90.Białystok (EPBK)

Białystok is located in the Białystok Uplands of the Podlachian Plain on the banks of the Biała River. It has historically attracted migrants from elsewhere in Poland and beyond, particularly from Central and Eastern Europe. Archaeological discoveries show that the first settlements in the area of present-day Białystok occurred during the Stone Age. The city of Białystok has existed for five centuries and during this time the fate of the city has been affected by various political and economic forces.

91.Łososina Dolna (EPNL)

This small village with a population of 1650 lies in a river valley. It's landscape made up by a number of hills. The original name of the village was Jakubkowice. It was first mentioned in the records dating back to 1304. During the Medieval times Jakubkowice governed other smaller villages such as: Łączne, Sadowa and Zawadka.

92.Vatra Dornei (LRFL)

Vatra Dornei is a well known spa and ski resort in the Carpathian Mountains and one of the oldest resorts in Romania. There are ski slopes nearby the city, attracting tourists in winter season. Vatra Dornei is surrounded by large forest areas, proper places for practicing alpine tourism.

93.Caransebeș (LRCS)

During the Middle Ages, the local people continuously inhabited the area. The region became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, then later under the rule of the Transylvanian Principality, and under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. After the rise of the communist regime in 1947, an airport and an airbase were built close to the city. However, the airport did not remain operational for long after the 1989 Revolution.

94.Plovdiv (LBPD)

It is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, standing on the banks of the Maritsa river in the historical region of Thrace. There are many preserved ruins such as the ancient Plovdiv Roman theatre, a Roman odeon, a Roman aqueduct, the Plovdiv Roman Stadium, the archaeological complex Eirene, and others. In 1892 Plovdiv became the host of the First Bulgarian Fair with international participation which was succeeded by the International Fair Plovdiv.

95.Burgas (LBBG)

After a hearty Bulgarian brunch of banitsa, rodopski kolatsi, lyutenitsa and lukanka, we'll top off our fuel tanks and depart mid-morning from Plovdiv. We'll first head North East over small villages and across rich farm land toward the university city of Stara Zagora.

Finally landing at Burgas Airport, we'll tie down the birds, grab some grilled kebapcheta and shopska salad for late lunch, and take in the sites of the many beaches, bars and restaurants along the Black Sea coast.

96.CAYCUMA (LTAS)

We’ll continue southeastward low and fast tracing the western Black Sea coast. Leaving Bulgaria, we’ll turn inland into Turkey and head for a famous aviation landmark, the Catalca Tunnels, the site where Red Bull stunt pilot Dario Costa set a Guinness World Record on September 4, 2021 by flying his modified Red Bull Zivko Edge 540 race plane inside one of the dual Catalca tunnels on the Northern Marmara Highway.

97.Ordu (LTCB)

Airports are a little sparse in this part of Turkey. So the first couple of legs are going to be between 70-80nm each. Once we reach the black sea we will continue east to Ordu. The area has a long history dating back to the 8th century. Ordu is famous for hazelnuts. So be sure to stuff yourself with chocolates before we hit the heat of the south.

98.SIIRT (LTCL)

Today we fly south toward the border with Iraq and Syria. Our stop today will be in the city of Siirt, Turkey. The Hurrians first settled in the region some four thousand years ago. Later, Hurrian-speaking people founded the Kingdom of Mitanni that also encompassed the area of Siirt Province and lasted from around 1500 BCE to 1300 BCE.

99.Sulaymaniyah (ORSU)

We're heading to the city of Sulaymaniyah. Located in the east of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, not far from the Iran–Iraq border. It is surrounded by the Azmar, Goyzha and Qaywan Mountains in the northeast, Baranan Mountain in the south and the Tasluja Hills in the west. The city has a semi-arid climate with very hot dry summers and cool wet winters. Since 2003 Iraq has seen a huge economic boom. Sulaymaniyah's economy today relies on tourism, agriculture and a number of small factories, most of which are involved in the building trade.