Blogs from Istanbul, Marmara, Turkey, Middle East

When I strolled through the vibrant streets of Istanbul, I was instantly captivated by the city's unique blend of history, culture, and breathtaking architecture. Turkey has been an unforgettable chapter in my travel journey, and Istanbul, in particular, has stolen a piece of my heart. This city, where East meets West, offers a mesmerizing fusion of the ancient and the modern, making it a true paradise for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers like myself. One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of Istanbul's skyline is its magnificent mosques, each with its own story and architectural flair. After spending countless hours exploring these sacred sanctuaries, I've narrowed down my three favorites, which I believe are an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling to Istanbul. The Süleymaniye Mosque: A Majestic Masterpiece Perched atop one of Istanbul's seven hills, the Sü ... read more

What is the real truth about jet lag? Well, I know it is real, as I have suffered greatly over the years. And for a while, it got worse with age. One secret, which is not really a secret, is to time your flights to fit your sleep schedule. This, of course, assumes you can sleep on a plane or train. A red eye to the east coast was my normal flight for many years. I would have a nice dinner at home, take a little nap, shower, then head to the airport for a late night/early morning flight to Washington, DC, Boston, New York, or Hotlanta. But truth be known, I was not always at my best the next day, often falling asleep before, during, or after dinner! Another secret is that I am really ... read more

Winter in Europe is something I have never really experienced. I am not big on the European Christmas markets throughout northern Europe. But I am not crazy about cold, wet, rainy, snowy, icy weather. So, even though I start and end this trip in Munich, I am already thinking of warmer climes. This does present a problem with what to pack, whether colder and warmer weather. But I can always ditch the cold weather clothes, meaning donating to either the homeless or to a charity. Or, as my brother often did in our youth, just bring a pair of scissors, and make some instant Bermuda shorts. Given a choice, I would always choose Greece. After all, I have my "adopted" Greek brothers there, Stavros, Giorgos, and Vasilis. And there are many parts of Greece I have ... read more

From Conde' Nast: Here are the global top 10 airports as voted by readers: RankingAirport/CodeStandout features1.... read more

Travelling in the post pandemic world is full of stress and uncertainty- cancellations, staff shortages, queues. It is, then, a miracle to behold that two travelling parties, their origins on two separate continents can agree to meet on a third continent and arrive within 30 people in the passport queue. Particularly when one of those parties can answer with genuine ignorance when he’s asked upon boarding his flight from Tanzania what his onward travelling arrangements from Turkey are. So, we have arrived in Istanbul, pleasantly stress-free compared to the last trip, but not lacking in vomit. After settling in to our apartment and admiring the view, we had a wander around Sultanahmet, refuelled the tanks, rekindled our love for Efes and enjoyed some warmth. A Turkish feast in a beautiful garden before the whinging about fatigue ... read more