I always spend few extra days in Istanbul While our itineraries cover the major sites in the Sultanahmet area of Istanbul, there are many other attractions in this fascinating city. I always spend few extra days in Istanbul. Here are some of our favorites: Walkable from Sultanahmet Great Palace Mosaic Museum The museum is located… Continue reading The Rest of Istanbul – What You Missed on Your 1st Day Tour
Category: Turkey
Walking Through History – Georgia & Turkey 2023
We explore traditional and classical sites and seldom visited areas. Originally scheduled for spring 2020, we’re offering these tours starting in April 2023, dependent on pandemic conditions. There are 4 segments which can be combined: Georgia and Northeastern Turkey Southeastern Turkey Lycian Coast light hiking Cappadocia light hiking These can be combined for trips of… Continue reading Walking Through History – Georgia & Turkey 2023
Advice from years of bargaining in souks & bazaars
Here are my subjective general rules and advice for travelers in foreign markets and bazaars gleaned from many years of bargaining in Turkey, Nepal, India, South America, China and North Africa. In some of these countries US$ are accepted in additional to the local currency, so it’s a good idea to bring $1 and other… Continue reading Advice from years of bargaining in souks & bazaars
Alexander’s Path – Freya Stark
This was the perfect complement to be reading during our hiking trip in Lycia. Challenged by the meagerness of the historical record of Alexander’s progress along the Lycian coast, Stark set out in the 1950s to retrace and discover his most likely trail. Alexander had come to Xanthos, then after starting to the north, towards… Continue reading Alexander’s Path – Freya Stark
Byzantium a trilogy by John Julius Norwich
This is a trilogy consisting of: Byzantium – The Early CenturiesByzantium – The ApogeeByzantium – The Decline and Fall — John Julius Norwich There’s also an abridged version, in one volume, but I find it difficult to consider missing out on so much. Norwich writes for the lay reader, but relies heavily on primary sources,… Continue reading Byzantium a trilogy by John Julius Norwich