Varna – Kirklareli – Istanbul

I didn’t particularly like the coastal road in Bulgaria. Maybe it’s also because here, as a cyclist, you have to permanently concentrate on the cars. 
It’s different in the old town of Nessebar. It is car-free, so I enjoy the moment twice as much. Nessebar itself is quite touristy and famous for its beautiful sunny beach.
The section from Burgas to the Turkish border in Malko Tarnovo, with an altitude difference of exactly 1222 metres, has to be worked hard. But for once there is little traffic. There are lots of cyclists on this quiet road. It’s fun to talk to „like-minded people“ for some miles.

Before the pandemic, I easily crossed national borders. Now the procedure has become a bit tedious. Even before entering the country, I regularly check the entry regulations.  Concerning Turkey, I recently even phoned the Turkish embassy in Bern. Nevertheless, you don’t know if the entry regulations will suddenly change from one day to the next and quarantine regulations will apply again.
I find it strange that there are hardly any cars 20 km from the border. Maybe the border post is closed? In any case, it remains exciting until I reach the summit. The closer I get to the border, the tenser it becomes. Finally, the border is reached and it looks lively. I am relieved. Now I just have to get across… After a few health questions and administrative expenses, I get a free ride. Hooray!!! There is already a road sign with Kirklareli 40 km  (where I will spend my night) and ISTANBUL 260 km. Shortly afterwards I give a cry of joy.
 From the very first moment I feel right at home in Turkey. The start is more than successful. On arrival at the Line Suite Hotel, I receive a warm welcome. The manager allows me to take the bike into the room, sans pardon.

Then a quick shop at MIGROS and soon it’s bedtime.

Although Istanbul is still quite a few miles and a few days away, I am already thinking hard about the ideal roads to take to get to the big city. I have never cycled into such a huge metropolis. Accordingly, it should be as practical a way as possible to get into the city centre in one piece. It is well known that there is an enormous amount of traffic on the long-distance roads leading to Istanbul. I spend the last night before Istanbul 50 kilometres outside the big city in the Airport Durusu Club Hotel and enjoy the wonderful peace and quiet with the windows open. After a hearty breakfast, the time has finally come for the traffic adventure to begin….
For the next three hours, my chosen route runs through the agglomeration along the D-020 via Bahcekör to the Bosporus. From there, everything south along the „shore“ into the centre of Istanbul. Yes, it is a deafening noise and many truck drivers are on the road.
Nevertheless, I am very happy with the choice of route. I pedal smoothly straight into the centre. I still have the whole afternoon to visit some of the highlights.
The sightseeing can be done relatively quickly by bike anyway.
Since I was a tourist in Istanbul a few years ago, I’ll be heading back to Asia tomorrow.