Turkey

Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 30 degrees More photos

Distance: 52.3 km – Elevation +310 m -330 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 29 degrees Today I moved from Europe to Asia, or more correctly to Asia Minor, the Anatolian peninsula which holds most of the present day Turkey. After three days’ rest in Istanbul it was an easy day to restart my pilgrimage. First a gentle stroll to the ferry port at Yenikapi. I needed cash so I used one of the ATMs at the

Distance: 14.0 km – Elevation +290 m -180 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 27 degrees I liked Yalova, a small compact town. It has a wonderful sea promenade, lots of green areas, and a beautiful tree-lined avenue. It has restaurants and cafes but also quiet areas away from the crowds.  I started today with a good breakfast in the top-floor hotel restaurant with its panoramic views out across the sea of Marmara to the distant northern

Distance: 27.2 km – Elevation +600 m -620 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 28 degrees Like the rest of Termal, the Termal Park Hotel was very quiet last night and I slept well. There was some confusion over the payment when I left just before 7.00 am. The night receptionist didn’t at first accept that I had prepaid for my room when making the booking and it took him several minutes to resolve. The route out

Distance: 19.4 km – Elevation +60 m -90 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 28 degrees A straight flat 20 kilometre walk today dictated by available accommodation. I stayed last night on the outskirts of Orhangazi so it was not long before I was walking through quiet country roads. Early into the day’s walk I passed through a small farming community and encountered a large gang of dogs who were persistent and aggressive, with the locals looking

Distance: 22.9 km – Elevation +110 m -120 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 27 degrees Iznik Askania where I stayed last night was unusual but nonetheless, a very beautiful location. The young staff showed real interest in my pilgrimage. I felt the chill in the air as I took an early morning walk along the lakeside but soon the warmth of the early morning sun made itself known. It seemed as if everyone was sleeping as

Distance: 30.6 km – Elevation +380 m -370 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 28 degrees ‘Known as Nicaea since ancient times, İznik is located on the eastern shore of Lake İznik (Askania Limne) surrounded by ranges of hills within the Bithynia (Marmara) region of Anatolia. There has been human settlement on İznik since prehistory, as witnessed by discoveries of several mounds and tumuli around. According to geographer Strabo, the ancient town was founded in 316 BC

Distance: 20.9 km – Elevation +410 m -370 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 29 degrees I stayed last night in the old town, in an old Ottoman mansion which is now the Osmaneli Municipality Culture, Art and Guesthouse. It is very well kept and my room overlooked the 500 year old Rüstem Pasha Mosque. After a good breakfast which was included in the very reasonable price of my room, I left the guest house at 7.30

Distance: 16.5 km – Elevation +500 m -130 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 28 degrees The Vezirhan Inn where I stayed last night was built in the 16th century as a caravanserai, an ancient roadside inn. Caravanserai were built along all the major trade routes that linked Asia, North Africa, and southeast Europe. Vezirhan is a small town and the population is mainly of Greek origin predominantly from Thessaloniki. This was a result of the 1923

Distance: 34.7 km – Elevation +660 m -500 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 26 degrees I had a relatively long day of 28 kilometres ahead as I left the hotel after a good breakfast. Walking out of town I passed by the Milli Egemenlik Parkı and delightful floral displays cascading down high banks as they flowed from barrels. Towns are well kept in Turkey. Leaving the main road I had a short climb which took me