Exploring the Many Faces of Istanbul

 

Photos: Jann Segal

I explored Istanbul with Overseas Adventure Travel on their tour Turkey’s Magical Hideaways, and some on my own after the tour of Turkey and the Mediterranean concluded. I found the Istanbul portion of the tour to be a great orientation with a focus on historical and religious sites, but certainly not all that Istanbul has to offer. Even with three extra days on my own, I barely scratched the surface afterwards. There is the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar to visit for sure, but other important sites give a broader glimpse into the cultural and religious heritage of this rich city.  

Adventures of a Passionate Solo Traveler

 

Photo: Jann Segal
Waterfall flowing upward in Iceland

They say if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. That has certainly been true during some of my travels, either independently or with a group, but always traveling solo. I've had a number of unplanned adventures during my travels which certainly added to the experience. Some were a bit scary, but all added to my exploration, and tested my skills at knowing what to during an uncertain travel situation.

 

My late arrival after 11 pm in Phuket, Thailand certainly qualifies, after the plane from Bangkok was running late for hours. A taxi drove me to a tiny Marina area in a jungle forest with a lone pier. There I was, late at night and nobody else around, where I was supposed to meet staff from my timeshare on tiny private Coconut Island. My taxi driver was just going to drop me off in the dark; he informed me he had ot catch the next ride from the airport.  I surveyed the surrounding area, and there wasn't even a hotel or restaurant nearby. Just jungle, completely unlit, no place to call if necessary. So, when he dropped me off at the dark and lonely pier, imagine my surprise when I saw a person standing next to a small boat saying," Are you Jann Segal?" 

Rethinking Genocide in Turkey as a Traveler

 

gen·o·cide

/ˈjenəˌsīd/

the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group

"a campaign of genocide"

 

Photo: Jann Segal
Fairy Chimney in Cappadocia

Definitions form Oxford Languages

 

I was heartened to hear President Biden declare that nearly a century after the systematic killing of the Armenians in Turkey which began in 1915 at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, that atrocity is in fact considered a genocide by the United States. Turkish President Erdogan and the government of Turkey to this day flatly deny there was ever a genocide there. Rather, they maintain they were in a state of war at the time and both sides suffered casualties, with Turkey suffering as well. However, the International Association of Genocide Scholars affirms the death toll to be over one million Armenians.

Remembrance of Great Meals Past

Do you remember when you had your last exceptional and unforgettable meal during foreign travels? I surely do.

Photo: Jann Segal

 Local food and beverages are among the things we all look forward to enjoying when we travel to a foreign country. In Turkey one year I was quite taken by the pomegranate salad oil, which for me became a life changing experience I had to write about. Then there was the unexpectedly delightful risotto and mushroom sauce I experienced in Milan. When I classify a meal as life changing, that means I loved it so much, I had to go home and cook it! And now, thanks to an olive oil farm I visited in Israel, I know how to shop for higher quality olive oil to enhance my cooking. After my visit ot Vietnam one year, my food walking tour was such an eye opener in terms of both food and locale that I would normally never have experienced, I now always take a food walking tour in foreign cities. Food in all its unique varieties is truly the heart and soul of every culture. Other foods (in particular, spices) of which I have fond memories, are spicy fresh paprika from Croatia, fresh pepper from Southern India, which is along the Spice Route, and of course spices in Istanbul at the Grand Bazaar.

 Food can be so much more than a meal. When traveling and experiencing new cultures, if can feed the human spirit, lift the world-weary traveler’s soul just enough to make it to the next destination, enhance new friendships forged through travel, and heighten a traveler’s awareness of new possibilities that go beyond the travel experience. In under- developed countries, the food purchased and served even in a restaurant, can elevate those whose livelihoods depend on the income.

What I Learned During my Coronavirus Vacation

I thought 2020 was going to be a year of perfect clarity. A year when we could look back with

hindsight on all that we learned, and as travelers, all that we saw, and glean from it lessons that would move us forward in life. This is after all, what travel does to those who are paying attention. And it is the definition of 2020 vision. Instead, I have thus far learned something far more meaningful, as events this year kept me mostly indoors looking at the four walls in my home and my coffee colored carpet. I had much to think about during our period of lockdown and slow reopening, which was intensified by nationwide civil unrest and early curfew in Los Angeles and other major cities.

Learning about the Indomitable Spirit of the Icelandic People

Photos: Jann Segal

They say if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans. On the Overseas Adventure Travel trip, Untamed Iceland, we were not only on the road less traveled, but true to the OAT travel philosophy, we met locals who truly embodied the spirit of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the country. But they did so with big and open hearts that looked into the optimism of future, warmer days.  And I got to experience first- hand the kind of harsh conditions that country had to offer, which made me appreciate the people we met even more.

Travel the World Against the Evil Eye

There are cultures on every continent that have amulets of good luck as part of their cultures. Pick a county and you will find a way to avoid bad luck as part of the country's customs and history. But one country where I saw this literally everywhere and in the most colorful of ways was Turkey, when I took the trip Turkeys Magical Hideaways with Overseas Adventure Travel.

Visit Iceland in the Fall and Enjoy Northern Lights and John Lennon Peace Tower

Iceland in the fall has some great things to see that cannot be seen in the summer, all having to do with lights. To two that you want to take in are the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and the John Lennon Peace Tower. I was on the Overseas Adventure Travel trip, Untamed Iceland, in October 2016. In addition to seeing the fall colors, these two “light shows” were high on my Iceland to-do list. I did not return home disappointed.

Explore Iceland: High winds and empty spaces

Iceland is a vast amount of small land. That is right.  Vast in its smallness, a land of contradictions. A land where people live in harmony, but not necessarily near any neighbors. It is rich in the soil from the volcanoes, yet also rich in empty and barren land. There are dark and murky waters and streams with lava flows near enormous lava fields which are overlooked by abundant rainbows. This land, rich in large and empty spaces, was the first to develop the small and traditional turf houses. Today, there are still numerous tiny houses everywhere.  This is the land of fire. And the land of ice. A land of contradictions.

Visit Bosnia and see Vestiges of the Bosnian War

Bosnia and Herzegovina, or just Bosnia for short, is a fascinating tourist destination, newly emerging as a country to visit after years of war. Signs of the war from the 1990's are everywhere, with bullet holes remaining in many of the buildings in Bosnia’s largest city of Sarajevo, as well as other cities where the war took its toll. The airport area became a place of refuge as people tried to flee, so the closer the tourist gets to the airport in Sarajevo, the less the ravages of war. Tunnels remain for tourists to see where the local people tried to transport goods to safety while they tried to live normally during the Bosnian war.

Visit Liverpool and See the Original Beatles Drum Kit

Photo by Jann Segal

Planning a trip to Liverpool can be fun, especially if you are a Beatles  fan, where Liverpool now brings in over two billion a year as the capital of Beatles tourism. Most people make the trip as part of a longer trip to Europe in general or the United Kingdom in particular. The Liverpool portion of this trip may be just a one or two day stay, so you want to make the most of it.

Book your Beatles tours on the Internet. There are many, and you want to find the right one that fits your time frame and interest. Some, like the Magical Mystery Tour, is two hours long, and runs four times daily from the Albert Dock. This “ticket to ride” costs approximately $30 US. The tour concludes at the famed Cavern Club on Mathews Street. These tours sell out quickly, so it’s best to book in advance.

There are also half day and full day tours, which are much more expensive, and include more in a single day if it’s more convenient to tour that way. Black taxi drivers are also an option for a four hour tour, as well as expert Blue Badge Beatles guides like Jackie Spencer, who is top ranking in Trip Advisor.

Book the tours of Paul McCartney and John Lennon‘s childhood homes yourself online if you want to save money. Tours depart from Liverpool City Center or Albert Dock several times a day, depending on the times of year. Standard admission is about $28 US for adults and $10 US for children. The childhood homes are now the property of the National Trust, and are quite popular, so it’s best to book in advance.

Buy tickets to the Beatles Story Museum once you are there. The museum is open seven days a week except for December 25 and 26, and it’s open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last admission for the day at 5:00 PM. The cost is approximately $25 US for adults and $15 for children, with different family saver prices. They now have two different locations. The original location is at Albert Dock, and once you have finished there a shuttle bus takes you to the second location, Beatles Story Pier Head at the Mersey Ferry Terminal.

Three Reasons to go to Europe Now

Photo by Jann Segal

With so much happening in the the world today, it seems that Europe would not be a safe bet for travel, right? Well, unless your personal safety is at risk (and for the majority of tourists it is not), the decision not to go right now could be a mistake. You can always avoid countries (or parts of countries) that are politically inconvenient for you if that is an issue. Europe is large enough in geography, cultural diversity, and scope to offer you the vacation you are looking to have, and at a price you are willing to pay.

Enjoy Pomegranate Seed Oil From Turkey

Photo by Jann Segal

Turkey is known for many things and many kinds of wonderful foods that are typical of the Middle East and Balkan countries. They have baklava, various types of kabobs, and many wonderful teas and coffees. But a first time traveler there will be surprised to learn about a secret that is a pure joy on salads: pomegranate seed oil.

Visit Ljubljana, Slovenia and Take a Music Wakng Tour

If planning a trip to any of the Eastern European capitals that were once part of the former Yugoslavia, one must-see city is Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is charming beyond belief, everyone speaks beautiful English, and it sits at the crossroads of more cultural influences than most people are aware of. Besides the influence of the former Yugoslavia and its the Russian, Slavic and formerly Communist influences that arose with those historic relationships, it has also historically been linked to Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Venice (which was not always part of Italy). So for this reason, the food is a splendid combination of tastes and ethnicity, and the musical heritage is outstanding.

Explore Illustrious Istria

For travelers with a true wanderlust, Istria and the Istrian Peninsula can be a revelation. It can be explored from both Croatia as well as Slovenia, and both sides of Istria are unique. It also has a beautiful Adriatic coastline in Trieste, which is a very industrial Italian city, and one where locals from the region go for shopping.

Explore New Ways to Travel with Farm stays and Home stays

Photo by Jann Segal

International travelers are being exposed to a new concept in accommodations around the world: farm stays and homestays. Put simply, this is like Air B n B with an extra twist, since the family actually engages with their guests and gets to know them, even arranging activities for them in some cases.

Beatles Tourism Up Worldwide

Photo by Jann Segal

With Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr both still performing live and giving tours, Beatles tourism is up both nationwide and worldwide. But any event related to the Fab Four is enough to get people on a plane to experience the inevitable closing of a remarkable era, and to take in as much as they can while it is still possible.

The Smart Traveler: Look for Europe Border Changes

With the rise of so much terrorism worldwide, and no way to stop it any time soon, the European Union is considering bringing back passport controlled borders. Depending on the tourist’s country of origin, in some cases, that might also include a needing visa. In some cases, it might just mean a photo ID.

Enjoy Three of Europe's Most Beautiful Destinations

  Dubrovnik's Adriatic Coast Jann Segal

                                    

Dubrovnik's Adriatic Coast

Dubrovnik, Croatia has a coastline along the Adriatic which is part of the Mediterranean. It is part of the former Yugoslavia, but there are many vestiges of a Venetian influence, when Venice was not part of Italy. And geographically it’s just across the Adriatic from Italy. So it is no surprise that this is some of the same kind of beauty that a traveler will find in parts of Italy. The Italian influence can be both seen and felt in Croatian Istria, which was once part of Italy, and is also off the Adriatic. But a trip to Dubrovnik in all its glory along with its troubled historical past is both beautiful and educational. But the beauty is undeniable, and places Dubrovnik right at the top of the list in terms of Europe’s most beautiful if a contest were to be held.

Enjoy the Beauty of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik,

Photo by Jann Segal 

Croatia is possibly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Its dramatic and rugged coastline that juts out into the Adriatic will surprise the unprepared traveler with a jaw-dropping reaction at the first sight of its magnificent beauty. Many tours only stay one or two days to give tourists a chance to glimpse at the drama of the scenery. However, for a tourist with about a week to spare in this glorious part of the world, the experience can be rewarding, and the food – especially the fresh made apple strudel – can be life changing. Yes, life changing apple strudel.