In most countries, tulips are cultivated but in Eeastern Anatolia, Turkey, tulips grow wild. For two weeks in May, visitors are treated to one of natures wonders, as the whole area turns red with wild tulips. Also at this time, demoiselle cranes and bustards can be seen.
Turkey is in fact paradise for birdwatchers and the famous city of Istanbul lies beneath a key migration route for birds. The small wood eagle, snake eagle, falcon, bee falcon, hawk and stork are just some of the birds that can be observed.
The Turkish Nature Society is a non-profit organization aiming to conserve the natural treasures of Turkey and they have determined the rarest and the most beautiful natural sights in Turkey. Find out more about these wonders of nature in Turkey.
Emir (emirashed) has posted an informative video giving more background about the Kirkpinar Festival, together with some great pictures, that really convey the atmosphere of the festival.
For almost 650 years, the folk at Edirne, Turkey, have held an annual Oil Wrestling Festival. It is the real deal, with pretty tough wrestlers competing to be the last man standing, at the oldest wrestling festival in the world. Apparantly, there is a Babylonian bronze statue that indicates the sport of oil wrestling is more than 4500 years old.
Known as the Kirkpinar Festival, The week long event takes place around the end of June, beginning of July. A traditional fair accompanies the Kirkpinar Oil Wresting Festival, attracting travellers and gypsies from all over the Middle East and Europe.
