Monthly Archives: October 2019

Ashgabat, formerly named Poltoratsk between 1919 and 1927, is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan in Central Asia, situated between the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range. It is both one of the most beautiful and … Continue reading →

TIPS & OBSERVATIONS 1. Currency. Syrian Pound (SYP). In November, 2019: 1€ = 567 SYP, 1$US = 515 SYP 2. Women’s dress. Most Sunni Muslims were a hajab, but wear western clothes. A few wear full chador with faces covered and … Continue reading →

SUMMARY Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. With 82 million inhabitants, Iran is the world’s 18th most populous country. Its territory spans 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq mi), making it the second largest … Continue reading →

Turkey – Black Sea West (Sinop, Kastamonu, Karabük)   NOMAD MANIA Turkey – Black Sea West (Sinop, Kastamonu, Karabük)   World Heritage Sites City of Safranbolu Tentative WHS Mahmut Bey Mosque (15/04/2014) Trading Posts and Fortifications on Genoese Trade Routes … Continue reading →

Hungary – Great Plains (Szeged, Debrecen, Kecskemét, Nyíregyháza). October 5-6, 2019 SZEGED The third largest city of Hungary, Szeged is situated near the southern border of Hungary, just to the south of the mouth of the Maros River, on both banks … Continue reading →

Hungary – Central and North (Budapest, Szolnok, Eger) October 3-4, 2019 TOKAJ WINE REGION HISTORICAL CULTURAL LANDSCAPE The name of Tokaj is identified with wine all over the world. In this wine region situated in the north-east part of Hungary … Continue reading →

Currency: Hungarian Forint HUF – 355.4 = 1 € (October 2019) Diesel (more expensive than gas) but still cheaper than anywhere north of here. HUF 415/l = €1.17/l. I was able to find it as cheap as 411.9 and it … Continue reading →

Slovakia – Košice, Prešov September 30, 2019 POPRAD LEVOČA SPIŠSKÝ HRAD and the ASSOCIATED CULTURAL MONUMENTS World Heritage Site St. James’ Church. Part of the WHS (2009), it is the 2nd largest church in Slovakia at 49.5m long, 22m wide, … Continue reading →

Slovakia – Banská Bystrica, Žilina October 2, 2019 BANSKA ŠTIAVNICA (pop 10,000) Historic Town of Banská Štiavnica and the Technical Monuments in its Vicinity. This is a completely preserved medieval town, and WHS listed in 1993. Its history is tied to … Continue reading →

TIPS FOR SLOVAKIA    1. Vignette. Immediately after crossing the border stop at the signed office and pay the toll for using Slovakia highways. The shortest duration is for 10 days – €10 payable by credit card. Present your registration … Continue reading →