Turkey Nostalgic for Ottoman Empire

Is Turkey Thrilled About the Ottoman Empire, Or Is It Ancient History? From The New York Times: The Ottoman period, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries, was marked by geopolitical dominance and cultural prowess, during which the sultans claimed the … Continued

Farewell and Tesekkür to Turkey, But We’ll Be Back

ISTANBUL (Oct. 31) — Our day began with settling our affairs for the flight home. After checking in and making sure we were confirmed for our trip, we grabbed some coffee and decided to explore Dolmabahçe Palace. The palace grounds … Continued

Istanbul from Above, and Some Tastes We’ll Miss

ISTANBUL (Oct. 30) — We woke up to a beautiful sunny day filled with endless possibilities. Over the hotel’s breakfast, we discussed our options for how to spend our day and where to please our stomachs. We transferred hotels from … Continued

Our Last Hurrah in Turkey? Not Quite …

EPHESUS/ISTANBUL (Oct. 29) — We arose and packed for our return to Istanbul to fly back home early the next day. After enjoying our final breakfast at the Ephesus Boutique — fresh produce, honey, jams, and all the fixings — … Continued

Gone to Ruins: Prienne, Miletus and Didyma

EPHESUS (Oct. 27) — Today was another chance to visit ancient ruins. After the hotel’s quaint breakfast, Berkan met us for another serious flashback to the past. We first visited Prienne. In its heyday, Prienne was located on the seashore … Continued