Eat, drink, and be pastorally merry. That's the point of bellissima Bozcaada. There are four main wineries on the island; you can either go directly to the factory/farms or to a little wine-tasting tour at a number of establishments on the wharf (they make it easy here). Talay is a family-owned vintner established on the island in 1948 (Lale Sok. 5; tel. 0286/697-8080; www.talay.com.tr). Ataol Farms (also a guesthouse and restaurant) is located in Tekirbahçe (tel. 0286/697-0384; www.ataolciftligi.com). Çamlibag/Yunatcilar (Eminiyet Sok. 24; tel. 0286/697-8055; www.camlibag.com.tr) has been pressing grapes since 1925. Corvus is a more ambitious vintner, with vineyards not only on Bozcaada, and sales points all over Turkey (tel. 0286/697-8181; www.corvus.com.tr).
There are other reasons besides wine tasting to come to this island. Visitors flock to the most famous beach, Ayazma Cove, known for the cold spring that lies beneath. Sulubahçe and Habbeli are two other picture-postcard coves. Minibuses depart regularly for service to these beaches from the town center. In season (meaning July-Aug), the lounge chairs shaded by faded straw-hat umbrellas fill up by 9am, so ideally, it's best to set aside 2 days in early summer or September/October. If you're heading here off-season, keep in mind that the high winds for which Turkey's largest wind farm was erected gust over the seven rolling hills of Bozcaada.
It'll be impossible to miss the Medieval Castle, reconstructed by Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15th century (remember the strategic location of the island). The castle foundations were probably laid by the Phoenicians; it was later inhabited by the Venetians and Genoese. The construction of the Church of the Virgin Mary (Meryem Ana Kilisesi) may also date to the Venetians but the current church only dates to 1867-69.
There's also some exceptional diving around the island, including a kilometer-long (2/3-mile) reef that extends down to a depth of about 20m (66 ft.). You might even get a glimpse of the Mediterranean sea lions from Mermer Burnu. Special permission from the authorities is required for diving off Bozcaada; for information, contact Aganta Turizm at Belediye Dükk 7 (tel. 0286/697-0569; www.aganta.net).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
