I've just returned from an extraordinary trip to Turkey with the White House Travel Bloggers, courtesy of Turkish Airlines (never-ending thank yous!).

Istanbul wasn’t what I expected. Derelict buildings, many abandoned for years, others trapped in disrepair, doors hanging on one hinge, windows missing, exterior walls bare of paint and understructure exposed. Istanbul—a jumble of yellow taxis jostling for space on the narrow corridors, thousands of pedestrians dodging cars and struggling to cross streets without being hit. 

Flickr cc: Moya Brenn

Well, I’m headed to Turkey next week (YAHOO!) with some of the White House Travel Bloggers, courtesy of Turkish Airlines (thank you!). Expect to see a wave of Turkish travel goodness come your way in the next few months! Follow our hashtags: #WHTravelBloggers, ‪#‎widenyourworld, and‬ ‪#‎lovefromturkey.