There are so many perfect islands in the Aegean – more than 3,000 of them – that i can be hard to distinguish between them. But Bozcaada really is different – it is one of the only two islands in the region that is Turkish. In Greek mythology it was called  Tenedos and because of its strategic position, just south of the Dardanelles Strait, it has been occupied since time immemorial. Over the centuries the population was ethnically Greek, these days, although it is almost entirely Turkish, the island’s culture bears many traces of its Greek inheritance. Photo by: m.f.t.

Bozcaada is roughly triangular shape and has relatively flat terrain. From the highest point Goztepe at 192 m, there is a panoramic view across the whole island and on clear day you can see as far as Levkos. About third of the land is covered in vineyards, scattered trees and scrubland containing an usually diverse range of plants – 437 species in all. Photo by: esin’s gaze

The sea is remarkably clear and seaweed-free, so Bozcaada’s waters are superb for diving. There are plenty of pure sand beaches; Ayazama Bay is the longest, the most accessible stretch. There are as well as innumerable coves and inlets for anyone seeking solitude. Photo by: Zeynep ©

There is an intensive Venetian Fortress that attests to Bozcaada. The stone and wood town architecture is a charming mixture of Turkish and Greek houses – stylistically quite different from each other. The food, too, is a fusion between both cultures, giving it a district edge over the usual fare of the Aegean Islands. Red poppy syrup, a local specialty, is an interesting alternative to the island wine. Photo by: Egemen VII

When to go: May to September. Population: 2,427. Getting there: Bus from Istanbul, an 8-hour journey to Geyikii. You should know: The sea is substantially colder there, due to the cold water springs around Bozcaada. During the hottest months it is a refreshing contrast to the beach. Photo by: Zeynep ©