VAN
Lake van is Turkey’s inland sea. This is the chokepoint of the mainline from Asia to Western Europe. Lake Van is crossed by a series of Railway Ferries that also take passengers. But the real attraction here is Hosap Castle to the South West, Akdamar Island in the lake itself, and the mountains that surround Van and continue all the way to the Iranian and Iraqi frontiers.
DIYARBAKIR
MARDIN
Mesopotamia within Turkey
Mardin is a town perched on a ridge beside a valley. Home to a Christian community, the town is inspiring. Very close by is the Derulzafaran monastery, and slightly further away the Mor Gabriel monastery. The bazaar is the town, and most of the roads are walking paths. Gas is delivered by mule, and yet it is also a town of highly educated erudite people of different ethnic backgrounds.
Stay: Reyhani Kasri Otel (deluxe) or the Gazi Konak Otel (mid range).
