Assos - Covid Summer '20

Greetings from these winter days! While I'm looking at old photos to warm myself up during these cold days, I wanted to warm your hearts too 😄 How has your past year been with Corona? Did you have a chance to escape, even for a short while, during the summer?

If not, I have a suggestion for next spring: a quiet, peaceful place, more secluded than other holiday destinations, but with an incredible sea and moonlight view. Perfect for those who like a bit of cold sea...

In my opinion, one of the closest places you can easily escape to from Istanbul for 3-4 days is Assos-Ancient Harbor. Located in the southern part of Çanakkale, Assos boasts extraordinary natural beauty. I'm sure you'll leave happy after exploring, tasting the Aegean mezes in the evening that will satisfy you so much you'll want to sleep next to them. And if you get too bored with the silence, there are plenty of places to escape to nearby 😅😎

Besides using your own vehicle, you can take a bus to Ayvacık and then catch a minibus to Assos. However, it wouldn't hurt if someone brought you to your accommodation by motorbike. Carrying your luggage on the rocky roads might be a bit challenging :)

In my opinion, the sea is magnificent between April and mid-September. It's a perfect location for those who love refreshing, cold water. A word of warning, others should go in mid-summer. I went both in July and early September, and both dates suited me, as I prefer cold water :) The sea is a bit rocky, but if you rent a sun lounger, you always have the option of jumping into the sea from the pier or using the stairs.

And don't forget to check the full moon calendar before you go; the moonlight at night is magnificent!! 💣

Assos is actually a small village; besides exploring the village, tasting the various mezes, swimming in the sea, and browsing the numerous jewelry shops and kayaking, there's not much else to do. You can grab a book and spend the whole day sipping a beer on the sunbeds by the pier, occasionally taking a dip in the sea – what more could you want?

When you get tired of sunbathing, you can go into the water and see the shipwrecks a little further to the left, where everyone is diving with their goggles to explore the seabed. These shipwrecks are the interesting arch remnants of the Athena temple and its surroundings, which were destroyed and are now at the bottom of the sea. I can tell you they'll give you a sense of history.

When you get out of the water and return to the pier, don't forget to recharge your energy with stuffed zucchini flowers and a cold drink. If the stuffed zucchini flowers are sold out where you're staying, the grocer in the square will get them for you on order, and his wife makes them very delicious. I think I ate them every day 😋 I suggest you don't forget to buy mussels from the mussel vendors passing by on the beach and liven up the market 😎

How about filling your stomach nicely and getting some exercise? Now I invite you to head towards the square and the stalls where you can find all kinds of jewelry. While you're at it, don't forget to try the delicious basil ice cream. I think I bought one of every kind of jewelry before going home - I can't resist! 😅

Assos beach

Let's also mention the elderly, plump ladies selling items with patterns unique to Assos, who won't let you leave without buying one. If you like, I recommend trying on bandanas for your head, scarves for your neck, dresses, or trousers with interesting designs over your swimsuit, and taking home the one you like best as a souvenir for yourself or your loved one. Next year when you go back, you can say to the ladies, "I bought one!" :)

After returning to your room and rinsing off the salty water, you can prepare for the evening. Because delicious Aegean mezes await you, to be enjoyed with your drink. As I mentioned at the beginning, if there's a full moon, moonlight enjoyment is inevitable! Your taste buds will be delighted with black-eyed peas, eggplant mezes, and various fish options! After finishing your meal and taking a short walk, be sure to continue enjoying the view in the pitch-black darkness illuminated by the full moon, sitting on the sun loungers (alcohol is only allowed for room occupants)! I'm sure you'll have wonderful memories to tell later about while sipping your drink here with your loved one or best friend. Sometimes you can also make friends by chatting with people around a campfire in the garden of your accommodation.

We enjoyed dinner so much where we were staying that we didn't feel like going out. For lunch, there's a lovely little spot in the square, tucked away somewhere, that will brighten your day with its delicious Aegean vegetables and herb-filled gözleme (Turkish flatbread), but unfortunately I couldn't write down its name 😌. It's very small, so you'll find it easily, don't worry 😋

Mangal Misss gibi missss :)

Besides these, among the options for taking photos, you can go to the restaurant area on the headland while walking and get a wide panoramic shot of Assos. For selfies, you can try the front of the stone walls in the short streets. Don't forget to take a photo of Assos from the top as well.

If I were to give you tips on places to visit by minibus or private car, I'm obligated to write about the places I've visited based on my own experience 😊 I'll give you some tips, but I want you to enjoy the pleasure of exploring.

Behramkale >> A must-visit for a magnificent sunset. It's full of places perfect for taking photos, and lined with jewelers, locals selling spices and clothing.

Assos Ancient City >> An archaeological site full of historical structures in Behramkale.

Kadırga Bay >> If you want to swim in a different and slightly wavy bay and observe the fish with goggles, you can try it.

Sokakağzı >> A quiet bay 15km away. I stayed in bungalows here and again, there are amazing mezes and rakı and fish dinners. Its beach and water are just as special as Assos itself.

Behramkale streets

Behramkale- Antik Kent - hill

Accommodation: Assos Sailing Camp

*Bonus Note: If you're returning by car, don't forget to buy cheese and olive oil from Ezine on your way back. You might even encounter an elderly gentleman or aunt who might quickly prepare a Turkish breakfast for you on a newspaper. While the flavors are far removed from the diesel-fueled products of Istanbul, you're likely to enjoy a small variety of snacks to delight your palate. 😍

Where are you planning to go this year? Even if you can't take a long vacation, I'd love to hear about your 3-4 day getaways. 😇😇

My writing was also published on the Tatilsepeti blog 👋

https://blog.tatilsepeti.com/influencer-academy-yazarlarindan/assos/