Lake Van

This is the largest and one of the most beautiful lakes to visit in Turkey. Lake Van, which is located in the far east of the country at an elevation of 5,380 feet, is fed by various rivers but has no outlet. It is one of the country's saline lakes, which means that the water does not freeze despite the altitude and cold winters. Ferries and private boats traverse the wide lake, allowing you to observe it from every angle and admire the reflections of the surrounding trees and the extinct, snow-covered volcanoes, Mount Suphan and the famed Mount Nemrut. The volcanoes tower above the northern and western coasts. A dramatic combination of snowy mountains, green trees, and deep blue water.

Akdamar Island is the lake's major island, and the Armenian Church of the Holy Cross is a must-see. The best way is to take the ferry from Gevaş. According to legend, a princess named Tamara once lived on the island, imprisoned by her father, who disapproved of her poor and humble lover. He used to swim across, guided by the light of a candle she had placed in her window. The candle went out one stormy night, and he drowned, shouting out "ach, Tamara," from which the island gained its name.

The following mythology is about Van Gölü Canavari, a carnivorous lake monster. Nobody has seen it yet, but there is a statue of it in Van, just in case.