If you want to escape the sun, sea and sand holiday makers and experience Türkiye’s more traditional side, then this is the region for you. A crossroads of civilizations since biblical times and much earlier. Recent discoveries at Göbekli Tepe have led to a complete re-evaluation of early human settlements, the mighty Euphrates and Tigris rivers rise here, the Syriac monasteries in Mardin and Midyat still chant in Aramaic. The summers are long and dry. As the region is perfect for agriculture, you won’t be surprised that the best kebabs and vegetables are part of everyday life as you feast on the local cuisine.