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The Celebrated Menorcan Horse of Spain

Published/Revised June 12, 2014 By Guest Contributor This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

When I traveled to Menorca, Spain I hadn’t realized my visit would coincide with the Balearic Island’s annual parade of world famous horses, the Menorcan. On June 24th and 25th thousands of visitors from across Europe converge on Ciutadella’s main square to wait for a drummer on a donkey to lead 150 elegant, ebony horses through the city as they showcase the doma menorquina riding style ... Read Full Article

Tea Time in a Cappadocia, Turkey Cave

Published/Revised June 11, 2014 By Guest Contributor This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Cappadocia, Turkey, a land stolen from a mystic’s dream, is surrounded by a desert landscape with cone-shaped towers rising up between razor cut cliffs. Caves carved into these otherworldly rock formations have been inhabited since ancient times and, through an arrangement made by our hotel in Goreme, we were invited to share a glass of tea with one of these modern-day cave dwellers ... Read Full Article

A Day Trip on Spain’s Historic Menorca Island

Menorca, Spain is best known as a yachter’s dream destination. Private coves and beaches are found all around the island, but if you’re like me and travel mostly by public transportation, rest assured you’ll find plenty to explore on Menorca’s terra firma, too. These are just a few of the places to visit on Spain’s less frequented of the Balearic islands. Ciutadella The starting point for my ... Read Full Article

Walking into Heaven: The Hagia Sophia

Published/Revised June 20, 2016 By Guest Contributor This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Please read our disclosure for more info.

From the outside, the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey looks like an impenetrable fortress. Thick, red-stained stucco walls stair step up in collections of annexes to a massive grey dome. Deep set windows dotting the surface are blackened by the shadows inside. Four flat pillars protruding over the narthex and apse resemble stoic guards keeping vigilant watch over the great 6th century Eastern ... Read Full Article

Whirling With the Dervishes in Cappadocia, Turkey

Cappadocia was growing quiet when I arrive at the Mevlevi Order’s ritual hall to see the Whirling Dervishes. The sun is setting and the shadows of the Fairy Chimney rock columns were blending together seamlessly across Goreme’s dusty streets. A man in a flowing robe appears from behind an open door and beckons me inside. I follow him down a long, curved corridor to the samahane’s inner sanctum ... Read Full Article