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Firsthand guides to remarkable places

Explore Bible history. Travel where it happened.

Travel guides to Biblical sites, ancient cities and memorable places, shaped by our own journeys and practical experience on the ground.

Latest travel stories

My Journey to Kursunlu Waterfall in Antalya, Turkey with My Wife - A Canadian's Perspective

As a lover of nature and travel, I was thrilled to explore the Kursunlu Waterfall in Antalya, Turkey, a destination that promised to be a highlight of our trip. My wife and I, both ardent admirers of natural beauty, were eager to discover this Turkish gem firsthand. Discovering Kursunlu Waterfall Kursunlu Waterfall, tucked away in a picturesque nature park near Antalya, is a haven of tranquility and beauty. I found myself comparing its serene ambiance to some of the most beautiful natural sites we had visited worldwide. The journey to this waterfall was an adventure in itself, with each turn revealing more of Turkey's splendid landscape. Our Arrival at Kursunlu Waterfall Upon arriving at Kursunlu Waterfall Park, my wife and I were greeted by lush greenery and the soothing sound of water. The contrast between the bustling city life of Antalya and the peacefulness of the park was stark and refreshing. Paying a small entrance fee felt like a small contribution to preserving this sli...

My Timeless Encounters at an Antique Store in Turkey

In the main tourist center of Antalya, Turkey, I discovered a little hidden treasure that seemed to defy time: a quaint antique store nestled among the city's vibrant streets. This isn't just any antique shop; it's a veritable time capsule, each visit revealing amazing new finds. As I stepped through its doors, I was immediately struck by the astounding array of artifacts, each with a rich history etched into its being. Remarkably, some of these relics dated back over 2000 years, their silent forms narrating tales from eras gone by. The origin stories of these pieces were as fascinating as the items themselves. Many had journeyed from the troubled lands of Iran and Iraq, brought over by refugees who, in their search for a new life, smuggled these pieces of their heritage across borders. Before I show you some of the finds, here is the location .... Just in case you ever make it out that way. This was an old Bible on calf skin. Written in greek. No idea how old. Beautiful ca...

The Bible in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin

The most fascinating thing about the Pegamon Museum in Berlin is how the objects there are connected to the Bible. In this page I will try to share the top things that not only relate to the Bible, but confirm it’s authenticity. I will also share things that bring Bible accounts to light and make them more realistic. 1. The Ishtar Gate This is the crown jewel of the museum and has much significance to the Bible. It was likely seen by many Israelite captives, including Daniel himself! It was built by Nebuchadnezzar around 575 BCE. The walls were disassembled in Iraq and moved to this museum early in the 20th century. The beautiful and colorful glazed bricks retell the glory of Babylon. Original gate brought to Berlin from Babylon This was one of the gates through which one could enter Babylon. What is more impressive is that which is not seen. Babylon was so fortified that this wall extended 14 meters (45 feet) underground! It accounts for the confidence and pride that Nebuchadnezzar e...

Budapest on a Pioneer Budget

One of the cool things about living in Turkey is that it fits our pioneer budget on many levels. Besides the cheap cost of living, access to the Istanbul International Airport give us good budget options for holidays. This makes travel on a budget possible to so many destinations in Europe and beyond. It fits perfectly with a pioneer budget and so I want to share our budget experience in Budapest. The culture shock hit us pretty quick though. A small bottle of water in Turkey is about 25 cents. Here in Budapest, it’s around $3. Same brand! After that initial shock, we were ready to experience some bonafide Hungarian culture. Here are, in our opinion, the best things to enjoy in Budapest on a budget. Hungarian Goulash – 15 euro After living in Turkey for a while, you really start to miss pork – especially bacon. Muslims don’t eat pork so it’s almost impossible to find in Turkey. So we asked a local at our hotel for a place that the locals go to for Hungarian food. We weren’t disappoin...

Chez Galip Pottery in Avanos: Our Workshop and Hair Museum Visit

We visited Chez Galip in Avanos after seeing several pottery workshops around Cappadocia. It was our favourite experience of the group. We watched a potter shape clay on a wheel, saw artists decorating finished pieces, met Galip and explored the unusual Hair Museum beneath the workshop. Even though we came to Cappadocia for the balloons, this stop became one of our highlights. Our quick take: Chez Galip is worth considering if you want to see Avanos pottery being made and enjoy browsing handmade ceramics. Our visit and demonstration were free, and we received small souvenir bowls, but prices, tours, gifts and access can change. Check the venue's current visitor information before you go. Where is Chez Galip? Chez Galip is associated with Avanos, Cappadocia, a town known for pottery. We arrived by car; this is the map location we used on our visit . The business now lists several Avanos locations, including its pottery studio and Hair Museum, so confirm the location of the tou...

Tarsus, Turkey: 4 Bible History Stops and a Museum Bonus

Tarsus is a modern city built over the ancient city where the apostle Paul was born. When we visited, we found four stops that helped us picture its history: an excavated Roman road, the Tarsus Museum, a site traditionally associated with Daniel, and Paul’s Well. I’ve included our photographs and a map link for each place. The first four stops are in Tarsus. At the end, there’s a bonus artifact from Tarsus that we saw in Istanbul. 1. The ancient road in Tarsus The excavated road in Tarsus. Find the ancient road on Google Maps . It runs beside the Tarsus Museum, so it makes sense to see these two places together. We could see the excavated area around the road and the basalt paving. It was discovered during a modern construction project, and ancient drainage runs beneath it. Standing here gave us a glimpse of the city Paul knew, although we cannot know whether he walked on this particular stretch. 2. Tarsus Museum Find the Tarsus Museum on Google Maps . We enjoyed seeing objects f...