My studytrip to Turkiye, by Romee van der Wilde

The first few days of our trip were spent in Istanbul, where we had the chance to explore this vibrant city and its many landmarks. We checked into our hostel and were treated to a typical Turkish dinner. I remember having Adana, a traditional dish made of minced meat and spices. The second day, we started with a walking tour in Istanbul, which covered all the must-see attractions such as the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. Our guide was very passionate, she shared many interesting facts about the city's history and culture. After the walking tour, we had the rest of the day to ourselves. Some of us chose to explore the city further, while others relaxed in a cozy café or went shopping for souvenirs. I personally decided to meet up with some friends and we spent the evening enjoying food and drinks in a local bar. The next day, we had an exciting company visit to a luxury restaurant that is owned by a former BUas student. We had the chance to learn about the restaurant's concept and business model, as well as taste some of their signature dishes. It was inspiring to see how a former student had turned his passion for food into a successful business. Later that day, we went on a boat tour on the river, where we learned about Istanbul's history and its role as a strategic location for trade and commerce. The views were breathtaking, and we all took many pictures to capture the moment.

On the fourth day of our trip, we left Istanbul and started our journey to our research area. The bus ride to Izmir was long and tiring. We arrived in Izmir in the evening and had a joint dinner at a local restaurant. The next day, we visited the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, which was one of the highlights of our trip, in my personal opinion. The city is famous for its well-preserved ruins. We were impressed by the scale of the architecture, and we learned a lot about the history of the region. After visiting Ephesus, we were dropped off in Kusadsı, where we were responsible for our own transportation to our research area. Our group had been divided into smaller groups of four long before departure to Türkiye, and each group had a different research area. My group was assigned to the southern part of Güzelçamlı, a small town not too far from Kusadsı.

We spent the next nine days conducting interviews with locals, business owners, and tourists to gain insights into the current state of tourism in the region. We asked questions about their experiences, preferences, and opinions, and we also observed the behaviour and activities of tourists in the area. Our goal was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the destination and propose recommendations for improvement. These interviews and observations served as input for our final project, a destination analysis and human portrait of a local. The research was challenging but rewarding, and we learned a lot about the complexities of tourism and the importance of sustainability and community involvement. We also had the opportunity to explore the local attractions, such as the cave of Zeus and the Mili National Park. The cave of Zeus is a natural wonder with stunning rock formations and a fascinating mythological story. Mili National Park is a beautiful area with hiking trails, picnic spots, and panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. We also took advantage of the beautiful beaches in the area.

Overall, our trip to Türkiye was a valuable learning experience. We were able to experience the rich history, culture, and beauty of this fascinating country, from the vibrant city of Istanbul to the stunning natural wonders in the southern region. We all left with a greater appreciation for this diverse and beautiful country.

The whole group in the ancient Greek town of Ephesus.

Inside the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, which we visited during our walking tour.

The cave of Zeus, located in our research area. According to Greek methodology, Zeus (the king of Gods) took women here. They bathed in the cave’s water so that they would become young again.

One of the many beaches in Güzelçamlı. This one was just outside of the Mili national park. From here, you can also see Greek island Samos. One local told us that his brother once even swam to Samos.

The view from our Airbnb rooftop in Güzelçamlı.