Tag Archives: tourist attraction

Revisiting Istanbul: Embracing the Changes

Whether I’m traveling abroad or exploring my home state, I find something comforting about revisiting a place. Familiar landmarks, like Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World, the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum in Rome can evoke a wave of nostalgia. They bring back vivid memories of past visits. Of course, changes are inevitable—sometimes enhancing the experience, other times altering it in unexpected ways. Regardless, returning always offers the opportunity for new memories, especially when revisiting an international destination.

Istanbul as seen when cruising the Bosporus.

In 2016, I had my first encounter with Istanbul, a city rich in history and culture. Now officially spelled “Türkiye” instead of “Turkey,” the country continues to evolve. Recently, I returned to Istanbul and revisited three historical monuments, each offering a fresh perspective. Among them, the Hagia Sophia stood out with its profound transformation.

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Temple of Isis, philae Temple, Egypt

Nearly Lost, Philae Temple Reconstructed

A few years ago, I flew from Cairo to Luxor to continue my Egyptian adventure, which had begun in Giza. I was on my way to fulfilling a lifelong dream: to tour Egyptian temples and the Valley of the Kings. 

First, my small travel group set off to learn about the construction of the High Aswan Dam, one of the world’s largest embankment dams. It was built across the Nile in Aswan, Egypt, between 1960 and 1970. The goal was to better control flooding, provide increased water storage for irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity. 

The dam became a political hotbed: the US and Britain pulled funding and the Soviet Union financed much of the project. We visited a monument honoring the Soviet involvement. 

High Aswan Dam Memorial
A tall memorial to the Soviets recognizing their help with the construction of the High Aswan Dam.
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What Do You See in a Salt Mine?

You may not think of a salt mine as an exciting place to visit, but I’ll swear otherwise. Here’ ‘s a roundup of four salt mines I feel are worth your time and way more than a grain of that mineral.

Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland

The Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow, Poland, earned one of the 12 prestigious spots on the very first UNESCO World Heritage list. Its operations date back to the 13th century, making it one of the most historic and famous salt mines in the world. Operations continued until 2007, more than 750 years. During World War II, the Germans used the mine as an underground facility for war-related manufacturing. Today, it’s primarily a tourist attraction.

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