2024 - My Mediterranean Odsesey

When I started putting this trip together, I had hoped to fly from Victoria to Venice with no stopovers.  However, for some reason, unlike in the spring when I would have been able to fly to Athens connecting through Istanbul, when I moved the flight to the fall, I had to overnight in Istanbul.  So, I decided to stay two nights and, hopefully, see a bit more of Istanbul.  It was almost serendipitous that Ata, the guide I had done tours with last year, happened to be between tours and was available to see me yesterday (Monday).   The plan was for us to visit Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, and the Balat district.  However, we all know what can happen to any best laid plans.  We met just after 10 and set off by tram to the Balat district which turned out to be a bit of a walk uphill.  This neighbourhood is best known for its brightly coloured houses, some dating back 200 years.  It is near the water and was actually the main por...

Sunday I flew Turkish Airlines to Istanbul from Vancouver.  Now, I have been lucky enough to fly business class a few times but TA certainly lives up to its reputation as being one of the top 10 airlines.  While it doesn't have Premium Economy on its flights, the upgrade to business class was affordable and certainly worth it given it is a nearly 13 hour flight.  What impressed me the most was the service and the little extras - like little votive candles on our tables for dinner, trolleys with choices for appetizers and desserts, and a very good wine list.  The food, except for the filet which was disgustingly overdone, was excellent.  I know some of you are familiar with this kind of service but I'm not.  I sure enjoyed those two glasses of Tattinger! The arrival in Istanbul went smoothly and the airport, which is huge, seemed quite quiet.  I was through passport control and had my luggage about 30 minutes of landing.  Of course, being in Row 3 ...

Well, this year has turned out to be a bit of a challenge for me.  I have had both back and travel issues; however, I am finally ready - or at least as much as I will ever be - to "hit the road" or, more specifically, the air, the sea and the road!   First off, the reality of getting older is, I think, finally hitting me as I have realized that I need to have to make some adjustments in the way I travel given my chronic back issues.  There will be no more long road trips where I am heaving luggage daily in and out of a vehicle and dragging it up stairs, or even hills, to my accommodation.  I need to opt now for easier ways to see the world such as cruises, staying in one place for longer, or travelling with someone who will assist me a bit.  Regarding the latter, it is like I am turning into my mother who relied on me for years to manage her suitcase whenever we travelled.  I guess  what  truly goes around does come around!  Hopefully, a...