Van

A province on Turkey's eastern plateau, with Lake Van, the Church of the Holy Cross on Akdamar Island and Van Fortress, and a famous breakfast culture.

Van Province lies on Turkey's eastern plateau, embracing the eastern shore of Lake Van, Turkey's largest lake. On Akdamar Island in the lake stands the tenth-century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross, Van Fortress preserves remains of the ancient Kingdom of Urartu, and Hoşap Castle and Muradiye Waterfall are also worth a visit. The region's lavish "Van breakfast" and the odd-eyed Van cat are both well known. At high altitude, winters are cold and snowy, and May to October is the best time to travel. The gateway is Van Ferit Melen Airport.

Destinations

• Van

Itineraries

• Eastern Anatolian Highlands & Borderlands – Journey from Erzurum to Kars, pass beneath Mount Ararat, and end at Lake Van to see ruined capitals, palaces, and islan…