Track ’pot...

RAIL ROUTE A TURKISH DELIGHT

ALL aboard Turkey’s newest tourist train route — the Mesopotamia Express.

Passing desert landscapes and snowy peaks, the sleeper train takes passengers across the Anatolia region with long breaks at its iconic cities.

Travelling 1,051km over 24 hours from Ankara to Diyarbakir, the train passes through Kayseri, Sivas, Malatya, Elazig, and Bingöl.

The route includes three-hour breaks in Kayseri and Malatya, and a four-hour stop in Elazig, giving guests time to rest and explore the cities’ unique architecture and delightful local tastes.

The weekly train has a total capacity of 180 passengers, nine sleeping cars, and one dining wagon offering Anatolian cuisiane.

The historic capital of Cappadocia, Kayseri is located in the foothills of Mount Erciyes.

In addition to a medieval castle and fortifications in the city centre, visitors can see various landmarks including the Döner Kümbet, the Grand Mosque, and the Gevher Nesibe Madrasa, which houses the Seljuk Civilisation Museum. They can also savour the city’s famed street foods, such as “mantı” – a minced meat dumpling topped with garlic yogurt.

Malatya has always been at the crossroads of trade and cultural exchange between Mesopotamia and Anatolia.

Glorious

Arslantepe Mound is registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List and passengers can also see the historical buildings of the city, such as the Old Malatya Ulu Mosque.

Elazig has been a centre of faith, culture, and health for centuries and castles, bazaars, mosques, and baths adorn this ancient city like silent witnesses of glorious times.

Must-see attractions include Harput Castle, the Church of the Virgin Mary, one of Anatolia’s oldest sites of worship, and the Harput Grand Mosque.

Two-person sleeping arrangements cost TL 9,000 (approximately €260) for the outbound journey and TL 8,000 (approximately €230) for the return journey. Tickets can be booked via the Turkish State Railways’ app.