Southeast Turkey

The Euphrates and Tigris basin in Turkey is a area of relatively plain territory running parallel to the border to Syria for about 400km, from Gaziantep to the east. This area has been settled since prehistoric times and it is believed that the world's first civilisations originated here and that agriculture and pottery were developed here. Over the millennia the region has been settled and ruled by a variety of empires, including the Persians, Greek, Roman, Arab and Ottoman ones.
Highlights of this region include Mt Nemrut Dagi on whose top there is an ancient temple, the ancient city of Arsameia whch was royal seat of the kingdom of Commagene, Hasankeyf, the archaeological sites of Cayönü and the adjacent Hilar cave and the Egil castle, a 12000 years old fortress on the Tigris river.
How to get to southeast Turkey
Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Diyarbakir have airports. In addition there are good motorways and Diyarbakir and Gaziantep can be reached by train.
Accommodation
In the major cities there are countless hotels, most of them bookable via the international booking portals.