The Berkeley Guides:
Berkeley Guide to Europe:
Turkey:
Northwestern Turkey
The northwestern corner of Turkey, bordering Bulgaria to the north and Greece to the west, isn't the most popular region for today's travelers, nor was it for history's conquerors. Although every general within marching distance hoped to get hold of Istanbul, most passed through the inhospitable northwest, which sizzles in summer and turns bleak in winter. Eastern Thrace (as the region is known) seems set apart from the rest of Turkey, and not only because it's in Europe. Aside from the Gallipoli peninsula, the scenery isn't very compelling; mountains or other landmarks rarely break up the enormous green, plowed fields that extend to the horizon. Still, with the Black Sea to the north and the Saros Gulf and Sea of Marmara to the south, the region can hardly avoid having some beautiful, pebbly coastline. And if you're tired of hanging out with rowdy Americans in nearby Greece, you'll be able to escape them here. Your traveling companions will most likely be Eastern European day-trippers, especially in Edirne, home of the largest mosque outside Mecca and world capital of the sport of grease wrestling.
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