ANKARA

28 September 2023 I rejoice that I visited Ankara last year. Ankara possesses good museums, a 9th century citadel, old neighborhoods, Roman ruins, peaceful parks, and is home to the Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Read more…

Safranbolu, Turkey

29 September 2023 It is a short, rather pleasant drive 140 miles north to Safranbolu located not far south of the Black Sea. The temperatures have cooled to below 90° and dark clouds are overhead. Read more…

URFA

Birthplace of Abraham 27 September 2023 Aurora, goddess of Dawn appears over My Nemrut. Zeus and the other heads witness a new day. After my Mediterranean breakfast and Turkish coffee, I am wired. I board Read more…

MT NEMRUT

Sunset with the Talking Heads 26 September 2023 The windy road to the royal sanctuary atop Mt Nemrut can be a scary experience. The van steers through stunning views of mountains, valleys, rocky gorges and Read more…

Gaziantep

Into Earthquake Country 25 September 2023 Another long drive with views improved by the towering Taurus Mountains. Turkey is a mountainous country and the Taurus Mountains curve 350 miles through southern Turkey separating the Mediterranean Read more…

Cappadocia or Kapadokya?

Fairy Chimneys or Penises? 23-24 September 2023 The whole of Asia Minor is built on ancient, fascinating rocks. Those of the Cappadocia region of Turkey are especially so. After a very long day on good Read more…

A Change in Geology

22 September 2023 Today is “a long scenic drive”. In tour terms, this means prepare for over 300 miles in a van. There can be varying degrees of discomfort. Usually there are stops ever 2 Read more…

Antalya, Turkey

20-21 September 2023 Antalya is a charming city sitting above a gorgeous blue bay. It loses some of its charm because of its size and bustle, but once I pass through Hadrian’s Gate into the Read more…

Xanthos – Capital of the Lycians

20 September 2023 Aurora was shy this morning, not peeking above the mountains until almost 8. Apollo, as is his want, continues to blast down upon us from a cloudless sky.

Sailing the Aegean Coast

18-19 September 2023 Ancient City of Kaunos A relaxing morning finds us sailing south along the Anatolian coast to a strip of beach at Iztuzu. Caretta sea turtles come here to lay their eggs, thus Read more…

The Aegean Coast in a Gulet

My Blue Cruise along the Turkish Rivera 17-19 SEPTEMBER 2023 “Now voyager sail forth to seek and find.” Walt Whitman Did Agamemnon or Achilles pass this way and enjoy such views? I think not. Their Read more…

Aphrodisias

17 September 2023 Türkiye has a very effective “chamber of commerce” assisting the tourism board. In 2022, I visited an exhibition at the Istanbul International Airport. While having the greedy nerve to charge 10€, it Read more…

Pergamon

At Least What Remains On-site 15 September 2023 As I look over the Aegean and navigate the coastal region of Anatolia, I contemplate: Did my early ancestors pass this way? Did they take note of Read more…

Ancient Rocks and Olive Oil

14 September 2023 I spend my day looking at stones. If there is one thing the Turks have a lot of it is stones. These stones reflect their many great architectural and archaeological accomplishments over Read more…

Ancient Troy

13 September 2023 The reading of Homer’s great epics is a huge genealogical challenge. Characters are Greek gods and demi-gods, immortals and mortals. Often, they are called “son of” rather than by their given names, Read more…

Historic Battles – Gallipoli

13 September 2023 For this traveler, two important sites are on my itinerary. One is forever linked with Winston Churchill and the other to Brad Pitt. Both are sites of great historic significance.

ISTANBUL

CONSTANTINOPLE ON STEROIDS 9-12 September 2023 I visited Istanbul in 1981, the population was 2.7 million, about half of whom were carpet salesmen. Tanks and armed military, machine guns with bayonets fixed, occupied the streets. Read more…

Beautiful Mongolia

Part Two 11-18 July 2023 Ulaanbaatar is host to excellent museums They are a mix of modern and out-dated. Entrance is reasonable but taking photos requires substantial fees sometimes as high as 30-50,000 Tugrik. Choices Read more…

Mongolia – My Ger Guide

Authentic or Glamping? Part Two – 16 July 2023 My travels in Mongolia have enabled me to sample a variety of gers and accommodations. For my final experiences, I travel to Gobi Desert. Once again Read more…

Beautiful Mongolia

30 June-10 July 2023 “May the Mongol nation exist by its own right.” This idea is expressed in the Mongolian national symbol of the Soyombo. It is attributed to Zanabazar, the 17th century leader of Read more…

Mongolia – My Ger Guide

Authentic or Glamping? Part One – 10 July 2023 Sleeping in gers draws many travelers to Mongolia. We hear a lot about this form of camping but just how authentic, or what level of glamping, Read more…

Grandpa Ramping It Down

1 July 2023 When one is in pain, one needs distraction. That was the case while visiting the Third Tunnel of Aggression in the DMZ north of Seoul. Walking down the 11 degree ramp, noting Read more…

Seoul, South Korea

26-29 June 2023 I knew little about South Korea. What first came to mind was Psy’s catchy 2012 K-pop song “Wop Wop Gangnam Style.” My second thought was South Korea survives and thrives under the Read more…

Four Great Finds in Toronto

December 2022 I think of gophers.  They maneuver just below the surface within an elaborate tunnel system. Their tunnels represent a series of underground areas leading to various broad openings such as a main living Read more…

Cappadocia, Turkey

6 October 2022 The Call to Prayer woke me at 5:28; the unmistakable roar of burners blasting a flame into balloons got me out of my room before 6:15. Walking outside, I was met with Read more…

Waiting for Butter in the Stans

3-4 October 2022 The next two days will be a mix of flight and fantasy. Some final beautiful views of Khiva’s gates and fortifications as we drive to the airport; experiencing Uzbekistan security and airplanes; Read more…

Touring Tashkent, Uzbekistan

26-27 September 2022 Tashkent is a city of very modern buildings interspersed with some ugly Soviet relics, green manicured parks, fountains, and a very organized traffic system. Except for closing down the streets and having Read more…

And More From Tajikistan

25 September 2022 It’s hot as Hell and I’m not going to take it anymore! We’re on the road again. Today, we drive 50 miles southwest through the foothills to the ancient city of Istarafshan, Read more…

REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN

24 September 2022 After breakfast in Kokand, we face the short drive and possibly grueling border crossings from Uzbekistan into the fourth of the Stans: Tajikistan.

Osh, Kyrgyzstan

22 September 2022 This morning I am flown out of Bishkek’s Manas International Airport for Osh, the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan. With a population a little over 208,000, Osh is located in the Fergana Read more…

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN

20-21 September 2022 This morning we depart lovely Lake Issyk Kul and retrace some of our route west before turning north to Bishkek. There are not a lot of roads here, basically up and down Read more…

THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

17 September 2022 The day begins with a large, delicious breakfast including flaky pastries, potato pancakes filled with cheese, honey and raspberry spreads, bread, quiche and more – homemade and from their gardens. I’m not Read more…

ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN

15 September 2022 Last night, we joined ElderTrek. Having previously cancelled this trip twice as per Covid, the third time is the charm and for this trip I invited my adventurous niece along (guess all Read more…

REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

14 September 2022 I have arrived into the ninth largest country in the world. One would think I might know something about its culture and history. I know little. Its geography situates it in a Read more…

Hermes and 2022 Travel

14 September 2022 In Greek mythology, Hermes was the god of trade, wealth, luck, fertility, animal husbandry, sleep, language, thieves, and travel. What an interesting mix of blessings. This messenger god, also known under the Read more…

Sestri Levante: così così

13-14 May 2022 Squeezed between the villages of Cinque Terre and jet-set Portofino, Sestri Levante is like a poor cousin one visits in the suburbs. A stroll takes me among the shabby and Art Nouveau Read more…

Pisa – Life Beyond the Tower

26-28 April 2022 I have visited Pisa on several occasions, most often not further than its famed Leaning Tower. It wasn’t until I wandered into some of its smaller, quieter streets that I discovered Pisa’s Read more…

Clearing Customs in Covid

26 September 2021 Travel is muscle memory. At least it was.  Much has changed because of Covid. I can’t utilize all the little perks of travel that once made the experience faster, easier and more pleasant. Read more…

Celle – Its Castle of Intrigue

19 September 2021 Walking Celle is like strolling through a Brothers Grimm folktale. Walk Celle’s streets, ogle its magnificent architecture, enjoy the statues and fountains, and stand in the Markt Plaza when the Glockenspiel rings Read more…

Why Celle?

17 September 2021 Two major events explain why I visit Celle. In the winter of 1911, my grandmother Dora left her home and family in Celle to emigrate to the United States. I don’t exactly Read more…

Deutsche Bahn

17 September 2021 I have almost had to revise my positive opinion on DB because of dreaded gate changes but with a smattering of German and helpful English speakers, I am able to catch a Read more…

Living in the Age Of Masks

15 September 2021 Training through Germany I love the tradition of dining on the sidewalks and in plazas. Weather here is perfect for outside seating. Dining in the fresh air and surrounded by the ongoing Read more…

Nuremberg’s Castle and Cave

12 September 2021 One reason for immediately liking Nuremberg is I love old walled cities. Nuremberg Castle and city walls represent a formidable medieval defensive system. During the Middle Ages, the castle was one of Read more…

Nuremberg – Part Zwei

11 September 2021 It’s an easy walk to U1, getting a ticket and then figuring direction of travel. About 10 minutes later I arrive at my destination: Memorium Nuremberg and Palace of Justice. It is Read more…

Nuremberg

10 September 2021 When traveling, one so often discovers ways we, meaning my own country of the United States, could do better. Certainly when it comes to mass transit and trains, there is a lot Read more…

DENVER

Getting a Mile High in More Ways Than One Since becoming a first state to legalize marijuana in 2012, its residents have taken it to heart. Walking this mile high city is a great but Read more…

2021 – The Year of Flâneur?

Yooper Blooper: June 16 “Why would anyone build the most spectacular bridge in the world at the top of Michigan instead of at Detroit where everyone could see it?” —letter from an irate “troll” taxpayer Read more…

2021 – The Year of Flâneur?

Yooperland: June 13-15 “The best thing that could happen to the U.P. would be for someone to bomb the bridge.”—John Voelker, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice and the author of Anatomy of a Murder and Yooper resident— Read more…

2021 – The Year of Flâneur?

Wisconsin: June 8-10 Flâneur is a wonderfully descriptive French noun referring to a “stroller, loafer, a lounger,” or as the Italians describe it, enjoying a “passeggiata.” In any language, it describes the passionate wandering traveler. In Read more…