One stop shopping at the Eastern Mediterranean

A few years ago, I was with a group of tour operators – our destination: Turkey. This exotic land has always titillated the imagination of many. To the adventurous, this place evokes images of graceful minarets, temples, museums and sculptures in ancient cities. It boasts of 4,000 years of history, and the country is awash in it. To the inveterate traveler, Istanbul, as well as the other major cities of Turkey beckons with its promise of reliving history in its museums, while for the incurable shopper, Turkish bazaars teem with hand-woven carpets as well as a treasure trove of other luxury items like soft-leather jackets.

Who in his right mind would let such an offer pass?

Our host in Turkey was the president himself of Orion Tour, one of the most respected and reliable tour agencies specializing in the Middle East, Mr. Ersan Atsur.

Orion Tour is a fully accredited "A" class agency that today services 26 different countries, from North America to the Far East catering to the up-market foreign travel segment to Turkey. Here in the Philippines, it is represented by Meteor Tours & Travel at 1739 Pedro Gil, Paco, Manila.

Our last visit to Turkey comes to mind again because our gracious host, Ersan, was recently in town and it was a pleasant experience to break bread with the gracious Ersan again. We had a great time reminiscing.

Anyway, Orion Tour and Meteor Tours and Travel hope to capture the imagination of the Filipino traveler with unlimited options. First, here’s a few basic info on Turkey.

Its strategic location provides it with borders of mountain ranges on the east and south, while to the north, west and south, it is protected by sea.

Climate is generally agreeable, but while it may be summer along the Aegean and Mediterranean coast, it could very well be spring in Istanbul! Towards the end of the year, starting in November, winter starts creeping in and could last till March. The warm months are long, however, in Turkey, and you will often see tourists walking around in casual wear, mostly in T-shirts and pants and even shorts.

Of course, Turkish is the common language, but English is quite adequate among the people. The shopkeepers most certainly speak rudimentary English.

As for Turkish cuisine, ah, this is adventure in itself. Did you know that Turks have been making yoghurt for about 2,000 years? It is still a staple in Turkey, either as a beverage, or eaten from little cups like we do. Only, there, these are sold in every little store in every little corner.

More on Turkish cuisine: a typical buffet could have an array of cold beans. Eggplants done in several ways (fried, mashed, sauced, etc), boiled shrimps, aromatic and flavorful rice wrapped in vine leaves, a whole array of cheeses, a whole array of salads that always include cucumbers and chilies and usually flavored lightly with olive oil and lemon, and an assortment of breads. The breads could be hot or cold, flatter than a pancake or doughy, or even covered in melted butter, and there were interesting and flavorful dips for the bread. There was always lamb, beef and chicken, in kebabs or done in myriad ways, roasted whole lamb was a favorite party fare, and the lamb would always be melt-in-the-mouth tender. Dessert? One must make room for their famous pastries which are usually made with nuts and flavored with honey. Quite rich and fattening, yes, but very gratifying. Their baklava, of course, is famous all over the world and is even exported to major cities across the globe.

Our host, Ersan, certainly gave us the best that Turkey had to offer.

While in Turkey, don’t fail to visit the seven churches of Asia Minor and the Ottoman House Museum. Turkey has seen many cultures over the centuries, giving rise to an unparalleled melding of historic, artistic and cultural treasures and sites. Three main religions are practiced here – Islam, Christianity and Judaism, and the major churches here continue to attract pilgrims from all over the world.

Of course, there are wonderful beaches to explore, hot springs and thermal resorts with natural mineral water bubbling up from the ground. There are submarine caves to explore as well as sunken ships. Furthermore, there are excellent five-star hotels to choose from. It has a coastline measuring some 8,000 km with modern marinas. In fact, Turkey has been called a paradise for yachtsmen, and I can understand why.

Of course, when I got home from this wonderful tour, I had excess baggage because my wife insisted on having hand-woven carpets and warm Turkish shawls. For myself, I couldn’t resist the sheepskin leather jackets that came in all colors. Overall, it’s an adventure of a lifetime which you can’t pass up.

Thanks again Ersan, and to the ever-charming Ligaya Tabirao of Meteor Tours & Travel.

What are the country’s most popular vehicles?

Try logging in regularly to HYPERLINK "http://www.autofocus.com.ph" and you’ll be amazed how rankings in each category change every now and then as the motoring public votes for their favorite vehicles to determine the most popular automobile for the 2006.

Online voting is going on with SMS or text voting to commence in a few days time for the Petron Xtra Unleaded 2006 Auto Focus Automobile / Motorcycle of the Year-People’s Choice Awards as managed by SOLARi.

The winning automobile or motorcycle, that which would garner the most number of votes overall in all categories, shall be awarded a week after the last two Grand Displays slated on April 22 & 23 and 29 & 30 at the Central Gateway of Fort Bonifacio. This is when everybody has the chance to see up close, ride and test drive all the models that shall be on exhibit to help decide in their choices on what to vote for or even to buy.

The consumers are empowered so cast your vote now!

Wholesome Sunday evening viewing

Here’s what’s lined up tomorrow Sunday on the TV show Business & Leisure, aired 10:30 in the evening on Channel 4 Manila and nationwide via satellite on the National Broadcasting Network.

Our venue for tomorrow evening’s show is the Club Intramuros of the Intramuros Golf Club with its newly refurbished locker rooms for both men and women where we’ll have a chat with Philippine Tourism Authority head, Robert Dean Barbers to know the persona behind this indefatigable local tourism manager. You’ll surely find it interesting to know some misadventures of his youth and his growing years guided by the late Senator Robert Barbers.

Now if you want to know more about this Golf Course located right at the heart of the City of Manila, try to catch our short chat with Al Capistrano the club’s resident manager.

For the show’s other contents for this week, dogs will take center stage on our segment "Pets & Friends" while the Pasha shall be our recommended destination on "Places". a

Business & Leisure is one of the hold-outs of developmental television programs aimed at uplifting the viewing standards of the Filipino. It has survived, with a record 15 years of broadcast being the longest-running business & lifestyle magazine program on Philippine television.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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