Page 71 - Introduction to Tourism
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undoubtedly have qualified for the top category of
frequent - traveler miles if such awards had been
given. In addition to traveling all over Greece and
the Aegean Islands, he sailed to Cyrene in North
Africa, explored southern Italy and Sicily, and
sailed from Ephesus on the west coast of Asia
Minor to Sardis. He got as far east as Babylon by
sailing to Syria, then striking east to the
Euphrates and following a caravan track for
weeks. There he looked upon the ancient city of
Babylon: His figures are inflated, probably
because he got them from his guides. He loved
doing the sights and, like most modern tourists,
was dependent on guides for information.
A Greek entering Asia Minor would encounter
strange tongues and Oriental ways.
Not until Alexander conquered the Persian
Empire would the Greek ways spread into the
ancient East.
Possibly, Herodotus ’ s travel combined business
and pleasure, as did that of Solon, who led
Athens through a crisis, then took a trip abroad.
Athens developed into a tourist attraction from
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