Travel Turkey with Serif Yenen

29/03/2026

Turkish Odyssey has been selected as a finalist in the Travel category at the Foreword INDIES Book Awards 2025.

Being chosen among thousands of titles is a meaningful milestone in our journey of sharing Türkiye’s rich cultural story with the world.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this journey. 🌎

👉🏻 https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/finalists/2025/travel/

02/02/2026

🎙️I recently had the pleasure of joining Martin Strecker Adelskov on his podcast Samtaler fra Istanbul.

Marti is a Danish writer and observer who has been living in Istanbul since 2014. He doesn’t look at the city from a distance — he lives it daily.
Ferries, neighborhoods, construction sites, cafés, routines, change… Istanbul as it truly is.

In our conversation, we spoke about:
* Why Anatolia is one of the most important cultural landscapes in human history
* How Turkish Odyssey grew out of decades of guiding experience
* The fine balance between storytelling, accuracy, and cultural respect
* Why today’s visitors seek meaning and experience, not just highlights
* And why Istanbul can never be understood through monuments alone

This was not a promotional talk — but an honest exchange about culture, guiding, and the responsibility of telling a city’s story.

🎧 If you’re interested in Istanbul as a living, evolving place — not just a destination — this conversation is for you.

👉🏻 Listen to the full episode:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2351423/episodes/18594032

24/01/2026

We followed the traces of the post-Bronze Age at the airport.

After the Bronze Age, Anatolia entered a new era: the Iron Age—but this transition took some time, because iron is far harder to process and requires much higher heat.

In Anatolia, the Iron Age is generally dated from around 1000 BCE (sometimes 1100 BCE) and lasts until the 6th century BCE, when the Persians arrive.

This period introduces three major civilizations:

- Urartians around Lake Van, known for iron weapons and objects
- Phrygians, with King Midas and iconic fibulae (ornamental safety pins)
- Lydians, famous for minting the earliest coins (7th century BCE)

Even at an airport museum, you can witness how Anatolia literally moved from one age to another.

23/01/2026

Could Coffee Be a Reason for Divorce in the Ottoman Empire?
At a time when women’s property rights were still debated in Europe, Ottoman women could legally initiate divorce proceedings—because of coffee.

This wasn’t a myth. It was a recognized legal right.

From the 16th century onward, coffee became part of Ottoman daily life and was eventually considered a basic household necessity. Since men were legally required to provide essential needs—food, clothing, and shelter—failure to provide coffee could theoretically trigger legal action.

Coffee wasn’t just a drink.
It reflected an early legal framework connected to women’s rights.

02/12/2025

Recently, I had the pleasure of delivering a talk titled “Neolithic Secrets Carved in Stone” at the Boston Turkish Festival, focusing on Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, and the Stone Mounds. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the deep cultural heritage of Anatolia with an international audience and highlight its significance within human history.

This year marked the 30th anniversary of the festival, which once again brought together a refined and culturally engaged community. Sharing Anatolia’s ancient story with such an inspiring group was both an honor and a source of motivation. I am pleased to share a short video from my presentation.

I am open to invitations for talks at conferences, museums, universities, and cultural events. Please feel free to reach out for collaboration.

06/11/2025

A Newly Opened Hidden Room in Topkapı Palace 🏛️✨

Recently opened to visitors, this small storage room beneath the Kushane Kitchen once served the Sultan’s private quarters.

Its elegant rococo ceiling and large storage jars reveal traces of palace life that once bustled here centuries ago.

25/10/2025

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be giving a lecture on “Neolithic Secrets Carved in Stone: Göbekli Tepe, Karahantepe, and the Stone Mounds” in Boston, USA🇺🇸, on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

In this lecture, we’ll journey back nearly 12,000 years, to a time when humanity first began leaving lasting marks on stone. Discover how the remarkable sites of Göbekli Tepe and Karahantepe are redefining everything we know about the origins of civilization — revealing a world of art, ritual, and belief far more sophisticated than once imagined.

If you’re fascinated by ancient mysteries and the deep roots of human creativity, this talk will open a new window into our shared past.

🗓 Saturday, November 15, 2025
🕑 2:00 pm
📍 Goethe-Institut Boston – 170 Beacon Street

📌 Reservation is required.
https://www.bostonturkishfestival.org/festival/2025/neolithic-secrets-carved-in-stone.html

Part of the “Colors of Anatolia” Lecture Series by the Boston Turkish Festival.

17/09/2025

🇹🇷Dreaming of Turkey? Timing is Everything.

“Turkey isn’t just a destination — it’s a calendar of experiences.” — Şerif Yenen

Want to know when to explore Istanbul’s tulip blooms, run away to Cappadocia’s balloon skies, enjoy the turquoise sea, or experience Turkey under a blanket of snow?

📖New on the blog: Best Time to Visit Turkey — your insider’s guide to:

•⁠ ⁠Spring & fall for beauty and culture
•⁠ ⁠Summer for seaside fun
•⁠ ⁠Winter for a cozy, authentic side of Turkey
•⁠ ⁠Festivals, light, weather & hidden gems 🌿

👉 Check it out via the link in below & plan your perfect Turkey story today!
https://serifyenen.com/best-time-to-visit-turkey/

Best time to visit Turkey 2025? From Istanbul tulips to Cappadocia balloons, explore seasonal travel tips and cultural insights from a local expert.

05/09/2025

No brush, no paint — just stones, and yet her face speaks louder than words. This 13th-century mosaic from Hagia Sophia captures the Virgin Mary with a depth of emotion no painting could ever match.

02/09/2025

The Joy of Discovery Never Ends on These Lands: Tripolis

Türkiye is an archaeological treasure chest. Every year, countless excavations and dedicated archaeologists unveil chapters of ancient history. Our lifetime will never suffice to witness them all.

One of the most exciting recent discoveries for me is Tripolis, an ancient city not too far away from Pamukkale. Quiet yet grand, it carries the legacy of thousands of years into present.

🏛️Three Settlements Become One

Founded at the intersection of Lydia, Caria, and Phrygia, Tripolis was once called Apollonia and briefly Antoniopolis before becoming Tripolis—literally meaning "three cities."

🕰️6000 Years of Continuity

Surrounding archaeological mounds show that the area was inhabited as early as 6000 years ago—long before the city itself rose.

🏛️Roman Splendor & Religious Significance

Tripolis reached its peak during the Roman Imperial Period, with grand structures like city gates, baths, a theater, and a stadium. It was also a religious and administrative center, represented in major early church councils like Nicaea and Ephesus.

Tripolis is one of the many stars still rising from Anatolia’s deep past.
Every step echoes history. Every stone tells a story.
If you have the chance—go see this silent witness yourself.

01/09/2025

Istanbul Unveiled – A Live Virtual Tour

Discover the crossroads of civilizations in a captivating online journey through Istanbul, one of the world’s most extraordinary cities — presented by the Smithsonian Associates as part of its Discovering Türkiye series.

📅 Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (ET)
📍 Platform: Zoom (Link provided upon registration)

Join renowned tour guide, author, and filmmaker Şerif Yenen as he unveils the layers of history, culture, and hidden treasures that make Istanbul truly unique:
• Hagia Sophia – From cathedral to mosque to museum, and now a mosque again
• Topkapı Palace – Seat of Ottoman sultans for centuries
• Chora Church – Home to some of the finest Byzantine mosaics
• Underground remains of the Great Palace of Byzantium
• And much more, including local insights and hidden gems

Through rich storytelling and stunning visuals, Yenen will bring Istanbul’s vibrant past and present to life — from its UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center to the traditions and daily life that continue to shape the city today.

🔗 Register Now: smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/istanbul-unveiled

Don’t miss this chance to experience the city where East meets West - all from the comfort of your home!

Smithsonian Associates