The Janissary corps, originally established by the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century, was a highly skilled and disciplined infantry unit. They were known for their loyalty to the sultan and their effectiveness in battle. The Janissaries had a significant impact on the enemies they faced, and their presence on the battlefield often struck fear… Continue reading Janissaries – Elite Warriors and First Military band
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February 2023 Earthquake in Turkey – Adiyamin
Passing thru Adiyamin, on our trip in Turkey in May 2023, we stopped at a container city for people displaced from the Feb earthquake Walked in and were greeted by several workers – they immediately offered us water! (day before at the yurt camp we were invited for lunch) then took us on a short… Continue reading February 2023 Earthquake in Turkey – Adiyamin
AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise – Croatia
Our Danube River cruise had only one stop in Croatia this time, in Vukovar. Croatia is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and Mediterranean climate. Here are some of the top tourist activities in Croatia: Vukovar The Baroque city of Vukovar located on the banks of the Danube… Continue reading AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise – Croatia
AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise – Bulgaria
Join our small group tour to Bulgaria in 2024 AMAwaterways Christmas Markets River Cruises Vidin is one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria and has played an important part in medieval Bulgarian politics due to its location along the Danube, as evident by the Baba Vida Fortress. This is the only fully preserved medieval fortress… Continue reading AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise – Bulgaria
AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise
The table below shows an overview of our 8-day Danube River cruise -Gems of Southeast Europe. Danube River Cruise – We visited 5 countries One of the major advantages of river cruising is you can sample several countries in a short time without the distraction and hassles of moving every day. You unpack once, then… Continue reading AmaWaterways Danube River Cruise
Power Adapters for International Travelers
Travel power adapters are devices used to convert the electrical input from one type of outlet to another so that electronic devices from one country can be used in another country where the electrical outlets are different. This mainly a concern for non-European travelers. Different countries use different electrical standards, including different plug shapes, voltages,… Continue reading Power Adapters for International Travelers
The Fall of Constantinople in 1453
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 was a major turning point in world history, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire’s ascendancy. Constantinople, which had been the capital of the Byzantine Empire for over a thousand years, was one of the most heavily fortified cities in the world, with walls that had withstood multiple sieges.
Cascoly Europe Travels – Photos & Journals
See our latest small group tours Europe is a diverse and fascinating continent, offering an incredible array of cultures, landscapes, and experiences to those who visit. Europe travel is a great way to immerse oneself in history, art, architecture, and cuisine, as well as to explore the beauty of the natural environment. In earlier days,… Continue reading Cascoly Europe Travels – Photos & Journals
Christianity in Cappadocia – Art and Underground Cities
Cappadocia has been an important area for Christian Art for hundreds of years . The terrain is well suited to defense, with cave dwellings and underground cities easily carved from the volcanic tufa. This stone is easy to excavate, but then hardens with exposure to air. With plentiful water and hiding places, various waves of Christian emigrants and… Continue reading Christianity in Cappadocia – Art and Underground Cities
Cappadocia’s Fascinating Natural history
Exploring the geology of Cappadocia and the bird life of Sultan Saziligli marshes