Upcoming summer trips: Turkey, Oman and Jordan

Now that I have decided  to postpone my house hunting in Spain until the beginning of next year, I’m free again to travel at my leisure and for my pleasure. I’m going to take full advantage of the summer months ahead and to stay put as little as possible. Seeing, that I’m now back in Turkey, I’ll visit some places I have not yet been too.

#1 trip starts on Monday and takes me to Turkey’s Black Sea coast. I have been near a few years ago when I discovered the marvels of Amasya. This time, I’m going further up and east, to Trabzon to be precise.  The longest bus ride, ever, 24 hours from Didim to Trabzon, but who cares given that Turkish long distance coaches are very comfortable and stop frequently. Trabzon itself has a lot to offer, among historical sites, Trabzon is famous for hazelnuts, cherries and anchovies. But, the greatest attraction is the nearby Sümela monastery, glued to a steep mountainside of  the Pontic mountains and the beautiful Uzungöl lake.

The fort of Trabzon

Sümela monastery

#2 starts on August 15^th when I fulfill a life long dream and finally visit Oman. I’ll be based in the capital Muscat and then go on trips to visit the many castles, the desert, the souks and, in between, lounge on the fabulous beaches of the Arabian Sea.

Nizwa castle

#3 in September I will return to Jordan. I have already visited Petra, the Dead Sea and several other places, but I missed out on a trip to Wadhi Rum. This time, I want to go on one of the tours (you can’t go on your own) and spend the night under the desert stars.

Wadhi Rum

In between there will be shorter Turkey trips to Fetiye, Cesme and back towards to east and the Taurus mountains as well as the colossal statues of Mount Nemrut.

The statutes of Mount Nemrut

Frankly, I can’t wait for Monday to come around.

Tags: jordan, nizwa castle, oman, sümela monastery, summer trips, trabzon, turkey balck sea, wadi rum