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Back to Istanbul: On Foot across Europe to the Great Silk Road
After trekking nearly 7,500 miles, from Istanbul, Turkey to Xi’an, China, French travel writer Bernard Ollivier thought he had put the Silk Road behind him—enough for a retiree to rest on his laurels! But that was before meeting his now-partner-in-life Bénédicte Flatet. Why, she asked, hadn’t he set out from France? After all, the city of Lyon was once Europe’s silk capital.
Now, at seventy-five years old, Ollivier decides to lace up his walking boots and head out to complete his Silk-Road journey, once and for 1,900 miles, from Lyon to Istanbul. Only this time, he won’t be alone. Flatet has long yearned to hike side-by-side with Ollivier, so the couple sets out together . . .
This unexpected fourth volume in Ollivier’s Silk Road series ( Out of Istanbul , Walking to Samarkand , and Winds of the Steppe ) is a wonderful bonus for the author’s not only is it the enthralling continuation of his long walk across Asia, it’s a new journey unto itself, across Europe, full of delightful firsts, such as the inclusion of short chronicles by Flatet. Through ten countries—from familiar France and Italy to the more mysterious Balkans—the intrepid pair invites us to discover the sometimes happy, sometimes tragic history of those they encounter, and to share in their daily lives. Back to Istanbul is both a fervent appeal for greater understanding among peoples, and a magnificent declaration of love.
Now, at seventy-five years old, Ollivier decides to lace up his walking boots and head out to complete his Silk-Road journey, once and for 1,900 miles, from Lyon to Istanbul. Only this time, he won’t be alone. Flatet has long yearned to hike side-by-side with Ollivier, so the couple sets out together . . .
This unexpected fourth volume in Ollivier’s Silk Road series ( Out of Istanbul , Walking to Samarkand , and Winds of the Steppe ) is a wonderful bonus for the author’s not only is it the enthralling continuation of his long walk across Asia, it’s a new journey unto itself, across Europe, full of delightful firsts, such as the inclusion of short chronicles by Flatet. Through ten countries—from familiar France and Italy to the more mysterious Balkans—the intrepid pair invites us to discover the sometimes happy, sometimes tragic history of those they encounter, and to share in their daily lives. Back to Istanbul is both a fervent appeal for greater understanding among peoples, and a magnificent declaration of love.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 18, 2025
I had a such a delightful time with Bernard Ollivier traveling from Istanbul to Xian, China in his previous 3 books about walking the silk road, that I thought that I must once again journey with him as he walked from Lyon, France to Istanbul.
Since last traveling with Bernard spent time canoeing the Laure River where he met Benedicte Flatet who he married. She asks him why he started in Istanbul and not France:
“What are you suggesting? That a 7,500-mile hike wasn’t enough? That I should have added 1,900 more between France and Istanbul and dodge bullets in Kosovo?” I replied ironically. I then pointed out that, as far as I was concerned, the Great Silk Road was first and foremost in Asia. But on second thought, I added: “You’re right, though: I could very well have set out from Lyon. After all, in the late nineteenth century, it was the greatest silk-making city in the world. It’s true that the Silk Road really did begin—or end, rather—right here at home.”
So the decision was made and they would venture to Istanbul together and make it a 2 year journey during the Summertime.
They would travel through France, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. As usual for Ollivier he met many interesting people, noted the sites of the region as well as the food. Traveling through the Balkan nations he also noted the ravages of war, and the lasting effects.
Traveling through Bulgaria, he and Benedicte were able to attend a concert of Bulgarian Voices that Benedicte loves. I will leave a link as a treat for the reader:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsDtm...
Since last traveling with Bernard spent time canoeing the Laure River where he met Benedicte Flatet who he married. She asks him why he started in Istanbul and not France:
“What are you suggesting? That a 7,500-mile hike wasn’t enough? That I should have added 1,900 more between France and Istanbul and dodge bullets in Kosovo?” I replied ironically. I then pointed out that, as far as I was concerned, the Great Silk Road was first and foremost in Asia. But on second thought, I added: “You’re right, though: I could very well have set out from Lyon. After all, in the late nineteenth century, it was the greatest silk-making city in the world. It’s true that the Silk Road really did begin—or end, rather—right here at home.”
So the decision was made and they would venture to Istanbul together and make it a 2 year journey during the Summertime.
They would travel through France, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey. As usual for Ollivier he met many interesting people, noted the sites of the region as well as the food. Traveling through the Balkan nations he also noted the ravages of war, and the lasting effects.
Traveling through Bulgaria, he and Benedicte were able to attend a concert of Bulgarian Voices that Benedicte loves. I will leave a link as a treat for the reader:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsDtm...
February 25, 2024
[Disclaimer: I am the translator of this book]
This review is by the translator, who fell in love with this book and asked to translate it. Author Bernard Ollivier embarks—at the youthful age of 75—on a walk across Europe, from France to Turkey, challenged as it were by his new life partner Bénédicte Flatet. This is a beautiful "voyage à deux", told by both partners, each in their own way. The narrative focuses especially on northern Italy and the volatile but oh-so-interesting and increasingly popular Balkan countries. Anyone planning to head to Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, or Bulgaria would enjoy this book before departure or during the journey. Although it is the fourth in Ollivier's "Longue marche" along the Great Silk Road, it can be read independently. Inspiring to see what older travelers can do when they put their mind to it. Chock full of Balkan history, which is still very relevant as revealed by recent events in the world today. Sarajevo figures significantly, recent wars, religions, and conflicts among different ethnic groups. But also so many beautiful encounters with locals.
Please note that this volume does not focus much on Turkey: for that, I would recommend the first in the series, "Out of Istanbul," in which Ollivier describes his walk across Anatolia from the Bosporus to Iran.
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Bernard Ollivier is Back on the Road!
After his unprecedented solo walk from Istanbul to China, his new life partner Bénédicte Flatet presents him with a fresh challenge: to walk across Europe from the former silk-making capital of Lyon, France, to Istanbul, Turkey, the western starting point of the Great Silk Road. But this time, he won't be alone: Flatet will walk with him. Here’s your chance to join Ollivier, now 75, and Flatet on this journey-of-a-different-kind, out of France, across Italy, and through the Balkans as they attempt to reach their final destination: Istanbul.
“Back to Istanbul: On Foot across Europe to the Great Silk Road,” by Bernard Ollivier and Bénédicte Flatet. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. Translated by Dan Golembeski. Available everywhere November 7, 2023.
This review is by the translator, who fell in love with this book and asked to translate it. Author Bernard Ollivier embarks—at the youthful age of 75—on a walk across Europe, from France to Turkey, challenged as it were by his new life partner Bénédicte Flatet. This is a beautiful "voyage à deux", told by both partners, each in their own way. The narrative focuses especially on northern Italy and the volatile but oh-so-interesting and increasingly popular Balkan countries. Anyone planning to head to Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, or Bulgaria would enjoy this book before departure or during the journey. Although it is the fourth in Ollivier's "Longue marche" along the Great Silk Road, it can be read independently. Inspiring to see what older travelers can do when they put their mind to it. Chock full of Balkan history, which is still very relevant as revealed by recent events in the world today. Sarajevo figures significantly, recent wars, religions, and conflicts among different ethnic groups. But also so many beautiful encounters with locals.
Please note that this volume does not focus much on Turkey: for that, I would recommend the first in the series, "Out of Istanbul," in which Ollivier describes his walk across Anatolia from the Bosporus to Iran.
-----
Bernard Ollivier is Back on the Road!
After his unprecedented solo walk from Istanbul to China, his new life partner Bénédicte Flatet presents him with a fresh challenge: to walk across Europe from the former silk-making capital of Lyon, France, to Istanbul, Turkey, the western starting point of the Great Silk Road. But this time, he won't be alone: Flatet will walk with him. Here’s your chance to join Ollivier, now 75, and Flatet on this journey-of-a-different-kind, out of France, across Italy, and through the Balkans as they attempt to reach their final destination: Istanbul.
“Back to Istanbul: On Foot across Europe to the Great Silk Road,” by Bernard Ollivier and Bénédicte Flatet. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. Translated by Dan Golembeski. Available everywhere November 7, 2023.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews