Seafood Thanksgiving - Charleston, SC

A Sunday afternoon on the Savannah Highway (U.S. Route 17) slipping east into Charleston, we saw men landscaping a colorfully painted seafood store while others cleaned bags of oysters just 'round back. Being out-of-towners arriving for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we mistakenly assumed we could get seafood on a Sunday, any Sunday. We jumped out of the car filled with greetings and chat. The men pointed to one jovial sort who explained that they were closed but if we wanted crab-meat "we can take care of y'all." He keyed the door, turned on the lights and sold us the best quality lump crab-meat, oysters and also red, red tuna steaks. He went out of his way! And he was perfectly cheerful about taking care of us! Ravenel Fresh Seafood - above and beyond? Oh Yeah! Kindness like this sweetens any visit to anywhere. But it happened just outside Charleston. And on our holiday we had one more thing to be thankful for!

The Sultan was Good to Us! - Istanbul, Turkey

In one month, we stayed twice. The Sultan's Inn is not the poshest but it is homey and certainly is strategically located (& price is right). Close to everything we wanted to see in Istanbul, all the legendary sites were within walking distance (we cared to be in the center of things). Mr. Hakan Varan at the reception, wears many hats (city information, cultural guide and master of Istanbul logistics - ferries, taxis, trams). The amazingly informed Hakan is superlative! Also, the unflappable Mr. Kamil Kaya in reservations, made room for us and a surprise friend (at a busy time) upon return to Istanbul. Without a hitch, it all came together airport transfers and accommodation. At the Sultan Inn, we met people from all over the world. Many were repeat guests who love the Sultan and the breakfast on the rooftop patio with views of the Marmara Sea on one side and the Blue Mosque on the other. I believe when guests treat a hotel as their own home away from home, there can be no better recommendation!

If fully booked try their sister hotels, Deniz Houses & Naz Wooden House Inn – each a perfect example of the famed Wooden Houses of old Istanbul. We visited these (very nice) yet preferred the Sultan Inn for the exceptionally kind staff…