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I had gone to the monastery hoping to have a peaceful, cool night’s sleep. However, despite my room being high up, the night was hot and still, making sleep impossible. So, I lit a lantern, gathered a pillow and rug, and carefully stepped over the sleeping peasants on the balcony. I left the monastery and climbed higher up the hill until I reached a fir tree. There, in the open air and surrounded by the scent of night, I finally managed to sleep. At dawn, the sound of the monastery bell woke me, and I was reminded of the beauty of the world Customized Tour Bulgaria.

Entering the Land of the Turk

The train slowed as it entered the dark station of Hermanli. We were still in Bulgaria, and the border guard was alert. After passing through, we continued on and saw a fire burning on the side of the track. At a stop, we reached Turkey. The soldie

We reached a small, dirty village called Stanimika. It was home to Greeks who made wine and silk, but spent most of their time in the bad cafes. I drank cherry syrup while my friend went out to negotiate for mules to take us to the monastery. There was a lot of bargaining. Since we couldn’t find riding saddles, we had to settle for pack saddles, and we borrowed some old pillows and rugs from an innkeeper. We set off with stirrups made from rope. My mule was large and thin, and sitting on top of the packing felt like being stuck on the hump of a camel The Pomaks Bulgarian Muslims.

The Climb to St. Petka Monastery

As the day began to fade and the warmth lingered, we climbed the steep, rocky path. The mules moved carefully over the broken boulders, and our progress was slow. The sound of their hooves echoed as we made our way into the courtyard of St. Petka Monastery. The monastery had simple,

I personally believe that the Pomaks are not a separate ethnic group but are Bulgarians whose ancestors changed their religion.

The Character of Bulgarians

As I traveled through Bulgaria, I came to appreciate the characteristics of the Bulgarian people. I don’t say they are an easy group to love. In fact, their quiet nature, seriousness, and even their roughness—especially in the countryside—have led some travelers to dislike them. However, despite these qualities, they are solid and reliable people. One important virtue they possess, especially in a land so close to the East, is that they are truthful. Bulgarians also care a lot about owning land, and almost every Bulgarian is interested in politics Adventure Balkan Tours.

The Heat of Thrace and Escape to the Hills

Sometimes, the heat in th

Transforming Cities with Visionary Leadership

Farewell to Mardin’s Reformer

When M. Temel Kogaklar, the recent Governor of Mugla, concluded his term in Mardin, where he had been appointed in 2000, the people bid him farewell with tears. He left an indelible mark, reconciling Mardin with its rich history, revitalizing the tourism sector, restoring magnificent stone structures, and ensuring safety on the streets. During his tenure, Mardin evolved from having 370 beds in 4 hotels in 2000 to hosting 14 accommodation facilities, including authentic Mardin mansions, with a bed capacity of 1400 in just six years. The world’s attention turned to Mardin, drawing the likes of Prince Charles and other celebrities. In January 2006, Kogaklar assumed his role in Mugla, one of Turkey’s crucial cities, where his list of accomplishments continued to grow rapidly. Initiatives such as the Cultural and Arts Center for the Youth, the restoration of the Moralilar House

Shining the Gems, One by One…

Mugla Houses are renowned for their courtyard entrances, known as the “Lamb Door,” adorned with lacelike canopies and wooden ceiling ornaments. The chimneys gracefully rising from the red brick-covered roofs of these houses remain the quintessential symbol of the city to this day. Specifically designed to accommodate the “less windy, more rainy” climate of the region, Mugla Chimneys are constructed using 28 Ottoman bricks, and their distinctive feature is the “hats” crafted from these bricks.

Before 1922, Turks and Greeks coexisted in Mugla, each contributing to a distinct architectural style suited to their respective lifestyles. Turkish and Greek houses exhibit contrasting characteristics, with Turkish houses featuring concave placements and Greek houses adopting convex orientations. These historical houses, situated in the heart of the city, are meticulously restored one by one, transforming i

Just beyond the “Museum of Olive Oil” at Kazdagı, several historical sites beckon for exploration. One of the most significant among them is Assos, established through one of the world’s earliest privatizations in the 7th century BC. Assos captivates tourists each year with its “Antique City,” “Acropolis,” and the “Murat Hüdavendigar Mosque.” Babakale, located in the west part of Assos, marks the far-west point of Turkey, bordering Asia. After a 70 km drive in the direction of Çanakkale, you reach Troy, a city renowned in historical narratives. Troy holds the distinction of being the world’s first city, repeatedly destroyed and resettled at the same location due to wars and invasions. The “Gallery of Ethnography” in the village of Tahlakuyular recounts the 500-year life saga of the “Tahtacı Turkmens” at Kazdagı. These prominent touristic attractions are all within a one-hour drive from Kazdagı.