When most people think of Amsterdam, there are a couple of different reasons they want to visit. Some are because of the unique restaurants and local craft beers. Others love the history and want to see the charming canals.

Though Amsterdam has all of those things, many people find it a very chaotic and overly crowded place geared towards tourists. Many of the streets are dirty, and the canals are too, which takes away some of the romantic notions travelers have.

Tinseltown! It’s where all the glamorous movie stars live, and on top of that, it’s outfitted with fantastic weather 24/7 all year long. Looking at images of the beaches and the iconic Hollywood sign might have you longing to visit this city.

But if you had the idea that it’s gonna be glamorous and beautiful, some travelers have a surprise for you. Many people find that the city is dirty, expensive, and just too overcrowded.

If you’re venturing through Italy, then there are many cities on your list to see. Places like Rome, of course, but people want to see Naples, especially as a destination for those looking to visit the archaeological site of Pompeii.

But don’t go in expecting to see the glamorous and beautiful architecture of Rome and Florence. In fact, many people find that Naples is a little rundown and its streets are full of trash. Some even find it quite scary, especially at night.

Paris is the city of lights. The most romantic city in the world. Whether from Europe or further away, almost everyone thinks that Paris is a must-see. After all, you have Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Why wouldn’t you want to visit this city?

Though there are plenty of beautiful sights to see and a lot of history, many people find they are not as welcomed as they thought they would be. On top of that, there also seems to be quite a bit of trash and underwhelming tourist attractions.

Morocco is one of the most popular destination spots for many tourists. But when you break it down and actually look at a city like Marrakech, people primarily want to see the luxurious and famous palaces and experience the spas and hammams.

Unfortunately, it’s changed a lot over the last couple of decades because of its popularity. It’s changed from an authentic and awe-inspiring location to a tourist trap for Western tourists.

Okay, so Houston is not one of those cities that many people want to visit. There’s been some interest growing when it comes to travel within North America.

Besides being the home to a diverse range of cultures, it’s also relatively easy to navigate. That being said, there’s a lot of crime and poverty, which leads to rundown neighborhoods. This could be a deterrent to making it a travel destination.

New Orleans is a slice of American history that has many things that can’t be skipped. Its rich mixtures of French and Spanish, and Native American cultures make a unique environment to see. On top of this, they’re known for their wonderful food and amazingly resilient people.

That is all true, but its popularity as a tourist destination comes with a lot of other problems. The food might be good, and the music might be fantastic, but the city does have a unique smell that just might be a little off-putting.

When you’re setting up a visit to Europe, many cities pop into mind, and maybe one of the most popular is Venice. After all, who doesn’t want to walk along the canals and see those fantastic gondolas while eating stellar Italian seafood dishes?

The truth is because of its popularity, many find it to be excessively expensive. On top of that, it’s very humid and tends to be crowded almost all times of the year. That may make it less than inviting for some.

Dubai might not be a historical travel destination, but for many, the beauty of its skyline and its stunning sand dunes is enticing enough to make it a must-see travel destination. But does the city live up to the hype?

Unfortunately, that’s all it has. Though there are a lot of really fancy buildings and architecture, the streets are still full of people struggling to make ends meet. This could be distasteful for some.

There’s something appealing about going to a city that is built on casinos and culinary adventures. When you’re on the East Coast of the United States, frequently, instead of heading out West to Las Vegas, people turn to Atlantic City.

Here they think they get the same experiences they do out West. But the truth is this city is very run down and a little dirty. So you might be gambling on something that isn’t going to pay off.

Like many islands in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, Bali is a destination for those looking for majestic beaches and stunning temples. This combination of mountainous greenery and stunning beaches is why it has become such a popular travel destination.

Unfortunately, Bali has changed quite a bit because it’s become such a popular destination for Instagrammers and digital nomads. According to some, it’s now overpriced and a little bit too touristy for some.

If you’re looking for a city with brilliant architecture and museums galore, there are a lot of European cities that may come to mind. One of those could very well be Brussels. Though it might not be the first destination in mind, many people do add this capital city to their lists.

Unfortunately, like many European capitals, though, it’s pretty expensive to travel to. In fact, some were even shocked that they had to pay for water in restaurants.

Who doesn’t want to spend a weekend in Sin City? Las Vegas has become a mecca for Bachelorette parties and weddings alike. With its vibrant lights and crazy nightlife, it’s no wonder people choose it as a travel destination.

But what you see in the movies isn’t what you get when you get there. Depending on the time of year, it can be super-hot and uncomfortable. But all year long, it’s dry and dirty and always smells of smoke.

Everybody wants to see Niagara Falls. It’s a beautiful location where three waterfalls are combined and create a stunning vista for you to take amazing selfies in front of. Of course, that’s what it’s promoted as!

The trick, though, is that when you see the pictures of these wonderful falls, you don’t realize that there’s a city that wraps around them. It’s not a National Park; in fact, it’s pretty much like a giant mall with a beautiful centerpiece.

The Philippines have become a tourist destination because of its stunning beaches and unique landscapes. The capital city Manila is among them and is outfitted with tons of galleries and museums for tourists to take advantage of.

Though there are a lot of cultural things you can take a look at, many tourists when they get there are surprised by how bad the traffic is. On top of that, the city is quite dirty, even though you wouldn’t know it from Instagram pictures.

It doesn’t matter what type of traveler you are; Egypt and its amazing tourist attractions are on everyone’s list. Standing in front of the pyramids or riding a camel is something every traveler dreams of doing at least once.

Those sites and the museums are outstanding, but the rest of the city of Cairo is quite different from that. It’s hectic and dirty, and everybody is trying to scam you for your money.

When you think of California, you think of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Many travelers steer clear of Los Angeles because they know that it’s not what it appears to be, and head to San Francisco instead. Travelers who go to San Francisco hope to see fantastic architecture, and iconic sites and enjoy amazing food.

But what visitors get when they get there is not quite what they had imagined. Several travelers found there was a lot of trash and other things on the sidewalks that detracted from the overall beauty of the city. On top of that, some areas have a pretty high crime rate.

The city of brotherly love is one of the travel destinations on the East Coast that many want to visit, due to its history. The city’s history is extensive and may not be what those travelers think it is.

Like many large East Coast cities, if you step away from the historical sites, you find that the city is overcrowded and has terrible traffic. There’s also very little parking!

If you’re headed to Greece, you’ll start or end up in its capital city of Athens. In your mind, you have visions of the Acropolis being above a beautifully pristine city full of historical sites.

When you get there, you realize what you actually get is historical sites surrounded by graffiti-filled streets that are dirty and home to a massive population of homeless people.

For those visiting from afar when entering the United States, one of the main places they visit is New York City. Filled with a wide range of different cultures and amazing architecture, this city is a destination for everyone.

But what you get is something quite different. The streets are pretty dirty, and there are some unique smells in certain parts of the city. On top of that, if you need to go to the bathroom, you’re gonna be out of luck because there are very few public restrooms.

Though many people just think of Pompeii as an archaeological site, a city surrounds this amazing site. When you see images of the city itself, it looks like a cute little town that will be ripe with unique sayings.

But in truth, what you get is kind of a quiet little town with very little happening and somewhat okay Italian food. On top of that, you can smell the toxicity in the air, especially when that volcano is a little angry.

Many people outside the United States may not even know about Branson, Missouri. But this is a place with tons of theaters and shows and even an amusement park. It’s a destination for many people in the southern region of the United States as it has a family-friendly, almost Las Vegas-like atmosphere.

However, if you’re going to this city and expect the bright lights and excitement of Las Vegas, you’re gonna be highly disappointed. Though there is some fun to be had, it does feel like a budget version of Las Vegas combined with Disneyland.

We’ve all seen images of those beautiful South Beach sunsets in Miami. That, coupled with the impressive skyline and culinary exploits, many people flock to this Florida city to get a little downtime.

But along with that beauty comes quite the price tag. Many people that have headed down to Miami have found that everything seems to be a little overpriced, and people are just a little too fake for them.

If you’re into music, Austin, TX, might be a location that you have set your mind on visiting. Over the past couple of years, Austin has really elevated its status as a travel destination by embracing its music scene and culinary scene.

However, with its push to build tourism, something quite the opposite has happened. With more businesses moving in, everything has begun to rise in price, and you might find that it’s expensive and a little overpopulated for your liking.

There’s nothing like walking across the Ha’penny bridge in Dublin into the Old Town city center. You get majestic views of the River Liffey, and then you can sit down at a pub and enjoy a pint.

Well, that all sounds amazing, and in truth, Dublin may not meet your expectations once you set foot on its streets. Many claim London is super expensive, but when asking a tourist who has been to both, Dublin is 10x more expensive. And not quite as big as you might think!

When you think of German cities, you think of wonderful old towns with old-style wooden German houses. Or maybe you think of edgy graffiti-strewn cafes like in Berlin. If that’s what you think, German cities like Frankfurt should definitely not be a city you visit.

In fact, this city can be pretty disappointing because it’s simply an economic base. Though there are historical sites to see, it’s not as beautiful as other cities.

Though maybe it’s not as well known in the North American continent, it’s becoming more so thanks to travelers and Instagrammers. So when you see epic images of Bratislava with its beautiful castle and cute Old Town, you might think that’s someplace to go.

Though it’s a beautiful city, it’s definitely not as large or impressive as Vienna. It’s not a place you really need more than a day trip to explore.

For most people, the epic and final destination of their travels always has to be Rome. With its extensive history and epic iconic landmarks, very few people in the world would say Rome wasn’t someplace they wanted to visit.

Because of this, though, it’s very touristy and always packed. Be prepared to deal with selfie sticks and elbows galore. On top of that, many find that it’s quite expensive.

Casablanca has a place in many people’s hearts because of the Hollywood movie. There’s something romantic about it, no matter what generation you were born in. Because of this, it’s become a tourist destination.

But unlike the movie, it’s definitely not as glamorous as you might think. Casablanca is actually a business district on the seaside and isn’t as clean as you might think. Plus, there’s not as much to see either.

For many people, when they’re visiting Florence, one of their popular day trips is out to Pisa. After all, that’s where that famous leaning tower is, and it’s a must-see when you’re visiting Italy, right?

When you see this place in some pictures, it looks gigantic. However, once you actually get there, you might be disappointed at how small the building is, and that might be a little disappointing.

London has it, all right! They have stunning museums and epic historical sites along with fantastic architecture. But the truth is what you see when you get there isn’t quite as awe-inspiring as what you see in pictures.

Just like any other capital, this city is sprawling and large and a little overcrowded. On top of that, the weather is not always the best, and the prices are quite steep.

As Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is a destination for many tourists. That’s especially true for those that follow travel bloggers who have been touting the fantastic scenery for years.

But the cities on the island themselves are riddled with trash, and the water quality is not great. Plus, because there are so many tourists, the beaches are overcrowded for a good part of the year.

If you’ve ever seen a Hollywood spring break film, then it’s probably for sure that you’ve seen Cancun. Because of the popularity of the beautiful beaches and the low-cost, many people choose this as a destination.

Unfortunately, when you get there, what you see is not quite what you expect, including the fact that it’s quite a dangerous location when it comes to dangerous crime.

Although the ownership of Hong Kong switched hands, it remains a tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Many people flock to this city with its amazing modern skyline and epic culinary scene.

The problem is that all those people are flocking, adding to the massive population already there. That means when you’re visiting this city, you’re going to have to deal with densely packed city streets and probably a little bit of trash. Oh yeah, and it’s expensive too!

Canada, though a large country, isn’t full of large cities. So often, when people are looking at places to visit in Canada, they wind up going to the same several cities. One of those happens to be Edmonton in Alberta.

But according to some travelers, this would be a disappointing waste of your time. Not only are there no views, but it tends to have a bit of a smell and is quite flat. Furthermore, it doesn’t have any exciting adventures to be had.

Rio de Janeiro may be best known for its carnival, but people flock there all year long on vacations. This could be because of the tropical forest’s fantastic coastline and epic viewpoints.

But once they get there, the images they had in their mind are not what their eyes behold. With the overpopulation and poverty levels in this city, it’s dirtier than people expect and more dangerous.

Sao Paulo is one of the largest cities in the world. Most people choose to visit this city to take in the beautiful white avenues and uniquely modern skyline backdropped against a lush Brazilian landscape.

Now there are a lot of options to take in as a tourist. Many find that you have to be overly cautious about showing any type of expensive items, and there is quite the language barrier.

Singapore may be one of the places that most people venture to because of its culinary scene. But on top of that, there are architectural sites to be seen and a little slice of culture to be learned. But it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, according to some travelers.

Some have found this destination to be a little disappointing, as they weren’t expecting it to be quite so expensive. On top of that, if you’re not good with hot and humid weather, this is definitely not the destination for you.

Bangkok is the way to go for those looking to experience a little bit of the traditional Thai culture, but not too far away from the modern world. It has a lot of historical landmarks and an amazing food scene.

That being said, some have found that the noise and smell of Bangkok have made their experience a little less than glamorous. On top of that, there is severe traffic, so getting from one place to the other is quite challenging.

When you think of snow in the Alps, you think of Switzerland. One of the cities within this beautiful country that tends to get more tourists is Lucerne.

However, Lucerne is not quite as epically beautiful as you might think. Though there is beauty, you’ll also wind up paying a pretty penny because of the cost of everything from accommodations to food.

Seattle probably hit its tourist peak in the 90s, and since then, many people have found it a wonderful destination in the northwest of the United States. Though there’s a great culinary scene and it’s close to a lot of fantastic scenery, it’s not necessarily as grand as you might think.

The city itself has weather that’s pretty much nonstop cloudy and rainy. On top of that, because of the tourist influx, you may find it quite expensive to enjoy some of those more iconic Instagram-able moments.

Beijing is full of temples, amazing gardens, and several UNESCO World Heritage sites. This makes it a destination for many tourists, especially those looking to experience Chinese culture.

Though there are a lot of beautiful sights to see, many find Beijing to be a little overwhelming. Along with the high level of armed military on the streets, there are also a ton of scammers trying to take your money.

The people of Turkey have a vast array of peculiar customs. From the outlandish foods to their many odd habits – to an outsider, the following aspects of Turkish everyday life might seem both strange and wonderful.

There are plenty of situations where you might see people in Turkey taking all kinds of wacky risks. Take these boys, for example, who had the audacity to jump onto the back of this tram. Speaking of which, this specific tram is one of two nostalgic tramways that run through Istanbul.

Family celebrations in Turkey are full of peculiar customs, but arguably the strangest of them all happens during weddings. In many countries around the world, the bride will throw a bouquet over her shoulder and the first woman who catches it is supposedly the next to tie the knot.

In Turkey though, the bride will write the names of all her unmarried friends on the soles of her wedding shoes. The woman whose name gets erased first will be the next to get married!

It is no secret that kissing is a casual form of greeting in many parts of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, depending on the person. In Turkey, the people here choose to kiss the hand, specifically of elderly people.

It is a kind of etiquette that acts as a display of respect for the oldest members of the community. However, when it comes to people of the same age or someone who is younger, one must not do such a thing as it can be interpreted as humiliating.

This is more of a stereotype than anything else and at the very best, we are purely quoting someone based on their own experience of living in Turkey. They posted the following photo of a box of Turkish delight they bought. You know, that gummy, sugary treat that the country is famous for.

Well, when they opened the box, they found that only a small part of the box had been filled. They went on to claim that people get cheated like this all the time in Turkey.

If you are visiting Turkey, you might notice the copious amount of men who happen to be bald and are wearing black headbands. While it might seem like an odd fashion trend at first, there is actually a practical reason for this.

It turns out that many Turkish men start to go bald very early in life and will flock to Istanbul to receive hair transplants. Underneath that headband, you will also see bandaged wounds at the back of their heads.

Around the world, buying a bunch of flowers for your family, friends and significant other is pretty much a universal gesture of love. In Turkey though, flowers are handled a little differently. In fact, they are rarely bought as a gift for an individual.

One tourist was shocked to find that flowers are bought, for the most part, as wreaths. Moreover, they are most often bought to be used for ornamental purposes at family celebrations and functions.

So many people around the world are in a rush to get from point A to point B. Rarely do we get a chance to just sit back, have a hot drink, and exchange some pleasantries with our friends. In Turkey, one is obligated to do this as much as possible.

So many people in this country have a nonchalant manner about them. They just live in the moment and like this guy, are even happy to take their sweet time at the hairdresser.

These days, people all over the world are used to the luxury of calling a taxi via their phone or even using an app to order a ride. However, the people of Turkey still heavily rely on the manual system.

In many parts of the country, you will find little yellow boxes with a green button on them. Press this button and a cab will arrive shortly. The only problem is that you can’t see who is picking you up until they arrive.

What makes Turkey such a unique country is the way that it translates religion and spirituality into the arts. Not only is the country laden with beautiful mosques, but there is a specific, spiritual fraternity that aims to inspire audiences with their special dance – Sufi whirling.

Known as Semazen, the Whirling Dervishes have become an iconic part of Turkish culture. Performers will meditatively spin in their traditional robes to the sounds of music in an effort to abandon the ego and material needs, and focus their attention to God.

If you are ever roaming around the Taksim area of Istanbul, you will most likely see a long line of people waiting to try out the Taksim Islak Hamburger, otherwise known as the Wet Burger.

This beef burger gets its soggy namesake because it spends most of its time sitting in a sauna with its friends, getting so steamy that by the time you take a bite, it’s garlicky, buttery tomato sauced patty will simply melt in your mouth. You can have a wet burger here for just 5 Turkish Lira.

In this day and age, having a dog is a pretty straightforward thing. In Turkey though, it’s a bit more difficult. This is because large swathes of Turkish society don’t take well to man’s best friend.

In fact, many locals will cross the street if they see a dog out of pure fear. Moreover, if you don’t have a car, you are most likely going to have to walk the dog to the vet as most buses and taxis won’t accept dogs.

It’s not just the way that people behave in Turkey that is kind of different from the rest of the world. When it comes to toilets here, both their traditional ones and modern ones are pretty unique.

An old school Turkish toilet is typically a hole in the floor that includes a faucet and a jug nearby to wash after one does their business. “On his first visit to Kazan, my Turkish husband couldn’t explain what he was searching for in my toilet,” one blogger wrote.

Every country seems to have its own national drink and in Turkey, it is most definitely tea. People take their cay, as they call it, extremely seriously. Rarely will you see Turkish locals drinking tea alone.

It always seems to be a social experience, where people sit together, and pour the cay into those iconic glasses. And drinking tea seems to blur into all aspects of Turkish society. If you have a corporate job, expect lots of tea to be served at all of the meetings.

Sure, there are plenty of people around the world who prefer guests to take their shoes off upon arrival in their home. But in Turkey, one has to take their shoes off before they even enter the building. Turkish people leave their shoes at the entrance or sometimes even on the street.

However, one can bring an extra pair of slippers to get changed into. This tradition may stem from the Islamic tradition of taking one’s shoes off when entering a mosque.

Couples in Turkey are just as romantic as any other couple in the world. However, you could say that things get a bit less personal once a couple ties the knot. Many Turkish couples refuse to call each other by their names.

Instead, they will use terms of endearment such as güneşim (my sun), aşkım (my love), meleğim (my angel), and canım (my soul) amongst others. Turks believe that regular names should be reserved for friends and acquaintances.

Just when you thought that Turkish Delight was the talk of the town here, the Turkish people came up with another sugary delicacy, and boy – it’s got a weird name. This treat, that kind of looks like a donut, is referred to as “a lady’s navel.”

Weird, right? But it doesn’t end there. There are a number of delicacies in Turkey with strange names. These include “the lips of beauty,” “your aunt,” “bulletproof cutlets,” “a boat of pleasure” and “a woman’s hip,” to name a few!

Make no mistake about it – they don’t call it the Turkish shave for no reason whatsoever. It is a world-famous style and is more than just a shave – it is an entire experience. If you are getting a Turkish shave in Turkey, it will only set you back a couple of lira.

You will be able to drink a cup of cay while the barber shaves your face. After that, they will take your head and dunk it in a sink full of water, before giving you a pleasant face massage.

Turkish people have some interesting customs when it comes to their superstitious ways. If one sneezes, expect a passerby to say to you “cok yasa,” which means “live a long life.” The original superstition was that one’s life got a little shorter every time they sneezed. “Serefe” is how Turks say “cheers” when drinking.

However, some will say “en koto gunumuz boyle olsun,” which means “may this day be our worst day ever.” Some Turks will even try and tell the future through the shapes created by coffee grounds. A heart shape could mean love is on the way while the shape of a bird could mean that a journey is near.

While home cleanliness is an ideal that people strive for around the world, Turkish people seem to take things to a whole new level. People in this country are notorious for keeping their homes clean and sparkly.

The following Russian woman married a Turkish man and had the following to say: “I had been considering myself neat until the moment I started being shown the traces of water drops on a bathroom faucet.” Some housewives put macramé lace in their fridges to let their fruit breathe.

There are plenty of dishes in Turkey that outsiders might perceive as peculiar. But Tavuk Gogsu might be the strangest of them all, especially when you consider what is inside. While this might appear to be a pleasant-looking dessert upon first glance, there is actually shredded chicken breast inside this milk pudding.

Apparently, this dish was eaten regularly by the Ottoman sultans. These days though, it is one of the country’s signature dishes. Still, outsiders will often choose something else.

In certain countries, cats get a bad rep in comparison to their canine buddies – not in Turkey though. In this neck of the woods, members of the feline community are revered on near-godlike levels.

Many cats live around the grounds of iconic mosques such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. According to one blogger, cats in certain parts of the country “serve” at local police stations. In the image on the right, you will be able to see a house for a police cat.

This is certainly one of the most unique quirks of living in Turkey. When leaving many restaurants, one can expect to be asked if they would like their hands to be sprayed with some perfume. But this isn’t to simply make someone’s hands smell good.

It also disinfects the hands, which in turn, removes pungent smells from likes of fish and garlic. However, not all customers are offered this, suggesting that staff might only offer to spray regular customers.

Around the world, yogurt is often considered as a kind of dessert, or maybe even something that you have for breakfast, which helps to line the stomach. In Turkey though, there is a popular drink that has the consistency and taste of yogurt, but is simply drunk with a full meal.

It is called ayran, and can be consumed with any meal of the day. It is supposed to help with digestion. After all, the Turks claim to have invented yogurt over a thousand years ago.

If you have spent enough time on the streets of Turkey, you have probably come across some drinking fountains, like the one in this photo. What you might not realize though is that many of these fountains are dedicated to family members who have passed away.

Usually, above the sink, you will find a plate that says the name and surname of the person in Turkish. People who drink from the fountain are expected to pray for the soul of the relative.

Truth be told, the hospitality of people varies from country to country. In Turkey though, it seems like everyone is more than happy to stop what they are doing in order to help someone in need. One blogger commented on how a stranger gave them their public transport pass.

Another blogger wrote the following: “Once, I told my friend’s mother that I was amazed by how much she cared about me…Her answer amazed me even more, ‘My second son is also abroad now, so I care about you and some other mother will care about him.'”

While having a croissant and some coffee might qualify as breakfast in certain countries, it certainly doesn’t in Turkey. Expect here to be presented with a plethora of plates including olives, cheese, honey, meat, jams, bread and a variety of eggs. No one ever finishes breakfast either because there is so much.

But you know what’s even crazier? There are many people in Turkey who will also have something called an “evening breakfast.” Apparently, breakfast isn’t limited to the morning in these parts.

We don’t know how true this is or how many Turkish people this apply to, but apparently, it’s a thing. According to one blogger, many Turks are scared to use math. “In the area where we live, people subtract by adding,” the blogger wrote. “For example, you want to buy a pound of tomatoes. It costs 3 lyres, and you give a 10 lyre bill.”

“First, you’ll be given 2 lyres because “it’s 5 now.” and then you’re given the rest of the 5 lyres. So, subtracting 10 — 3 is hard. And if you add 2 + 3, it’s 5, which is easier to subtract from 10.”

Driving in Turkey can be one of the most nerve-wracking experiences you have ever had. In this country, road rules are often treated more like suggestions. Horns are blowing all the time, and people often refuse to use their indicators.

And when it comes to who gives way, it’s pretty much first come, first served. Some Turkish drivers are even seen driving backward on a busy road, and some will try to overtake in the most congested traffic.

OK, so in Turkey, you can buy traditional pizza. But it turns out that they also have a special dish that looks a lot like a pizza already, but it’s something different entirely. Many Turks can’t get enough of lachmacun.

Imagine eating a pizza that was laden with minced meat but had no cheese whatsoever – that is basically what lachmacun is. You can virtually find this hearty dish all over the country and many customers like wrapping it up when consuming it.

Not everyone knows that Turkey is one of the only countries in the world that is technically part of two continents. The Bosphorus Strait basically separates a large part of Istanbul, which is located in Europe, from the rest of Turkey, which is a part of Asia.

The Bosphorus Strait is what separates the two continents. While there is a bridge that connects people from one side to the other, citizens can also take the metro which passes underneath the water.

You will soon learn that Turkish people have a special way of treating their babies. For example, parents can often be seen rocking their kids by the legs, instead of how many parents around the world do it by the arms.

It isn’t strange in Turkey to see a parent place the baby on a pillow, which in turn, they will place on their legs and jiggle a little to rock the infant. As a result, the baby will fall asleep quickly.

There are plenty of great examples of street food to be found in Turkey. But many locals and tourists alike will probably vouch for the mussels in this part of the world. For a start, there is no denying that these “fruit of the sea” are much healthier than the average hot dog.

And it’s really easy to find them. If you are walking anywhere along the waterfront, the chances are you will see a vendor selling a bunch of mussels, which are often a little spicy and soaked in lemon juice.

Many countries claim to have the very best produce in the world, but Turkey might actually be able to stake a legitimate claim to the throne. For a start, this country boasts some of the juiciest and tastiest tomatoes on the planet.

Moreover, the honey here is particularly smooth, and green vegetables here are fresh and crunchy to the max. And that’s not all. In Turkey, one can expect to find a copious amount of nuts and dried fruit, something that Turkey is famous for exporting.

If you spend just a day or two in Turkey, you will soon learn that the people here are very expressive when it comes to letting you know how they feel. It is commonplace to see a pair of individuals yelling at each other, when in reality, they are simply talking about the weather.

Turkish people’s emotions are also put on full display at football matches, where large crowds of fans can be seen passionately singing songs about their team.

Many countries around the world have a special, unique bread that they call their own. In Turkey, it’s called simit. This circular bread which is laden with sesame seeds is a big deal in this part of the world.

In fact, one is likely to see a man on many corners walking around in the morning, carrying a box of simit on his head! He will often be yelling from the bottom of his lungs the word “simit.” It’s a cute tradition.

If you were active on social media back in 2017, you probably came across the famous Salt Bae meme at some point. You know, the one of the cool-looking guy meticulously cutting his steak before gently sprinkling some salt all over it.

It turns out that Salt Bae is actually a Turkish chef called Nusret Gokce. Since his social media fame, Gokce has brought a lot of national pride to his compatriots and he has opened up restaurants in Istanbul, Dubai and even in the U.S.

A large chunk of Turkish society will agree that the best and most important coffee brand in the entire country is Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi. This company has been roasting coffee since 1871 and is a huge institution these days.

One of its main stores is designed in a way that it has a line of staff members packing thousands of bags of ground coffee and an even longer line of customers will be waiting outside to pick up their pack.

A lot of people around the world are more than happy to live in a studio apartment if they are living by themselves. After all, it is one of the cheapest options. In Turkey though, studios don’t really exist.

The smallest kind of place that is available for rent in Turkey is something called a 1+1 apartment. This is basically an apartment that, as you probably guessed, only has two rooms. This usually involves a bedroom and a living room, the latter of which includes a kitchenette.

When it comes to celebrating birthdays in Turkey, it seems like this is a tradition that is only done for children. Once you’re an adult, gone are the days that you’d receive presents from your loved ones and have a party.

If you really want to celebrate your birthday in Turkey, the most that people will do is sit you down for some tea and cake – that’s about it. Otherwise, expect just a text or a written message from friends and work colleagues.

When it comes to hospitality from friends and family, not many nations do it quite like Turkey. The people here take friendliness to a whole new level, while outsiders might read it as borderline obtrusive.

While people in certain nations like to have as much personal space as possible, the Turkish people are quite the opposite. Apparently, it’s OK to visit someone’s home first thing in the morning or the last thing at night without an invitation.

While medicine in Turkey is generally up to the same level as a lot of other countries, there is a specific term that many locals subscribe to. However, the sound of it certainly takes outsiders by surprise, especially since it sounds like it shouldn’t be a think – “Cold in the Stomach.”

Apparently in Turkey, doctors will often give this diagnosis and believe that it is the cause of many illnesses. They also advise patients to take cold showers when they have fevers and apparently, it works here!

Another part of everyday life in Turkey is a regular visit to one of the many Turkish baths in the country. Although the number of complexes has dwindled over the years, there are still a healthy number of bath venues in the country, like this one in Istanbul.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside but step inside and you will find a plethora of steam rooms, actual bath tubs, and saunas that have pretty much stayed the same way for hundreds of years.

Certainly not one of the funnier examples on this list, but still, it’s important. Apparently, more than half of the women in Turkey have C-sections, even if they don’t need to. Pain is the last thing that many soon-to-be mothers want to experience during childbirth and in Turkey, this applies to many of the female community.

However, recent reports show that Turkish doctors are more often promoting natural births. On the flipside, Turkish men have no problem watching the birth and sometimes even organize photoshoots!

One way of Turkish living that is bound to take foreigners by surprise is the following. Apparently, a lot of people settle for living in “window to window” buildings. According to one blogger, there are many apartments situated this way in Turkey, and apparently, it is totally legal.

“I don’t understand how people live this way: the neighbors can literally see everything in your apartment,” the blogger wrote. Personally, we agree that this kind of accommodation is alien to us.

This isn’t something that is exclusive to Turkey, but it is something that most citizens are happy in contributing towards. Most people who live in apartments here will not just pay traditional bills. An extra $25 per month is often paid for something by the name of “apartment service.”

This is basically a budget that covers trash removal, and public areas such as pools, gyms and saunas to be cleaned. It also covers front yard maintenance and lightbulb repair in the hallways.