You could almost say that where the Orient Express ends, the Eastern Express begins.
The Turks are crazy about the Touristic Eastern Express.
So are an increasing number of adventurous international travelers.
Credit:Kemal Ozdemir/Getty Images
Rolling Out of Ankara
The Touristic Eastern Express will never be accused of high-speed railroading.
Mark Orwoll
The compartments are cozy, not lavish.
A rack above the cabinet can hold two pieces of luggage, but theres no closet for storage.
Mark Orwoll
Fresh linens, blankets, pillows, and slippers complete the rooms amenities.
Children tape crayoned train drawings to the corridor walls and make soap artwork on the windows.
Wine bottles begin to appear on the cabinet tops, and lively Turkish tunes emanate from personal speakers.
Mark Orwoll
Occasionally the train slowed through some third-tier town.
Between Divrigi and Erzincan, the conductor replied.
We pass through a long canyon.
Mark Orwoll
The train track twists this way, then that way, then back again.
So youll see the sun first on this side, then on that side.
The view will be good in both directions.
Mark Orwoll
Be up with the sun.
Despite the dramatic scenery, the Express operated more as a commuter vehicle than a scenic holiday train.
It was full of business travelers, grandparents visiting grandkids, and young adults heading to or from university.
It would travel only in the scenic wintertime, when the landscape was often coated in snow.
And it would be labeled with the moniker Touristic Eastern Express.
Get Out Your Cameras
I woke to the glow of the sun through the compartment windows.
A narrow high canyon boxed in the train on two sides.
The Touristic Eastern Expresss first long stop is atErzincan.
Copper shoppers beeline forYeralti Carsisi, an underground bazaar in the heart of the modern city specializing in copperware.
But the most important thing to do in Erzurum is eatcagkebab, for which the city is famous.
The restaurantMuammer Usta, in the central shopping district, is a good example.
The meat is then roasted on the spit until its cooked through and the juices are flowing.
The Touristic Eastern Express leaves twice weekly in both directions from December through March.
(The commuter-oriented Eastern Express runs daily, but doesnt make tour stops and has limited sleeper accommodations.)
Tickets can be purchased one month before the departure date on theticketing pageof the TCDD website.
it’s possible for you to also book through an authorized Turkish travel agency, such asAmber Travelin Istanbul.
