Since eastern Turkey is a bit off the beaten path and unknown to many, a traveler will more likely find authentic experiences along the way, meeting locals as they work, farm, wash clothes, cook, and go about their daily lives in their towns and villages. These are 6 must-see sights for a memorable journey through Turkey’s earliest history.

1. Mardin and Harran
2. Gaziantep
3. Nemrut Dağ
4. Van Area
5. Doğubayazıt and Mount Ararat
6. Kars and Ani

1. Mardin and HarranNoted for the hilltop citadel (kale) overlooking this culturally diverse town, Mardin is best known for its honey-colored Saffron Monastery built more than 1,500 years ago. This history-steeped, ancient city is a place where Aramaic – the language Jesus spoke – is still chanted in Syriac Christian church services. In the same region is Harran, a Silk Road town so old it’s referenced in the Bible and the Torah. As well, Harran is home to beehive-shaped houses called kümbet.

• Tip: Buy Mardin’s famous pistachio-oil soap in the town’s lively bazaar.

2. GaziantepWhile Turkey’s pistachios are famous, Gaziantep’s pistachios are hands-down the most flavorful, with its local pistachio “Antep baklava” considered best in the world. Visit the town’s old bazaar, or linger in the Gaziantep Mosaic Museum with its Roman artifacts and famous “Gypsy Girl” mosaic.

• Tip: Perhaps obvious, but great gifts to take home are bright-green Gaziantep pistachios as well as the city’s world-famous pistachio Antep baklava. It stays fresh for 2-3 days and freezes well for months.

(click on photo to see larger version)

3. Nemrut Dağ (UNESCO)Sunrise and sunset are the most beautiful times to ascend Mount Nemrut to view dozens of 2,000-year-old limestone heads glowing in the slanted light. (The rest of their bodies are nearby.) Constructed by Commagene King Antiochus I, these 26- to 30-foot statues include the king, eagles, lions and many gods.

• Tip: Even in summertime it can get very chilly on Nemrut Dağ. Bring a hat and heavy coat, or wear lots of layers.

4. Van AreaAlthough situated within conservative eastern Turkey, Van is a bit more progressive and relaxed than other nearby towns. Main draws of this predominantly Kurdish city are medieval Hoşap Castle and ancient Van Castle, dramatically sited on hilltop outcroppings, as well as a Lake Van boat ride to Akhtamar Island and its 1,000-year-old Armenian Church of the Holy Cross.

• Tip: Be on the lookout for rare Van cats, known for the distinctive pure white fur on their bodies, different-colored eyes, and love of water.

5. Doğubayazıt and Mount AraratLocated near the Iranian border and perched high above the Kurdish town of Doğubayazıt is beautifully preserved Ishak Pasha Palace. Light and shadow play games in this complex, with six different types of stone reflecting and absorbing the rays in the courtyards, harem, mosque, and mausoleum. On a clear day from Doğubayazıt you can see Mount Ararat – nearly 17,000 feet tall – believed to be the Biblical resting place of Noah’s Ark.

6. Kars and AniClimb the citadel overlooking Kars, a mile-high Kurdish town, taking in the sweeping views from its 900-year-old castle. Travel to the ruins of ancient Ani, once a Silk Road stop and now a place to view the walled-city remains of this medieval Armenian capital.

• Tip: Take a taste of local honey and butter; they’re considered the best in Turkey. As well, eastern Turkey is a perfect place to experience an authentic Turkish bath.

Travel to Eastern Turkey with MIR

• Handcrafted Private Journeys in Eastern Turkey: MIR can handcraft a custom, private journey focused on your personal interests, destinations, and timeline in Turkey’s “cradle of civilization.” Working with MIR allows you to fully focus on enjoying your travel experience while MIR handles all the logistics and details. A handcrafted itinerary for eastern Turkey might include:
  • Black Sea towns of Trabzon – once a Silk Road city – and Samsun, a tobacco town where Turkey’s Atatürk began his 1919 War of Independence.
  • Sümela Monastery, a 4th century Greek Orthodox monastery embedded in a steep cliff nearly 4,000 feet up Mela Mountain.
  • Erzurum, a multi-day base for exploring churches in the Kaçkar Mountains, or hiking the Tortum Valley.

 Explore More of TurkeyBecause Turkey is so large – the size of Texas – it’s easier to comprehend and visit by focusing on its geographical regions, each one unique in its sights, history, and cuisine. What remains the same everywhere is Turkey’s legendary hospitality. Here is an overview of Turkey, along with key regions to visit:

• Travel to Turkey: Explore Istanbul and the Rest of Turkey:  An overview of this crossroads country, straddling East and West in terms of politics, religions, and geography.

• Travel to Turkey: 6 Favorite Highlights in Istanbul: Istanbul is an easy introduction to Turkey. Its minaret-studded skyline glistens with mosques, palaces, and water views that demonstrate the country’s living history, diverse cultures, and international cuisine.

• Travel to Turkey: 6 Scenic Reasons to Visit Captivating Cappadocia: This moonscape of strangely shaped rock formations – dubbed “fairy chimneys” – is also one of the best places on the planet for hot-air balloon rides.

• Travel to Turkey: 5 Highlights in Southern Turkey, From Ankara to the Mediterranean Coast: It’s all about variety: Ankara’s mammoth Atatürk Mausoleum, Konya’s “whirling dervishes,” and laid-back fishing villages along the Mediterranean Coast.

• Travel to Turkey: 5 Favorite Western Turkey Highlights, From Ancient Ruins to the Aegean Coast: This is Turkey’s old soul, steeped in wars, history, and legends. All three are abundant, with civilizations traced back 4,000 years, and with more ancient ruins here than anywhere else in Turkey.

Whatever Turkish delights capture your imagination, MIR’s handcrafted, private itineraries can transform your dream trip into an unforgettable travel adventure.

(Top photo: Although located more than a mile high, Lake Van doesn’t freeze because of its high salinity. Photo credit: Mike Belton)

 

PUBLISHED: February 16, 2015

Tags: Akhtamar Island | Anatolia | Ani | Antep baklava | baklava | Cathedral of Ani | Church of the Holy Cross | Dogubayazit | Erzurum | Gaziantep | Gaziantep Mosaic Museum | Gypsy Girl | Harran | Helen Holter | Hosap Castle | Ishak Pasha Palace | Kars | Kurds | Lake Van | Mardin | Mount Ararat | Nemrut Dag | Noah's ark | Saffron Monastery | Samsun | Sumela Monastery | Trabzon | Turkey | UNESCO | Van | Van Castle | Van cats | Zuegma

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