Nurgül Büyükkalay

Is travel merely about seeing new places for you, or is it a way to rediscover the world and yourself? How has your way of traveling changed over the years?

Travel cannot be separated from one’s identity. For me, travel has never been just about seeing new places. While getting to know cultures, people, and lives across nearly a hundred countries and hundreds of cities, I have also rediscovered myself. After all, travel is a reflection of how one views the world and oneself; every journey is an experience that we carry with us and that transforms us. Naturally, my way of traveling has evolved over the years. While I used to try to see as many places as possible when visiting a destination, I now prefer to travel more slowly—walking the streets, chatting with locals, and immersing myself in everyday life. Sitting in a small café and people-watching is just as much a part of the travel experience for me as visiting a museum. Now, rather than asking, "How many countries have I seen?" I ask, "What has this journey added to my life?" Learning, knowing, and discovering are impulses inherent to human nature—a quest that will never end as long as humanity exists.

How has your perspective on your profession changed between the early days of your travel writing career and today? When you visit a destination now, through what lens do you view it—not merely as a traveler, but as a travel writer?

For me, writing is a way to capture and make sense of the travel experience. While I initially focused on simply "describing what I saw," I eventually realized that travel writing is about much more than just recounting a place. Now, I don't look at a destination merely in terms of sights to see or food to eat; instead, I strive to understand the place's soul, its story, its people, and its daily life. Because not every beautiful place necessarily tells a compelling story; sometimes, a small town that isn't on anyone’s radar or a conversation at a local table can leave a far more lasting impression. For me, travel writing is about looking a little beyond what everyone else sees. I carry my past, my reading, and my identity along with my suitcase wherever I go; consequently, the world I see acquires meaning by being filtered through who I am and my own experiences.

What do you consider the most important factor that distinguishes you from other travel writers when describing a destination? What elements transform a place into a "good travel story"?

I believe one of the qualities that sets me apart from other travel writers is my background as an academic, and the other is my love for solo travel. My academic identity enriches my travel writing. As an academic, my mind is constantly analyzing; as a writer, I am constantly putting those thoughts into words. I reflect on why a street looks the way it does, the architecture of a building, the story behind a dish, the local way of life, and why a non-touristy neighborhood might sometimes reveal so much more. After all, for me, a good travel piece shouldn't just tell the reader to "go there"; it should make them feel the place and spark their curiosity. When I travel alone, I move at my own pace, observe more closely, and connect more easily with locals. Journeys that take me beyond the typical tourist spots allow me to experience a destination in a more personal, profound way—and to reflect that in my writing. I believe a good travel story needs to offer more than just beautiful scenery; it must capture emotion, the human element, and a sense of wonder. When readers finish the piece, they shouldn't simply say, "That place looks nice"; One should visualize that place in one’s mind and say, “I want to go there, too.”

In your opinion, what makes a travel article good? How do you bridge the gap between simply visiting and describing a place and truly allowing the reader to experience it?

A good travel article shouldn’t just provide information; it should evoke emotion and spark curiosity in the reader. Truly experiencing a place requires more than just visiting the sights; it means immersing yourself in the local way of life. Talking to locals, walking the streets, visiting the market, tasting local dishes, and sometimes straying from the plan... When I write about my own experiences, I select details that make the reader feel as though they are right there; a scent, a sound, a dining table, or even a single sentence spoken by someone can bring a story to life. To me, a good travel article should inspire the reader, open a door in their mind, and leave them imagining themselves in that place by the time they finish reading.

Travel content on social media has become increasingly visual and geared toward rapid consumption. Do you think platforms like Instagram and TikTok enrich our travel experiences, or do they push us to travel merely to take photos?

I think it’s a bit of both. Social media has made travel far more visible and accessible by allowing us to discover places, restaurants, and routes we had never heard of before. Thanks to Instagram, I’ve discovered many places that weren't previously on my radar. However, there is a risk of chasing "shareable moments" instead of truly living the experience. For me, maintaining a balance is key. Of course, I take photos and create content, but I believe in experiencing things first and sharing them later. I was traveling long before social media existed, and I would continue to travel even if it disappeared tomorrow. Travel isn't just about the places we see; it’s also a reflection of our inner worlds. The locations exist, but we imbue them with meaning through our own internal perspectives.

There is also a side to travel writing that happens behind the scenes: constantly being on the road, researching, producing, and finding new content. What is the most challenging aspect of this lifestyle that isn't visible from the outside?

While constant travel might look like a free and beautiful life from the outside, there is an unseen fatigue that comes with always being on the move. The experience of someone going somewhere for a vacation differs vastly from that of someone going there to explore, research, and create content all at once. Moreover, the work doesn't end when you return from the trip; there are still photos, videos, articles, and content to manage. Sometimes I miss my home and the luxury of a day spent doing absolutely nothing. But perhaps that is both the hardest and the best part of the job... Even though the curiosity and the pursuit of new stories can be exhausting, being in motion still makes me feel alive.

Discussions around "overtourism" and sustainable tourism are gaining significant importance worldwide. As a travel writer, how do you strike a balance between promoting popular destinations and contributing to their preservation?

I believe travel writers bear a serious responsibility in this regard. Promoting a place also means considering its future. Instead of simply saying "go here," I try to explain how and when to visit and how to respect local life. I make it a priority to highlight lesser-known regions and local businesses alongside highly popular destinations. Sustainability isn't just about protecting nature; supporting local producers, small businesses, and culture is part of it, too. In short, my approach isn't "let more people come," but "let more *conscious* people come." We have a responsibility to protect the places we love just as much as we do to discover them.

Was there ever a place or a moment during your travels that affected you unexpectedly—a time when you thought, "I’m so glad I came here"? Could you share a travel story with us that you still remember vividly today?

Since I travel so much, it’s hard to pick just one memory, but I’ll never forget a night during my solo trip to Iceland. I love traveling alone; when I move at my own pace, my state of mind is much clearer, and I can better hear what I want and how I feel. In Iceland, I followed my curiosity to Diamond Beach just as it was getting dark and heavy rain was falling. It was growing dark, I had no cell service, I realized my fuel was running low, and I was driving alone through a desolate landscape. On one side lay pitch-black volcanic soil; on the other, whenever I turned my head, I saw massive glaciers that looked as if they were flowing right toward me... I drove until midnight that day, and I didn't even have a place to stay. Eventually, I found a hotel and made it through the night. What stayed with me from that trip—beyond Iceland’s magnificent landscapes—was the ability to keep going despite my fears, to solve problems on my own, and to realize I could trust myself far more than I had imagined.

Travel trends change rapidly; destinations that everyone talks about one moment quickly give way to new discoveries. In your opinion, what is the most distinct trend setting the travel landscape of 2026 apart from previous years?

I believe the most distinct trend distinguishing 2026 from earlier years is the shift from "seeing more places" to "having more meaningful experiences." Travel is no longer shaped merely by the question "Where should I go?" but rather "Why do I want to go?" People are seeking less crowded destinations, local life, and experiences that nurture their well-being; trends like "slow travel" and "coolcation" reflect this. Travel is now also about feeling good, resting, and rejuvenating. Current research confirms that travelers are looking for cultural connections, relaxation, wellness, and more personalized experiences. There is also a very clear trend toward personalization in travel. One person might travel for gastronomy, another for nature, someone else for art, or perhaps for a specific hotel or simply to enjoy solitude. In short, the experience—rather than the destination—has become the focal point of travel. I view this positively. As someone who has been traveling for years, I believe that staying in one place longer to truly understand the local way of life and form a connection is far more valuable than visiting ten cities in a short span of time.

If I were to offer a single piece of advice to young people at the start of their careers who wish to become travel writers or create travel content, it would be to become keen observers. One must take an interest not only in the beauty of a destination but also in its history, culture, people, and stories. What sets you apart is not the country you visit or your follower count, but how you view the world. A thousand people might visit the same place, yet not everyone tells the same story. The true value lies in presenting a place that everyone sees from your own unique perspective. For instance, you can find thousands of articles about Paris. Yet, rather than saying, "I already know Paris," I want to read about and see *your* Paris. What did you see and feel? What did you notice that I never did? This is precisely where the true value of a travel storyteller emerges: the ability to reveal a familiar place anew through one's own eyes. Travel transcends physical exploration; emotions, feelings, and dreams are what imbue travel writing with deeper meaning.