Young couple explores unknown gems of Turkey

For four years now a pair of enthusiastic young travelers has been exploring lesser-known sites in Turkey, a country they call "one of the historically and culturally richest lands in the world."

Ayesha Bilal and Argun Konuk's story is a unique one, as they like to seek out places that are far from the beaten path.

They promote these hidden gems online, writing in English for future visitors "with the hopes of giving these places some of the spotlight."

Instead of drawing up an itinerary by looking at brochures or asking a travel agent, they try to discover places that are worth visiting but not commonly appreciated.

Konuk, 25, said he spends a lot of time on Google Maps exploring areas one by one, and going to websites of cities or archeological research papers to find new spots to explore.

For Bilal, also 25, a Pakistani-American, she loves tasting the culture.

"As a foreigner in Turkey, one of my strongest motivations is food," she explained.

"Wherever we go, I like to research the unique cuisine of that area. Sometimes it's the other way around. I discover a certain food or dessert and want to go to the city it's famous for."

However, the lack of appreciation that some places suffer from receive saddens the couple. While having fun, they also hope that their travels will spur beneficial consequences.

Travel through history, travel through time

"A considerable majority of the attractions in Turkey we visit do not get the attention they rightfully deserve," said Konuk.

"Tourists visiting Turkey are largely unaware of the less popular historical and natural attractions that lie right under their noses. This is mainly due to the lack of promotion of these spots."