Tankut Aran and Lale Surmen Aran, tour operators based in Istanbul, suggest ways to get beyond the city's tourist hot-spots by delving into the back streets — from overlooked corners of the Grand Bazaar to the traffic-free islands just off the coast.

Gökalp Kasim and Taylan Tasbasi, two tour guides from Istanbul, chat with Rick about their ideas for enjoying a night on the town in Istanbul — even during Ramadan.

Rick learns about expat life from Julie Cascioppo, a jazz and cabaret singer who splits her time between Istanbul and Seattle.

Rick talks with an American Muslim woman who spent a year on her own in the Middle East and a gay travel writer who was surprised by what he encountered in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Tankut Aran and Lale Surmen Aran, two of Rick's friends from Istanbul, help him learn more about Islam and how it is practiced today in modern Turkey.

Tour guides Tankut Aran and Lale Surmen Aran, accustomed to working with Americans, share practical advice on visiting Istanbul.

Rick and tour guide Mehlika Seval describe the best options for exploring small-town Turkey, including using the country's inter-city bus lines, renting a car to explore back roads, or making a quick journey while your cruise ship is in port.

Mehlika Seval, a Turkish tour guide, explains how nationalism has shaped her country's democracy and discusses how Turkey deals with Kurdish separatists inside and across its borders.

Two tour guides from Turkey describe the customs they're observing as they get ready for their own wedding day.