Tripology Travel Experts Blog

Vacation at Lake Van, Turkey

by Rachel_Paiste, 10/01/2009 14:10

Category: Trip Ideas

            The Lake Van area is home to many sites, both historic and natural.  The city itself does not offer much, but as a university town they have good food and fresh coffee.  More than a destination in itself, the city of Van is somewhere to lay your head in between the area’s many day trips.

            The Lake itself is almost 1,500 square miles and is almost suspiciously blue.  It’s high in alkalides, making it uninhabitable save for one highly adapted carp.  If you choose to go for a dip, you’ll find the experience to be similar to the Dead Sea (though to a lesser extent).  Just don’t swallow the water!

            Spending a few days in the area is recommended to get the most of the Lake Van Environs.  A great place to start is Van Castle, on the outskirts of town.  Next take a ferry to Akdamar, a small island in the lake.  Surrounded by almond trees is the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross, similar to those in Ani but much better preserved.  Built in 921, the exterior is covered in carvings telling the stories of the Bible.  The inside frescoes are imperfect but in surprising shape considering this church’s location.

            There are a variety of hotels for all budgets in the city.  Tripology travel agents can help you decide what’s right for you not only in Van but along your whole vacation in Kurdistan, as well as secure the cheapest airfares from the states to Eastern Turkey.  Perhaps it’s best to choose a hotel with no breakfast, as Van is famous for its Kahvalti of eggs, locally made cheeses, and the local specialty kaymak, an aged clotted cream served with honey.

            22 miles south of Van lies Çavuştepe, site of 8th century Urartian fortress Sardurihinli. After spending some time in the foundations of the city, check out the nearby 6th century temple and sacrificial altar.  9 miles further out of town is Hoşap Castle.  Used by robbers in the 17th century, the castle complex still houses 2 mosques, 3 baths and a castle equipped with a dungeon.  Bring a flashlight, there are no lamps in the castle.

            If you have a bit of extra time, visit Mt. Nemrut Jr.  Not to be confused with Antiochus’ Nemrut further West, this is Nemrut Daği.  The mountain is home to some beautiful crater lakes, and because of it's location90 miles west of Van, it is rarely visited by tourists.

Filed under:  Religious Tourism, Kurdistan, Trip Ideas, Eastern Turkey
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