Where to Stay - Turkey

old city and have 16 towers
and 5 gates. Diyarbakır’s
Ulu Cami or ‘Great Mosque’
is one of the holiest sites in
the Islamic world.
Lake Van is Turkey’s largest lake, and is the biggest sodium carbonate
lake in the world. It is also one of the world’s highest, at 1,650
metres above sea level. The water is so alkaline that the villagers
can wash their clothes in it without using soap. It is also very
salty. The scenery here is stunning – surrounded by snow-capped
peaks, the highest of which, Süphan Dağı is over 4000 metres.
There are four islands in the lake, the largest of which is Akdamar
Island, which can be reached by boat. It is home to the church of
the Holy Cross, built by the 10th century Armenian King, Gagik,
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MosqueofDivriği
EasternTurkey
one of the biggest attractions
in the area.
Erzurumwas located on one
of the main caravan routes
between Europe and India, and
was, therefore, fought over by
many different civilisations.
Most that remains of interest
today is from the Seljuk era
including the religious seminaries,
the Çifte Minareli Medrese
with its twin minarets, and the
Yakut Medrese. Also impressive is the Byzantine citadel, from
which there are excellent views over the city.
43 kms from Kars is the ruined city of Ani. In order to visit it
you need to obtain permission from the tourist office in Kars,
Known to the Turks as Ocaklı, it was founded by the Armenians
in the 4th century BC, and reached the height of its prosperity
under King Gagik I. Its city walls, Medieval churches and
grand cathedral are magnificent.
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relaxation
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