Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Istanbul- Class (and potato)
Class (and potato)
by Valentina
It’s my third day of class and I ‘m already behind on my readings. I’m sorry 80-pages-of-turkish-history-due-tomorrow, you’ll have to wait until I write a blog post.
Classes have been as good as can be expected so far, except for the fact that I had to figure out how to work the library all over again. There’s one class that I’m not really a fan of – Research Methods in the Social Sciences, but I have to take it for a geography requirement, so I guess I should try to stay positive about it :) Apart from that one I really like all my other classes, especially one called Islamic Cities (for which I also have a lot of readings!!)
We’ve been doing some serious tourism in the old part of Istanbul and it is just
beautiful. Also, I swear that everyone parties as if it was New Year’s every night here (or maybe it’s an exchange student thing?).. I’m not sure, but yesterday I couldn’t do it anymore and I slept for 15 hours non-stop, it was awesome.
The Peloponnese from Homer to hadrian & beyond
The Peloponnese from Homer to hadrian & beyond
This is the land of Homer’s heroes and the great Bronze Age citadels from which they came. The home cities of Agamemnon, Menelaus and Nestor help us to put the Trojan War into its Greek context as a meeting with the world of the Hittites of Asia Minor, at a time when Greek colonists were hungry for land, and introducing their way of life to new territories across the sea.
In later times the Peloponnese was also home to major cities and sanctuaries of Classical Greece and, once again this part of Greece took centre stage in ancient world politics as the Peloponnesian War of the late 5th century BC brought the power of Athens to an end, and changed western civilisation forever.
Perhaps this was the memory immortalised by Homer in his epic poems. Certainly many aspects of the Mycenean culture rediscovered by Heinrich Schliemann clearly echo the world described by Homer.
Starting with the oracle at Delphi, as all great journeys should, we cross to the Peloponnese and travel through a beautiful countryside of mountains, plains and seascapes. Your journey follows the course of history through the coming of Rome, and then early Christianity, visiting the impressive Byzantine and Frankish city of Mistra.
This is the land of Homer’s heroes and the great Bronze Age citadels from which they came. The home cities of Agamemnon, Menelaus and Nestor help us to put the Trojan War into its Greek context as a meeting with the world of the Hittites of Asia Minor, at a time when Greek colonists were hungry for land, and introducing their way of life to new territories across the sea.
Perhaps this was the memory immortalised by Homer in his epic poems. Certainly many aspects of the Mycenean culture rediscovered by Heinrich Schliemann clearly echo the world described by Homer.
We finish in Athens, and now spend two days here seeing not only the National Museum, but also the new Acropolis Museum, both with incomparable collections which illustrate all aspects of life and death in Ancient Greece.
Starting with the oracle at Delphi, as all great journeys should, we cross to the Peloponnese and travel through a beautiful countryside of mountains, plains and seascapes. Your journey follows the course of history through the coming of Rome, and then early Christianity, visiting the impressive Byzantine and Frankish city of Mistra.
South-west Turkey mountain cities and tombs by the sea
South-west Turkey mountain cities and tombs by the sea:
Hidden in the Taurus Mountain of south-western Turkey are some spectacular Classical cities, inaccessible and forgotten until recent roads, archaeological survey and excavation returned them to public view.
These mountainous cities of the ancient region of Pisidia have a long history, being mentioned in Hittite texts and by Herodotus. The remarkably good living their hardy inhabitants eked out of the seemingly inhospitable terrain saw expression in much monumental building during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Their subsequent decline, as a result of earthquake, plague and changing economies, causes modern visitors to wonder how such civic splendour could thrive so far from anywhere.
Few visitors venture there, and the rewards for those who do are outstanding ruins in breath-taking settings, with the sense of discovery enjoyed by 19th century travellers.
This is a journey through some spectacular ancient cities in this corner of south-western Turkey, with exceptional mountain and coastal scenery, and some rough walks.
Hidden in the Taurus Mountain of south-western Turkey are some spectacular Classical cities, inaccessible and forgotten until recent roads, archaeological survey and excavation returned them to public view.
These mountainous cities of the ancient region of Pisidia have a long history, being mentioned in Hittite texts and by Herodotus. The remarkably good living their hardy inhabitants eked out of the seemingly inhospitable terrain saw expression in much monumental building during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Their subsequent decline, as a result of earthquake, plague and changing economies, causes modern visitors to wonder how such civic splendour could thrive so far from anywhere.
Few visitors venture there, and the rewards for those who do are outstanding ruins in breath-taking settings, with the sense of discovery enjoyed by 19th century travellers.
Across the mountains lies the World Heritage site of Hierapolis, splendid spa city established by the Attalids, where the limestone formations made by the hot medicinal springs have been named Pamukkale - ‘cotton castle’ - by the Turks. From here we continue to the Lycian coast, and the ruined cities of Xanthos, Patara and Telmessos.
Rome to Ravenna Following Emperors
Rome to Ravenna Following Emperors, Popes and Kings on the Via Flaminia
An exciting journey through a swathe of Italy’s history and archaeology, from coast to coast across Italy and over the Apennine mountains to link the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts. This is the route followed by the Via Flaminia, the ancient consular road that was the preferred means of crossing the mountainous spine of the peninsula for Roman imperial officials, ultimately leading them onwards to Gaul and the Danube frontier. The road traversed the peaks and valleys, penetrating the highest mountain via the Furlo pass, a road tunnel that is still used.
The towns along its route were centres of a rich economic and social life. Outliers of the Samnite world, their strategic positions brought them wealth, and in the Middle Ages this was invested in some extraordinary architecture and art. The Lombards of Spoleto, former Byzantine mercenaries in the 6th century AD, became one of the major powers of Italy in the Dark Ages.
An exciting journey through a swathe of Italy’s history and archaeology, from coast to coast across Italy and over the Apennine mountains to link the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts. This is the route followed by the Via Flaminia, the ancient consular road that was the preferred means of crossing the mountainous spine of the peninsula for Roman imperial officials, ultimately leading them onwards to Gaul and the Danube frontier. The road traversed the peaks and valleys, penetrating the highest mountain via the Furlo pass, a road tunnel that is still used.
This route continued in importance in later eras. It was the delicate jugular vein that linked together the last vestiges of Roman Italy following the Barbarian invasions, and when the Popes seized power in central Italy at the time of the Emperor Charlemagne in the 8th century it held together the Papal States, the so-called Republic of St. Peter.The road finally descends to the Adriatic, and the coastal city of Ravenna where the final western Emperors, Ostrogothic Kings and Byzantine governors built splendid mosaic-filled churches and palaces behind the impenetrable dykes and marshes. The cities were minor centres of the Renaissance too. The Dukes of Urbino were major patrons of artists like Piero della Francesca.
Malta & Gozo Prehistory and History
Malta & Gozo Prehistory and History:
A thousand years before the Great pyramid at Giza was constructed, people on the tiny island of Malta were moving stones weighing up to 50 tonnes, to make the oldest surviving free-standing structures in the world. Decorated with some of the most extraordinary art to be found anywhere in the Mediterranean, they were made by a society intensely engaged in the practice of ritual and ceremonial activities.
We will never know for sure why this extraordinary culture developed, and the only intriguing glimpses we have of the early people are in the well-proportioned figures found as statuettes at some of the temple sites.
It was a valuable prize to be coveted by all the powers through history, and the island became famous as the Headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers of St John.
To understand Malta’s subsequent history you have to see the mighty harbour at Valletta, a safe and secure haven in the middle of the busy shipping lanes of the Mediterranean.
It was later a treasured gem of the British Empire, leaving a legacy of familiar landmarks of times gone by such as red telephone boxes.
A thousand years before the Great pyramid at Giza was constructed, people on the tiny island of Malta were moving stones weighing up to 50 tonnes, to make the oldest surviving free-standing structures in the world. Decorated with some of the most extraordinary art to be found anywhere in the Mediterranean, they were made by a society intensely engaged in the practice of ritual and ceremonial activities.
We will never know for sure why this extraordinary culture developed, and the only intriguing glimpses we have of the early people are in the well-proportioned figures found as statuettes at some of the temple sites.
It was a valuable prize to be coveted by all the powers through history, and the island became famous as the Headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers of St John.
To understand Malta’s subsequent history you have to see the mighty harbour at Valletta, a safe and secure haven in the middle of the busy shipping lanes of the Mediterranean.
Europe- Amsterdam
Partying across Europe, exploring historic cities, galleries and museums, discovering medieval towns straight from a fairytale, embracing a variety of cultures, sampling regional wines and delicacies.
Description
Ah, a relaxing week’s vacation in Old Europa. What could be finer? Don’t ask anyone who’s taken this trip! Our seven-day odyssey across five countries is a blur of beauty, culture and adventure from start to finish, with loads of optional activities to pick and choose from. From the varied architectural wonders of Prague to the nightclubs of Amsterdam and Berlin to romantic Bruges and classic London, this trip contains more European awesomeness per minute than should be permissible by law. (We won’t tell if you won’t.)
If you only do one thing in Amsterdam, make it a canal cruise. Amsterdam's canals are its signature and cruising these criss-crossing waterways puts the city in perspective while offering unique views of dozens of spectacular Amsterdam sights in a short period of time. Afterwards, head into a cozy bruin café o “eetcafé” (to the Dutch what pubs are to the British and Irish), local spots where friends gather to catch up over a beer or glass of house wine.
Description
Amsterdam is one of the coolest cities in Europe. Beautiful, hip, and laid back, with lots to do, lots to see, many pubs, food from all over the world and friendly people. A visit to this stunning city can feel like stepping back in time, surrounded by the charming architecture dating back to the 17th century. But this city is far from old-fashioned and will be best seen on foot or like the locals, by bicycle.
Southern Islands
Since pre-Columbian times, the site of Quito has been inhabited by the Quitus, the Shyris and the Puruhas. The Inca reached this city before the Spaniards, but levelled it to the ground rather than give it up to the Spanish. The present capital was founded by the Spanish on December 6th, 1534. Quito is separated into two basic sections, the old and the new cities. The old city is full of historical buildings and churches. One of the more noteworthy is the Catedral de Quito, located on the Plaza de la Independencia. Built between 1550 and 1562, it was one of the first neoclassical works in Quito. La Compañía de Jésus Church is considered one of the most beautiful in the Americas. The decorations in the Compañía contain approximately one and one-half tons of gold, and construction of the church took 170 years (1605-1775).
Encounter the island chain that has enchanted explorers since Darwin first weighed anchor off its shores. Spend eight days exploring the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago in the company of an expert Naturalist Guide. In the evenings, return to the comfortable g4 to reflect on the day’s adventures. Retire to air-conditioned cabins with exclusive lower berths and private bathrooms. As one of the region’s largest operators, we understand the importance of controlling the onboard experience—that’s why you'll never end up on another operator's ship.
There are several excellent museums scattered throughout the city. The Casa de la Cultura Ecuadoriana has an interesting display of traditional musical instruments and Ecuadorian traditional dress, a large art collection, and a small natural history museum. For archeology the best museum to visit is the Museo del Banco Central with its well displayed pottery, gold ornaments, skulls showing deformities and early surgical methods, a mummy and many other objects of interest. The small, rounded hill dominating the old town is El Panecillo or 'the Little Bread Loaf,' a major Quito landmark. From here there are marvelous panoramic views of the entire city and surrounding volcanoes. You can easily take a trolley (streetcar) or a cab between the Old Town and New Town.
Arrival transfer and Continental breakfast while in Quito, 7 nights in the Galapagos Islands, Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station, Incredible wildlife encounters, Daily opportunities for swimming and snorkelling, Flights to and from the Galapagos Islands, Snorkeling equipment onboard Galapagos Yacht.
There are several excellent museums scattered throughout the city. The Casa de la Cultura Ecuadoriana has an interesting display of traditional musical instruments and Ecuadorian traditional dress, a large art collection, and a small natural history museum. For archeology the best museum to visit is the Museo del Banco Central with its well displayed pottery, gold ornaments, skulls showing deformities and early surgical methods, a mummy and many other objects of interest. The small, rounded hill dominating the old town is El Panecillo or 'the Little Bread Loaf,' a major Quito landmark. From here there are marvelous panoramic views of the entire city and surrounding volcanoes. You can easily take a trolley (streetcar) or a cab between the Old Town and New Town.
Travel to New Orleans
New Orleans: back in full swing
The shop names say it all. Trashy Diva, Voluptuous Vixen, Constant Envy… Walk down Chartres Street in New Orleans's wilfully bohemian French Quarter, with its richly coloured houses and frilly cast-iron balconies gushing with flowers, and it is clear that this is a city where the sensual life matters.
Boutiques selling perfume, corsets and lingerie give way to handsome Jackson Square, lined with purveyors of hope. Fortune-tellers and tarot readers vie for attention with the pencil-point spires of St Louis Cathedral. A uniformed jazz band tunes up as a splendid white carriage with matching horse clip-clops off for a romantic ride through a bewitching ensemble of Spanish, French and Creole buildings.
Set beside a venerable bend of the Mississippi, New Orleans has always been that dreamy, steamy place where Uncle Sam finally throws off his top-hat and goes lindy-hopping. Tennessee Williams, Mardi Gras, Dixieland, voodoo, gumbo – the call is exotic and hard to resist.
Strangeness is everywhere. New Orleans has stalls selling alligator burgers, and tribes of men who dress up as Indians in outrageous feathered costumes that take a year to make. There are bars that resound to the foot-tapping beat of zydeco, and there are fish named pompano and sheepshead. The locals confer using words such as lagniappe (a little bit extra) and po-boy, which is a sandwich, not an impoverished youth.
It seems to have been like this for ever. In 1920, when Prohibition arrived and agents were despatched nationwide to assess the severity of the problem, New Orleans was found to have 5,000 bars.
While it took an inspector 14 minutes to be offered an illegal drink in New York, here it was just 37 seconds – generously proposed by his taxi-driver.
Comparisons with Venice are appropriate. Both cities have ravishing looks, bags of atmosphere and a precarious relationship with water. As we all know, in August 2005 Hurricane Katrina triggered floods that devastated the city.
The verdict is that this was a man-made disaster – levees meant to provide protection failed. This view is banged home emphatically in David Simon's hit television drama Treme, which is named after the city's historic and culturally rich African-American neighbourhood.
Beginning three months after the disaster, the series shows its citizens struggling to transcend the tragedy, with a superb backing track of home-grown tunes. Many locals consider it "hyper-accurate", and a third season is now in production.
"Some say we are the northernmost city in the Caribbean," a resident suggests – which is plausible given the warmth, colour and laissez-faire lifestyle enveloping me. New Orleans is the only city in the United States where it is legal to drink alcohol in the street, with 24-hour bars and signs saying "Cocktails to Go". Every weekend the pedestrianised party-strip of Bourbon Street becomes a raucous, boozy mayhem filled with out-of-town drunkards festooned with coloured beads.
The shop names say it all. Trashy Diva, Voluptuous Vixen, Constant Envy… Walk down Chartres Street in New Orleans's wilfully bohemian French Quarter, with its richly coloured houses and frilly cast-iron balconies gushing with flowers, and it is clear that this is a city where the sensual life matters.
Boutiques selling perfume, corsets and lingerie give way to handsome Jackson Square, lined with purveyors of hope. Fortune-tellers and tarot readers vie for attention with the pencil-point spires of St Louis Cathedral. A uniformed jazz band tunes up as a splendid white carriage with matching horse clip-clops off for a romantic ride through a bewitching ensemble of Spanish, French and Creole buildings.
Set beside a venerable bend of the Mississippi, New Orleans has always been that dreamy, steamy place where Uncle Sam finally throws off his top-hat and goes lindy-hopping. Tennessee Williams, Mardi Gras, Dixieland, voodoo, gumbo – the call is exotic and hard to resist.
Strangeness is everywhere. New Orleans has stalls selling alligator burgers, and tribes of men who dress up as Indians in outrageous feathered costumes that take a year to make. There are bars that resound to the foot-tapping beat of zydeco, and there are fish named pompano and sheepshead. The locals confer using words such as lagniappe (a little bit extra) and po-boy, which is a sandwich, not an impoverished youth.
It seems to have been like this for ever. In 1920, when Prohibition arrived and agents were despatched nationwide to assess the severity of the problem, New Orleans was found to have 5,000 bars.
While it took an inspector 14 minutes to be offered an illegal drink in New York, here it was just 37 seconds – generously proposed by his taxi-driver.
Comparisons with Venice are appropriate. Both cities have ravishing looks, bags of atmosphere and a precarious relationship with water. As we all know, in August 2005 Hurricane Katrina triggered floods that devastated the city.
The verdict is that this was a man-made disaster – levees meant to provide protection failed. This view is banged home emphatically in David Simon's hit television drama Treme, which is named after the city's historic and culturally rich African-American neighbourhood.
Beginning three months after the disaster, the series shows its citizens struggling to transcend the tragedy, with a superb backing track of home-grown tunes. Many locals consider it "hyper-accurate", and a third season is now in production.
"Some say we are the northernmost city in the Caribbean," a resident suggests – which is plausible given the warmth, colour and laissez-faire lifestyle enveloping me. New Orleans is the only city in the United States where it is legal to drink alcohol in the street, with 24-hour bars and signs saying "Cocktails to Go". Every weekend the pedestrianised party-strip of Bourbon Street becomes a raucous, boozy mayhem filled with out-of-town drunkards festooned with coloured beads.
Southhall travel- Anatolia & Cappadocia
Southhall travel- Anatolia & Cappadocia
The history and prehistory of central Anatolia has been an extraordinarily rich pageant. At times this was the home of her own culturally distinctive kingdoms and empires. At other times it was part of the Hellenistic world, the Roman Empire or at the centre of Turkish Empires. Some were led here by the Silk Road and the Spice Route, whilst others came from the Mediterranean.
The history and prehistory of central Anatolia has been an extraordinarily rich pageant. My wife lent me One Day.At times this was the home of her own culturally distinctive kingdoms and empires. At other times it was part of the Hellenistic world, the Roman Empire or at the centre of Turkish Empires. Some were led here by the Silk Road and the Spice Route, whilst others came from the Mediterranean.
Our programme provides the framework for a journey through a massive sweep of time starting with the earliest Neolithic city in the Near East at Çatal Höyük, and follows the story through the superbly-sited Hittite capital city of Hattusas, to the capital of the Phrygian realm of King Midas at Gordion and Kerkenes Dağ, a remote and utterly spectacular forgotten mountain city, which has been excavated for many years by your Guide Lecturer.
We discover hidden early Christian churches and monasteries cut into the strange rock formations of eroded volcanic tuffs - a fairytale landscape. Isolated cells were carved out of the pinnacles by ascetic monks and entire settlements were created underground. The elegant monuments of pre- Ottoman Seljuk Turkey we see as we travel provide a final chapter to our story through the millennia.
This year we fly into Konya, saving one day-long journey and enabling us to begin the story with the earliest site.
The history and prehistory of central Anatolia has been an extraordinarily rich pageant. At times this was the home of her own culturally distinctive kingdoms and empires. At other times it was part of the Hellenistic world, the Roman Empire or at the centre of Turkish Empires. Some were led here by the Silk Road and the Spice Route, whilst others came from the Mediterranean.
The history and prehistory of central Anatolia has been an extraordinarily rich pageant. My wife lent me One Day.At times this was the home of her own culturally distinctive kingdoms and empires. At other times it was part of the Hellenistic world, the Roman Empire or at the centre of Turkish Empires. Some were led here by the Silk Road and the Spice Route, whilst others came from the Mediterranean.
I regularly go on the net and research golfing holidays and Mauritius looks good. There are interesting things there such as the capital, Port Louis, and formal gardens and a zoo with giant tortoises, so there are things for all the family, I've checked. Eve has come to terms with my golf obsession.
Sts travel: Anatolia & Cappadocia
Sts travel=Anatolia & Cappadocia
We discover hidden early Christian churches and monasteries cut into the strange rock formations of eroded volcanic tuffs - a fairytale landscape. Isolated cells were carved out of the pinnacles by ascetic monks and entire settlements were created underground. The elegant monuments of pre- Ottoman Seljuk Turkey we see as we travel provide a final chapter to our story through the millennia.
The history and prehistory of central Anatolia has been an extraordinarily rich pageant. At times this was the home of her own culturally distinctive kingdoms and empires. At other times it was part of the Hellenistic world, the Roman Empire or at the centre of Turkish Empires. Some were led here by the Silk Road and the Spice Route, whilst others came from the Mediterranean.
We discover hidden early Christian churches and monasteries cut into the strange rock formations of eroded volcanic tuffs - a fairytale landscape. Isolated cells were carved out of the pinnacles by ascetic monks and entire settlements were created underground. The elegant monuments of pre- Ottoman Seljuk Turkey we see as we travel provide a final chapter to our story through the millennia.
Swiss travel
What's your best piece of travel advice?Albania's recent isolation means that there is still a magical sense of a time-warp in some areas. A coastal and mountainous country between Greece and Italy, much of its classical past is untouched - romantic ruins in glorious countryside. See what Jeremy Seal, writing for the Daily Telegraph, thought of our tour.
If you're flying long-haul, don't eat or drink on the plane because it messes up your body clock and metabolism. I've read that if you can eat before you fly and eat whatever you want when you land jet lag doesn't hit you so badly. I did this on a trip to San Francisco, starving myself for the nine-hour flight, while travelling with someone who did the opposite and ate. It was a good test, because when we landed I definitely felt better.
Where do you want to go next?
Given that I've been to India so many times, my next natural step would be Nepal, and I'd also like to go to Peru. They both seem such mystical locations, steeped in amazing history and culture.
...and disasters?
Which was your worst holiday?
My most recent holiday, last summer, when I had a week in Santorini, in Greece, wasn't great. There were periods when I couldn't avoid work; and it wasn't even enjoyable, creative work, it was business issues. That stress kind of overshadowed the trip, so although the weather was sunny I didn't get to enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. I did make up for it not long afterwards by taking a long weekend in Sicily.
And your worst experience on holiday?
When I first visited Delhi 15 years ago, I landed with only £60 on me and no hotel booked. We found somewhere in the fairly upscale market area of Nizamuddin for about £20 a night. But I didn't sleep a wink. The room was like a glorified prison cell, the linen was scratchy, and it was remarkably draughty. Never again! I've also been quite ill before on holiday to India, but that doesn't put me off one bit.
European travel
Excursions in Tirol
The Austrian province of Tirol offers a great variety of attractions, points of interest and excursions for very taste. In the articles below, we would like to present to you a small selection of particularly interesting highlights. We hope that you will enjoy them!
Alpine Experience
Tirol – the very Heart of the Alps – offers innumerable unforgettable mountain experiences. Here, we have pointed out just a few of the great number of exciting highlights.
Tirol's culture encompasses a wide range of expressions, some historical, some modern, others rural in nature and some stemming from an urban setting. What all of them have in common – they are definitely worth a visit.
Tirol is also an ideal place for families – numerous adventure parks and family attractions are waiting for you. Join us on a short tour of some of the highlights.
The Austrian province of Tirol offers a great variety of attractions, points of interest and excursions for very taste. In the articles below, we would like to present to you a small selection of particularly interesting highlights. We hope that you will enjoy them!
Tirol – the very Heart of the Alps – offers innumerable unforgettable mountain experiences. Here, we have pointed out just a few of the great number of exciting highlights.
Tirol's culture encompasses a wide range of expressions, some historical, some modern, others rural in nature and some stemming from an urban setting. What all of them have in common – they are definitely worth a visit.
Tirol is also an ideal place for families – numerous adventure parks and family attractions are waiting for you. Join us on a short tour of some of the highlights.
Travel finder
Travel finder
Big Kahuna - Transport only
Plenty of time to relax, snorkel, swim or dive on Fiji’s best beaches, village visits, sevusevu ceremony, sand boarding, hot pools, mud pools, jungle trek, water fall swimming and much more. Travel on Viti Levu Island is unlimited whilst travel to the Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands is valid for up to 7 days.
Big Kahuna - Transport only
Plenty of time to relax, snorkel, swim or dive on Fiji’s best beaches, village visits, sevusevu ceremony, sand boarding, hot pools, mud pools, jungle trek, water fall swimming and much more. Travel on Viti Levu Island is unlimited whilst travel to the Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands is valid for up to 7 days.
Travel trunks are available for monthly rental ($100/month), and are designed to assist teachers in highlighting various chapters in our nation’s history. Each trunk includes a teacher’s guide and a selection of hands-on materials.
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