My big brother Greg died in 2020. He'd have been 66 today. Once grief has abated contemplation sets in so it seems fitting to write about Şahkulu Sultan Dergâh in his memory. #istanbultombs #inmemoriam Read more about it @insideoutinistanbul www.instagram.com/p/DRgrDE6AWv...

Did you know #hagiasofia in #Istanbul was designed to incorporate natural light, so that different areas would be highlighted at different times of day? Check out my post on IG to learn more @insideoutinistanbul www.instagram.com/p/DRXcg5CjFN...

Today is #teachersday here in #Turkey, when teachers are recognised & rewarded for their love & devotion to their students. #travelwriting #travelessays I was a teacher here once. Read about #teachinginturkey in #exploringturkishlandscapes www.instagram.com/p/DRb9ByHiBo...

Explore #Kadikoy in # Istanbul with my @voicemap #selfguided #audio #walking #tour without the hassle of being in a tour group. Discover multicultural past, Turkish national architecture, Greek Orthodox churches, former Russian haunts & lots more. Here's a sneak peek.

Just an ordinary #Istanbul street with 1600 year old aqueduct & konak houses from late 19th & early 20th cent. Did I mention fabulous #Suleymanicikolatasi shop? No? It's left of pink chairs. Follow me for more of everyday extraordinary of life in modern Istanbul #whattoseeanddoinistanbul

It's lovely hearing my story 'Shopping for Confidence" in a new voice. Thank you Jacqui Lents - Author. #podcast #istanbullife #travelessays #travelwriting #expatlife #womenwhotravel Friends, followers and listeners, what do you think of it? open.spotify.com/episode/71q5...

If you follow me on Bluesky or elsewhere you’ll know my obsession with #electriccars. This is latest model I’ve spotted on #istanbulstreet. It’s a hire by hour one & I can’t wait to get my DL again to try it out. #istanbullife #livinginistanbul #expatlife #electrictransport @rentlee.app #rentleeapp

I live in ordinary neighbourhood on #AsiansideofIstanbul. It’s so ordinary it’s become a hit with #Chinesetourists. They love its normalcy (albeit in Turkish sense). Despite its suburban exterior #Goztepe #istanbul has rich history. So welcome to my hood! www.insideoutinistanbul.com/goztepe-ista...

Short ferry ride brings you to #Asiansideistanbul, vibrantly alive with street vendors, wedding parties, dog walkers & more. #travelessays #InsideOutInIstanbul take you deep into #istanbul's sometimes chaotic, often schizophrenic but always charming city. amzn.to/43ryCBK

It was really enjoyable to write this piece for @eartist_ about #livinginturkey #travelwriting #turkishlife #expatlife www.escapeartist.com/blog/living-...

On this day in 1950 Turkish great #orhanvelikanik died. Playwright, #poet, prolific writer but probably most famous for his much loved work “#turkishpoet #turkishwriter #turkishliterature Learn more about this highly talented individual here. www.insideoutinistanbul.com/orhan-veli/

Find your true voice in a suportive setting with my #writingretreatturkey in 2026. #writersretreat #writingcommunity #womenwhowrite Reserve by 31.12.25 & get €100 off p.p. (book cabin to share with friend & each of you get further €100 off). Details here www.insideoutinistanbul.com/writing-retr...

As days grow shorter & temps drops in #istanbul, I love to indulge in #Turkishbath. Check out my visit to @AyasofyaHamam www.facebook.com/InsideOutInI...

Guided by serenity of natural world & richness of #Turkey’s landscapes, my #WritingRetreat 2026, is designed to help you unlock your creativity, sharpen your inner focus & discover your authentic voice. #Write, reflect & be inspired by rhythm of sea. www.insideoutinistanbul.com/writing-retr...

How many of these #UNESCOWorldHeritage Sites have you been to in #Turkey? #unescoworldheritageturkey Which one’s your favourite? www.insideoutinistanbul.com/unesco-world...

#istanbullife #livinginturkey. I was in supermarket here in #istanbul when older woman didn't have enough money to pay for all her groceries. It was lovely to see next woman cover the shortfall. #doingittough #costoflivingcrisis

I love #lesserknown # Istanbul as much as I love #coffee, but you don't always find both in same place, so I was excited to discover @kiremitcoffee near Kadinlar Pazar #istanbulcoffee #whattoseeanddoinistanbul

If pictures speak louder than words, I’m not sure what this one says. #istanbullife #livinginistanbul #expatlife #cihangir #istanbulneighbourhood #secondhandshops #secondhandshopsistanbul

Don't miss #ElifUras’ small but perfect exhibition at @GALERIST_TR in #Istanbul. #turkishartist “Earth on their hands” celebrates women’s labour as acts of power. Her women dance, shimmering gold & joyfully naked, symbolising unrecognised worth of our labour. Last day Nov 8. www.galerist.com.tr

Many posts on #writing start with "The secret to good writing is ... ", but there is no secret. Good writing recquires discipline, practice & most importantly, the courage to try, possibly fail & then try again. On my #Writingretreat Turkey 2026 ... www.facebook.com/story.php?st...

#Cappadocia is 1 most popular places to visit in #Turkey, with dozens intriguing & beautiful sights yet most influencers only focus on balloon flights and flying dresses. #cappadociaturkey Here's what’s really worth doing in this #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite www.insideoutinistanbul.com/cappadocia/

Just as beauty is in eye of beholder #Turkey is many things to many people. #booksaboutturkey #livinginturkey #travelessays #expatlife Discover more of what makes the country tick with Exploring Turkish Landscapes: Crossing Inner Boundaries. Available here amzn.to/4o4XEi5

Continuing with #istanbulparks theme, today I bring you #yildizpark set on steep slopes of Bosphorus. Has pretty pond, lovely pavillions (undergoing restoration) & gorgeous water views. #whattoseeanddoinistanbul #greenspaces Read all about it here www.insideoutinistanbul.com/yildiz-park/

Today #Turkey celebrates founding of #TurkishRepublic in 1923. 🇹🇷#29Ekim1923 #Cumhuriyetbayramı #TürkiyeCumhuriyet Expect Turkish flags galore, hordes of excited school children & proud Turks wearing & bearing #Turkishflag This is what they’re so proud of www.insideoutinistanbul.com/republic-day...

#Emirgan Park on shores of #Bosphorus in #Istanbul is largely known for spectacular displays of #tulips in April every year. However park has wonderful history in itself as well as lovely water views. #istanbulparks Autumn's a great time to visit too. www.insideoutinistanbul.com/emirgan-park/

Let Turkish coast work its magic on you & unleash your creativity on my #writersretreat in #Turkey 2026. #writerscommunity Join small group of people keen to learn how to transform their private thoughts into words on paper that are honest & impactful... www.instagram.com/p/DQSB76jlD5...

Although winter’s on the way, while sun’s still shining & sky remains blue, it’s perfect time of year to explore #Istanbulparks, all accessible by #publictransport. Here’s my guide to #greenspaces on both sides of #Bosphorus. www.insideoutinistanbul.com/istanbul-par...

I love #livinginturkey. My local #muhtar (Turkish for headman but mine's a she) just sent me a friend request on FB #istanbullife

I always appreciate when people take time to write review after reading 1 of my books. #travelwriting #bookreviews #writingcommunity This 1 about my #guidebook #Istanbul50Unsungplaces, by former #Turkey resident Piero Castellano, took my breath away. pierocastellano.medium.com/book-review-...

Don't just go to the same old places in #Istanbul. Visit #Kadikoy like a local with my handy guides. #whattoseeanddoistanbul #kadikoyistanbul www.insideoutinistanbul.com/kadikoy-like...

#Istanbul's Asian side of Istanbul is packed with history, cafes, dark bars, #Turkish food, meyhane & handful of upmarket restaurants, populated by uni students, head scarved housewives, workmates & friends. Discover this & more with my 48hr itinerary. www.insideoutinistanbul.com/istanbul-iti...

“The impossibly turquoise-coloured tranquil bays … are best seen from the deck of a gulet ... #writersretreat #writingretreatturkey #writingretreat #WritingCommunity www.instagram.com/p/DQAAboZlVb...

2 of my favourite things are ice cream & travel so it was exciting to see @algidaturkiye combine both with pics of their promo umbrellas in different destinations in Turkey. I've been to lots of them, have you? Here are some ideas to #travelturkey. www.insideoutinistanbul.com/destinations/

These days #karagoz, traditional Turkish #puppetry, is often viewed as children’s entertainment, but in past was used to comment on state of world, moral upheavals & social events. #turkishpuppets #turkishculture #puppets Find out more here www.insideoutinistanbul.com/karagoz/

Cruising into inspiration. Join me in 2026 #WritingRetreat #Turkey - disconnect from chaos of daily life, engage with ancient ruins & mindful rituals of Turkish culture as we sail on handcrafted wooden sailing boat. #writingskills @insideoutinistanbul www.instagram.com/p/DPROlEoCOW...

Think you'd like to move to #Istanbul? #expatlife #livinginistanbul #istanbullife Read what it's really like in my #travelmemoir Istanbul Dreams: Waiting for the Tulips to Bloom amzn.to/4oc4p1w

Combine travel, inspiration & writing with my #WritingRetreatTurkey2026. #writingretreat #writingholiday #ilovewriting Reserve your spot by 31.12. 25 & get €100 off per person. Come set sail now! www.insideoutinistanbul.com/writing-retr...

It was absolute delight to talk to Elif Tamtartar & others about history & practices that take place inside #hamam, #turkishbath for @CNNTravel. Not to mention enjoying experience myself. #istanbulhamam I came out feeling completely relaxed and brand new! edition.cnn.com/travel/hamam...

Whether you're #travelling on a budget or price is no concern, my where to #eatinistanbul has you covered. #istanbuleats #istanbulrestaurants #expatlife #istanbulturkey www.insideoutinistanbul.com/where-to-eat...

Often overlooked by major travel guides, today marks anniversary of #liberationofistanbul back in 1923. #6ekim1923 #6ekim1923istanbulunkurtuluşu #istanbulhistory #postwwi Read more about this fascinating slice of #turkishhistory here www.insideoutinistanbul.com/liberation-o...

A talented photographer, my husband Kim also dabbles in film-making, going back to when video camera & phone were two separate items. He loved #Cappadocia as much as I did & made short documentary about #potterymaker called the Clay Master of Avanos. I was his assistant.https://youtu.be/Mt9Qt6XDWW8

I 1st travelled with out-of-date guidebooks, using public phones & getting hostel names from random strangers. #traveltips #esimturkey #travelapps Now I use modern technology. Here are my recommendations to make your stay in Istanbul best it can be www.insideoutinistanbul.com/istanbul-app...

Visitors to #Istanbul love iconic #tram that goes from #Taksim Square to Tunel on #Istiklalstreet However some of most interesting parts of #taksim are in backstreets, brimming with history, colour & life. #taksimistanbul #istanbulhistory Read about it here www.insideoutinistanbul.com/taksim/

The majestic #Haydarpaşa Railway Station has been closed since a fire ripped through the roof in 2010. @turkiyetodaycom #railwaystation Debate as to its future use has raged for years, but now plans have been revealed that will bring it back to life. www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/hist...

Planning to #visitturkey & want #esim that works (many others are now banned)? #travelturkey Then @Truelycom is the one to use. Easy to use & you can buy for 1 or as many days as you like. Get %5 discount with my code insideoutinistanbul. Here's the link truely.com?ref=aff_insi...

Think you know #Istanbul? Think again. #travelwriting #armchairtravel #travelessays #armchairtraveller #armchairtraveler #expatlife #armchairtravellers #istanbullife #livinginistanbul #travelwriter #istanbulturkey #booksonistanbul Longing for Istanbul - available here amzn.to/3IuqOrz

Imagine writing here … caressed by lapping waves, wooed by gentle breezes, only pine trees & calm all around. #turkey #writingretreat #writersretreat Turn your dreams into reality with my 2026 Writing Retreat Turkey. You’ll find more details here. www.insideoutinistanbul.com/writing-retr...

For the record, Terminal #Kadıköy #istanbul was NOT built on derelict lot. There was a park there open to all. Yes it looks prettier now but as pedestrian & #publictransport user I wish they'd widened pavement rather than leased public land to private companies for valet parking.

On this day in 1996 the great, wonderfully flamboyant #ZekiMuren with a voice like melting honey, left this mortal coil. #turkishsingers #zekimüren #turkishmusic #zekimürenpaşa Find out why Turks across the country still miss him to this day in this post - www.insideoutinistanbul.com/zeki-muren/

Day 4 of #IOIIgoesto #diyarbakir #diyarbakirturkey, rich in #turkish #armenian #Kurdish cultures. See more over on my @insideoutinistanbul IG accounthttps://www.instagram.com/p/DO3XxukjUre/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzJiMzQ5ZWQ2Mw==