The Republic of Turkey is transcontinental—spread across Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is surrounded by three seas: The Mediterranean, Black Sea, and the Aegean Sea. The unique geographic location and varied landscape give Turkey a diverse cultural richness that is evident in every region of the country. You’d be hard pressed to find a more passionate, fun, and cosmopolitan group of geocachers anywhere in the world.

And here’s the big news: Turkey is the newest Geocaching country souvenir to be released this year! Souvenirs are virtual pieces of art that are displayed on your Geocaching profile page when you find a geocache in certain locations.

To celebrate, we are also highlighting five must-see geocaches from this marvelous land. Come with us, won’t you?

 

First stop: Istanbul. A gorgeous city that straddles two continents, ranks as the world’s 5th-largest city proper, and is the largest European city.

GC43K3Y – TOP 10 POI Istanbul

This Mystery Cache acts as a tour guide for the Sultanahmet district—a must see for any visitor. Framed as a mystery, this geocache leads you through the center of the Old City of Istanbul and many of the city’s points of interest (POI). You’ll need at least two days to solve this Mystery, but you’ll experience Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia/Ayasofia Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and Basilica Cistern so it is definitely worth it.

 

GCG3W3 – Pure Pearl

This Virtual Cache is found at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, which crosses the Bosphorus strait and connects Europe with Asia. You’ll need to visit by automobile (on top) or boat (underneath). No pedestrians and certainly no stopping on the bridge allowed!

 

GC42RCW – TAG you are it !! – OMActivities

Enjoy the 24-hour hustle and bustle of Istiklal Street, bursting with shops, cafes, bars, and nightlife. No cars are allowed in this area, and the streets are full of locals and tourists alike looking for some fun. Find this beloved Traditional cache full of great Trackables and SWAG, then write a heartfelt log from a lovely street cafe over wine or coffee.

 

Next stop: Bodrum. Previously a simple fishing village, Bodrum has become a tourist mecca with idyllic beaches, boutique hotels, and a shining marina over the last few decades.

GC1HN97 – Gokart15 [Bodrum Castle]

Site of a long ago Turkish invasion, construction began in the 14th century with the  Knights Hospitaller and has continued into the 20th century. Bodrum Castle is a stunning array of English, French, Spanish, and German-influenced Medieval architecture. The cache is a small tin box that you’ll find between a rock and a hard place.

 

Final stop: Antalya. Antalya is full of beaches, mosques, churches, Turkish baths, and museums.

GC1FG1A – Duden Waterfalls

This EarthCache is a series of several waterfalls created from two large karstic sources that merge, go underground, and then resurface to form the falls. This geocache is best experienced from a boat for a truly spectacular view. But if you decide to take a boat, make sure you’re alright with the possibility of getting soaked.

 

Inspired yet? Turkey has so much to offer in terms of scenery, culture, and geocaching.

We’ll unveil one new souvenir every week until all FIVE are officially released and awarded by mid December. Souvenirs that are currently available can be found here. A list of of currently available Geocaching souvenirs and even the ones you’ve already earned can be found on Geocaching.com. And, if you’ve already found a geocache in Turkey, we will retroactively add this souvenir to your profile after all five country souvenirs are announced.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or right here on our Blog to find out which countries are next.

Do you live in Turkey, have you ever been, or will you travel there in the future? Tell us your experience in the comments below!

The official slogan of the Slovenian Tourist Board is “I FEEL SLOVENIA”, and it’s easy to see why:

• Two-thirds of Slovenia is covered in forests
• Slovenia is the only country in Europe that combines the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain, and the Karst
• One percent of Slovenia is covered by vineyards
• Slovenia is the first of FIVE geocaching country souvenirs to be released this year! 

That’s correct! If the allure of varied landscapes, rich culture, and countless barrels of wine weren’t enough, you can now earn a geocaching country souvenir for logging a geocache in Slovenia (in addition to four other new countries that will be revealed soon). Souvenirs are virtual pieces of art that are displayed on your geocaching profile page when you find a geocache in certain locations.

As an aperitif, we’ve put together five must-see geocaches from “the green piece of Europe.” Enjoy!

 

GC14916 – Vas Kocno

According to the geocache’s listing page, this geocaching is in one of the most idyllic regions of Slovenia:

Kočno is a wonderful small village, surrounded by unspoiled nature. It counts about 20 homes with 85 inhabitants. It’s located on the eastern side of Pohorje mountain at some 500 meters altitude and on the south side of the Polskava river. The villagers are mostly occupied with farming, primarily agriculture, growing cattle, fruits and wine. The village is nicely arranged and is a real open-air ethnological museum. Old farming machines, tools and gadgets that were used in old times on farms in Kočno and surroundings, are put on display all around the village.

While in this lush area, consider a side trip to Maribor, site of the world’s oldest fruit bearing grapevine—over 400 years old!

 

GC488RH – Ljubljanski nebotičnik / Skyscraper

In the capital city of Ljubljana, one of the most recognizable landmarks is Nebotičnik also known as Ljubljana’s skyscraper. When construction was complete in February of 1933, it was one of the tallest buildings in all of Europe. When you enter the skyscraper, take a moment to admire the gorgeous spiral staircase before heading up to the grand 360° view and tiny geocache on the observation deck.

 

GC3QWBD – Morigenos

This geocache will take you to a beautiful location overlooking the Adriatic Sea, and was made in partnership with the Morigenos – Slovenian Marine Mammal Society who study a resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the area.  For an additional cost of 1 € and some extra time, head up to the top of the church tower for a view of the town and coastline.

 

GC26YR7 – Blejski otok / Island on Lake Bled

One of the oldest castle in Slovenia is the site of countless picturesque postcards. As tradition goes, if a couple gets married at the church on Bled Island, the groom must carry the bride up all 99 steps to ensure a long and happy marriage. You have three methods for reaching the geocache on Bled Island:

1. Take a boat
2. Swim over in the summer months (make sure to bring extra clothes that are appropriate for entering the building on the island), or
3. Walk across the frozen lake in winter

One would think that the storybook nature of finding this geocache would be impossible to top, but inside the geocache is another set of coordinates for a nearby bonus geocache. Fairy tales do come true!

 

GC1W8FM – Zelenci Sources

Given the piercing green color of this lake, it’s obvious to see how Zelenci Sources got it’s name: Zelen means “green” in Slovene. You’ll be able to spot mini water “jets” that resemble tiny volcanoes under the surface of the water, and find two types of lizards in this area. If you want to see super cool 360° photos of this natural wonder, click this link.

Inspired yet? Better start packing your bags and exploring the wonders of Slovenia and meeting their lovely citizens! 

We’ll unveil one new souvenir every week until all FIVE are officially released and awarded by mid December. Souvenirs that are currently available can be found here. A list of currently available geocaching souvenirs and even the ones you’ve already earned can be found on Geocaching.com. And, if you’ve already found a geocache in Slovenia, we will retroactively add this souvenir to your profile after all five country souvenirs are announced.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or right here on our Blog to find out which countries are next.

Have you found a geocache in Slovenia? Tell us your experience in the comments below!