TURKIYE: When Opportunity Knocks on the Turquoise Coast

When opportunity knocks, I always believe it is important to open the door to check it out.

Sometimes it opens to a big fat nothing. And other times, you hit a home run.

TURKIYE: Ephesus

Ephesus's history goes back. W-A-Y back. 

It's origins involve myths and legends. Facts can date it to before 700BC. 

It is one of the 7th wonders of the world and a UNESCO World heritage site since 2015.

Ephesus is located on the western shores of modern day Turkiye, where the Aegean Sea meets the former estuary of the River Kaystros. At one time it was considered the most important Greek trading centre in the Mediterranean. At another time it was the Roman Empire's capital of their province in Asia. It was considered second only to Rome as a cosmopolitan centre for culture and commerce and was one of the most populated and affluent cities in the world. 

TURKIYE: Pamukkale and Hierapolis

Pamukkale and Hierapolis are located in Southwestern Turkiye and together they are a UNESCO World Heritage site and an 8th Wonder of the World. 

Pamukkale literally translates to mean "cotton castle". 

It is used to describe the white pools cascading down a cliff, that from a distance resemble a cotton castle. 

TURKIYE: Kayakoy, Now A Ghost Village

Kayakoy was a Greek village in southwest Turkiye that was founded in the 14th century. 

Fast forward to the early 1900's and it was occupied by about 10,000 inhabitants consisting of Turkish Muslims and Greek Orthodox Christians. 

TURKIYE: A Name Change

The day we landed in Istanbul, June 2, 20022, Turkiye became the officially recognized name of the country that we know as Turkey. 

The explanations that I have read is that they did not like both the association with the bird served at North American Thanksgivings and the negative connotations of a person being called a “turkey”. 

If you don’t believe me, Google it. 

PORTUGAL: The Stunning Algarve Coast

The Algarve coast is the southern most point in Europe. 

The coast sits on the Atlantic Ocean, but is influenced by a mix of water from the Mediterranean Ocean to the east.  

It is popular with the Brits looking to escape the dull and dreary winters of the UK.

I can understand why it is popular with them.

PORTUGAL: The Douro Valley is SPECTACULAR!

If you like stunning scenery, beautiful weather, vineyards, hiking, boating, wine tasting and great food, you can't go wrong in the Douro Valley. 

It is the world's oldest demarcated wine growing region, which gave it the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001.