Here you can browse through my blog posts prior to February 2022. Currently I'm sharing my travel experiences, candid opinions, and what's on my mind solely on my Facebook page. — Rick

Up, Up, and Away in a Beautiful Turkish Balloon

Arguably the best hot-air balloon experience in the world is reason enough to get up at 4:30 and spend $200 each for a morning floating above the “fairy chimney” rock formations of Cappadocia. Each morning, 50 to 80 balloons lift off, giving lots of travelers a fine memory.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

Dancing Frenzy with the Villagers

I have great memories of dancing with Turks as a teenager in my earliest visits. I remember it was a natural way to inject joy into a convivial get-together. And now, Rick Steves Turkey tours always seem to find a way to dance with the locals.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

Baggy Pants and When Your Money Belt Creeps Up

During dinner, Turkey tour member David Preston took a moment to demonstrate how baggy pants are just the ticket when your money belt keeps sliding higher. (A friend from Twin Cities Public Television in Minnesota, David couldn’t resist slipping in a pledge pitch at the end of his demo.)

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

Not Your Father’s Turkish Bathroom

Western visitors ‘ who have heard horror stories about the challenging-to-use “Turkish toilets” ‘ wonder about the bathroom facilities they’ll encounter in Turkey. This tour of my WC makes it clear that there’s nothing to worry about. (But practice your squatting, just in case.)

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.