What is the Best Way to Pay for Things When Traveling Overseas?

Never been there either.

I don't think you can beat American Express. (not an endorsement)

Let me guess, I would have a mix of local currency(Euros, lira) and dollars, credit cards....

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/practical-information/money-costs

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g293969-s601/Turkey:Banks.And.Money.html

http://www.wordtravels.com/forum/discussion/3937/best-currency-for-turkey/p1

http://www.doviz.com/

You could always mark your cash, if it does not interfere with the validity of the notes. Then you can easily point out that the note you got back was not the note you gave.

I have used American Express, Credit Cards, and then you can go to a Bank oversees and exchange cash into the countries currency. This is usually the best exchange rate. If you use Credit Cards some companies may block you when you use it outside of the USA so call your Bank and see about their policy. American Express works great IMO.

I am planning to do a bit of local cash along with the credit cards so I am hoping that will work well enough.

My wife is from Turkey so I hope she knows what's good and bad over there however to be fair getting robbed wouldn't be much worse than watching her burn up her paychecks every two weeks on nothing.

You can get some Turkey money possibly at your local bank. I have done this also and I would call first. Then you would have some fun money before you enter the country. American Express is the safest way since if stolen they will be replaced and they are available at a USA bank.

My experience with Travelers Checks is that if you're not in a major city and/or the banks are closed nobody will touch them, many small merchants insist that you change them first.

Very few outlets accept Travellers Cheques/Checks these days.

Take some Lira before departure if possible, although ATMs are widely available in cities and at the arrivals area of Istanbul airport. Always advise debit and credit card companies that the account holder will be in Turkey (in this case) between two particular dates. Always pay on credit card where possible, as the rate is better than the cash rate and the debit rate, plus one gets six to eight weeks to pay if one times it right.

Spend all remaining Lira at the departures area of the airport before leaving; buy a meal or something, and pay the balance on credit.

Euro, GBP and USD are not widely accepted and the rates of exchange will be poorer than the debit card route.

American Express. If you don't already have one of their cards, you might be able to get one and score some frequent flyer miles, too. That's what I did when I went to Ireland and England last year.

Probably any bank credit card will work in any bank ATM - and yes, you'll pay an exchange rate and and few extra dollars for the convenience of the ATM. Just pay it; it's part of the freight you have to pay for access.

BE SURE you know your PIN number(s)!

I had a friend who traveled to Turkey last year. He didn't have any problems. Be careful where you travel there, and have fun.

In addition to the above, note that Turks are naturally curious and interested in travellers from outside the local culture. Expect to be treated with respect at all significant sales outlets, even to the point of being seated comfortably and served hot chai (local fruit tea, served in a glass) without any pressure to buy.

Istanbul itself is worth a minimum of four days' exploration. Make sure that visits to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque (remove shoes, and women must cover their heads - take a plain headscarf or similar), the city's underground water cistern, a trip across the Bosphorus and a Turkish Bath and massage are included in the visit; hotel front desks and Tourist Information offices can advise.

And do try locally-caught fresh herring in a bread roll for lunch....yummy.

Above all, enjoy the experience!

May I add that trying to discuss the price and ask for a deal is part of local culture in the Mediterranean region so that do not hesitate not doing this can be considered as a reason to ask for higher prices.

There is an other problem you can encounter since American Express asks for a higher fee it is not always accepted.

A last but no without importance counsel: do not keep all your cash in one pocket and do not keep your credit card at same place as the cash.

I went to our bank today and found out that all we needed to do was get out local bank VIsa cash cards authorized for international travel use.

No fuss and took about 5 minutes to do!

Supposedly they will work anywhere a normal Visa is accepted including cash machines.

Cool!

In addition, you should probably let your wife do the talking.

Somehow I can imagine you talking yourself into a mess.

I was in Istanbul while I was in the Navy. Nice people and interesting country.

Depending on the degree of anti-American sentiment, you may want to present yourself as a Canadian. You just never know.

The links in here may be of help. I think I read that Turkey is slowly moving into a stricter version of Islam.

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1046.html

Planning to only talk to her family. (and maybe her if I have too.)