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From Kim:

Can you place this shot?  I think it could be one of numerous places in the world - a resort in California, or Spain, Greece or.... Turkey!  All of these destinations have in common the sea and sunshine, architecture and flora, a mood and stylistic expression that I consider classic Mediterranean Style.  This hotel is located in Alacati Turkey. It's astonishing how much it felt like Santa Barbara, with its palm trees, blooming oleander and bougainvillea climbing the walls of adobe and stone buildings roofed in red tile!  It's a wide wonderful world with both unique and familiar touch stones along the way.

From Kimberly

From Byzantine jewels to the Byzantine architectural wonder Hagia Sophia, the splendors of East and West merge into legendary artistry.  Translated from Greek, Hagia Sophia means "Holy Wisdom."

Constantine The Great, Roman Emperor from 306 to 337, founded the Eastern Roman Empire in Byzantium (soon called Constantinople, then Istanbul) in a move to bring coherence and integration of the East into the vast empire.  He was the first emperor to convert to Christianity, and as well, proclaimed tolerance of all religions throughout the Roman Empire.

The structure we see today was designed by a Greek scientist and physicist at the bequest of Emperor Justinian.  Constructed between 532 and 537, it was a cathedral until 1453 when it was converted to a mosque with the addition of the distinctive minarets.  Ordained in 1935 as a museum by the Republic of Turkey, Hagia Sophia remains one of the greatest architectural marvels and holy sites in the world.

Under photo: Hagia Sophia

Alaçatı is a precious old town on the coast near Izmir Turkey.  Like Santa Barbara, there are strict architectural codes in place to maintain the traditional character of the Turkish/Grecian designs. Buildings are stone or white stucco with colored shutters topped with clay tiles.  Exquisite!

I loved the Manastir Alaçatı Hotel pictured here.

Image 1: Manastir Alaçatı Hotel, Turkey

Image 2: Manastir Alaçatı Hotel, Turkey