It’s not always diving or hiking or history that drives my wanderings. In 2020, I read a post about lavender fields in Kuyucak, near Isparta and put it on my to do list. Since I was living in Turkiye I decided to visit Isparta instead of going to Provence, France to see their lavender fields. I didn’t make it there in 2020 (damn COVID) but timed my trip in mid June so I could see the lavender starting to bloom AND see the nearby rose harvest too.
Lavender
The story goes a Turkish soldier in WWII in Provence, France brought some lavender seeds back and planted them near Isparta.
As you drive up to Kuyucak, you will pass many small shops selling lavender products. Soap, hand sanitizer (they will pour a bit of sanitizer/cologne on your hands at each shop), lotion, oil, jelly, potpourri, wreathes, even live lavender plants (for $0.57 €0.48 each).
I bought 2 plants and lots of bars of soap for my coworkers. The plants did raise a few eyebrows at airport security but after inspection, I brought them home and planted them in my yard.
The fields were in early bloom during my visit and made for selfies. The advantage of early bloom season is not so many tour busses or influencers.
Lavender Swing Selfie
Hat Selfie
No Hat Selfie
Roses
In the Isparta region they produce 65% of the rose oil for the perfume industry for the whole world. Just north of Isparta, in the village of Guneykent I saw the results of the daily harvest. To watch (or even take part in) the harvest you must be at the fields before dawn because the scent of the blossoms is strongest. Which I admit was too early for me. 😉
Did you know most perfume roses are “damask” and not long stem?
Damask roses, are known for their strong, sweet fragrance and are often used in perfumes and other beauty products. They are known for their large, single blooms with deeply cut petals. You can even eat them.
A rose by any other name may not smell as sweet. Long-stem roses, on the other hand, are primarily grown for their long, slender stems and are commonly used in bouquets.
There are no big industrial farms or huge fields of roses. Isparta has a coop of small families that harvest the roses. After the rose blossoms are picked they are loaded into large bags. The blossoms are taken into the village, by car, scooter, bicycle, horse drawn wagon or even by foot, where the pickers are paid by the weight of the bag.
Free Rose Pool
It can be hard to find an authentic rose factory, but I did and I added it to Google Maps to make it easier for everyone else!
The Guneykent Gul Yagi Fabrikasi (Guneykent Rose Factory) includes a museum, gift shop and a room covered in rose petals to “swim” in. And it’s free to visit!
Rose Factory Museum
Rose Pool Selfie
Getting There
It is possible to fly into Isparta (Isparta Süleyman Demirel Airport code ISE), but I chose to fly into Antalya and drive up because I there were no direct flight options from Adana.
Isparta itself is a good base to explore from. It has a lovely rose themed public park and a few hotels and restaurants to choose from as opposed to staying in Kuyucak or Guneykent both of which are very small villages.
Bonus on the drive up from Antalya or the drive back you can visit the ruins at Termessos.
