Today's Turkey shows you what happens when the ancient world, the developing world, and the first world all come together.

And with a quickly growing economy and population, the pace of modern change in Turkey may come as a shock to travelers who haven't visited

lately. Hi I'm Rick Steeves. Now that political concerns are on the front burner as

Turkey confronts Kurdish separatists across the Iraq border, this is a good time to get a firsthand understanding of what

Turkish nationalism means to the Turkish people, and how that nationalism shapes their democracy.

Tour guide Melikus of all is a proud Turkish citizen who leads hundreds of Americans around her country each year.

She joins us today to shed light on some of Turkey's political tensions and to answer your questions

about visiting everything from the bustling streets of

Istanbul to dropping in on nomads in their goat-haired tents. We'll also start

today's show with stories of your recent travels. Come along as we explore the world

in the hour ahead with a spotlight on Turkey.

It's Travel with Rick Steeves.

Travel with Rick Steeves is brought to you by American Airlines. With their new Advantage Award booking tool, it's easier than ever to book to over 800 Advantage Award destinations online at AA.com.

American Airlines knows why you fly. Travel in Turkey these days

comes with a poignant look at a country that somehow is ancient and modern,

Muslim and secular, eastern and western all at the same time.

And with the concerns about how Turkey deals with Kurdish separatists inside and across

its borders, it's a good time to get a local's take on the situation.

Meli Saval joins us in a little while to explain how nationalism and democracy shaped Turkey's

identity in a rough-and-tumble corner of the world.

Let's start today's show with a few of your own travel stories

and how your recent adventures have impacted your own worldview.

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