Of these Erzurum is the principal city known with ski resorts (palandoken), a large university and army base besides historical Ottoman and Seljuk. Van is no less attractive than others, lake van, historical fortress, Cavustepe, etc. Beside all interests, Mt Ararat and Ishakpasa Palcace have a special place for all visitors.
Visitors should note: winters are long and severe, summers are pleasantly cool while springs are very generous in wild flowers and newly born livestock.
The easiest way to get to the area is to take a flight either from Istanbul or Ankara. Turkish Airlines have daily flights from Istanbul and Ankara.
E A S T E R N T U R K E Y T O U R
The Armenian church was constructed in X century during the reign of Armenian king Gagik. The legend has it that the tragic love of young princess Tamara is also connected with this church. "Tamara is in secret love affair with a young man from the land. Every night she guides him to the island with a lantern, but one of these nights they were not that lucky. Her father becomes to know of her love and takes the lantern from her hand to misguide the young lover, who is struggling in the waters of Lake Van to reach the island in a stormy night. Soon young man realizes that he has been betrayed and cries out 'AH TAMARA, AH TAMARA !!!!' So this is how the name 'AKHTAMAR' comes from the legends of the past.
Lake Van, Akhtamar Church and the Mt Suphan at the back
Erzurum, Palandoken Mountain in the background.
Migrating birds, Lake Van
Kars, city and the fortress
Harput Fortress, Elazig (Elaziz)
Kars, houses almost a century old
Winter in the east.
Average elevation of highlands 9000 ft.
Ercis, Suphan mountain, Van
Ercis is a beautiful town at the north corner of Lake Van. A place of such a beauty that once settled you never want to move away.
Nemrut crater lake, Tatvan
