Program 415: Unearthing the 'Stans; Ephesus; Oxford vs. Cambridge

Hear how photojournalist David Adams journeyed to Afghanistan and central Asia in search of the lost cities encountered by Alexander the Great. Learn why Ephesus, in western Turkey, is one of the best places in the world to resurrect a sense of the everyday life of the ancient Greeks and Romans. And for those looking for a taste of university life in England, we share tips for choosing between Oxford and Cambridge.

• Photojournalist David Adams, host of "Alexander's Lost World"
• Lale Surmen Aran, proprietor of SRM Travel in Istanbul, and co-author of the Rick Steves "Istanbul" guidebook
• Yaren Turkoglu, tour guide based in Istanbul
• Gillian Chadwick, tour guide based near London
• Tom Hooper, tour guide based in London
• Gene Openshaw, co-author of Rick Steves' "Europe 101"

• David Adams' TV series is "Alexander's Lost World,"
• Lale Surmen Aran runs SRM Travel in Istanbul, which specializes in guided tours of Turkey.  
• In its day, one of the major attractions in Ephesus was the Temple of Artemis.  
• Visitors describe their mixed impressions of the House of the Virgin Mary, near Ephesus.
• Rick's audio walking tour of Ephesus is offered as a free-download app. 
• The Economist contrasts the communities of Oxford and Cambridge.
• Wikipedia explains that the term "Oxbridge" is a way of referring jointly to both universities in England.    
• Tom Hooper recommends attending a choral service at the King's College Chapel in Cambridge. The chapel is marking the 500th anniversary of its stonework during 2015.
• Rick and Gene mention Chartres, Sainte-Chappelle, and Notre Dame cathedrals in France, the Duomo di Milano in Italy, and Cologne Cathedral in Germany in their "Gothic Smackdown" feature.