I am picked up at the airport in Kayseri, Turkey by Travel Atelier guide Bunyamin Ozmen. It’s close to noon, so we head for the Old Greek House for lunch in the village of Mustafapasa. The restaurant is housed in a 19th century stone mansion. Its first owner was a Greek artist by the name of Yorha Vasil. The house
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Metropolis is a “super” destination
I am on a mission. I check into Riverview Mansion Bed & Breakfast for the night, but I hardly take in the ornate Victorian beauty surrounding me in this mansion overlooking the Ohio River when I am out the door and back in my car again. This is Metropolis and, according to the State of Illinois Legislature, the hometown of
There’s nothing like a road trip to see America
I set out to see America on May 27. With my bags packed, gifts for family and friends ready, and a 2018 Kia Niro to try out, I set off on a three-week solo adventure. I left my home in Texas and headed east to Birmingham, Alabama. The Westin Birmingham in downtown was my base. Between raindrops the next day,
Vulcan – Always Watching Over Birmingham
Vulcan Park and Museum should be the first place you visit when you arrive in Birmingham. With its spectacular view of the city and the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau information center, it’s the best place to learn about the city, its rich history and its many attractions. Vulcan, at the center of the park, is the world’s largest
Williamson County, Texas History Comes to Life at Local Museum
I am greeted by Mickie Ross, Williamson Museum Executive Director, as soon as I step into the museum located on the square in Georgetown. Dressed appropriately in a poppy-decorated dress (Georgetown, the county seat, is, after all, the Red Poppy Capital of Texas), she begins telling me about Williamson County. “It was in 1848 when the citizens of western Milam County petitioned the state
Anwar Sadat Museum Chronicles Egyptian President’s Life
While on a G Adventures tour of Egypt, I had the opportunity to visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Also known as the New Library of Alexandria, it is second in size only to the Library of Congress. Designed to hold around eight million books, the impressive modern facility also houses art galleries and several museums including the Sadat Museum dedicated to the late
The Business of Business Class with Turkish Airlines
It stands to reason that I am a frequent flyer on several airlines. But consider my shock when the Turkish Airlines gate employee scanned my ticket and a red light came on (you know, in that nasty “something might be wrong with your ticket” buzz). After the red light came on a second time, he read the tiny monitor, marked
Jordan: As Seen by Camel
By Marilyn Jones Aliana has beautiful deep brown eyes with long eyelashes. We only met this morning — just before sunrise — in Wadi Rum, a sprawling desert in southern Jordan. Aliana is one of the camels owned by a 23-year-old Bedouin, Rashim, who says he has tended camels since he was 5. Wadi Rum Protected Area covers 280 square
Exploring historic Santiago, Chile
I wake to rain pelting the windows. My plans for the day are to explore the heart of Santiago and a little — or a lot — of rain isn’t going to stop me. Juggling an umbrella, camera and tote bag, I start out by exploring the quiet streets in a neighborhood just outside downtown. Many of the palatial mansions,
Floating in the Dead Sea – an unusual and fun outing
From our hotel in Sweimeh, Jordan we took a short shuttle ride to the Dead Sea. The fun began even before I reached the beautiful beach lined with recliners and colorful umbrellas. Two members of my Exodus Travels tour group were already in a small enclosure laughing as they smeared Dead Sea mud all over themselves. Soon everyone joined in