On our last night in Istanbul, Abram and I switched to the Four Seasons Istanbul, built in what was formerly the Sultanahmet jail. After a $40 million renovation, the hotel was filled with rich-looking people and more staff-than-guests. Needless...

What trip to Istanbul would be complete without hitting some of the top 10 spots? After awakening from our slumber this morning, we had a wonderful breakfast at the Divan City hotel, checked out of our room, and took...

Sagging, rustic and avoidable. That's what all the hotels in Istanbul looked to me as I searched on the internet for a place to stay a few months ago. Anything to escape the grit of Hotel Derici we had...

After Ephesus, our next stop, like the sunset in Kusadasi, was another unanticipated surprise. With only one hour left until needing to be at the Izmir airport, we loaded up our silver chariot and gave it and Yildez (our...

Abram and I were lucky again today. Or, as we like to say, "Blessed!" The sky was a vibrantblue and the air held a crisp 65-farenheit as we strode out of our hotel. Yes, we had survived. Both of...

My hair was standing up on end like I had stuck my hand in a wall socket. My body was pinned to the captain's windshield by the brute force of the wind. I kept my eyes half open, sometimes...