Off The Beaten Path: Turkey

Turkey is perhaps one of the great under-rated travel destinations of our time. Sure the west is a popular tourist destination frequented as a party holiday for many European travellers, but the east remains an untouched, authentic world which beckons adventurous travelers to explore. The further you head east, the further you indulge in the Middle Eastern culture, religion and cuisine. 

Mardin city
A dramatic hillside setting, beautiful golden-stone buildings hiding mosques, churches and boutique hotels, jaw-dropping views across ancient Mesopotamia, and friendly, laid-back locals - the provincial capital has plenty of appeal. Start at the Sabanci Museum with its excellent displays on local history and culture (obligatory mannequins in various poses included). West from the museum, the town’s main street, Cumhuriyet Caddesi, passes numerous architectural highlights such as the 17th-century Post Office, the Emir Hamam that dates back to Roman times, and the restored 19th-century mansion that now houses the Mardin Museum and its collection of archaeological finds. Further west stands the Forty Martyrs’ Church, begun in the 4th century and one of many Syrian Orthodox churches in the area. South of Cumhuriyet Caddesi is the bazaar - hassle-free compared with those in other Turkish cities and specializing in silverware and soap. In among the shops a couple of mosques, Ulu Camii and Şehidiye, can be spotted by their centuries-old minarets. Southwest of the city center the 1469 Kasimiye Medresesi (Muslim school) is worth a visit for its courtyard and pool, and fascinating timepiece.

Midyat
Midyat, around 37 miles east of Mardin, hides its secrets well. The old town is a labyrinth of golden-colored walls with church towers and minarets visible at a distance but tricky to find up close. Head to the roof terrace of the cultural center for a panorama over the whole town, then shop for jewellery in the bazaar.

A short 11 miles east of Midyat stands the monastery of Morgabriel. Founded in 397, it still retains domes built by the Byzantine empress, Theodora, in the early sixth century. St Gabriel himself is buried in the crypt, his tomb containing a niche filled with curative sand. As with all the other remaining Syrian Orthodox churches and monasteries in Mardin, this one is largely funded by ex-pat locals living in Europe and the US.

Urla
Urla is a slow-paced town a 45-minute bus ride away from Izmir, dominated by the blue waters of the Aegean and grayish-green olive trees. Urla’s history dates back more than 5,000 years. It’s home to the oldest known olive oil press. It was formerly the ancient Greek city Klazomenai and one of the oldest known ports of the Aegean. Today Urla is a quiet escape and a leader in the slow-food movement and organic farming in Turkey.

Looking for that uniquely different vacation destination. Call Rawhide Travel and Tours today 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. We can help!

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