Located in the coast of the Black Sea, Constanța is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania and its history is apparent as you wander its streets. Muzeul de Artă Populară, or the Folk Art Museum, is housed in an intricate building (designed in the typical Romanian Neo-Brancovensecu style) which used to be both the town hall and the local post office. Here, you can become acquainted with richly decorated traditional crafts from the local region, which use materials like ceramics, wood and metal. Continue a few minutes on foot and you will find yourself at the Museum of National History and Archaeology, next to which a spectacular Roman building with a mosaic floor can be admired.

The largest port city on the Black Sea – known as the maritime capital of Bulgaria – Varna sports a stunning waterfront promenade perfect for winding down after a long day. In August, more than 15,000 visitors descend upon the city for the Varna Summer International Folklore Festival, which features performances by folk ensembles from around the world in an open-air theatre by the sea. Varna is also home to the International Arts and Crafts Fair ‘Bulgarika’; the largest art exhibition in Bulgaria, as well as the Love is Folly International Film Festival. The fair combines tradition and modernity, showcasing some of the best artists in fine art, crafts and music. Just over 30 minutes by train from Varna is the Barite Complex, an open-air museum with traditional houses and typical Bulgarian crafts. Fans of botany will also love Varna for its gardens and parks, including the nautically-inspired Sea Garden and the University Botanic Gardens.

Formerly known as Constantinople, Istanbul is a massive metropolitan area straddling Asia and Europe. With a population of 15 million, the city is Europe's most populous. Folk art is everywhere in Istanbul, perhaps best seen in the art of Turkish marbling (known as 'Ebru'), miniature painting or Turkish calligraphy. For prime examples, visit The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (Türk ve Islam Eserleri Müzesi), the world's richest collection of Islamic art. Don't leave Istanbul without a trip to the Grand Bazaar – a large market complex with a range of friendly faces, colourful lanterns, and labyrinthine hallways.

Located on the banks of the Porsuk river is Eskişehir, or 'Old City' in Turkish – some estimates date the city back more than 4,000 years. In the area around Kurşunlu Mosque, you will find the Eskișehir Handicraft Centre, where traditional crafts such as gilding and glassblowing are still practised. Take a walk around the quaint historic district when in Eskişehir to admire its compact collection of 19th-century houses, many of which are now home to a number of folk-art shops. There, you can try some Boza; a thick, creamy, cinnamon-topped fermented drink.