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Taurus Mountains to Istanbul

Turkey with Simon Reeve Series 1

Simon Reeve journeys around Turkey. Simon stays with descendants of the original Turks in the Taurus Mountains and visits the Black Sea coast.

Simon Reeve sets off on the second leg of his two-part journey around Turkey, a dramatic and beautiful country that now finds itself at the centre of world events.

In the Taurus Mountains Simon stays with descendants of the original Turks, nomads known as Yoruks, whose lifestyle is under threat from the modern world and an increasingly religious government. They're not the only minority at odds with the authorities in Turkey; Simon sees first-hand the devastating effects of fighting in the country's Kurdish region. In an area where the government has detained foreign journalists, Simon gathers unique footage in the aftermath of a crackdown on Kurdish militants - the wholesale destruction of the historic centre of one of Turkey's oldest cities.

Away from the conflict in the south, Simon heads towards the Black Sea coast. He meets a wildlife conservationist protecting Turkey's population of brown bears, and villagers who still communicate over long distances using an ancient bird language. In the country's capital he meets a victim of President Erdogan's authoritarian purge of people accused of complicity in the failed coup against him.

Finally Simon's journey comes full circle when he returns to Istanbul - home to the new craze of 'Ottomania', a celebration of the vast empire that preceded modern Turkey. Simon visits the set of one of the world's most popular TV dramas - even getting a speaking role - based in the court of an Ottoman sultan.

Available now

59 minutes

Last on

Sun 12 Dec 2021 18:00
成人论坛 Two except Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD

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Gallipoli to the Syrian BorderSeries 1

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:03

    Syriana

    Syriana

  • 00:41

    King Creosote

    Surface

Credits

Presenter Simon Reeve
Executive Producer Sam Bagnall
Series Producer Chris Mitchell
Composer Ty Unwin

Broadcasts

Simon Reeve around the world

Follow Simon as he explores the world and meets amazing people.