Category: Travel

Turkey: Something for everyone

Turkey is a holiday destination almost designed to appeal to visitors from around the world, combining fascinating historical and archaeological sites, a delicious cuisine and an active sports scene with great weather, stunning scenery and warm hospitality.

Its awe-inspiring landscapes and contrasting regions, encompassing two Wonders of the Ancient World, 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 352 Blue Flag beaches and 19 Blue Flag Marinas, a diverse plant and animal life and 20 world-class golf courses, to name just a few, mean Turkey can offer many options for an unforgettable holiday experience.

Beyond the obvious attractions of sun and sea, Turkey has many fascinating ancient sites reflecting its heritage dating back millennia, and there are also a great variety of winter and summer sports, cultural activities and festivals to tempt visitors.

Turkey’s rich past includes such intriguing cities as Troy and Ephesus and such well-known names in mythology as King Midas and Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) with related artifacts on display at world-class museums across the country.

Most recently, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, the Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk located in Central Anatolia, became Turkey’s 11th UNESCO World Heritage site.

UNESCO and Turkey will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Piri Reis World Map in 2013, a rare world map from the 16th century produced by the Ottoman admiral and cartographer of the same name.

Views over Antalya

Turkey’s Mediterranean region in the south is perfect for both sun-seekers and sports-lovers alike, and is characterised by its pine forests giving the region a beautiful backdrop.

Savour its shoreline, lapped by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, an incredible 1,600km in length and popular for its pristine golden sands and secret bays only accessible by the traditional ‘gulet’ sailing boat.

Set among this drama are the picturesque ruins of ancient cities giving great opportunities for a relaxing break with the chance to explore history, sports such as white-water rafting and treks along the marked Lycian and St Paul Trails.

The three main resorts of the stunning Mediterranean coastline all have a different flavour, with Marmaris having gorgeous beaches, lively nightlife and Turkey’s busiest yachting port.

Alanya, further along to the east, is crowned by a huge medieval fortress setting the scene for its never-ending 22km beach. Between these cities Antalya is a resort with lively beaches and luxury hotels juxtaposed with its picturesque historic quarter of Ottoman houses.

Antalya’s sophisticated resort of Belek is worth visiting for its world golfing scene alone, with 15 superb courses, including those designed by Sir Nick Faldo and Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.

With over 50 luxury hotels, many of them all-inclusive and competitively priced, it’s the perfect choice for golf-lovers.

A new Club Med is due to open there in 2013 and the Turkish Open will be held there in November with the world’s most famous golfers in attendance.

Alacati, Turkey

Turkey’s other holidaying coast, the Aegean, which harbours the well-loved towns of Bodrum, Kusadasi and the Cesme peninsula, has its own special charm being set off by a gentle landscape of vineyards, olive groves and fishing villages.

Those looking for a venue still undiscovered by the global crew should consider the Aegean’s sassy village of Alacati renowned for its world-class water sports and converted windmills.

One of the region’s up-and-coming getaways, pleasure-seekers appreciate the charming old stone houses on narrow lanes lined with sidewalk cafes and classy restaurants serving fresh Aegean cuisine.

The most eager visitors are the windsurfers who come for the brisk winds, international races and to enjoy the village’s lively nightlife scene.
With its incredible lunar-like pale landscapes, ancient rock-carved churches and underground cities, cave hotels, and activities including hot-air ballooning and hiking, Cappadocia must be the choice for an alternative travel experience.

Rich in culture and history, it is home to an enchanting open-air museum (Goreme National Park), a UNESCO World Heritage site, which contains hundreds of rock churches carved and painted with elaborate frescoes by early Christians in the area. The underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu are not to be missed.

In recent years, Cappadocia has become one of Turkey’s top destinations for boutique hotels, many of which are cave hotels carved directly out of natural rock and can be quite luxurious.

Cappadocia is also said to be where wine-making first originated over 6000 years ago thanks to its fertile volcanic soil, and today some of the area’s wineries offer tastings and/or tours.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

The only city in the world to straddle two continents, Turkey’s fabled city of Istanbul is the historic crossroads between East and West, a city of minarets and palaces and the perfect choice for a refreshing city break.

Istanbul cradles the wonders of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, from the breathtaking Topkapi Palace to the majestic Hagia Sophia – part cathedral, part mosque and totally breathtaking.

Other must-see sights include the unique Byzantine frescoes of the Kariye Museum, the Ottoman architect Sinan’s masterpiece the Suleymaniye Mosque and the Genoese Galata Tower with its panoramic views of the whole city.

There are plenty of off-beat sites for those who want to leave the tourist crowds behind.

As the cultural capital of Turkey, Istanbul will host the Istanbul Biennial in 2013 as well as numerous pop and classical concerts, as well as a wide array of exhibitions at its ever-growing number of galleries and museums.

Don’t miss Istanbul Modern, showcasing some of Turkey’s best contemporary art, and Orhan Pamuk’s recently opened Museum of Innocence.

This year will be a landmark year to visit Istanbul, marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic by Ataturk, with celebrations including the opening of the Marmaray tunnel under the Bosphorus linking Europe and Asia.

For those looking for somewhere special to stay, this year will also see the opening of a new Raffles hotel with one of the largest spas in the city and the Shangri-La Bosphorus with glorious views of the famous waterway.

May 4, 2013
8 best Istanbul hotels

8 best Istanbul hotels

The right hotel can make or break your Istanbul trip. Here’s how to be a made man (or woman)

By Gareth Rees, for CNN

In Istanbul, you’re never stuck for something to do, see, eat or drink — no matter what time of the night or day it is.

But even the most energetic travelers need somewhere to take a breather.

In a city packed with more hotels than you could visit in a lifetime, finding the best isn’t easy. But these eight — ranging from five-star palaces to quirky boutique retreats — are arguably the best the city has to offer.

Pera Palace Hotel

Luxury spanning three centuries.

If you’re an Agatha Christie fan looking for luxury and 19th-century grandeur, the Pera Palace Hotel is home.

Re-opened three years ago following a €23 million renovation, the hotel was originally opened in 1892 to cater to passengers who arrived in Istanbul on the Orient Express.

With 115 rooms (including 16 suites), a spa, Agatha Restaurant, tea lounge, patisserie and views over the Golden Horn, the hotel is a two-minute walk from the city’s main thoroughfare, Istikal Caddesi.

Pera Palace Hotel, 52 Mesrutiyet Caddesi, Tepebasi, Beyoglu; +90 212 377 4000; from €160 (US$210) per night

W Istanbul

One couple’s overkill is another couple’s chic.

In a hipster neighborhood, the W Istanbul occupies one of the attractive Akaretler Row Houses, which were built in a distinctly Western style in the 1870s.

Here you’ll find 20- and 30-something hipsters taking advantage of free Wi-Fi in the lobby lounge, Sip, and downing cocktails before dinner at one of the many area restaurants.

A short taxi ride (depending on the unpredictable traffic) from Istanbul’s major sites, the W Istanbul is the focal point of a quiet and very European neighborhood.

W Istanbul, 22 Suleyman Seba Caddesi, Akaretler, Besiktas; +90 212 381 2199; from €180per night (US$235)

More on CNN: World’s 15 most expensive hotel suites

Georges Hotel Galata

Neighborhood cool with great Bosphorus views.

Forget shabby chic.

This 20-room boutique property with its high ceilings and exposed brick entry located on a cobbled alleyway is just plain chic.

Several of the rooms have balconies offering Bosphorus views and guests can enjoy in-room yoga sessions and massage.

From the terrace of the hotel’s French restaurant, Le Fumoir, you get uninterrupted views of the historical sites of Sultanahmet. The hotel is a short walk from the Galata Tower.

Georges Hotel Galata, 24 Serdar-I Ekrem Sokak, Galata, Beyoglu; +90 212 244 2423; from €135 (US$175) per night

The Istanbul Edition

Istanbul is hectic — your room shouldn’t be.

Trekking the streets of Istanbul can be tough on the feet.

With its color palette of light and dark woods, grays and golds, the Istanbul Edition is designed to help you rest and recover from your exertions.

A 15-story tower in the upscale Levent district, near luxury shopping malls, the property has 78 rooms, including a full floor penthouse suite, three-story ESPA spa, Cipriani restaurant, Gold Bar, nightclub and a screening room.

The Istanbul Edition is ideal for the visitor who has seen the sites and simply wants to enjoy the city’s many pleasures, from eating and drinking to shopping and nightlife.

The Istanbul Edition, 136 Buyukdere Caddesi, Levent; +90 212 317 7710; from €195 (US$255) per night

More on CNN: Meet the boss of the world’s most luxurious hotel

Ciragan Palace Hotel

Palatial. Literally.

A former Ottoman palace built by Sultan Abdulaziz, the five-star Ciragan Palace Hotel has lost none of its regal opulence.

The Sultan’s Suite is one of the most expensive in the world. Guests staying in any of the 11 Palace Suites can arrive by private helicopter to be greeted by their own butler.

On the shores of the Bosphorus, located between the quiet neighborhoods of Besiktas and Ortakoy, just a 10-minute taxi from Taksim Square, the property isn’t just for the super rich. There are a number of marginally cheaper but only moderately less luxurious rooms, many with views over the Bosphorus.

Ciragan Palace Hotel, 32 Ciragan Caddesi, Besiktas; +90 212 326 4646; from €570 (US$740) per night

Hotel Ibrahim Pasha

Location. Location. Location. And minarets.

The selling point of the Hotel Ibrahim Pasha is its location in Sultanahmet — the historic area of the city where most of Istanbul’s tourist sites are located.

On a peaceful side street, the boutique property puts you in the heart of the action while providing a cozy escape from the tourist hubbub nearby.

The four-story hotel, a combination of two turn of the century houses, operates a strict no-smoking policy. The guest-only rooftop terrace bar offers fantastic views of the Blue Mosque. In winter, you can warm yourself in front of one of the lobby fireplaces.

Hotel Ibrahim Pasha, 7 Terzihane Sok, Sultanahmet; +90 212 518 0394; from €120 (US$155) per night

More on CNN: Insider Guide: Best of Istanbul

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul

Bosphorus calling.

Four Seasons operates two properties in Istanbul.

The Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet is ideal if you want to be close to the city’s major tourist sites

In the calm but centrally located neighborhood of Besiktas, however, the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus steals the show.

A converted Ottoman palace just meters from the shore of the Bosphorus, the hotel has everything you’d expect from a luxury property, from a fine dining Mediterranean restaurant to a spa and indoor and outdoor pools. With 24-hour babysitting services, a child-friendly attitude and everything a parent could require from strollers to cribs, it’s perfect for a relaxing family holiday.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, 28 Ciragan Caddesi, Besiktas; +90 212 381 4000;from €370 (US$480)

The House Hotel Nisantasi

A novel hotel, at least according to Turkish author Orhan Pamuk.

The House Hotel Group is an extension of the popular chain of excellent House Cafes that frequent visitors may have enjoyed across the city. This 44-room boutique property — one of three House Hotels in Istanbul — has a faultlessly contemporary design.

The affluent district of Nisantasi is famed as the home of Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, and for providing the setting for many of his best-selling novels.

It’s also home to Istanbul’s most expensive shopping street, Abdi Ipekci Caddesi, and most of the city’s designer stores, as well as a vibrant night life.

The House Hotel at Nisantasi, 34 Adbi Ipekci Caddesi, Nisantasi; +90 212 224 5999; from €169 (US$220) per night

More on CNN: 6 insanely opulent hotels in the Mideast

April 25, 2013
Photo Gallery: Views of Istanbul

A ferry sets off from the Galata Bridge along the Bosphorus of Istanbul in Istanbul, Turkey. Though not the capital, Istanbul is the cultural, economic, and financial heart of Turkey with a population of over 13 million people. Situated on the Bosphorus strait, this metropolis, a former capital of the Roman Empire, spans Europe and Asia, the only city in the world to cross two continents. The city is dominated by historical monuments from the Byzantine and Ottoman era, with modern nightclubs, up-market restaurants and boutique hotels helping the city become a tourist hotspot. Istanbul was awarded the status of European Capital of Culture in 2010.

more : http://www.windsorstar.com/travel/Photo+Gallery+Views+Istanbul/8277449/story.html

April 24, 2013
Turkey’s New Luxury Tourism

Beyond Istanbul’s bustle, the rest of Turkey beguiles upscale travelers.

The surprising thing about the Museum Hotel is not what it is—a museum and a hotel—but where it is, in Cappadocia, in eastern Turkey.

Hot air balloons over Cappadocia. (Image Source/Aurora)

For anyone who has traveled outside of Istanbul, there is the surprising slide in the quality of accommodation that occurs as soon as one leaves the city. Staffers rarely speak English, so when you ask for a salad they bring you a pillow. Water in the shower suddenly turns brown. While Turkey’s rapid economic growth (averaging 9 percent a year until recently) has received a great deal of attention, the fact that the wealth has led to the possibility of luxury travel throughout the country has been much discussed.

“The Museum Hotel is a property that has been expanding luxury in Turkey to areas beyond Istanbul,” Christos Stergiou tells me. Stergiou is the founder of True Greece (truegreece.com), one of Greece’s leading luxury-tour operators, a company that has received acclaim in Condé Nast Traveler, the Financial Times, Travel and Leisure, and many other outlets. He has recently expanded his brand to Turkey with True Turkey (trueturkey.com). “Until the last few years,” he says, “international-level luxury was largely restricted to Istanbul. Because our guests expect a certain level of comfort, it was hard for us to take them out of the city.”

The Museum Hotel certainly speaks the language of what international travelers say they want: luxury combined with authenticity. Standing not so much on a plateau as inside a hill, the property is carved into a bluff that overlooks the cliffs and ravines and strange pillars that make Cappadocia resemble something out of a Dalí painting. Throughout the complex there are vitrines with ancient coins, jewelry, ceramics. Inside the rooms, there are mannequins draped with old textiles. The chef has won numerous awards and serves recipes that are centuries old.

Bikers tour Anatolia, whose Black Sea resorts beckon to adventurous travelers. (Johann Rousselot/Laif/Redux)

As luxury hotels have been built, other vendors for the non-backpacking crowd have also come into existence. One of the classic experiences of visiting Cappadocia is an early-morning hot-air balloon ride. When I did this, as I floated above the eerie, silent landscape, the seams on the cliffs began to fill with red as if lava were running down them. The company that I chose for my ride, Royal Balloon, uses propane gas to inflate the balloon instead of the less expensive and slightly more dangerous butane gas, a detail pointed out to me by the pilot of my balloon. “We are now getting guests who are willing to pay for slightly better quality,” he said, “and so there are companies that are willing to provide such things.”

While Cappadocia is relatively new at providing luxury, Bodrum, a resort town on the Gulf of Gokova, has a long history as a leisure destination for international travelers. Even here, though, upscale visitors mostly stayed on their yachts. Over the past few years, the booming Turkish economy has led to a surge of luxury resorts being built around Bodrum. The most famous and luxurious of these is the Amanruya, which is about 20 minutes outside town. Driving to it, I passed resorts whose names were written in tacky gold letters and others that were still under construction and had cement trucks standing outside on the road.

The Aegean Sea is a popular destination for Turkey’s new luxury tourists. (Monica Gumm/Laif/Redux)

The Amanruya is composed of 36 cottages built to resemble a Turkish village. The cottage walls are made of cement, but flecked with large stones and worked to resemble traditional mud walls. They stand in fields of wildflowers and olive groves.

Part of what feels luxurious about the Amanruya is the sense of privacy and being part of the landscape. Some of the olive trees are a century old, and the cottages were built around them. Butterflies flutter all around. In the gutters that run down the sides of the lanes by the houses, turtles wander about.

While the Amanruya protects its olive groves, many of the hotels that are being built do not seem so ecologically sensitive. Some of the new hotels appear to have stripped bare the hillside that they are constructed on so that they completely reshape the landscape.

Houses carved in the stone at the Goreme Open-Air museum. (Joel Santos/Aurora)

People have begun calling Bodrum the new Ibiza. Seeing the Amanruya and some of the new hotels, I wondered what was the point of visiting a location that had already been transformed. I posed this question to Stergiou. “Some people want to go to Ibiza,” he said. When I pressed him, he pointed out that travelers who focus on luxury tend to arrive when a destination has already been discovered. There are, he said, interesting places that have luxury but that haven’t been discovered. As an example, he offered Baku, Azerbaijan. “A fascinating city with an amazing culture and an extraordinary Four Seasons. The new Four Seasons is an amazing piece of architecture.”

A simpler way to experience both luxury and quiet is to go during the off-season. As for me, I was fortunate to be in Bodrum during early spring, long before the summer crowds arrived. Walking along the town’s cornice, hearing the water slapping below me, I felt that I had the best of all possible worlds.

April 24, 2013
Beyond Istanbul: Turkey’s lesser known hideaways

From sedate village areas to coastal havens, these four off-the-path spots provide a big, lazy dollop of calm and intrigue

By Talya Arditi, for CNN Travel 22 April, 2013

Grand palaces, ancient ruins, magnificent mosques — there are many things that can pique a traveler’s interest in Turkey.

But get past the popular spots and you’ll find several destinations that even the greatest Turkophiles may not have visited.

Urla: Slow food, slow life

Try an olive with your calm. We have plenty.

Urla is a slow-paced town a 45-minute bus ride away from Izmir, dominated by the blue waters of the Aegean and grayish-green olive trees.

Unlike Çeşme and Alaçatı, two nearby spots that attract crowds in the summer, Urla has a coastal serenity.

Urla’s history dates back more than 5,000 years. It’s home to the oldest known olive oil press.

It was formerly the ancient Greek city Klazomenai and one of the oldest known ports of the Aegean. Today Urla is a quiet escape and a leader in the slow-food movement and organic farming in Turkey.

Urla offers a variety of activities including scenic drives and swimming in the clear waters of the Aegean from May to September.

A full day here might include a wine-tasting and vineyard tour at Urla Şarapçılık after trying some local specialties at Beğendik Abi, located at the town center.

A walk by the harbor (Iskele) in the afternoon can be followed by a seafood dinner at Yengeç. We recommend Kemal Bey Range for an overnight stay.

Urla Şarapçılık: Kuşçular Köyü, 8028 Sokak No:12, Ukuf Mevkii, Urla/Izmir; +90 232 759 01 11;www.urlasarapcilik.com.tr

Beğendik Abi: Cami Atik Mahallesi, Tatar Cami Sokak No:12, Urla Merkez/Izmir; +90 232 754 2071; www.begendikabi.com.tr

Yengeç Restaurant:İskele Mahallesi, 2121 Sokak No: 6 D:1, İskele-Urla, Izmir; +90 232 752 11 52;www.yengec-restaurant.com

Kemal Bey Range: Kaz Deresi Mevkii, 35440 Urla/İzmir; +90 232 759 05 14;www.kemalbeyrange.com

Polonezköy: A Polish village in Istanbul

Poles apart from the hectic pace of Istanbul.

If you stick to Istanbul’s city center, you’ll miss out on what the outskirts of the city have to offer.

An hour’s drive from the historical peninsula is Polonezköy, formerly called Adampol, a Polish village that features breathtaking greenery, impressive architecture and an intriguing history.

After fleeing their homeland in the 1840s, Polish refugees settled in the area, creating a distinctively Polish village within easy reach of the city.

Although the Polish population is now less than 100 people, the village still carries its Polish features and serves as a charming getaway, especially for weekenders with a more active nature.

The important sights include the Polish cemetery, Our Lady of Częstochowa Church and the historic home of Zofia Rizi.

Visitors can trek or cycle through the woods and picnic. Fall brings fantastic photo-worthy colors. If you go during summer, try to coincide with the Cherry Festival in June when Polish culture is celebrated with traditional folk dancing.

Hotels in the village include the Polka Country Hotel, a historic building with distinctively Polish features.

Alternatively, Saklıköy Country Hotel & Club, set in Ishaklı Köyü Plain, is a 15-minute drive away and has an authentic country setting with outdoor activities like horseback riding, ATV drives and paintball.

Note: Public transport is not available to the area so visitors need to arrange transportation.

Polka Country Hotel: Polonezköy/Istanbul; +90 216 432 32 20

Saklıköy Country Hotel & Club: Bayramköprü Mevkii No: 6/A, Ishaklı Köyü, Beykoz/Istanbul; +90 216 434 55 22; www.saklikoy.com.tr

Tepeköy: An old Greek village in Gökçeada

The population has dwindled, but the magic is still there.

Gökçeada, Turkey’s largest island and formerly known as Imvros in Greek, is a short ferry ride from Çanakkale.

A popular summer getaway for locals, the island’s quiet village Tepeköy is undisturbed by concrete developments and is peaceful and uncrowded even in the peak of summer.

The island’s history dates back nearly 2,500 years, having been ruled by the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Until recently, the village’s population was in the thousands, now it barely has 30 residents.

Most of the residents migrated in the 1960s, but it has seen a reawakening in the past 20 years thanks to Barba Yorgo.

This Tepeköy-native began reviving his hometown by restoring his old house, turning it into a guest house that includes the island’s only Greek tavern.

He has inspired other residents to also run guest houses in the village.

One of the main attractions of the village is the 19th century church, now restored. The old Greek cemetery also attracts visitors but the real attraction here is the view.

The best way to enjoy Gökçeada is by taking a drive to admire the stunning views of the sea, photograph the now-restored old Greek houses, have a picnic at Çınaraltı where a 600-year-old oak tree stands and an antique fountain still functions.

During summer there’s the Festival of the Virgin Mary, held each year on August 15. Crowds of Greeks come to Tepeköy on that day for the Orthodox service, which is followed by a communal lunch and a big party with traditional Greek music in the evening.

You can sample local life at Barba Yorgo’s guest house where he’ll happily chat with you while sipping his home-made wine.

Barba Yorgo: Tepeköy/Gökçeada; +90 286 887 42 47; www.barbayorgo.com

Gito Yaylası: The Black Sea’s cloud land

Back to basics.

If the bustle of Istanbul tires you out, you can find peace and quiet in Gito Yaylası, a plateau nestled between the Kaçkar Mountains.

It’s difficult to get to, but this untamed piece of rural Turkey is worth the effort. Visitors need to fly to Trabzon then drive for an hour to Çamlıhemşin dictrict of Rize, then drive for another two hours.

There is not much to do except wake up to beds of clouds, take scenic walks, go on photo safaris and enjoy the local delicacies.

Koçira is the area’s only guest house and it is a testament to the hospitality of the local people. It’s worth bringing your camping gear along too as there are some great treks to be done.

Koçira: www.kocira.com (Note: The guest house provides pick-up services for travelers without a vehicle)

April 23, 2013
Anzac Day terror warning for Australians travelling to Turkey

AUSTRALIANS attending Gallipoli’s Anzac Day dawn service are being warned of the possibility of a terrorist attack in the country.

Visitors making the April 25 pilgrimage are being told to “exercise a high degree of caution in Turkey because of the high threat of terrorist attack”.

The warnings, contained in the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Smartraveller bulletin for Turkeyand Anzac travellers, ask people to be aware terrorists are constantly active in the country.

The latest attack was in February when a suicide bomber targeted the US Embassy in Ankara, killing himself and a security guard and injuring others.

Australians are being warned of the possibility of terror attacks in Turkey as Anzac Day approaches. File image. Source: AFP

The Turkish Government has warned the group claiming responsibility is planning further attacks.

There have been nine notable events since 2010, and Australian Amanda Rigg, 22, was killed when a suicide bomber hit an Istanbul police station in 2001.

“Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere at any time in Turkey,” the travel advice says.

“In recent years, terrorist attacks have occurred in tourist areas and locations frequented by foreigners.

“Foreigners have been killed and injured.”

Terrorism expert Professor Clive Williams, from the Australian National University, said Australian tourists were not usually targets but the advice was sensible.

Travellers risked being caught in “the wrong place”, as Ms Rigg had been, he said.

“She was not targeted, she just happened to be where a bomb went off,” Professor Williams said.

“In Turkey, the main target is the government and then second is the United States and then third is the UK.

“You just need to be careful where you go and what you do in Turkey.”

Travellers should avoid government offices, embassies and consulates, be wary in busy areas like transport hubs and exercise particular care around significant local dates, like May Day on May 1.

Those considering travelling to areas bordering with Syria, Iraq and Iran are told to reconsider their need to travel.

April 22, 2013