ANTALYA
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Antalya / Adrasan - Olympos |
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Antalya, the
Turkish Riviera is the most stunning part of Turkey's
Mediterranean coast. It is typical of Turkey, a thriving
modern city, with a historic heart in the centre of Kalei�i within the old city walls. This area has seen something of a
renaissance in recent years, with many of the wooden Ottoman
mansions being restored and turned into boutique hotels. No
cars are allowed in the narrow streets of the old town so it
is a good place to soak up the atmosphere around the charming harbour. The symbol of Antalya is the fluted minaret or Yivli
Minare built by the Seljuks in the 13th century. There are
plenty of interesting pieces in the Archaeological Museum,
from the Palaeolithic Age right through to Ottoman times.
Antalya has a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery, and the city is set
high on cliffs, with many of its grandest hotels overlooking
the sea on the outskirts of the town. The beach area of Lara,
approximately 12 km to the east is home to the best beach in
the area, known for its golden sand, which is rapidly becoming
a resort in its own right. To the west, the long pebble beach
of Konyaaltı is also popular. Heading up into the mountains,
you can make the most of the beautiful scenery by visiting the
spectacular D�den or Kurşunlu waterfalls. At Saklıkent, just
50 km away from the city centre, you can even ski, where they
usually have snow on the slopes until early April.
The Altın Portakal
(Golden Orange) film festival is held annually in the autumn.
Antalya has a large number of 5 star hotels, many of which
have meetings facilities, and this, together with the Pyramid
Congress Centre which can hold up to 3000 delegates make it a
popular venue for conferences.
There are many
holiday resorts like Alanya, Belek, Kalkan, Kaş, Kekova,
Kemer, Olympos, Patara, Side within the borders of Antalya region.
The most
popular Historic Sites of Antalya Region:
Aspendos: Just 50 km east of Antalya,
Aspendos was an important centre of trade during Roman times.
Today, the most impressive aspect of Aspendos is her stunning
theatre, which was built in approx. 162 AD. It seats 15,000
and has been beautifully preserved. Each year it hosts the
Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival which takes place in June
and July and gives you the opportunity to see performances of
classics in a magnificent setting. The aqueduct, which
supplied water to the city is also still relatively intact and
is an impressive sight.
Phaselis: The three harbours of this Lycian port city
were once a major commercial centre. In the shelter of Mount
Tahtalı, it is a popular stopping off point for yachts, and
its clear waters and sandy beaches are popular with sun-seekers.
The remains are mostly Roman and include a theatre, baths,
aqueducts, Hadrian's Gate, an agora and an acropolis.
Perge: Just 18 kms from Antalya, Perge was an
important city in Pamphylia and was visited by St.Paul during
his missionary journeys. Today, the city gate flanked by lofty
towers, theatre and baths are of interest.
Demre: Also known as Kale, the ancient city
of Myra, is mostly famous for its connection with St. Nicholas,
who was bishop here in the 4th century. His church is the
focus of the annual ceremony which takes place to commemorate
him on or around his feast day of 6th December. It is well
worth seeing the Roman theatre which remains here, overlooked
by spectacular rock tombs, dating from the 4th century BC.
ALANYA
Alanya is a beautiful holiday centre with its beautiful sandy
beaches, modern hotels and motels, as well as numerous fish
restaurants, cafes, clubs and bars. The cafes that ring the
harbour are popular gathering places for tourists and locals.
From the towns lovely park, the road runs along the coast to
the harbour, lined with many small shops that offer
handicrafts, leather clothes, jewellery, handbags and the
amusing painted gourds that are unique to the area. There are
three blue flag beaches and many sights including Damlataş
Cave, Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, Dim �ayı Valley,
three see grottoes: Fosforlu Mağara, Kızlar Mağarası and
Aşıklar Mağarası and many more.
BODRUM & G�mbet, Yalıkavak, Turgutreis, T�rkb�k� …
A world renowned
holiday and entertainment peninsula, Bodrum is a paradise for
its climate, sea, natural beauty, magnificent coves and
history, as well as for its modern nightlife where the show
goes on until sunrise. Its many resorts and hotels cater for
every need of their visitors. Since the dawn of the time,
Bodrum, known in antiquity as Halircarnasus, has amazed human
beings, and carried imprint of many cultures and civilizations,
including the Carian, Leleges’, Persian, Dorian, Helen, Roman,
Byzantine, and Ottoman.
Sights &
Attractions:
The seaside
villages, bays and coves of Bodrum, G�mbet, Bitez, Ortakent,
Bağla, Aspat, Karaincir, Akyarlar, Turgutreis, G�m�şl�k,
G�m�şl�k, Yalıkavak, G�ndoğan, G�lt�rkb�k�, Torba, G�ll�k, are
world-famous, and each has its own charm and peculiarities.
Bodrum Castle,
built by The Knights of St. John, which has become a symbol of
the peninsula. At present it hosts the Bodrum Museum of
Underwater Archaeology which was awarded the “Certificate of
Special Commendation” in the “European Museum of the Year
Award” competition in 1995. For the history enthusiast,
another must see place in Bodrum is the remains of the
Mausoleum.
Blue Voyage: The
Blue Voyage, also known as the Blue Cruise ("Mavi Yolculuk" in Turkish) is a term used for the recreational boating tours
departing from Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, G�kova, Fethiye and
Antalya. These trips are a unique tranquil holidays to enjoy
the beautiful bays and coves which can only be reached by sea,
to swim in unpolluted waters in a myriad of shades of blue, to
visit magnificent antique sites such as Knidos.
CAPPADOCIA
The region known as
Cappadocia includes the centres of �rg�p, G�reme, Avanos, ��hisar, Derinkuyu, Kaymaklı and Ihlara. It is a stunning area
of other-worldly rock formations, subterranean churches and
underground dwellings, the scale of which is over-whelming.
The area is also famous for its carpet-weaving, wines and the
distinctive red pottery of the Avanos area. Cappadocia was a
refuge for the early Christians, who escaped persecution by
living and worshipping underground. There are an estimated
3000 rock churches in this region, not all of which are open
to the public
The village of
G�reme itself is at the heart of the area's tourist industry,
and many of its villagers still live in cave dwellings, some
of which have been converted into pensions. Surrounding the
area are the amazing rock formations known evocatively as Peri
Bacaları or 'Fairy Chimneys'.
Located to the west
of Niğde, is the stunning Ihlara Vadisi, a gorge which is 10
km long and some 80 metres wide. Popular for trekking, about
12 of its 60 churches are open to the public including the
impressive Eğritaş Church.
There are hundreds
of underground cities in the regions. Two of the most
impressive are Kaymaklı, which has 8 levels, and Derinkuyu,
which reaches down to 55 metres. They were used by the
Christians fleeing persecution in the 7th century, who created
a self-sufficient environment underground including bedrooms,
kitchens and storage rooms.
DİDİM & Altınkum
Didim is one of the
most beautiful holiday resorts on the Aegean coast of Turkey.
Located on a peninsula, where the B�y�k Menderes River reaches
the sea, the resort has secluded coves, golden sand beaches,
natural harbours and nearby Lake Bafa. The important Ionian
cities of Miletos and Didyma, home of the famous prophet in
ancient times, are also near Didim. The Temple to Apollo at
Didim was one of the most sacred places of antiquity. Though
many times looted and burned, the sanctuary still possesses
elegant beauty.
Altınkum
Altınkum literally means 'golden sand' an apt description of
the beautiful beach in this relaxed resort. Popular with
families it has a range of accommodation and plenty of
restaurants and bars for entertainment. There are lots of
shops and an attractive street market in the centre. It is
popular with both Turkish and international holidaymakers.
FETHİYE & G�cek, �l�deniz, Ovacık, Hisar�n�
Fethiye is a traditional market town set around a beautiful natural harbour.
It is a big centre for scuba diving and boats leave from here
for day
trips around the
stunning coastline. There are number of hotels in the town
itself, which mostly attracts older couples, who enjoy the
traditional lifestyle and also like the fact that it is flat
and easy to get around. There is greater variety of shops in
the narrow of the bazaar area, Paspatur. In the evenings, head
for this lively area for live music and bars.
Ol�deniz
�l�deniz has a typical postcard beach, backed by dramatic pine-clad hills.
Literally translated as 'dead sea', the stunning lagoon is a
protected area, ensuring that its natural beauty is preserved.
There is a small entrance charge to use the lagoon beach and
only non-motorised water sports are allowed on the lagoon
itself. The main resort beach, which is free entry, is the
long stretch of coarse sand and shingle, known as Belcekız
beach. There is a strip alongside the seafront promenade with
a number of relaxing bars, restaurants serving local and
international cuisine and shops which stay open well into the
night. It is a perfect family resort, great for a laid-back
beach holiday, with plenty of facilities but not too much
development. Boats leave from the bay for trips around the
surrounding coast and paragliding is a big draw with the
descent from the Babadağ mountains to land on Belcekız beach,
recognised as one of the best in the world.
G�cek
G�cek, a free motor traffic town, has numerous and beautiful
coves, is the most popular spot for the yachts and Blue Cruise
boats. It is a meeting point for international celebrities and
with its four marinas, small shops and retaurants.
Hisar�n�
and Ovacık
Twenty year ago there was only few houses in Hisar�n� bu now
it is a lively resort in its own right. It is in a stunning
location, surrounded by pine-clad montains, and hotels are
built in the local style. The beach of �l�deniz is just a 15
minute ride away. Just a short distance from Hisar�n�, is the
newer resort area of Ovacık, which is essentially a collection
of hotelks and apartment buildings, blending in with the
stunning mountain scenery.
İSTANBUL
İstanbul is the
only city in the world built on two continents. Its fate has
been determined by its vital strategic location and enchanting
natural beauty. It had long been coveted by powerful empires;
it served as capital first to Byzantine, and then to the
Ottoman Empire. İstanbul stretches along the two shores of the
Bosphorus (İstanbul Strait) that links the Sea of Marmara with
the Black Sea. It is Turkey's largest city with a population
of approximately over 12 million. Istanbul is also at the
heart of the economy of Turkey. The largest companies and
banks, the media and advertising agencies all have their
headquarters in this city.
İstanbul is also
the capital of art and culture with a rich tradition in opera
and ballet, theatres, concerts, art exhibitions, festivals,
auctions, conferences and of course unique museums. As an
imperial capital for 1500 years, İstanbul has acquired a
highly original personality. At every turn in the city you are
faced with Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman palaces, mosques,
churches, monasteries, monuments, walls and ruins. Yet
İstanbul is not a city living only in its past. It is a
vibrant, modern and future-oriented metropolis. Bazaars and
ultra-modern shopping centres and department stores, street
vendors and stock brokers, old crumbling buildings and
skyscrapers coexist and this amalgam gives the city a multi-faceted
outlook and flavour. İstanbul is like an intricately woven
carpet, a subtle blend of eastern and western cultures.
Cultural
Treasures:
Having been the capital of two major empires, İstanbul today
is in architectural monuments across the city which reflects
the past splendour. The area between the Sea of Marmara and
the Golden Horn is sometimes referred to as the "Peninsula of
History" because of its many Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman
works. The Topkapı Palace, residence of the Ottoman
Sultans, Ayasofya (hagia Sophia), the jewel of Byzantine
architecture, and the mosques of S�leymaniye and Sultanahmet (Blue
Mosque) which dominate the Skyline of Istanbul are all located
here.
The area opposite
the shore of the Golden Horn was formerly known as "Pera",
meaning "the other shore". Settled by Genoese and Venetians in
the 12th century, it became a quarter inhabited mostly by
Levantines and represented the western face of İstanbul. The
Galata Tower built by the Genoese, the narrow streets
reminiscent of Italian cities, the stately consulates, which
were the embassies before the capital moved to Ankara, and the
"art nouveau" buildings along İstiklal Caddesi all reflect the
very cosmopolitan character of ancient İstanbul.
Palaces, summer
palaces, castles and large mansions built by the Ottomans
continue to adorn
İstanbul. The Yıldız Palace and Dolmabah�e, on the shores of
the İstanbul Strait were once the residences of the Ottoman
Sultans after Topkapı Palace. The shores of the İstanbul
Strait are also famous for the elegant wooden houses and
mansions (yalı) built along the edge of the water.
İZMİR
The city, known as
“Beautiful İzmir” in Turkey, is located at the start of a long
and narrow gulf, decorated with yachts, passenger ships and
gulf steamers. It has a warm climate and the cooling sea
breeze in the summer takes away the burning heat of the sun.
İzmir, which enjoys a special cultural and historical identity,
is the third largest city in Turkey.
Beaches and
holiday resorts: 101 km of golden sands. The Aegean
coastal strip in the Province of Izmir runs for a length of
629 km. A 101 km section of this coastal strip is a natural
beach. The geographical formation of Izmir's coastal strip
consisting of a peninsular and some small bays provide ideal
opportunities for water sports as well as the use of a beach.
The most popular beaches in the province include beaches at
Pamucak, Altınkum, G�m�ld�r and �zdere in the south, Urla, Ceşme, Ilıca, Ala�atı in the east, as well as those at Dikili, �andarlı, Fo�a, �ren in the north.
Historic
Sights: The cities of the Seven Churches of
the Apocalypse, mentioned by St. John in the Book of
Revelation, are found in Turkey. All of these world known
ancient cities, Ephesus (Efes), Smyrna (İzmir), Pergamum
(Bergama), Thyatira (Akhisar), Philadelphia (Alaşehir), Sardis
(Sart) and Laodicea (Eskihisar) are within borders of İzmir except the last one which is in Denizli, an Aegean Interior
city. Ephesus (Efes) and Pergamum (Bergama), in particular,
are the cities of ancient world that one should not miss to
visit.
KALKAN
In recent years, Kalkan has become an in spot for upmarket
couples seeking a taste of authentic Turkey. It is a pretty
village of stone-built houses set on a hillside around the
attractive harbour. Narrow lanes lead down to the seafront,
packed with shops, sophisticated bars and restaurants, mostly
serving traditional Turkish fare, with some excellent seafood
and fish restaurants on the harbour-front. The roads are steep
so you need to be relatively fit to get around, but the hotels
and villas set higher up on the hillside, benefit from
stunning views down over the pretty bay. Due to the landscape
there is simply no room for large-scale development so most of
the hotels are small and intimate. The resort has expanded
rapidly in recent years, however, and the buildings have
extended beyond Kalkan itself to the bays on either side, such
as Kalamar bay to the west - a long walk or a short taxi ride
away from the centre. Most of the hotels on the seafront in
this area and the 'beaches' have access to the sea via
platforms or ladders, straight into deep water. Kalkan does
have a small pebble town beach, but serious beach-lovers head
out to stunning Kaputaş, approximately 6 km away, a fine
pebble and shingle beach which has clear, stunning turquoise
water. Others prefer the long stretch of sandy beach of
Patara. Boats leave from the harbour here and from nearby Kaş,
approx. 26 km away, for trips around the bays and to the
surrounding islands. Kalkan has a unique ambience and is one
of the most sophisticated of Turkey's resorts, but is not
recommended for those with difficulty in walking or for those
with small children. The ancient sites of Xanthos and Letoon
are within easy reach of Kalkan.
KEMER
Kerner was one of Turkey's first purpose
built resorts, carefully planned to blend in with the
surrounding scenery. At its heart is the attractive marina, a
stopping-off point for yachts on the blue cruise. Around it
are sophisticated shops, bars and restaurants catering for the
resort's well-heeled clientele. Kemer Beach is a clean pebble
beach, but the main resort areas are on the beaches located a
little further out, namely Kızıltepe, G�yn�k, Beldibi, �amyuva
and Tekirova. Surrounded by pine forests, they offer a range
of accommodation including five star hotels, all designed to
blend in to the natural environment.
KUŞADASI
Kuşadası is one of
Turkey's largest and most cosmopolitan resorts and a stopping
off point for the big cruise liners. It is a good all round
resort, offering beautiful beaches, excellent shopping, great
historic sights, and varieties of nightlife.
Kuşadası literally
means 'Bird Island' and takes its name from the tiny islet
known as G�vercin Adası or Pigeon Island, which is attached to
the mainland by a causeway and boasts a 14th century Genoese
fort. The old town, having an Ottoman built traveller's inn
(Kervansaray) in its centre, is a popular shopping and
entertainment area.
Antique cities of
Ephesus, Miletos and Didyma, Virgin Mary's House, St. John’s
Basilica are world renowned historic sights near Kuşadası.
Dilek Peninsula National Park in he south is another major
touristic destination with its bewitching natural beauty with
its trees, canyons, inlets, beaches, picnic areas, pathways.
MARMARİS &
�meler, Turun�, Bozburun
Marmaris is one of
Turkey's most popular resorts, which attracts lots of British
holidaymakers, many of whom return year after year. It is a
favourite with families and young couples alike. It is in a
stunning setting, its geography remarkably similar to that of
the fjords, with pine-clad hills dropping steeply to the sea,
jagged inlets and tiny rocky islets off the coast.
There is a wide
choice of accommodation, from five star luxury to self-catering
apartments, but the vast majority is of three star standard.
Most of the accommodation is built on either side of the main
seafront road, some is on the seafront itself, but many of the
newer hotels are on the hillside in areas such as Armutalan.
There are many
water sports centres in Marmaris or at the coves, ready to
assist you in surface or underwater sports adventures -
including extreme sports. Akvaryum (Aquarium) Cove, Baca (Chimney)
Sea Cave and reef area are the fascinating diving spots for
domestic and foreign visitors. Nature and adventure sports
such as rafting on Dalaman Stream, and trekking tours are
organised by travel agencies. Jeep Safari is yet another
alternative.
Some of the sites
of ancient cities in the environs of Marmaris are as follows:
Amos (Hisaronii-Turung), Bybassos (Hisaronii), Kastabos (Hisaronu),
Syma (Bayir Village), Larymna (Bozburun), Thyssanos (Sogiit),
Phoinix (Tashca), Loryma (Bozukkale), Kasara (Serge Harbour),
Cedrai (Sedir Island), Euthena and Amnistos.(Karacas6gut).
�meler
�meler is a popular resort with families. It is much greener
than neighbouring Marmaris, with wide streets lined with
threes and a relaxed ambiance. It nestles in the shelter of
dramatic pine-clad mountains with a wide sweeping bay of
coarse sand, where all kinds of water sports are available.
The waters are shallow and calm making it relatively safe for
children. There is an abundance of restaurants, serving a full
range of Turkish and international cuisine, plenty of lively
bars and lots of shops. For those who want serious nightlife,
Marmaris is just a short dolmuş or taxi ride away.
Turun�
Turun� is reached by a steep, winding road, which snakes
around the mountains from �meler, a sleepy resort, full of
character. The accommodation here is mainly small family-run
hotels, with some good self-catering properties. The main
street has a good selection of restaurants with a few music
bars, and enough shops to cater for your immediate holiday
requirements.
Bozburun
Bozburun has a stunning setting and is also famous for pine,
flower and thyme honey. Its isolated location and peaceful
atmosphere has attracted people escaping city life, and is
especially popular with Turkish tourists. There are buses from
Marmaris, 50km away, which makes a pleasant day trip, and
there are many interesting walks in the surrounding
countryside.
SİDE
The old town of Side is set on a
peninsula with sandy beaches to either side, surrounded still
by the ancient city walls. It boasts an impressive ancient
Hellenistic theatre, the largest in the area, with seating for
17,000 overlooking the sea; a charming museum and the stunning
Temple of Apollo, a romantic spot at sunset. The old town is
limited by the walls and the sea, which has been a bonus,
meaning that the accommodation here is mostly pensions and
small hotels. The long stretch of sandy beach a few kilometres
outside the old town, known with good reason as Kumk�y (sand
village) has become the centre of tourism development in the
town and is now home to large four and five star hotels and
good quality self-catering accommodation. Side has something
for everyone: great beaches, history, an abundance of shops,
lively nightlife and a good choice of restaurants.
PAMUKKALE
The stunning white
terraces of Pamukkale and the neighbouring site of Hierapolis
are situated inland, close to the town of Denizli. They can be
reached from most of the coastal resorts on a one day trip but
Kuşadası is the closest - approximately 4 hours drive away.
Pamukkale literally
means 'cotton castle' and is one of Turkey's most impressive
natural wonders. It is made up of a series of white travertine
terraces cascading down a cliff, which is almost 200 metres
high. The hard, white mineral deposits, which from a distance
resemble snow, are caused by the high mineral content of the
natural spring water which runs down the cliff and congregates
in warm pools on the terraces. This is such a popular tourist
attraction that strict rules had to be established in order to
preserve its beauty, which include the fact that visitors may
no longer walk on the terraces. Those who want to enjoy the
thermal waters, however, can take a dip in the nearby pool,
littered with fragments of marble pillars. It was the thermal
waters which lead to the founding of the spa town of
Hierapolis at the end of the 2nd century BC by the dynasty of
the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon. The remains include the
ancient ruins of the baths, temples, the well-preserved
theatre, and the largest necropolis or graveyard in Anatolia
containing over 1200 tombs.
Note
: quoted from goturkey.com