A Flexible Travel Routine for the Balkans
A good trip can feel like a welcome change to your everyday routine. You wake somewhere new, explore at your
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Tour Guide Istanbul for a Calm Weekend Escape
Make room for a slower city break A weekend in Istanbul does not need to be packed from morning until
A More Personal Way to Experience Ephesus
Choose a visit that reflects you Some travelers enjoy learning through stories, while others are drawn to architecture, photography, or
The Muteferrika Cavalry and the Beginning of the Janissaries
The Muteferrika: An Elite Cavalry Unit Besides the regular Spahis, the Ottoman Empire also had a smaller and more prestigious
The Main Divisions of the Ottoman Military
Two Types of Ottoman Soldiers The Ottoman military was carefully organized into different groups, each serving the empire in a
The Meaning of the “Seven Banners”
This small republic was sometimes called “the Seven Banners.” This name had a special meaning. It suggested that, in order
Affection and Attachment Among Women
According to early observers, strong emotional attachments were also said to exist among women within Ottoman society. These writers claimed
The Vast Wealth of a Greedy Vizier
If a Grand Vizier is naturally careful with money and used to living frugally, he often decides to lose nothing
Confusion Among the Officers
The city was thrown into confusion and division. The officers and soldiers were uncertain about what to do next, and
The Ottoman Court as a Gilded Prison
A Court That Resembles a Prison Anyone who carefully observes the Ottoman court will soon discover that it is, in