Winter in Akhisar with Loved Ones

 

There are a lot of travel stories in my archive. It's time to tidy up and share! This time, I'm going to share about our wonderful winter in my husband's hometown - Başlamış Village, located in Akhisar, Turkiye, 5-6 hours drive from İstanbul. 

Akhisar/Manisa located on the Aegean coast is one of the olive routes. My husband's village is also surrounded by olive farms, and we had the chance to visit his family's farm and learn a bit about olive farming. We also enjoyed delicious and healthy organic food and experienced the cozy warmth of a traditional heater in our house. We had a fantastic time exploring the olive farms in Başlamış. The farm was filled with beautiful olive trees and we got to witness the art of olive farming up close. It was fascinating to learn about the organic practices and traditions that have shaped the region's olive industry. And of course, we couldn't resist savoring the delicious flavors of the local produce, which made our meals truly special.

In our house, we relied on a traditional heater to keep us warm during the chilly winter days. The crackling firewood and the cozy ambiance created the perfect atmosphere for us to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Traditional heater, using firewood

We also didn't miss a chance to visit my husband's grandfather's home in the mountain village of Ormaniçi in Balıkesir. which literally means "inside the forest". The scenery was stunning, with clean, crisp winter air and temperatures dropping to -4 degrees Celsius. We even had a memorable barbecue in the midst of this breathtaking view. Despite the freezing temperatures, we bundled up and had an unforgettable barbecue. The smell of the food grilling over the fire, and the fragrance of the Turkish coffee combined with the laughter and joy we shared, created a truly magical moment between my family and in-laws <3 Visiting my husband's grandfather's home in the mountains was an experience we will cherish forever, especially the remarkable barbecue in that breathtaking setting. Oh, I miss it and I miss Atuk Yıldız & Nenek Fadime.

As we said goodbye to Akhisar, the memories of our time there will forever hold a special place in our hearts. The simplicity and authenticity of rural life, the warmth of the people, and the incredible natural beauty all came together to create an unforgettable winter journey. Till next time!