Hagia Sofia

ISTANBUL

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May 8th 2009
28 April. Istanbul is unbelievably beautiful. We’ve arrived at the height of spring, with tulip trees and redbuds in bloom, plus pansies, primroses and literally millions of tulips. I was reminded that tulips originated in Iran and moved to the Netherlands through Turkey and other mid-eastern countries. Wow! We are not scheduled to meet our group for the Turkey trip until 2 May, so Tom got ... read more

Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul

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Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk, or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopt... ... read more