'Heavenly Island' is a spectacular Aegean outpost 11 nautical miles from the Gallipoli Peninsula. On weekends and holidays during the summer months, it is popular with residents of İstanbul and İzmir, who are drawn by its unspoiled landscape, sandy beaches and Greek-influenced culture. At other times of the year, it is a tranquil, windswept place where visitors are rare and the surroundings are truly bucolic. It's a mystery to us why Gökçeada isn't more popular as a base for those visiting the nearby Gallipoli battlefields. A ferry links the island with Kabatepe at the heart of the Gallipoli Peninsula, carries both cars and passengers and takes only 75 minutes. There is a small but alluring range of accommodation options on offer and plenty of opportunities for swimming, windsurfing, trekking, and cultural tourism