Istanbul wasn’t on my bucket list. In fact, I wasn’t sure I even wanted to go. But after spending a month living and working there, I have to admit—I was wrong about a lot of things.

From misty morning walks over the Galata Bridge to the unexpected ritual of Turkish tea, here’s what stood out the most about my time in Istanbul.

What We Talk About:

• Why Istanbul ended up being our next stop (even though it wasn’t planned)
• The affectionate street cats of Cihangir—and the man who’s been caring for kittens for 30 years
• The best and worst of Turkish tea, baklava, and that one $11 slice of cheesecake
• Taking the ferry to the Asian side—why it’s one of the best things to do in the city
• The WiFi struggle no one talks about (and what to do if you’re working remotely)

I’m also putting together a full Istanbul guide—my favorite cafés, scenic walks, restaurants, and hidden gems—all saved on a Google Maps list. Plus, a bonus Cappadocia guide. If you want it, subscribe to my newsletter—TAP HERE.

And of course, don’t forget to follow the podcast so you don’t miss next week’s episode!

Was Cappadocia as magical as the photos—or just another overhyped Instagram destination?

My boyfriend and I just got back, and in this episode, we’re looking back at our trip, revisiting our predictions, and sharing what made the experience special

What we talk about:

• The best way to get to Cappadocia—flights, shuttles & what to budget for
• What we were most excited about vs. what actually stood out
• The reality of cave hotels
• What we skipped and what wasn’t worth it
• Is winter the perfect season for a first visit?

📍 Bonus: Want a full list of the best restaurants, cafés, and viewpoints we found?

I’m sharing it in my next newsletter, along with a full Istanbul guide + a bonus issue just for Cappadocia.

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Cappadocia, Turkey! Dreamy winter wonderland or just really cold? Before heading there, my boyfriend Bal and I are making some predictions—what we’re excited about, what might be overhyped, and whether we’ll actually wake up for sunrise. Let’s see if we get it right!

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“You’re doing what?!” If you’ve ever told friends or family you’re thinking about slow traveling—or already doing it—you’ve probably been met with questions.

It’s not easy to explain in one neat sentence, so today, we’re breaking it down.

What slow travel really is, why people choose it, and why it changes more than just where you live.

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Istanbul wasn’t what I expected—but in the best way. I thought I knew what this city would be like, but after a week here, I’m seeing it in a whole new light.

From the coffee culture to street cats to unexpected quirks, here’s what’s stood out so far:

🔹 The café scene and working from Istanbul
🔹 Safety, surprises, and things I didn’t see coming
🔹 Why I started a Facebook group for slow travelers
🔹 My upcoming trip to Cappadocia (and why I almost didn’t go)

Join my Slow Travel Community on Facebook, just TAP HERE.

Sign up for my monthly newsletter - TAP HERE!

Today we're talking about my month-long solo stay in Prague, Czech Republic. This wasn't just any trip; I was navigating a recent heartbreak and seeking solace in this enchanting city.

We'll chat about how Prague helped me heal, discover the magic of slow travel, and share insider tips like the best cafes, hidden gems, and the surprising cost of living five years later. 

Resources:

Get my World's Top 60 Coffee Shops to Work From (2025 Edition) ⁠⁠⁠⁠TAP HERE

Tell me what's on your mind! Send me a voice message at ⁠⁠SlowTravelDiaries.com⁠⁠

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Instagram: @KaphrynLee

Facebook Group @SlowTravelCommunity

Ever Googled “What is slow travel?” In this episode, I’m looking at the top 3 most-searched questions about slow travel.

If you’ve ever been curious—this episode is for you.

Resources:

Receive my World's Top 60 Coffee Shops to Work From (2025 Edition) ⁠⁠⁠TAP HERE to sign up now! ⁠⁠⁠

Love to hear from you! Send me a voice message at ⁠SlowTravelDiaries.com⁠

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Instagram: @KaphrynLee

When you think of traveling to Europe, you probably picture Paris, Rome, or Barcelona—but what about the places people don’t talk about as much?

This week, I’m sharing four destinations I visited during my vanlife days that aren’t hidden gems, but definitely deserve more attention. They’re perfect for a long weekend trip and packed with unique vibes and unforgettable experiences.

Resources:

Be the first to receive my World's Top Coffee Shops to Work From (2025 Edition) ⁠⁠TAP HERE to sign up now! ⁠⁠

Love to hear from you! Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@KaphrynLee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or leave me a voice message at SlowTravelDiaries.com

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2025 is here, and my travel plans are coming together. Istanbul, Budapest, and Cannes are first up, but how do I choose where to go?

In this episode, I share the process, the excitement, and the little details shaping my year—plus, what’s on my list to accomplish along the way.

Resources:

World's Top 60 Coffee Shops to Work From HERE.

Join the community - Facebook Group HERE.

Love to hear from you! Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@KaphrynLee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Ever thought about living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico? After almost 2 years there, I’m reflecting on what it was like to live, work, and build routines in this vibrant coastal city. Let’s unpack my time in Playa and what I’ve learned since leaving.

What we’ll talk about:

Resources:

Love to hear from you! Instagram at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@KaphrynLee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Be the first to get my NEW 2025 List of Top 50 Coffee Shops to Work From. TAP HERE to sign up now!

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