You know you are in the presence of greatness when you learn of the work of someone who has dedicated their life to a passion.

 Such is the case with Chef Channon Mondoux, a culinary historian and cultural anthropologist who has worked for decades researching, translating, cooking, and exploring historic Ottoman cuisine.

Innovation: Turkish Coffee Tales of Anatolia
Documentary Premieres in Los Angeles with the “Greatest Micro Art Show on Earth”

Note to our Wandering Educators: I'm SO pleased to share this extraordinary work from one of my very favorite people in the world, the Turkish Coffee Lady herself: Gizem Şalcıgil White. While in Turkey, she taught me about Turkish coffee..and Turkish hospitality. She's changing the world, one connection (and coffee!) at a time. 
 

People say that things happen for a reason.

Our friend Lisa Morrow, a long term resident of Istanbul, used VoiceMap to create an audio tour of Kadikoy, tracing back though the history of this once multicultural neighbourhood on the Asian side of the city. Kadiköy is where she regularly shops, walks, and socialises, so researching and writing about its forgotten secrets in order to produce a tour sharing her discoveries was an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Whether you visit Kuşadası as part of a trip to history-rich Ephesus (Efes), take the ferry in from Samos, Greece, from visiting the house of the Virgin Mary, from exploring Sirince, or as a destination in itself, there’s much to see and do. Kuşadası is located on Turkey’s Aegean coast, on a bay. There is a large marina, and the peninsula of Güvercin Adasi (Pigeon Island) is a visual highlight, sporting an ancient fortress.

Got the travel bug? Always planning your next big trek? I have had it bad, but as a teacher, funds were limited. Sigh...

I decided to feed my travel bug by sponsoring overseas student tours, which gave me an opportunity to see the world (for free) as I exposed my students to life beyond our northwoods community. Traveling with teens was a joy (well, mostly)—their enthusiasm great fun. 

Turkey is a remarkable destination that is often overlooked by holidaymakers. From interesting culture and sun-drenched beaches to friendly locals and compelling historical landmarks, who wouldn’t want to visit? Turkey's gastronomic offerings are really exciting for foodies - take your taste buds on a Turkey holiday with these ideas.

Have you ever wanted a Turkish carpet? Not one from a big box store near your house, but a real one - authentic, made by hand with such skill? 

It’s true: everyone loves Istanbul. Those that have been can’t wait to go back, again and again. They tell their friends (like I am always telling you!), and more and more people head to Istanbul first, and then explore other areas of this remarkable country. But what would it be like to actually live there?