July.
• Festival de Sudoeste: One of Portugal's biggest music festivals takes place every August in the coastal town of Zambujeira do Mar.

What are notable habits in Portugal?

• The Portuguese are traditional and conservative. Innovation and major changes within the family or community are not easily accepted. Life in Portugal revolves around the family and even now in the 21st century, old customs and traditions can be seen daily.
• Time is relative and being late for appointments is very common. 
• Fado is a typical Portuguese music movement from the 19th century and the life song of the locals. While Fado used to be popular only in bars and brothels of the poorer neighborhoods in Lisbon and Coimbra, nowadays it is very popular and you come across it in many places.
• Typically Portuguese are azulejos, Portuguese tiles that you find a lot on and in railway stations, churches and houses. Often they are blue and white, but they can also be richly colored.

What are the customs in Spain regarding food?

• Dinner is eaten late during the evening, 9 PM is general time to start. 
• Many people love Spanish food, especially tapas. Spaniards eat as many as four times in a day.
• Breakfast (el desayuno) is usually toasted bread with an espresso in a café. The most important meal of the day is lunch (la comida), which is taken extensively between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon. It is a hot meal, for example Paella. The third meal is the snack (la merienda) which is eaten when we Dutch think of dinner, namely between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. The fourth and last meal is dinner (la cena), which starts at 10:00 p.m. and is a bit lighter than lunch. Tipping is common in Spain, and is usually just included in the price.

What are the best recipes in Spain?

• There are many regional specialties in Spain. For example, a lot of fish is eaten in the Canary Islands and gazpacho (cold soup) in Andalusia. A lot of spices are used. The most famous dish from Spain is paella, which is usually made with fish or chicken. Tapas are Spanish appetizers. Tortilla de Patatas, these are tortillas made from potatoes and egg.
• Typical food is tapas! It is shared with drinks. Tapas are small dishes. In many ways served from the counter or from the menu: grilled pimiento, manchego, chorizo, patatas bravas, tortilla.
• A dessert that Spaniards love is flan, a soft custard made of eggs topped with a caramel sauce.
• Typical Catalan dishes are rabbit with vineyard snails and Catalan sausage (butifarra) with white beans.
• Paella: A rice dish with chicken and fish, peppers and various seafood

What are the best drinks in Spain?

• A truly Spanish drink is sangría.This is a mix of red wine, sugar, cognac and various (fresh) fruits.If the fruits such as orange segments, grapes and melon have sat in the mix a little longer, the flavor has also soaked into the fruits.
• Spain is also known for its local wines, good wines are the Rioja and the Navarra.
• Cava is the most famous sparkling wine from Catalonia made in exactly the same way as Champagne.
• Want something to drink without alcohol?Then ask for Mosto (white grape juice).
• It is not recommended to drink tap water. You can just get bottled water in the supermarket.

What are notable holidays and festivals in Spain?

• Las Fallas - In Valencia from March 15 to 19. Large statues are made by locals, usually of papier-mâché. During this festival there are large parades, paella competitions, fireworks and lots of churros eaten. On the last day, the statues are set on fire.
• Semana Santa - Or Holy Week takes place a week before Easter. In Andalusia this is celebrated in a big way, furthermore processions are held in many cities.The death of Jesus and atonement take center stage here.
• Sanfermines - From July 6 to 14, international running of the bulls in Pamplona. There are also fireworks, music and parades every morning.
• Fería de Abril - This is one of the highlights of Seville's cultural calendar and is held in late April/early May. This festival is a combination of music (flamenco!), a market and a fair.
• La tomatina (the tomato festival) - This festival is held annually in the village of Buñol, near Valencia. The tomato field battle attracts some 40,000 participants and is a spectacular event to witness. (Watching is also possible, but put on old clothes).
• Belief in Spain: Eat a grape, every hour the clock makes a sound on new year's eve. Twelve times and it will bring you prosperity.

What are the notable habits in Spain?

• Siesta-Nap and relax time (shops are generally closed) when the sun is shining between 2.30 and 4.30 PM.
• Tapas-Shared with drinks and in company, small dishes. In many ways served from the counter or from the menu: grilled pimiento, manchego, chorizo, patatas bravas, tortilla.
• Dinner is eaten late during the evening, 9 PM is general time to start. 
• Flamenco-Dance from Andalusia, with costumes and music with a soul.
• Silvester evening: they will eat 12 grapes when the clock counts at midnight. When the clock ticks every count, one grape. It brings properity. Inside information: do not chew on the grape, otherwise your mouth will be full with residu. 
• With Silvester: your underwear is the colour red, the next year will be lucky! When you are serious about this, burn your red underwear at midnight. And put money in your shoes, before midnight. 
• Would you like to travel in the new year, make sure you walk around your suitcase. Chances are higher to make beautiful trips! 
• In the New Year: "Feliz ano" is wished with a glass of cava (the Spanish champagne).
• Kisses (two) are common as a greeting, also when you don't know each other well.
• Manana, manana means tomorrow, in general do not stress out and take it easy. Do not worry the Spanish are not so strict with their punctuality, being late is common.
• Cursing and talking loud is part of the culture. Often you can just follow conversations on the street.