The journey from Istanbul to Canakkale was remarkably easy. After breakfast we walked up the hill to Taksim Square and found the travel agency from whom we had bought the bus tickets the previous evening. From there we were picked up by a (free) shuttle bus that dropped us at the bus terminal (otogar), directly at the berth from which our bus would leave. After 30 minutes or so the bus for Canakkale arrived and we piled on.
We headed west, crossing the bridge over the Bosphorus and returning to continental Europe, albeit briefly. We drove around the north-western coast of the Sea of Marmara and arrived after around five hours (including a couple of stops) at Eceabat, on the shore of the Gallipolli peninsular. There the bus boarded a ferry and was carried back to Asia across the Dardanelles (known in ancient times as the Hellespont), arriving in Canakkale at around 5 p.m.
The bus deposited us at the ferry terminal, and we were delighted to find that Hotel Helen was less than twenty metres away. We dropped off our bags and set off to spend the evening exploring the town of Canakkale, a place that managed to retain considerable charm despite being undeniably touristy.
We headed west, crossing the bridge over the Bosphorus and returning to continental Europe, albeit briefly. We drove around the north-western coast of the Sea of Marmara and arrived after around five hours (including a couple of stops) at Eceabat, on the shore of the Gallipolli peninsular. There the bus boarded a ferry and was carried back to Asia across the Dardanelles (known in ancient times as the Hellespont), arriving in Canakkale at around 5 p.m.
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| Arriving at the ferry to cross the Dardanelles |
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| The narrow strait of the Dardanelles |
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| Arriving at Canakkale |
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| Canakkale clock tower |
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| Trojan Horse from the (relatively) recent Hollywood film |
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| Model of Troy |
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| Sunset over the harbour |
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