Bulgaria by Sea and at Your Own Pace
Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast has a different feel from the water. Beaches, resort towns and green stretches of shoreline unfold
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Personal Istanbul Tours for Culture Loving Travelers
Choose one cultural thread Istanbul is rich with art, history, architecture, and food. That abundance can make first time planning
Add an ancient city to your plans
A holiday in Bulgaria can include historic towns, mountain scenery, and coastal days. Travelers with an interest in archaeology may
The Timar System and Its Decline
Sultan Suleiman’s Military Reforms The Timar system was organized by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent as one of the most effective
Ottoman Court Etiquette and Diplomacy
Respect and Ceremony in the Ottoman Court The Ottoman Empire had a very detailed system of respect and ceremony. Every
The Simple Life of the Dervishes and Their Monasteries
Poverty and the Search for Paradise The writer observed that many dervishes claimed to live in poverty because they believed
The Haireti Sect
Another sect, very different from the one mentioned before, is called the Haireti. The name means “amazed” or “uncertain.” The
Beliefs about the Messiah and the End of the World
The Return of the Messiah Some religious thinkers in the past discussed the idea of the Messiah and the end
Independence of the Emaums
In religious matters, the Mufti does not have direct control over the Emaums in their daily work. He does not
Example of Policy and Deception in Old Narratives
This passage is written in very old English and describes a political idea attributed to early Islamic history, especially to