BONCUK IS IN IZMIR

Can and Aysun lived in Izmir with their dog Boncuk. They often took their dog Boncuk for a walk. One day, Can and Aysun took their dog Boncuk for a walk on the beach. However, Boncuk did not always want to visit the same places. He wanted to go to different places, see different countries, make different friends. When the oracle conveyed this request to Can and Aysun, they decided to take the steward to Ephesus. Boncuk was very excited when he heard that he was going to Ephesus. When he went to Ephesus, he was very excited when he saw the ancient ruins and wondered how the dogs of that period lived. They all took İZBAN and went to Selçuk. While we were going to 

Ephesus by taxi from Selçuk, Can started to explain;

-The Ancient City of Ephesus is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Ephesus will take us on a magical journey with its theater with a capacity of 21 thousand spectators, its stadium, the Celsus Library, the Temple of Hadrian and its impressive structures such as hillside houses. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, is located right next to the ruins. In addition, the House of Virgin Mary, Ayasuluk Hill, St. Mary's House, which are in the same region and are on the UNESCO World Heritage 

RUKİYE ÖLMEZ

 ÇİĞLİ BORSA İSTANBUL MESLEKİ VE TEKNİK ANADOLU LİSESİ

List. Jean Basilica and Çukuriçi Höyük are also must-visit places.

Aysun continued speaking;

    -This used to be a port city. Ship trading was done here.

Ephesus was a port city connecting the east and west in the past. Let me also mention the house of the Virgin Mary, which is very close to here. The house where Virgin Mary spent her last days is there. It is thought to be a very important house for Christianity.

Can, Aysun and Boncuk walked around all day. Boncuk was very impressed by the places he visited. He said the following to his friends Can and Aysun:

-Friends, I don't know about you, but I want to continue this trip. I know you went to school. But I'm tired of sitting idle at home. You'd better take me to the train station, and I'll start visiting the provinces of Turkey, starting from our neighboring province, Manisa. Maybe I'll go to the dormitory later. I'm going out too.

They took Can and Aysun Boncuk to Basmane train station and put them on the train to Manisa.

Boncuk took the train from Basmane and reached Manisa station. 

When he got off, he found Ceren in front of him. Together 

They went to the Sultan Mosque, one of the historical sites of Manisa, built by Hafsa Sultan in 1522. While Boncuk was sitting in the shade of the big plane trees in the garden of this mosque, Ceren told another story of this mosque which is very important for the people of Manisa. About 500 years ago, Hafsa Sultan, the mother of Suleiman the Magnificent, became very ill one day and could not recover. Thereupon, the famous physician of the time, Merkezefendi, prepared a paste with a mixture of 41 kinds of spices, Hafsa sultan regained her health and recovered with this paste, and she willed that this paste, which healed her, be scattered to the public from the domes of the Sultan Mosque every year, and from that day on, it is scattered to the public from the domes of the Sultan Mosque every year in April with the name Mesir Macunu. 

AZİZE YİĞİT BORSA İSTANBUL MESLEKİ VE TEKNİK ANADOLU LİSESİ -MANİSA

While Boncuk was imagining the crowds trying to catch the scattered paste, Ceren took him through the mosques, inns and Turkish baths and brought him to Niobe, popularly known as the "Weeping Rock", which has a mythological story. According to mythology, Niobe, who lived in ancient Manisa, had 14 children, seven girls and seven boys. This situation was very jealous of her enemies who had no children and one day she came home to find that all her children had been killed. The god Zeus, who pitied Niobe, who cried over her children for days, turned her into a stone. From that day until today, the drops of water leaking from the eye socket-shaped recesses of this rock in the shape of a woman's head on the road leading to Spil Mountain have been interpreted as Niobe's tears and are known by the people as Weeping Rock. 

They followed the mountain road and watched the wonderful view of the city from the top of Mount Spil. 

Ceren took Boncuk to the ancient city of Sardes, which hosted a magnificent civilization 3000 years ago. This historical city was the capital of the Lydian Kingdom in ancient times. According to known history, this was the first place in the world where money was printed. Learning that they were at the beginning of the famous "King's Road" took Boncuk on a journey through time.

         KADRİYE ÖZORMAN

              TPAOMTAL

Boncuk came to Istanbul by train. He went to the Maiden's Tower in Üsküdar by Marmaray, bought bagels and tea from the street vendors and watched the sea. He couldn't get enough of watching the unique beauty of Istanbul. Then he went to Beylerbeyi Palace in Kuzguncuk, it was really interesting for him, then he went to the European side by ferry and did not forget to throw bagels to the seagulls on the ferry, in Eminönü. He went to Gülhane Park and then to the Sultanahmet Mosque and was fascinated by the beauty of these historical buildings. Then a place called Basilica Cistern caught his attention. This was an incredible place for him. He decided to go to the Spice Bazaar with the adviceof the people around him. When he went to the Spice Bazaar, he was greeted by a very crowded place this time, beads.

He got even more curious, crossed the Galata Bridge and went to the Galata Tower. He loved the warm-blooded people of Istanbul as well as the unique beauties. Everyone was helping him and giving him advice about the places he should go. After Galata, he went on a long journey to the Dolmabahce Palace, which was very big and had a perfect view. This is a place where he also visited the art and maritime museums. While wandering around, he heard that there would be a big match in the evening and did not want to miss this opportunity. He made a long journey for the Fenerbahce and Galatasaray match in Kadıköy. Fortunately, everyone who attended the match was very excited. The energy of the peoplewas very exciting. It made him happy and he was deeply touched by the fact that so many people had the same feeling. He was very tired after the match and returned to his hotel to get some rest. In the morning, we moved to Düzce by bus.

Boncuk is in Düzce

Sema KOCAMANOĞLU/ Düzce Mevlana MTAL

                                                     BONCUK KIRŞEHİR'DE

 Arap Kardeş bugün çok heyecanlıydı çünkü arkadaşı Boncuk Düzce'den Kırşehir'e katılacaktı.Boncuk Kırşehir otogarına geldi ve Arap kız kardeşi boncuğuna katıldı.Arap Kardeş Boncuk'a Merhaba Kırşehir'e hoş geldin dedi.Boncukları güzel buldum nerede dedi gezmeye başlama mı.Arap abla önce seni önemli bir sanatçıyı tanıştırmak istiyorum dedi, İsot bizimle orada buluşacak dedi.Boncuk İsot ile tanıştı,İsot önce Boncuk'u Neşet Ertaş Kültür Evi'ne götürdü.Neşet Ertaş en önemli halklardan biri Türkiye'nin sanatçıları. Küçük yaştakilerin düğünlerinde ney çalarak müzik hayatına başladı. Daha sonra birçok Türkiye'nin manzarası herkesin gönlünde oluştu.    Neşet Ertaş bir süre sonra halk arasında bozkırın kaynatılması olarak anılmaya başlar. Neşet Ertaş adına yaptırılan bu ev ve merkezde hayatına dair pek çok şey sergilense de burada birçok etkinlik düzenleniyor. Hep birlikte Cacabey medresesine doğru yola çıktılar. Sırma ve Oğuzhan Cacabey Medresesi'nin önünde onları bekliyorlardı. İsot, Rahibeyi Sırma ve Oğuzhan'a Gösteri. Cacabey medresesini ziyaret etmeye toplandı. İl merkezi bulunan medrese, Selçuklular döneminde 1271-1272 yıllarında Kırşehir emiri Nurettin C. Bin Cacabey tarafından rasathane medresesi olarak yaptırılmıştır. Songül BELAT /KIRŞEHİR FATMA MUZAFFER MERMER MTAL

It is currently used as a mosque, but astronomy studies were carried out in the early days.Oguzhan told the beadle that I will take you to a very beautiful place, and they took the right Long way to the Bazaar.In the Long Bazaar, where all kinds of spices and nuts are sold and exhibited, Walnuts attracted the attention of the Beadle the most, almost from the beginning to the end, the bazaar was filled with many varieties of walnuts.Oguzhan explained that walnuts and molasses are produced a lot in Kırşehir and that they come here for walnut trade from other cities.Sirma offered them to go to the Hilla Lake. Bead, who saw the Hilla lake, was very surprised that hundreds of water lilies were above the water the sight of it had literally left him in a daze.They ordered the famous Snipe dinner at the lake restaurant.4 friends who were full of stomach went on a trip to Lake Seyfe to relax a little.As soon as he arrived at the Seyfe lake, his son began to tell. Seyfe lake especially accommodates flamingos, whose species are decreasing, in addition to this, there are more than 600 thousand bird species, he said. They were nearing the end of their fun Kırşehir trip and they all made their way to the bus station together.Bead said goodbye to his friends and set off towards Niğde.

                               BONCUK NİĞDE'DE

Gazoz woke up very excited this morning. You ask why? Because his friend Boncuk was coming from Kırşehir. Gazoz got ready quickly and went to the tent. As the buses approached, Gazoz got more excited and saw his friend Boncuk get off the bus and ran to his friend: "Welcome to Niğde, the city of civilizations." Boncuk was surprised and asked: What do you mean when you say the city of civilizations? By the way, I welcome it. Gazoz: There are so many traces in this city and region where many civilizations live, the places he visited are in the villages, you will agree with me, he said, come on, he started. Boncuk: It's so exciting, let's get started. Soda: First, let me introduce you to Gümüşler Monastery, then do you know that the only smiling Virgin Mary portrait in the world is in this Monastery, which is also one of the largest monasteries in the Cappadocia region.Boncuk: It has a truly fascinating atmosphere.

Emel MEMİŞ        Prof.Dr.Ali Yaramancı Ç.PAL 

Boncuk, who came to Ankara by bus from Niğde, was welcomed at the Ankara intercity bus terminal by Pamuk, Tıstıs, and Simay. Boncuk, who was very excited, started to tell about the places she visited.

Simay:

-Boncuk, do you know there are many historical and touristic places to visit in Ankara? he said.

Boncuk became happy.

I can't wait to see them, she said impatiently.

Tıstıs:

-First, let's take you to the most important place, Atatürk's mausoleum, Anıtkabir, he said.

They took a minibus from the bus terminal and set off towards Anıtkabir. They passed through various national parks on the way.

Pamuk, pointing to the monument on the road:

-Boncuk, this is the replica of the Hittite Sun Course Monument, which was found in the excavations at Alacahöyük from the tomb of the Hittite king. The original of the artifact is exhibited today in the Ankara Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. We will also visit this museum during our tour, he said.

When they arrived at Anıtkabir,

Simay :-It is not only the symbol of Ankara but also one of the most visited symbolic structures in Turkey. Anıtkabir, where the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our country, is located, is visited by everyone who wants to show their love and respect for Atatürk. Atatürk's mausoleum is located in the Hall of Honor. Lion Road, Atatürk and the Independence War Museum, the tomb of İsmet İnönü, various statues, and towers are among the places you can visit in Anıtkabir, he said.After visiting Anıtkabir, they started to visit the Independence War Museum (1st Grand National Assembly Building).                   

                                                        EYLEM GÜNEŞ ERKOL GÖLBAŞI ZÜBEYDE HANIM 

                                                           MESLEKİ VE TEKNİK ANADOLU LİSESİ 

Tıstıs:

-The 1st Grand National Assembly building, which serves as the Independence War Museum today, proves this situation. The first parliament, the table where the Treaty of Lausanne was signed, and the rooms of important people in the parliament are exhibited, he said.

Then they visited the Republic Museum of Ankara (2nd Grand National Assembly Building).

Pamuk:

-The 2nd Grand National Assembly Building, which witnessed the birth of Atatürk's principles and revolutions, serves as the Republic Museum today. Built as the headquarters of the Republican People's Party in 1923 by the architect Vedat Tek. Due to the inadequacy of the first parliament building, the building was arranged and turned into a parliament upon Atatürk's instructions, he said.

Simay:

-You can't see Ankara in one day, you should stay for a few days, he said.

Boncuk stayed in Ankara for a few days and continued her tour.

She visited places like the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Roman Bath, Open Air Museum, Temple of Augustus, Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque, Rahmi Koç Museum, Hamamönü, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Museum House, Ulucanlar Prison Museum, Ankara Word Museum, MTA Natural History Museum, National Library, Beypazarı Houses, Tuz Gölü Nature Park, Soğuksu National Park, Nallıhan Bird Sanctuary. Boncuk visited every corner of Ankara.

Boncuk:

-I have visited various places in our country, now I should go to different countries, she said.

Tıtıs, Pamuk, and Simay  took Boncuk to Ankara Esenboğa Airport. They said goodbye to Boncuk as she boarded the plane to Italy.

As Boncuk arrived at Rome airport, she was welcomed by her new Italian friends: Gino the seahorse, Beatrice the sea turtle. Boncuk felt a little nervous because she knew only a few words in Italian. ‘Ciao’, she said, ‘come va?’ … ‘hi, how are you’ was all she could say. The two Italian friends greeted her with a warm welcome and immediately they took her to a café to taste the famous Italian espresso 

and a nice ‘gelato’,  a sweet and tasty ice-cream. Boncuk was really excited to see the 

new country and experience the Italian culture, traditions and of course the Italian food.

After a rich and energetic snack, Boncuk felt better and even more curious to visit the capital of Italy; but she was a bit surprised: ‘Why are you my guides to Rome, there is no sea in Rome!’. ‘That’s right Boncuk’, said Gino, we don’t live here in Rome, we come from a small town on the Adriatic coast: Fano. And this is where we are going to take you. Before leaving, we want to show you the beauties of the ’Eternal City’ and its Roman origins’.

The two Italians were so friendly, Boncuk felt immediately at home with them and she was ready to follow them everywhere: they visited the iconic Coliseum and the Roman ruins, the centre of the ancient world. ‘You know, Bonkuk, “All roads lead to Rome”, said Beatrice the sea turtle, ‘We are going to go down a big one leading to Fano. Emperor Flaminio wanted this road to be built to connect Rome with the Adriatic coast, the road is called ‘via Flaminia’ and it still exists today!’. 

‘Wow!’ said Boncuk surprised. ‘Well, the road is modern and fast now but the track is more or less the same one the Roman engineers designed’. ‘That’s fascinating!’ said the dog, ‘Let’s go, I’m so curious to see Fano.’

After a long journey, they were finally arriving in the charming town of Fano, on the coast in the beautiful and green Marche region in central Italy. Boncuk was more and more curious and enthusiastic to start exploring but she could not have imagined the majestic Roman monument that stood tall and proud at the entrance of the town: the iconic Arch of Augustus, the town gate in ancient times and still the symbol of Fano's rich history. The grandeur of the arch in white stones and marbles, with the golden inscriptions shining under the Italian sun and visible from a great distance was easy to imagine and for curious tourists, like Boncuk, a multimedia interactive museum could help re-live the experience of ancient Roman times thanks to virtual reality and 3D models.

‘Emperor Caesar Augustus wanted the town of Fanum Fortnuae, Fano today, to be prosperous and attractive, so he ordered solid walls to be built around the town with regular towers for the soldiers to protect and defend the citizens inside’, Gino explained.

 ‘Yes, I can see the towers and the walls, said Boncuk, ‘Well, the towers are in ruins, but I can see the technique used to build them. There’s no wonder they were so solid and still standing after 2,000 years!’. ‘That’s true, said Beatrice, ‘in fact the parts that are missing were demolished on purpose to make the town larger and include more houses and building during the Middle Ages’.

Boncuk was fascinated, she had seen some Roman monuments during her trip around Turkey and she was thinking that people, civilizations, different cultures could get in contact in the past thanks to the Roman conquests and their great works of engineering. Visiting places, learning history, making friends was really important to unite the world and the people living there.

Next, they wandered through the winding streets of Fano, each corner of this small town could tell a story: the magnificent Palace of the noble family Del Cassero, fierce rival of the other noble and influent family in Fano, Da Carignano. ‘Like the Capulets and the Montague, in fair Verona!’ said Boncuk, as she remembered the famous tragedy of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare. ‘Well, said Beatrice, ‘similar but with a happy ending: Guido junior Del Cassero and Orianna Da Carignano got married with the blessing of their families and all rivalry and violence stopped!’.

‘’And they lived happily ever after?’, asked Boncuk. ‘Not really, their greedy neighbour Malatestino Malatesta from Rimini wanted to enlarge his domains over Fano. He invited the two Lords Guido Del Cassero and Angiolello da Carignano to his castle for a dinner party to discuss some ‘business agreements’ but on the way to Rimini, two henchmen killed them and threw their bodies in the sea, so his way to rule over Fano was clear and open. The Malatesta remained the Lords of Fano for more than 150 years’.

‘What a horrible man!’, said Boncuk. ‘Yes, but you know the Middle Ages were terrible times: wars and feuds, soldier lords and political strategies’, said Gino ‘but also the beginning of a splendid period for arts and architecture: castles, palaces, Romanesque churches and then the Italian Renaissance with the beautiful paintings and the Baroque and the magnificent architectures: many examples from the different period of history co-exist in Fano in museums, national monuments and  splendid historical palaces where people still live today’.

They visited the Malatesta Palace, which is today the archaeological museum and national gallery, and the Malatesta Fortress, built around a Roman tower and used as a prison until the early 20 century; the Malatesta tombs at the Church of St. Francis, where the mummy of Pandolfo Malatesta was found intact and fully dressed in his best ceremonial outfit (a rare example of medieval fashion and unique original pieces), the Cathedral of St. Mary, where rudimentary simple pieces of early Christian art stands side by side with the luxury and abundance of the Baroque style; the New Church of St. Mary, with important examples of early Renaissance art: two paintings by Giovanni Santi, Raffaello’s father, and Pietro Perugino, his master, both with small details painted by the young Raffaello when he was still an apprentice. 

‘I can see and breath history here’, said Boncuk but at the same time I can feel all the energy and enjoyment of modern life: shops, cafés, restaurants, cinema and theatre with plays concerts and ballet, music and book festivals, food festivals and the famous Carnival Parade, the most ancient in Italy. Boncuk was really enjoying the cultural offer of this small but lively town.

Finally, from the top of the ancient walls overlooking the coast, Boncuk and her friends could have a breathtaking view of the Adriatic Sea and the rolling hills of the Marche region stretching down to the quiet beaches, the port with local fishing boats and the tourist port and marina for yachts and leisure boats, the hotels and camping sites, of course many restaurants, cafés and shops, especially busy in summertime. They felt a sense of peace and contentment as they experienced the beauty of the surroundings.

The three friends were becoming very close and Boncuk did not feel she was in a foreign country. After a full day of sightseeing, and a delicious pizza in a local restaurant, Boncuk was accompanied to a cozy little hotel room in Fano, tired but happy with her adventures.When Boncuk woke up in the morning, he decided to go to Moldova, which he had seen in his dreams. To visit Italy. He would come again. He went straight to the airport and got on the plane to Moldova.

Isabella Mazzacchera, Liceo Nolfi Apolloni, Italy

As they could see a lot in Italy they wanted to see more about Moldova , a small country in Europe. They heard a lot about this small country, from the neighbours of their Italian friends so they flew there.Finally after a two hour trip by plane Boncuk arrived at the airoport in Chisinau ,the capital of Moldova .The only one airport in the country .At the airoport he was met by Sanda and Petru two wonderful cousins  who study in the same lyceum. In Moldova they knew it exists a lot a cool things like the Heart-like island Naslavcea on the River Nistru also known as a paradise. They also planned  to go to Moldova's famous churches and also The Grand Museum of Opera and Ballet. It is in the capital of Moldova,Chişinău. It is famous for being the place where very famous national singers preformed, like Maria Bieşu. She is a national treasure for the Moldovan culture. She expanded the arts of singing normal songs but also opera. This is the place where very known concerts or teather classic pieces are performed.  Boncuk really enjoyed this Museum. There he made a lot of friends and saw a lot of cool places..Boncuk could learn that Chișinau, the capital of Moldova, is home to the magnificent Nativity Cathedral.Built in 1830, it stands as a symbol of faith and resilience. The architect oversaw its construction, creating an iconic landmark.The cathedral's majestic domes attract visitors from near and far. Inside, it has beautiful decorations and two altars. As the main cathedral of the Moldovan Orthodox Church, it holds significant religious importance.For its stunning architecture, it is a must-visit destination in Chișinau. Visitors can look at its beauty and learn about its rich history. Throughout the years, it has undergone periods of restoration, preserving its cultural heritage. With its significance and beauty, the Nativity Cathedral remains a beloved symbol of Chișinau.Opposite the great place Statue of Stephen the Great in Chisinau, Moldova

The Statue of Stephen the Great in Chisinau is an architectural monument of national significance, listed in the Register of Historical and Cultural Monuments of the municipality of Chisinau, part of the Nativity Cathedral Ensemble. It was built in the years 1840–1841, to commemorate the victory of the Russian army in the Russian-Turkish War of 1828–1829. Inside the arch is a giant bell weighing 6.4 tons, which was cast from the metal of Turkish cannons captured in the war.

The upper level is decorated in a classic style. A mechanical clock is mounted on the front, illuminated at night, but does not sound to announce the exact time. The ornaments and capitals are executed in ceramic.Looking at the Statue of Stephen the Great in Chisinau, we notice not only its beauty and historical significance but also the strong symbolism of heroism and the fighting spirit of the Moldovan people. It is a symbol of national identity and pride in Moldova's cultural and historical heritage.As Boncuk noticed Chisinau offers so many treasures .One more was The Arc de Triumf is an architectural monument of national significance, entered in the Register of historical and cultural monuments of the Chisinau municipality, part of the Nativity Cathedral Ensemble. It was built in the years 1840–1841, to commemorate the victory of the Russian army in the Russian-Turkish war of 1828–1829.

Inside the arch is a giant bell weighing 6.4 tons, which was cast from the metal of Turkish cannons captured in the war

The arch is square in plan and has two levels. The height of the monument is 13 m. The capitals of the four pillars of the building were carved in Corinthian style. The upper level is decorated in a classic style. A mechanical clock is mounted on the front, illuminated at night, but does not sound to announce the exact time. The ornaments and capitals are executed in ceramic. The last destination was Symbol of Independence: The Flame Monument in Moldova stands as a symbol of the country's hard-won independence and sovereignty.

Eternal Flame: At the heart of the monument burns an eternal flame, representing the everlasting memory of those who sacrificed for Moldova's freedom.

Communist Era Origins: The monument was originally erected during the Soviet era to commemorate fallen soldiers of World War II.The trip was over and the ate Moldovan pies and drank compote.  After their small trip to Moldova and with a lot of pictures as memories  they went again to the airoport to take the plane to.another wonderful part of Italy

Nina Tirsina

Nicolae Iorga Chisinau Moldova.

The following morning was a sunny and warm day, Boncuk woke up full of energy, ready to continue her visit. On her first day, Boncuk had marveled at the stunning architecture and rich history of Italy. The ancient Roman ruins, medieval churches, and picturesque cobblestone streets all spoke of Italy's diverse and storied past.  As soon as Boncuk had arrived in Italy, she had immediately sensed the warmth and vibrancy of Italian welcoming culture. The lively chatter of the locals, the aroma of freshly baked bread and espresso, and the sight of friends and families getting together filled Boncuk’s heart with joy.

Boncuk could not wait to meet them: the gastronomy of Italy had truly captured his imagination. The smell of pasta and pizza wafted through the air, tempting her to taste every dish, try every drink. The new Italian friends introduced her to the Italian culture, which is characterized by a rich culinary tradition that places a strong emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients and simple preparation techniques. Italian cuisine is known for its use of fresh produce, herbs, olive oil, and garlic, as well as a focus on regional specialties and seasonality.

Boncuk indulged in rich risottos, creamy ice-cream, and delicate pastries, savoring the flavors of Italy with each bite. Sara wanted her to taste the famous Italian pasta, and with its wide variety of shapes and sizes available, each suited to different types of sauces: spaghetti with sea food, tagliatelle with tomato sauce, and lasagna.

‘Buon giorno Boncuk’, said Gino when they met, ‘yesterday we showed you the beauty of historical monuments and arts. Today we would like to tell you more about Italian cuisine.’. Beatrice continued: ‘This is why you are going to meet our friends: Luca and his little sister Sara, two harmless and inoffensive snakes, and Leonardo, the octopus. They are real experts in food and drinks’.

Leorando explained to Boncuk that in addition to pasta, Italian cuisine is also known for its love of cheese and cured meats. Parmigiano-Reggiano, mozzarella, and gorgonzola are just a few of the cheeses commonly used in Italian dishes, while ham, salami, and bacon are popular choices for appetizers or pizza toppings.

Luca told her that Italian culture also values the concept of ‘aperitivo’, a pre-dinner drink and small bites of finger-food to stimulate the appetite. This tradition often includes light snacks such as olives, cheese, and cured meats, paired with a drink like Aperol Spritz or Prosecco. Boncuk really appreciated it! She also understood that Italy is famous for its wine production, with regions like Tuscany, Piedmont, and Sicily known for their high-quality wines. Olive oil is another important product in Italian cuisine, with many regions producing their own unique varieties.

Sara also explained that Italian culture values food as a central part of daily life, with meals often lasting for hours and centered around family and friends. The emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple preparation techniques has made Italian cuisine one of the most popular and well-respected culinary traditions in the world.

In Fano, Boncuk was welcomed with open arms by the friendly locals, who embraced her as one of their own and she happily joined in festive celebrations, danced to lively music, and learned to speak the Italian language with ease.

The day after Boncuk was getting ready to continue her trip. She was a bit sad to leave her Italian friends, but unfortunately, it was time to say goodbye to Gino the seahorse, Beatrice, the sea turtle, Luca and Sara, the snakes and Leonardo, the octopus. She knew more new friends were waiting to welcome her in her trip around Europe. She went to Ancona, an important port on the Adriatic to connect with many cities along the Mediterranean coasts. ‘Ciao Italia! Ciao amici! Goodbye my friends’, said Boncuk as she boarded her ship to Portugal: she was ready to go.

Stefania Binucci, Liceo Nolfi Apolloni, Italy

A guided tour from Anadia to Barra

Boncuk really wanted to visit Portugal and he soon discovered that our region, the centre region, has magical places full of traditions, culture, a monumental and artistic heritage, and kilometer beaches of fine sand where he could discover fishing villages of traditional houses that have remained intact over time. Our little friend “Rodinhas” went to meet him and take him on a tour from Anadia to the sea.

Their tour started in Urban Park, Anadia. This magnificent park is close to our city entrance. There 

played mini-golf, padel and volleyball. Besides doing sports, they also had a picnic.

Next, they went to Bairrada Wine Museum, Anadia. This museum tells you the history of the wine-producing region of Bairrada in the centre Portugal region. Six themed rooms show the importance of the wine industry. The museum also includes educational activities, rural art, an auditorium and a beautiful garden. They had a lot of fun here and it was a very ducational visit.

After that, they visited the first underground museum where sparkling wines, still wines and brandies are aging in perfect harmony with nine different art collections which span millions of years. The Aliança Underground Museum, in Sangalhos, is an exhibition space. It has artworks in the traditional wine cellars of Aliança Vinhos de Portugal. Boncuk really liked the place!

At this point they really needed some fresh air, so they visited The Pateira de Fermentelos, which is the largest natural lake in the Iberian Peninsula. This sensitive and important wetland is part of NATURA 2000. This is a place full of habitats, ecosystems and species that enjoy national and international protection. There are many fauna species associated with this ecological system of habitats. They saw the otter, the water mole and the Iberian frog, fish such as the shad, and birds such as the river kingfishers, the black kite and many others. The Pateira de Fermentelos has a reflection pool over 5 hectares in size in times of heavy rainfall. They traversed the lake shores in close contact with nature, took a boat tour in one of the Bateiras, rested in the parks and enjoyed the landscape.

        Located at the center of Portugal, just 40 minutes away from Coimbra, is the city of Aveiro. That’s where they went ot next. This place contains a unique atmosphere given by its typical boats (Moliceiros), which are often compared to the Venetian Gondolas. Aveiro is a city linked to the sea and known for its canals, hence it is called the "Venice of Portugal". There are several vessels that navigate the channels and the Ria de Aveiro. Moliceiro was used to collect the moliço, different species of algae, which were used to fertilize the land. It is a very elegant boat, with colorful decoration and original humorous references. Since we were in Aveiro, they had to taste this specialty of the conventual sweets: the “Ovos Moles” of Aveiro. They were surprised to discover how they are made and to know their history and properties when they attended a workshop and found out how this recipe has been preserved and has reached our day: in the past, nuns used egg whites to treat clothes. To use yolks instead of throwing them away, they conceived this sweet. 

But, as the quantity of soft eggs produced was greater than their consumption needs, they used them as a means of exchange. 

To end the tour, they visited Praia and Farol (lighthouse) da Barra, built in 1893. Arriving at the lighthouse they admired this beautiful construction that, from the top of its 66 meters, makes it the highest Portuguese Lighthouse and the second highest Lighthouse of the Iberian Peninsula. They found the courage to climb all of its 288 steps!!

In Costa Nova, the real attraction of Costa Nova are its Palheiros: typical houses with vertical stripes painted in a variety of colors. These houses were in old times used by the fishermen for the salting of sardines or as a storage place for their fishing materials. They took lots of picture and forged long-lasting memories. It was nice to get to know a bit of the centre region Portugal.

       After visiting the beautiful places of Portugal, Boncuk went to the airport and boarded the plane to go to Greece.

Ana Soares

Agrupamento de Escolas de Anadia-Portugal

Boncuk set out to visit Greece, so he chose Veria, a well-known Macedonian city. Greek Friends Helen and George were waiting anxiously for him. They were just talking through the computer and wanted to show her the beauties of Veria and Greek hospitality. Built at the foot of Mount Vermium and crossed by the Tripotamos River, Veria was the second most important city after Aiges during the reign of Alexander the Great. Today it is a modern city. Thus, Boncuk and his friends set out on a fascinating journey to get to know the historical richness of the region.

          Boncuk first visited the Archaeological Museum, which 

hosts finds from Veria and other archaeological sites of the province dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Of particular interest are the exhibits from the excavation at Nea Nicomedia (9 km NE), where one of the oldest permanent settlements in Europe (dating from the Neolithic age) was located.

5o nipiagogio verias/GREECE

After the archaeological museum, Boncuk wandered through the narrow streets of the old city of Veria and reached the Byzantine museum. It is located in a three-storey preserved industrial building from 1911 and houses finds from the famous Veria collection and Byzantine treasures (murals from Byzantine temples and 

mansions, early Christian mosaic floors, statues, marble inscriptions, etc.). Boncuk was very hungry and decided to have lunch in one of Veria's well-known taverns, where they tasted the local cuisine, juicy syrupy desserts such as the famous local rhubarb. After this welcome break, Boncuk visited the Vima of the Apostle Paul, who visited Berea twice (50-51 AD and 57 AD) and is located in a green area decorated with mosaics. He was really tired, so he went to his friends' house for the evening.