Eastern Anatolia travel (Istanbul)

Hello people from the town, would like to exchange information with people here who have travelled to the Eastern Anatolia already, I mean specifically those cities: Erzurum, Kars, Ağrı, Doğubeyazıt and Van. I'm planning to go to these places really soon, so would be nice to talk about. I already know this is a very cold time, but I'm trusting my winter clothes. I'm glad if someone can help me with references where to stay, what kind of accomodation is commonly found overthere, etc.