Camping in Turkey's wild

For those who yearn for a breath of fresh air in the wild, Turkey offers many gorgeous camping sites, four of which you can explore this weekend in Daily Sabah



ISTANBUL — Yearning for a sunny and outdoorsy holiday as the spring arrives in the northern hemisphere? Turkey offers you the best four camping sites, where the only risk is not wanting to return home. Turkey is a fascinating holiday spot. With its natural, historical, sea and geographical wonders, you will definitely want to explore all the beauties that this country offers.If your definition of "holiday" is living in a pocket of nature, Turkey is the place for you as nature's five-star camping destinations are all here.While many come to Turkey to relax at its beaches or soak in the culture and history of the country, Turkey also has some of the best camping opportunities for those who wish to head toward nature with a tent or RV.From the foothills of a mountain to hidden cozy beaches along Turkey's coast, read on for four top camping picks that promise to get you away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.1. Butterfly Valley in Turkey's Aegean coast, FethiyeDeclared a first-degree natural protected area in Turkey's western coast Fethiye, Butterfly Valley is one of the most fascinating natural wonders in Turkey. Since any type of construction is prohibited in the area and the valley's location is away from prying eyes, all you can get during your stay is nature, fresh air, a vivid blue sea, colorful butterflies flying above and a hidden valley waiting to be explored. The valley is named after its butterflies that cover all the trees and rocks like a silky soft scarf. Do not expect to notice them as soon as you hop into the valley. Just wait until one of them moves and triggers all other butterflies. The valley has a capacity of nearly 125 tents and power, shower and toilet facilities for free-ofcharge at certain times of the day. There are also bungalows that are ready to serve the absolute beginners in camping and RVs for those who wish to have a camping holiday at a homelike place.How to get there: The only way to get to the valley is renting a boat or using a water taxi. You may directly go from Fethiye, Ölüdeniz to Butterfly Valley. It takes around half an hour and if you are lucky enough, your boat may stop by one of the most renowned caves in the region, the Mavi Mağara, Turkish for "Blue Cave."2. Yedigöller in the north of the Bolu province of TurkeyLocated in the northwest of Turkey, Yedigöller (seven lakes in Turkish) is one of the most renowned national parks in Turkey suitable for camping.Yedigöller National Park is almost like a heaven on earth with all beeches, oaks, mahoganies, alders, elms and firs that embrace the surface. If what you want from camping is to feel the nature that seems to come out of a pastoral masterpiece by a painter, Yedigöller is the perfect camping spot for you. The place is suitable for camping not only in spring but all-year-round. Nature photography, painting,hiking, angling and lake fishing are among the activities that you may do in Yedigöller. Bear in mind that there is no power at the camping site, but this is actually one of the features that makes Yedigöller attractive. To better understand the language of nature, Yedigöller offers one of the most amazing landmarks for the absolute beginners in camping. If you are enjoying a silence and serenity during your stay, Yedigöller is ready to make your head spin How to get there: Yedigöller National Park is 42 kilometers away from the north of Bolu and it can be reached via the Yeniçağa Road, 152 kilometers off the Ankara - Istanbul highway.3. Avanos in the Central Anatolian city of NevşehirIf you want to discover the central Anatolian beauty of Turkey, camping sites in Avanos give you a chance to make your wish come true.Ada Camping Avanos offers you both natural beauty and luxury at the same time in Cappadocia, which stands as one of the most renowned wonders of nature from ancient times. Camping is not always about leaving the luxuries of the world behind; it can be right for both those seeking comfort and those who opt only to take a backpack. If you want to live both in the pocket of nature and have home comfort, camping sites in Avanos will be a nice option for you. Bungalows and RV sites, swimming pools, power, shower facilities, Internet and regional tours to let you see Cappadocia's beauty that is remnants from ancient times in luxury, while still camping.How to get there: To arrive in Avanos, you should first go to the center of Nevşehir via a domestic flight in Turkey or bus. From there, you can catch one of the regular buses which will take approximately 30 minutes to get to the site.4. Köprülü Canyon National Park in the southern city of AntalyaNested among cedar trees and the Köprü River, the canyon embraces adventurous spirits looking to explore an unsoiled place in Antalya, one of the most touristic destinations in Turkey. After passing through the mountains where green streams flow and virgin forests grow, Köprülü Canyon shows all its beauty to its visitors. Resembling another natural wonder of Turkey, the Fairy Chimneys, Köprülü Canyon one-ups this thanks to its river. You can feel the adrenaline from river rafting and enjoy getting wet through the crystal clear spring water and rapid waves of all sizes. Be sure that when you arrive at the canyon for camping, you will be mesmerized with the spectacular view of Taurus Mountain and the surrounding national park. Marked as the longest canyon in Turkey at 14 kilometers, Köprülü Canyon's wall are as high as 100 meters.What makes the canyon fascinating is its historical sites dating back to the ancient times. There are still remains of a theater and temples of Zeus and Artemis in the canyon region. Two bridges called Oluk Bridge and Bugrum Bridge still stand as a testament to the engineering wonder of ancient times.How to get there: The canyon is 92 kilometers from Antalya. When you arrive at northeast Antalya on the Side Road, you can take the turnoff for Taşağıl and Beşkonak to reach Köprülü Canyon National Park. A circular scenic route crisscrosses the mountain stream, passing through extensive forests and over waterfalls.