Istanbul's Ortakoy Camii Mosque with the Fatih Sultan Mehmed bridge in the background. We found this lonely-looking mosque dwarfed by the bridge along a Bosporus river cruise which carried us from the European to the Asian side of Istanbul. We arrive in Istanbul after a 17-hour train ride from Sofia, Bulgaria. Our senses were slowly weakened by the smells of burning coal passing from the train’s engine. Upon arrival into Istanbul, however, our senses are kicked back into overdrive with a barrage of smells, sights and sounds.
The Languedoc-Roussillon region is nestled in south-central France between the mountain principality of Andorra, Spain, and the Mediterranean Sea. Although much less touristed than its neighbor, Provence, this region offers a reasonably-priced and rapidly improving wine culture, lush vineyards and orchard-dotted landscapes, romantic French architecture, hearty southern French cuisine, and an intimate look into French village life.
It is said that no two smoking men are created equal, but all are allowed equal time at the Christmas market. Read more about European Christmas Markets and Reflections on Dresden's Christmas Market.
