{"id":18854,"date":"2020-10-20T15:19:23","date_gmt":"2020-10-20T12:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/?p=18854"},"modified":"2022-08-04T13:39:09","modified_gmt":"2022-08-04T10:39:09","slug":"nature-holiday-in-ayvalik","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/nature-holiday-in-ayvalik\/","title":{"rendered":"At the heart of nature in Ayval\u0131k"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#ebebeb;color:#ebebeb\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Explore Ayval\u0131k\u2019s islands and natural richness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"An ideal coral reef for diving\" class=\"wp-image-18859\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/underwater-coral-reef-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are 22 islands belonging to Ayval\u0131k, dotting the Aegean Sea like tiny gems. The most prominent is Cunda Island, but the 21 other islands also offer incredible beauty both on land and in the water. The marine life in the area is a significant draw for divers but visitors can also explore these islands via boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ayval\u0131k Islands Natural Park, the largest in T\u00fcrkiye, extends over an area of approximately 18,000 hectares, including the sea and 20 of the 22 islands known as Ayval\u0131k Islands. Among the attractions are red corals, found in only two places in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#ebebeb;color:#ebebeb\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pine nuts and other nature on the Kozak Plateau<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A landscape from Kozak Plateau\" class=\"wp-image-18877\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Kozak-Plateau-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Kozak Plateau extends from Bergama and to Ayval\u0131k. With a total of 16 villages, Kozak Plateau is 20 km from Ayval\u0131k, and has extensive stone pine forests, from which pine nuts are harvested. The road to Kozak passes along pastures with cows, sheep and horses; sometimes flamingos are visible around the many ponds. Visitors to the Plateau can sample pine nuts, among the world\u2019s rarest and tastiest nuts, amid an incredible landscape. For a crowd-free day amid nature, explore the Kozak Plateau by bicycle or private car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#ebebeb;color:#ebebeb\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Taste the olives and olive oils admired worldwide<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Delicious olives and olive oil\" class=\"wp-image-18861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-2048x1367.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-1920x1281.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-629x420.jpg 629w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/olive-and-olive-oil-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ayval\u0131k is famous for its olive groves and centuries-old olive oil factories. Of T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s 170 million olive trees, 2.5 million are in this region. Known as the \u2018land of winds\u2019 in antiquity, Ayval\u0131k\u2019s climate and soil structure result in olives \u2013 and thus olive oil \u2013 with a distinctive flavor. The \u2018Ayval\u0131k Industrial Landscape\u2019, admitted to the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is partially based on the area\u2019s olive industry, which has shaped the architecture via olive oil factories, soap production plants and warehouses and thereby stands out in the world\u2019s olive oil market. To gaze upon these olives \u2013 some from trees that are more than 500 years old \u2013 is to feel the power of nature. Sampling the oil produced from these olives is an equally unique experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#ebebeb;color:#ebebeb\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Explore the diversity of Aegean herbs in Ayval\u0131k<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"703\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-1024x703.jpg\" alt=\"Wild radish on a market counter\" class=\"wp-image-18863\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-1024x703.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-150x103.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-1536x1055.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-2048x1407.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-218x150.jpg 218w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-696x478.jpg 696w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-1068x734.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-1920x1319.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-611x420.jpg 611w, https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/wild-radish-100x70.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After olive oil, the most important elements of Ayval\u0131k cuisine are Ayval\u0131k herbs. This is where the renowned Aegean herbs are most diverse \u2013 which is why they\u2019re referred to as Ayval\u0131k herbs rather than Aegean herbs, particularly among local residents. While it\u2019s difficult to count the exact number of edible herbs grown in Ayval\u0131k specifically and in the Aegean region in general, each arrives as a gift from nature. Providing both taste and healing qualities, these herbs include wild asparagus, baby&#8217;s tear, mallow, thistle, wild radish, glasswort, puffed cabbage, chicory, wild green pea leaves, brown mustard, gand flower, dock, corchorus and many more. Some are used fresh and others are preferred dried, but the markets of Ayval\u0131k are redolent with the scent of these wonderful plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"background-color:#ebebeb;color:#ebebeb\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>And there\u2019s camping<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The ultimate nature holiday almost certainly features camping, and staying in a tent or a caravan is a popular solution to the need for social distance. Ayval\u0131k is no laggard in this regard, offering campsites such as Sar\u0131msakl\u0131, \u00c7aml\u0131k and Turhanl\u0131, among others. The relatively secluded Mosko Island Bay, on Cunda features a few campsites, including Ada Camping, a beachfront campsite with a forest backdrop. At Ada, tree-shaded tables and chairs are available for campers with tents. As well, Ada offers bungalow and caravan rentals, along with a caf\u00e9 that features olive oil dishes (using oil from olives extracted from their own grove) and Aegean herbs. Footpaths run through the forest. Another prominent campsite on Cunda is Cunda Mocamp, with both wood cottages and an area for tents. Other campsites on Cunda are Aquarium Bay and Ortun\u00e7 Bay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore Ayval\u0131k\u2019s islands and natural richness There are 22 islands belonging to Ayval\u0131k, dotting the Aegean Sea like tiny gems. The most prominent is Cunda Island, but the 21 other islands also offer incredible beauty both on land and in the water. The marine life in the area is a significant draw for divers but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":18890,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[841,842,244,991,145,583,576,323,574,147,240,981,495],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-18854","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-balikesir-travel-guide","8":"category-balikesir-gezi-rehberi","9":"category-camping-and-camping-vacation-ideas","10":"category-cities-of-turkey","11":"category-destinations","12":"category-dunyanin-dogal-guzellikleri","13":"category-kampcilik-ve-kamp-tatili-onerileri","14":"category-natural-beauties-of-the-world","15":"category-seyahat-ve-tatil-fikirleri","16":"category-trip-ideas","17":"category-turkey","18":"category-turkiye-sehirleri","19":"category-yerler"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18854"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18854\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}