Van is a city in Eastern Turkey, with unique quirks, one of which is the rare breed of cats that, interestingly, inhabit around Lake Van. Van cats have curious different-colored eyes – one, amber and one, blue – and more curiously, a fondness for swimming in the vast Lake Van. Apart from exotic cats, Van prides in its deep-rooted history that goes as far back as 5,000 BC. … [Read more...]

One of Urfa’s main attractions is the Sacred Fish Pool inhabited by thousands of fish. The Sacred Fish Pool can be found in the courtyard of the Halil-ur-Rahman mosque, which dates back to 1211. What makes the Sacred Fish Pool popular aren’t only the fishes or the colorful gardens that surround it, but its historical significance. The location of the Sacred Fish Pool is the … [Read more...]

The South-Eastern Turkey Region is situated on a higher elevation than Turkey’s other regions, with its average altitude reaching 2200 meters. Its geographic location leaves the region with short summers and long, colder winters. There isn’t a dense population in Eastern Turkey, which can be an advantage to tourists since there is less hustle and bustle, leaving more room for … [Read more...]

Lake Van is important to Turkey because it is the largest lake in the country and the second largest in the Middle East region. It is also rather unique in that it is labeled as endorheic, i.e. it does not have an outlet to flow to. This was not always the case, but a massive volcanic eruption in the early ages blocked the outlet. There is only one species of fish that … [Read more...]

The Birth Place of Prophet Abraham in Urfa is a famous pilgrimage site where devotees go to pray and pay respects to one of history’s most revered prophets. He is believed to have been born in a cave in Urfa where he spent about ten years of his life as protection against the cruel King Nimrod who then ordered all newborn children killed upon learning of Abraham’s coming … [Read more...]

Nestled between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, up on the slopes of Upper Mesopotamia, is a town that is veiled with a profound ancient vibe called Midyat. The architecture in Midyat is an image of the excellent artisanship of Syrian Christian workers. It boasts of the ingenious predominant use of stone, which keeps extreme temperatures tolerable to the locals. It provides a … [Read more...]

Throughout history, man has always adapted to natural landscapes and to making good use of resources. The beehive houses of Harran are a perfect example of this. They first appeared around 3000 years ago and although now days, most are used as tourist exhibitions, they are still a marvellous insight into life during history. Used up until the 1980s, the traditional method of … [Read more...]

The Southeastern region of Gaziantep in Turkey, does not get many visitors compared with coastal resorts of the Aegean and Mediterranean. This is a shame because in the last few years, they have put much enthusiasm and careful thought into welcoming tourism and travel enthusiasts. Cultural routes line their way through city roads, signs and leaflets are printed in English, … [Read more...]

One of my favourite cities in Turkey is glorious Urfa. With a strong connection to Ibrahim, otherwise known as Abraham in the Old Testament, it is impossible to visit and not instantly fall in love with the sites, culture, and local traditions. Due to its location in Southeast Turkey, it hardly appears in any mainstream travel brochures, and most visitors arrive there on a tour … [Read more...]

Gaziantep, a city in the southeast of Turkey, is filled with cultural delights and historical importance. It does not feature highly in mainstream travel packages but is perfect for anyone who wants to discover the true face of Kurdish/Turkish life.  It has a large airport for easy access and also good bus transport links with other places of importance in Turkey. Ten Photos … [Read more...]

Sanliurfa is a large province in the Southeast of Turkey.  Not as well-known as its neighbouring counterpart of Gaziantep but I wanted to visit it for one reason. Also known as Urfa, it is steeped in tales and historical sites related to Abraham and his time spent in ancient Mesopotamia. Known as father of the Israelites and called Ibrahim in Islam, he is regarded as a prophet … [Read more...]

The towns of Midyat and Mardin are not as popular as other destinations in Turkey yet lately they are attracting certain type of visitors who stay away from sandy beaches and coastal resort nightclubs in favour of cultural and religious tourism. Thanks to its Arabic influences architecture, Mardin is a contester for the UNESCO World heritage site list while the nearby town of … [Read more...]

The Southeastern metropolis of Gaziantep does not feature on most lists of ideal destinations for city breaks. Yet over the past few years, the local council has made huge efforts to welcome tourists, especially those seeking a cultural theme to their holidays. A designated tourism board has opened many museums, formed a cultural route, and highlighted cuisine and traditions … [Read more...]