Treasures of Travel

Updated Tours and Itineraries for 2008

Updated itineraries for 2008 will include:

Discover the Balkans. In 2008 we will be going to Albania instead of Greece. Tirana, Durres, Saranda, Butrint & Berat are featured in this itinerary.
Eastern Turkey & the Black Sea. New to the itinerary will be one of the most beautiful towns in central Anatolia - Amasya. It is located on the Yesilirmak River and features a walking tour of the old town. Also new in 2008. Eastern Turkey can be taken separately if you would like a shorter trip.
A Biblical Journey Through Turkey - from Genesis to Revelations.Our journey in 2008 will be entirely within Turkey!
Classic Tour. In 2008 you will have the opportunity to take the full 21-day Classic Tour program or limit your time away by taking only the Cappadocia portion or the coastal portion.

All new Tours and updated itineraries are available on the web site. Dates are available for 2008. Contact us for more information - info@treasuresoftravel.com or call 800-572-0526 / 425-775-2250.

Turkey's Mark Twain

Travelers in Turkey may hear Turkish people tell anecdotes and stories by Turkey's "Mark Twain", Nasreddin Hoca. Born in 1208, Hoca became an imam of the village of Aksehir and in the course of his life served as a teacher, judge, and advisor to his people. He taught most often by using entertaining and thought-provoking anecdotes which reflected his philosophy of tolerance, honesty, and goodwill. Hoca died in 1284 at the age of 76, and even his tomb in Aksehir is shown love and respect. Here is one of his stories:

Eat, My Fur Coat, Eat!

A wealthy man in the city was giving a party and invited Hoca. Hoca was in a hurry, so he arrived in his every-day clothes. Nobody paid any attention to him at all. Angrily, Hoca left the house, put on his new suit and fur coat, and returned to the party. This time he was welcomed at the door, given the best seat at the table, and the very best of the food. Hoca, noticing the difference in the people's manner, dipped the bottom of his fur coat into his dinner plate and said loudly "Eat, my fur coat, eat. This honoring is for you, not for me!"

Two of Seven

Did you know that two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are located in Turkey? The Temple of Artemis (Diana) which is part of the great ruins of Ephesus on the Aegean coast of Turkey, was one of the largest and most complex temples built in ancient times. Although it burned in 356 BC, it was rebuilt on the same foundation until existed until 262 AD when a second fire destroyed most of it. Ephesus also contains many other fascinating buildings, such as the beautiful Celsus Library. Check out the Treasures of Turkey photo gallery for some pictures!

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, located near Bodrum on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, is the second wonder located in Turkey. This tomb was built in 353 BC to store the remains of King Mausolus and his wife, Artemisia. The structure was so grand, that the name "mausoleum" came to be synonymous with large tombs. In the early 15th century the Mausoleum was badly damaged by an earthquake, but you can visit the site and see detailed models of how it appeared in full grandeur.

Make this drink at home...

Ayran is a popular drink in Turkey, especially cool and refreshing for the warm summer months to come. You can easily make it at home:

Whisk 1 pint thick plain yogurt well;
Add 1 pint cold water and ½ teaspoon of salt;
Mix vigorously. Keep well chilled.
Sprinkle a little dried mint on top before serving if desired.

Afiyet Olsun! (Bon Appetit)