The only English the young Turk knew was, “Welcome to my country.” Friendliness comes with a medley of sights, sounds and smells plus a unique landscape and history. Turkey is a treasure.
A crossroads between East and West, ancient and modern, its history is diverse. Islam, Christianity and even Judaism can claim Turkish roots. Some say the Virgin Mary died near Ephesus. Greco-Roman cities, King Midas, the Battle of Troy and Noah’s Ark were said to be here.
In Rome’s Borghese Gallery (paraphrasing T.S. Elliott) men and women come and go seeking out Michelangelo and other great masters of painting and sculpture. Visitors enter and exit through the front, without even bothering to walk around the entire building, and miss three unique formal gardens. That’s a shame. Visitors miss an aviary on one side. But above all they miss a magnificent rear-formal garden with fountain and statues (as seen in Three Coins in the Fountain), which is a great place to rest.
Tours with a knowledgeable guide are not just for first-time travelers. And they are not all alike. Escorted tours range from bus tours that show off the highlights, to trips where a local expert tailors the experience to the interests of one or two couples or a family.
Some advantages of an escorted trip are obvious: all arrangements, lodging, and transportation are taken care of without having to use a foreign language and unfamiliar currency. Prices are locked in and little is left to chance. Expert guides are another advantage. For most travelers, just seeing a famous sight is not enough. They want to know more about its history and artistic significance, and they want a taste of local culture that’s difficult to find on their own. And for those with special interests - art, music, ancestry - sharing a journey with like-minded companions not only enriches the trip but opens up new friendships.
A trip to the Galapagos Islands might well be one of the most exotic journeys you’ll ever plan, so knowing what you want to see and how can help create the right itinerary. If you’re a nature-lover, the Galapagos Islands await your arrival.
Seven countries make up Central America. Mexico is not one of them. They are Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama. With the exception of Belize where the official language is English, natives speak Spanish. Though many countries have fabulous Mayan ruins, jungles and beautiful beaches, each is unique.