Category: Travel

Ancient Site of Pergamum – A Journey through Ancient Splendor

Ancient site of Pergamum, also known as Pergamon or Pergamos, is located in the northwest of Turkey. Its rich history spans several millennia, with significant cultural, political, and historical developments. We visit this site on our 2024 small group tour Ancient Greek Period (4th – 3rd century BCE): Pergamum was initially a part of the… Continue reading Ancient Site of Pergamum – A Journey through Ancient Splendor

Visiting the World War I Gallipoli Battlefield

 In 1915, Winston Churchill, then 1st Lord of the Admiralty, promoted an invasion of ‘Byzantium’ by way of the Dardanelles, with a joint amphibious and naval force speeding up to the Bosphorus to capture Istanbul . His aim was to cut German supply lines to the Middle East, while knocking Turkey out of the war. Nothing went as planned — bad luck, inept and even cowardly commanders had already doomed the ANZAC forces when a young officer named Mustafa Kemal (later known as Ataturk) led the counterattack that trapped the Allies on their tiny beachhead spread along the narrow peninsula.

Cruising the Oregon Coast from Bandon to Lincoln City

To me, Oregon coast is most beautiful in the US (sorry, California & Maine, you’re still high on my list, but Oregon’s got game!) Bandon & Newport are my 2 favorite places with rocky beaches, great tidepools, photographic seastacks & lighthouses tossed in for some background interest. Oregon puts out a guide to the coast which has mile by mile descriptions.

Cascoly Turkey and Uzbekistan Small Group Tours

Our small group tours explore a mix traditional and classical sites and seldom visited areas. With a maximum of 12 participants we eat at small local restaurants and go where larger groups cannot. We stay in 3-4 star hotels, often with 2 night stays. When possible we select boutique hotels where we may be only clients. Our trips include most meals, hotels (based on double occupancy), domestic air where indicated, most tips, guide services and entry fees and transportation in an air conditioned, private minibus. 

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

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.