TRAVEL Dive Into Europe: Dive Into Medieval History – Turkey – by Peter Symes, Publisher, X-Ray Magazine
While most of Turkey is technically not considered part of Europe, certain re- gions, particularly along its Mediter- ranean coastline, unquestionably align with European dive travel. That said,
Diving Bodrum, Turkey and for Kas, see Kas, Turkey. The second recommendation takes you to the Gallipoli Historical Underwater Park, located in the Strait of the Dar- danelles – a true haven for wreck divers. History enthusiasts will recognise the significance of this site from the infamous WWI battle fought for control of these strategically vital straits, linking the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. The En- tente powers – Britain, France, and Russia – sought to seize the Turkish straits but were repelled following a devastating and costly campaign, which resulted in nearly 188,000 casu- alties. The significance of the Gallipoli campaign is felt strongly in both Australia and New Zealand, despite their
with its Islamic heritage and cultural ties to Central Asia, Turkey differs from much of Europe, offering an intriguing and unique blend of cultures. Istanbul, the gateway for most international travellers, is a fascinating, historic metropolis. Founded in the 7th century BC by the Greeks as Byzantium, it later became Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, until it fell to siege in 1453. To skip a multi-
day stopover in this captivating city – visiting its many historic sites, bustling bazaars, and magnificent mosques – would be a missed op- portunity. There is so much to ex- plore and experience here. For those seeking diving adven- tures, I have two distinct recom- mendations. The first is to visit one of the many resort towns along the Mediterranean coast,
being only a portion of the Entente forces; The landing on 25 April is commemorated every year in both countries as "Anzac Day." In Turkey, the battle is thought of as a significant event in the state's emer- gence, although it is primarily re- membered for the fighting that took place around the port of Çanakkale, where the Royal Navy was repulsed in March 1915. A total
such as Bodrum or Kas, where excellent diving and accom- modations are readily available. This region is especially pop- ular with Northern Europeans, much as Americans flock to the Caribbean, offering great value for high-quality experi- ences. Divers can arrange transfers from Istanbul, accommo- dation, and diving through our British-Turkish partner and content provider, Farhat “Raf” Jah, who runs the travel agency, African Oriental Travel. Based in the UK with his wife, Francesca, Raf is a regular exhibitor at DEMA, so if you're attending the next DEMA show, do drop by their booth for a chat. For more about Bodrum, see this article:
of 18 allied naval vessels were sunk during the Gallipoli cam- paign of 1915, including battleships, submarines, and smaller
support vessels, predominantly from the British and French navies. The wrecks are located at vary- ing depths, suitable for both recreational and tech- nical divers. To arrange a visit and dive, visit Diving Gelibolu or contact Murathan Yildiz at Mu- rathan@gallipoliwrecks.com. He and his colleague Riza Birkan run Gallipoli Wrecks Dive Center and they can also arrange transfers from Istanbul, which just takes a few hours by van.
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diving Turkey
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