Near Eberbach there is a crumbling ruin known as the "Spectacular Ruin". The raft captain tells a tale about a dragon that terrorized the region. A Sir Wissenschaft killed the dragon with a fire extinguisher and was granted a spectacles concession by the emperor for his heroism.
Source of the Jordan River. Sam and the pilgrims arrived there after about an hours ride over a rough, rocky road. September 18, 1867. He refers to Dan as "Dutch Flat".
The territory of Crimea, previously controlled by the Crimean Khanate, was annexed by the Russian Empire on 19 April [O.S. 8 April] 1783. The period before the annexation was marked by Russian interference in Crimean affairs, a series of revolts by Crimean Tatars, and Ottoman ambivalence. The annexation began many years of Russian rule in Crimea, which ended with the transfer of the territory to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1954. Russia annexed Crimea for a second time in March 2014. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annexation_of_Crimea_by_the_Russian_Empire
Known as Istanbul since 1939, Twain arrived aboard the Quaker City August 17, 1867. The ship remained there for two days then continued into the Black Sea. Eight fellow passengers remained in the city until the ship returned to take on coal August 29. It remained for 5 days. Twain was particularly impressed with the Stamboul's bazaar.
Sam and companions traveled by train from Milan to Como and then took a steamer to Bellagio on July 18th. Mark Twain Project: Quaker City Itinerary
Twain also made a day trip to Chiasso, in Switzerland, from Como.
From August 19-30, 1867 Twain sailed the Black Sea aboard the Quaker City: From Constantinople, through the Bosporus to Sevastopol, Odessa, and Yalta.
Capital of Germany, Twain's first visit was in 1891. He and his family moved into an apartment on Kornerstrasse, but later moved to Hotel Royal on Unter den Linden while he was in America. They remained there until March of 1892. They returned for two weeks in May and June of 1892 and four days in June and July of 1893.
See Day By Day entry for January 20, 1892 for Twain's profile of the city.
Beirut was technically under Turkish rule was was effectively a British and French protectorate at the time of Twain's visit. The Quaker City arrived September 9, 1867 and departed for Jaffa six days later. Many of the passengers began overland journeys from Beirut. Twain and seven others took the long trip.
Town with saline thermal baths. Twain lived there with his family from June to September of 1892, although he returned alone to the States for several weeks. The family moved to Florence, Italy at the end of September.