The Marmara region consists of the part of Turkey in Europe, called Eastern Thrace, and the coastal areas of Anatolia on the opposite side of the Sea of Marmara and the straits.
Even though Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey, it is a leader in business, tourism, education, education and industry. Anything and everything happen in Istanbul. Although most tourists visit the Sultanahmet district, which is home to UNESCO World Heritage buildings such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia.
Canakkale Province, on the western side of the Marmara Region, has two major claims to fame that attract people from all over the world. This is where the Battle of Gallipoli took place, which changed Turkish history forever. The second claim to fame is being home to the ancient city of Troy. Mentioned in Homer's Iliad, many believed it was a mythical city until archaeologists discovered it in the 19th century. They have been around for 4000 years since around 3000 BC. Inhabited and discovered many different layers and treasures, which made them inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bursa Province is Turkey's youngest golden child, and not just for tourism. Bursa is an all-rounder that offers a variety of landscapes and lifestyles, from the historic city centre to Uludag, the ski resort to rural villages and finally beach destinations.
Located in the far east of the Marmara Region, the climate in Bolu is different from other areas. It adopts a typical Black Sea weather pattern. The Yedigoller National Park promotes everything natural. Its name means seven lakes and they are located near several streams and waterfalls. Don't forget to visit the hot springs.
Yalova is another place of natural beauty that is becoming increasingly popular as more Turks and foreigners seek to explore life outside Turkey's leading metropolis.
In 2017, work began on a suspension bridge across the Dardanelles Strait. We have repeatedly described the arduous crossing of the inlet by car ferry, especially when traveling with a wide caravan (2.50 meters).
In order to further prepare for the establishment of camper pitches in Turkey and the Balkans for the purpose of winter accommodation and camper stations available all year round, we also accepted the Eden Hotel Group's invitation to Assos.
We had just put the article on "Isnik - the ancient Byzantine Nikaia" online when we were surprised by the news that Turkish researchers probably discovered the actual meeting place of the first Christian Council of Nicaea with the help of aerial photographs.
On the way from Bursa towards Eskesehir we had made a short stopover on the D 200 near Inegöl for lunch in one of the many restaurants along the road.
The dream began during the Ottoman Empire in 1860: Asia and Europe were to be connected under the Bosphorus with the help of a tunnel.
A little bit of history about Taksim Square in Istanbul, which has once again attracted a great deal of attention from the media. Taksim Square in Istanbul has always been considered the city's most important transport hub.
The ancient Romans first had the idea of building a bypass next to the Bosphorus, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Black Sea through the strait near Istanbul, which would reduce the high load on the strait from shipping traffic.
For almost every traveler it is a must, the Maiden's Tower or as the locals say "Kız kulesi", the Maiden's Tower, because who does not at least know pictures of the old lighthouse from the 18th century, which has become one of the symbols of Istanbul.
How one imagines Istanbul in one's dreams: Sunrise over the Bosphorus. The yellowish light is reflected in the water of the Golden Horn, which divides the new and old parts of Istanbul in the Eminonu district.
Dating from Byzantine times, the huge architectural monument of Hagia Sophia, also known as the "Great Cathedral", was commissioned by Emperor Justinian I to have been built.
Hagia Sophia, which is located in Istanbul, was built by architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus in 532–537 A.D by the order of I. Emperor Justinian.
The sunken place in Istanbul has a story which is told over the sounds of water. One of the charming constructions left from the Byzantine era is the Basilica Cistern located at Sultanahmet Square in old Istanbul across the street from Hagia Sophia.
A small, almost insignificant park in Istanbul has made the headlines of the world press in recent weeks and there is currently no end in sight.
In addition to the Turkish provinces of Bursa, Sakarya, Bolu, Kütahya and Eskişehir, all of which are known far beyond the country's borders due to some product or event (Bursa for large industrial concentrations,
On the Turkish part of the Balkan peninsula, the province of Kırklareli stretches from the Black Sea to the main connecting road Istanbul - Edirne, which is one of the four provinces of the European part of Turkey.
Bursa, the fourth biggest town of Turkey and capital of the district of Bursa in the western part of Turkey, now has 1.6 million inhabitants. About 90 kilometres from Istanbul, and at the foot of the Uludağ, this fast growing town has all that modern towns can offer.
The nature reserve of the National Park next to Bursa stretches all along the southern slopes of the Ulu Dag Mountains next to Bursa. Depending on the height of between 500 and 2500 metres, there are 4 different types of vegetation.
For many years a close friendship connects us with Rasim, operating a large furniture store in Alanya and also in construction of family houses and villas.
We were following the main road from Dursunbey to the right towards Beyel, continued to the fire station that brought us to about 800 meters above sea level in its park-like grounds, to the Dursunbey river and to the imposing canyons and on the way back to the local Amethyst Mine.
During our exploration along the Dursunbey Cayi, we came across a small stream which was to pass by car before we could reach into a rich, green lawn that was used by backpack hikers traveling with a tent during these days.