This time we decided to head for Ani, the lost capital of the Armenians. To reach it, we first had to fly to Erzurum, a city that is known for its architecture with splendid mosques and medreses that were built by its Seljuk, Saltuk, and Mongol rulers. From Erzurum, we headed to Kars, where the blend of Russian, Turkish, Kurdish, Azeri and Armenian influences add to its very special flavor. Kars was also our basis to explore Ani, the lost capital of Armenia. Our next goal was Artvin, located in the Turkish Caucasus after which we drove along the tea plantations of Rize, to arrive at Trabzon, the legendary Trebizond. Unfortunately, when visiting the Black Sea region in September there is a risk as the weather can be quite unpredictable in this region with frequent rains and thunderstorms. Therefore, after a visit to the famous Sumela monastery, we headed on straight to Amasya and further to Hattusha the ancient capital of the mysterious Hittites. In Central-Anatolia weather was nice, though in mid-September it can be a bit chilly at night. We learned more about the Hittites at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. A visit to Afyon and Izmir, followed by the necessary rest with our friends at Kuşadası, concluded this trip.
To summarize, the main attractions in this journey were a visit to the ruined Armenian capital of Ani near the Armenian border, the monastery of Sumela (unfortunately in the rain), and Hattusha the ancient capital of the Hittites.
Here's a detailed itinerary of the September-October 2003 travel:
- Thursday Sept. 11: Flight TK1938 Brussels 12:25 – Istanbul 16:45
- Friday Sept. 12: Flight TK668 Istanbul 08:35 - Erzurum 10:35
Afternoon: visit of Erzurum - Saturday Sept. 13: Bus Erzurum - Kars
Afternoon: visit of Kars - Sunday Sept. 14: Visit of Ani by taxi
- Monday Sept. 15: Bus Kars - Artvin
Evening: visit of Artvin - Tuesday Sept. 16: Bus Artvin -Trabzon
- Wednesday Sept. 17: Organized tour Trabzon - Sumela Monastery
- Thursday Sept. 18: Visit of Trabzon
- Friday Sept. 19: Bus Trabzon - Amasya
- Saturday Sept. 20: Visit of Amasya
- Sunday Sept. 21: Bus Amasya - Sungurlu
- Monday Sept. 22: Visit by private car of Hattuşa – Yazılıkaya – Alacahöyük, followed by transfer to Ankara
- Tuesday Sept. 23: Visit Ankara and Mausoleum of Ataturk - Anıtkabir
- Wednesday Sept. 24: Bus Ankara - Afyon
Visit of Afyon - Thursday Sept. 25: Bus Afyon - Izmir
- Friday Sept. 26: Visit of Izmir
- Saturday Sept. 27: Bus Izmir - Kuşadası
- Sunday Sept. 28: Stay at Kuşadası
- Monday Sept. 29: Stay at Kuşadası
- Tuesday Sept. 30: Stay at Kuşadası
- Wednesday Oct. 1: Stay at Kuşadası, visit market at Söke
- Thursday Oct. 2: Stay at Kuşadası
- Friday Oct. 3: Private car Kuşadası - Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
Izmir Flight TK 06:15 - Istanbul 07:15
Istanbul Flight TK1937 08:45 - Brussels 11:15
