Buyacada, Turkey
In this episode, the FAQ is: How do I share my senior status but not my age regarding travel discounts?
Today’s Destination is: Buyacada, Turkey
Today’s Misstep- My airline went bankrupt
Travel Advice: Tips on visiting Turkey
FAQ: This was an honest question from one of our fans: How do I share my senior status but not my age regarding travel discounts? Do they need to know my age, or can I make it up?
Answer: Let’s get real here. Many of us want to save a few bucks and are willing to share that we are seniors, but maybe we don’t want to give away our age. Why or why not?
It may be your personal decision, so let’s respect that. When you fly, you must give the airline your date of birth so they know. What do they do with that information? Perhaps they save it for future marketing purposes. I’ve never been sent a birthday card by any of the hundreds of airlines I have flown, have you?
If you want to be sneaky, you can give the details in a fun way by saying, “I’m between this and this age, but I feel like I’m 50!”
Does that help some of our listeners in our prime?
And here’s a tip: You can join AARP at any age you like.
Today’s destination: Buyacada, Turkey (Part 2 on Turkey)
Turkey is a destination that I get asked about often.
Spend a few days in Istanbul and see the touristy places. This is the second of two episodes on Turkey focused on the largest of the Prince’s Islands. Buyacada means Big Island, about 2 square miles big.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes%27_Islands
Adventure on the high seas, where the local Turkish people go for a vacation break.
My guide to see Buyacada, Turkey. When you travel solo, you need some guidance.
They go to the Princes Islands. The ferry stops at four main islands, so you can get off or stay aboard. Take your pick. Due to stops, getting to the furthest ferry island could take hours each way. On a hot day, you will welcome the bay breezes.
When you get to the islands, you feel like you are in a tropical paradise, whisked away but still close. Adalar is the central city on the island of Buyukada. The other island I visited was Heybeliada, which also had some good nearby swimming.
https://turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/adalar/index.html
Buyacada is one of those Island places you will want to hear about and visit someday.
Trees had rags tied to the branches representing prayers at the monastery in Buyacada, Turkey.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/adalar-turkey
Today’s Misstep: Check the Airbnb reviews very carefully before booking
Her listing said “pool view” but did not include swimming. It said “ocean access” but did not mention it was 10 miles to the beach by boat. There were no hooks to hang anything in the room, so I used the window to hang my wet bathing suit. No air and no fan. She was kind and made me lemonade and tea. Doors did not close, lock, open, or fit.
The host asked if I liked cats, and I said yes. That was my error. Everything was covered in cat hair, including in my room. I was sad about that but realized nothing was perfect, so I kept a positive attitude. One small bedroom room was all I needed, and I would need a good night’s sleep tomorrow as I would explore the island on foot. The room cost $50, which was within my budget so that I could handle the cat hair for a few hours. This host did not get my best review.
Today’s Travel Advice- Turkey Tips:
If you are a US Citizen visiting Turkey, you will need a visa. Expect to see carpet shops, Turkish baths, and lots of delightful cafes and shopping. Haggling is a common practice here.
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