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 Over the next month, we’ll be traveling through EIGHT countries to reach France overland from Turkey. Our first stop? Bulgaria, where we visit the historical town of Plovdiv, spend time with former dancing bears, hike in the Rila Mountains on the monastery trail, and eat a lot of French fries and feta cheese!      I love experiencing a country through its food, but as a vegetarian, I arrived to Turkey worried about its meat-heavy reputation. This is a story about overcoming expectations while searching for vegetarian food in Turkey. In the process of discovering more and more veggie foods, I learn a lot more about Turkey than just the things I could eat.
 This is a story about my visit to Ephesus, one of the most famous and popular ancient ruins on the entire Mediterranean. It’s a story about how I planned my visit, what I thought, how it compares to the multitude of other ruins I saw in Turkey, and how you can make the most of your own visit to Ephesus and beyond.  I’d never traveled by camping car with another couple before. I would do so now, with overlander friends Phil and Angie. We would traverse Turkey’s Lycian Way, a 500km long-distance trail that follows in the footsteps of the mysterious, ancient Lycian people.  I’ve known about Phil and Angie, fellow long-term overland travelers, as long as I’ve known Bruno. Finally, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, I got to meet them. What follows is the story of them, their previous and future travels, our three-day reunion, and a budding travel plan to drive a chunk of the road together. |
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Nathan - What an interesting corner of world history you are getting to explore. Turkey and the Balkans must have been just fascinating. Bulgaria has been ruled by so many foreign powers, and each appears to have left its mark, whether it’s the Soviet-style architecture, or the (lack of) monasteries.
Brittany - I can’t help but think of you as I travel this region of the world because I know European history has always been your thing. I’m starting to understand why!!
Keep reading the posts, as a few will show you just how much about the region I have learnt. Maybe YOU will even learn a thing or two!! 🙂
Rcs - I love this part of the world where many countries and cultures are so closely situated. Each tries to retain its rituals and customs making travel exciting and interesting. My quiz.will come later.
Brittany - Yes, it is indeed fascinating, and I have found myself doing A LOT of reading on various topics ranging from Slavic people to the Eastern Bloc and everything in between! I’m ready for the quiz!
Elizabeth - I can’t say I’ve ever thought of visiting Bulgaria but now you have made me curious about it. Your description and photos of food specialities always manages to make me so hungry and add to my curiosity.
Brittany - I am curious to visit just about every single country in the world, but don’t always get blown away by such “underdogs in tourism”. I meant it when I said, “Bulgaria, I’ll be back!” perhaps with YOU, mom! 🙂