The married couple Taybet and Feyzullah Artuç, who live in the Balveren town of Şırnak, traveled to 40 countries across 6 continents in 16 years, funded by the income from their livestock farming. Inspired by a newspaper article they read in their youth, the Artuç couple decided to travel the world. Feyzullah, a minibus driver, and Taybet, who is engaged in livestock farming, travel the world with their savings. In 16 years, this adventurous couple visited 40 countries spanning across 6 continents. The Artuç couple aims to visit 208 countries.

Feyzullah Artuç revealed to an İHA reporter that their travel adventures began with an article in Hürriyet Gazetesi’s Kelebek supplement. He mentioned that during his teenage years, after reading a newspaper, he went to the town of Çeşme in Izmir. As they got married, they started their travels from Van, visiting sites such as Van Castle, İshak Pasha Palace, Sanliurfa Castle, and making two trips to the Black Sea region. Once they toured around Turkey, they ventured abroad. Their first destinations were Syria, Iraq, and Iran. In the second year, they started their journey from Georgia and travelled all the way to Russia. They also visited Japan, Qatar, Cuba, and South America.

Artuç explained that despite travelling to numerous countries, they had to visit Europe too. Describing how their previous travels helped them obtain a Schengen visa, making it easier to explore the continent, they traversed through 18-20 European countries. Their journey then took them to Egypt with its historical wonders, and later they visited Jordan and Thailand. Due to Taybet’s health issues, they had to cut their tour to Thailand short, but they plan to complete it in the future. Additionally, they are looking forward to exploring Morocco and Tunisia next year since those countries do not require Turkish citizens to obtain visas.

To fund their travels, the Artuç couple sells the cows they raise in their home’s basement. While Feyzullah operates a commercial minibus as both an owner and driver, Taybet focuses on livestock farming to support their travel expenses. The couple complements each other in this endeavor. They mentioned that selling a cow or a calf annually covers the cost of their travels and sustains their journey. Emphasizing how they aim to explore new destinations as long as their health allows, they expressed their willingness to continue their adventurous lifestyle.

Taybet Artuç mentioned that she feels delighted to travel the world with her husband like close friends. Rather than investing in gold or luxury cars, they have prioritized exploring the world together. Taybet highlighted that her husband’s passion for traveling inspired her, and they have formed a strong traveling partnership, enjoying their journeys side by side. With contentment, she encourages others to prioritize travel over material possessions, believing in the enriching experiences it brings.