One of the greatest outdoors museums in Turkey is the archaeological site of Ephesus.

Temple of Hadrian - Ephesus, Turkey

This is one of those jaw-dropping places that, even if history is not your cup of tea (or glass of wine for that matter), as an adventure traveler you will be blown away by such an amazing site.

Located in the western part of the country, just 25 minutes  from the port town of Kuşadasi, Ephesus was once a great ancient city.

Although its history goes back to the Neolithic Age, Ephesus became famous for its Temple of Artemis, built around 550 BC and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Too bad it’s no longer around; the Temple of Artemis was destroyed and rebuilt seven times in total until it was finally destroyed in 356 BC in an act of arson by Herostratus.

Ephesus reached its peak during the Roman Empire, after Emperor Augustus made Ephesus the capital of western Asia Minor in the year 27 BC.

And just so you have an idea on how significant Ephesus was back then, it was only second to Rome in importance and size, with a population of about half a million inhabitants during the first and second centuries.

Today, Ephesus is one of the best preserved places to walk through and really soak up the atmosphere of the Roman times.

The site, as you can imagine, is a fantastic place to explore and to reflect upon the impact that one society had in the shaping of the world.

Although there are many important structures and monuments in the complex, these are the most important ones you should look for:

The Odeon was a small theater built around 150 AD mainly used for political meetings and concerts, and with a capacity of 1500 people.

The Temple of Hadrian is one of the best preserved structures in Ephesus and it was dedicated to Emperor Hadrian after he visited the city in 128 AD.

Many monumental buildings, houses, and shops had their front sides opened to Curetes Street, a beautiful central road covered in marble.

The most spectacular building in Ephesus is the Library of Celsus (see photo). Built in 110 AD, this library was one of the largest in the world with over 12,000 scrolls in inventory.

The beautiful two-story façade is a triumph of Roman architecture, and the 4 women statues displayed in the niches represent wisdom, fate, virtue, and knowledge.

Last but not least, the Great Theater dates back to the 2^nd century (during the reign of Emperor Trajan) and had a seating capacity of 25,000 people! Not only were there plays held here, but also ceremonies for Dionysius, the God of Wine.

And speaking of wine, oh yes, there is great wine in Turkey!

Great Theater - Ephesus, Turkey

Ephesus is located within the Aegean wine region, an area known for its aromatic white grapes such as Misket and Sultana.

A great local white wine to enjoy with the regional seafood cuisine is Doluca’s DLC Sultaniye Emir, a crisp and smooth dry wine with nice aromas of green apple and tangerine.

So cheers to Ephesus, Turkey, a great wine tourism destination!

Do you remember the feeling of the first time you fell in love? Or how about a time in your life when you couldn’t hold back a tear because you realized just how much you love life?

La Parroquia - Church of St. Michael

Let the picturesque town of San Miguel de Allende seduce you and awaken your senses in a magical life-appreciating vacation you’ll never forget.

San Miguel de Allende is a very unique town located in the heart of Mexico in the Bajío region and it was just recently (2008) declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As soon as you arrive you’ll feel transported back into the past, welcomed by San Miguel’s colorful colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. The central landmark is the tall Gothic-style Parroquia, the Church of St. Michael, located in the main square.

As a matter of fact, the town is full of pictorial churches and beautifully decorated plazas with lively fountains and luscious green areas. The sounds of the birds and distant giggles of playful children melt in unison to enhance the spirit of viva la vida.

San Miguel de Allende is as romantic and artistic as Florence, Italy, but with the colorful smiles, the folkloric music, and the vibrant aromas of the always friendly, México.

There are plenty of reasons why this town is one of the most charming and visited places in the country. If you’re looking for an escape from urban reality and hoping for a moment of tranquility, I suggest visiting the hot springs. The phenomenal pools are only 10 minutes by car from the city center.

However, San Miguel de Allende offers you a chance to immerse yourself into the wonderful art & culture of Mexico. So take advantage of this, you won’t regret it!

Besides offering a wealth of art galleries and musical venues, San Miguel de Allende hosts all types of cultural events throughout the year. One of the most famous is the Expresión en Corto International Film Festival, which takes place at the end of July.

Of course, people who have long-term travel plans stay in San Miguel de Allende to study Spanish while perhaps taking painting or cooking classes. San Miguel de Allende really is the Mexican Florence.

For those who love photography, my only recommendation is to simply walk through the town and snap away. San Miguel is your inspiration!

In conclusion, San Miguel de Allende is capable of stimulating your senses in so many ways that we invite you to see for yourself, what all the tremendous fuss is about.

Where to Stay

I’ve been to San Miguel de Allende several times and have stayed in several places, but my absolute favorite is Casa de la Cuesta. This charming Bed & Breakfast is a gorgeous example of traditional Mexican architecture (although somewhat recently constructed). It is run by an American couple, Bill and Heidi, and has 6 uniquely decorated rooms.

Casa de la Cuesta B&B

This colonial hacienda-style home has a large center courtyard where guests can relax while listening to the sounds of the fountain and birds. Because Casa de la Cuesta is located on a hill, most rooms and patios offer spectacular views of the town. Most importantly, the comfortable Bed & Breakfast offers a superb Mexican breakfast.

After a busy day walking through the markets and picturesque squares, you can come back to the B&B and enjoy a glass of wine from a selection of Mexico’s finest vineyards. If you like white wines, they typically have L.A. Cetto’s Blanc de Blancs, one of my favorite Mexican wines.

One of the most beautiful metropolitan cities in the USA is Boston. And to prove great minds really do think alike, according to BostonUSA.com, 18 million people visited Boston & Cambridge in 2008!

Boston & Cambridge offer all types of great entertainment related to the arts, sports, science, history, and more.

So where is a fun place to stay that offers easy reach to both areas, a real taste of New England, and perhaps even a little bit of history?

The Kendall Hotel offers that plus more. You can go ahead and search for large hotel chains, but nothing will ever replace the charm and warmth of a local boutique hotel. And when you are in Boston you have to make the Kendall Hotel your home.

The history of the Kendall Hotel is quite unique; its building was originally built in 1895 as a Victorian Firehouse known as Engine 7. The Queen Anne-style structure was designed to accommodate stables, coal bunkers, and dormitories for the firemen.

Engine 7 operated for almost 100 years until it was closed in 1993.

The building was then purchased by a local couple who, in 2000, began renovations to convert the firehouse into the Kendall Hotel. They did such a great job in maintaining its historic architecture and ambiance that the Kendall Hotel is the only one in Cambridge selected to be a member of Historic Hotels of America.

Located near MIT, the Kendall Hotel offers 73 guest rooms and 4 luxury suites. It is interesting to mention that although all the rooms have a classic American décor, each guest room is unique in design, spacious, and comfortable.

The hotel’s restaurant, The Black Sheep, offers a complete breakfast buffet free for guests. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner offering chef selections that use top-quality organic and locally grown produce.

Regarding our favorite grape juice, they have a great wine selection that includes wines from the best vineyards in the country.

And when it comes to moving around town, the Kendall Hotel is located just a few steps away from the Kendall Subway Station (red line).

Due to its charm, convenience, and comfort, the Kendall Hotel definitely earns the Tried & True Travel + Wine seal of approval.