Where to visit in Turkey

Alanya

With its vast beaches, historic sites, the innumerable fish restaurants of its modern hotel and motel and its cafes, bars,Alanya is an outstanding holiday gateway. The first that greets the visitor is the 13th century Castle, which sits like a crown atop of Alanya Peninsula. Besides the impressive castle there is the shipyard and the Red Tower with monumental beauty. All long the road which runs beside the port are late night cafes and bars, boutiques selling handicrafts, leather clothing, jewelry, handbags and local gourds painted with extraordinary colors.If you like to explore caves then you must see all this in caves.Near the cave is the Ethnography Museum.

Bodrum

Today a popular holiday resort with a yacht harbor, hillside villas and palm-lined streets, Bodrum was known as Halikarnossos that, in the time of Mausollus, became one of the great cities of the Mediterranean. Mausollus’ father had ruled most of Caria and been recognized by the Persians as a satrap of the province. Though Mausollus continued to pay tribute to the Persians he has for practical purposes an independent ruler, controlling not only the hinterland but also most of the Greek cities of the coast together with neighboring island. The success of his policy depended on a fleet as well as on diplomacy and Halikarnossos provided him with a good harbor as well as a worthy site for his capital, which then enjoyed a prosperity it had never know before..

Cappadoccia

The history of Cappadocia began about 10 million years ago with the eruption of three volcanoes. The eruptions spread a thick layer of hot volcanic ash over the region, which hardened into a soft, porous stone called tuff. Time, wind, water and sand erosion wore away portions of the tuff, carved it into elaborate and amazing shapes. Water has found its way through the valleys creating cracks and ruptures in the hard rock. The softer, easily eroded material underneath has been gradually swept away and the sides have thinned out. In this way conical formations protected with basalt caps have been created, an this is the explanation for the formation of the fairy chimneys seen around Ürgüp.Cappadocia , which means ‘Land of beautiful horses’, is such a unique holiday resort due to Mother Nature’s overwhelming generosity. But Cappadocia’s well- deserved reputation as a wonderful place to visit stems also from its people who welcome you so generously.

Ephesus

According to the old legends, Ephesus was founded by the female warriors known as the Amazons. The name of the city is thought to have been derived from “APASAS”, the name of a city in the “KINGDOM OF ARZAWA” meaning the “city of the Mother Goddess”. Ephesus was inhabited from the end of the Bronze Age onwards, but changed its location several times in the course of its long history in accordance with habits and requirements. Carians and Lelegians are to be have been among the city’s first inhabitants. Ionian migrations are said to have begun in around 1200 B.C. According to legend, the city was founded for the second time by Androclus, the son of Codrus, king of Athens, on the shore at the point where the Küçük Menderes empties into the sea, a location to which they had been guided by a fish and a wild boar on the advice of the soothsayers. The Ionian cities that grew up in the wake of the Ionian migrations joined in a confederacy under the leadership of Ephesus. The region was devastated during the Cimmerian invasion at the beginning of the 7th century B.C.

Virgin Mary`s House

Located on the top of the Bulbul mountain 9 km ahead of Ephesus, the shrine of Virgin Mary enjoys a marvelous atmosphere hidden in the green. It is the place where Mary may have spent her last days. Indeed, she may have come in the area together with Saint John, who spent several years in the area to spread Christianity. Mary preferred this remote place rather than living in crowded place. The house is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stones. In the 4th century AD, a church, combining her house and grave, has been built.

Kusadasi

Kusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, providing a long tourism season. The city is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year. Numerous powdery sandy beaches with warm & clear waters, providing a peaceful atmosphere, allow a great variety of water and beach facilities. Windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and beach volley are only a few choice for the lovers of active life. After sunbathing restfully during the day, the city awaits the superb sunset. As the sun sets, the attractive cafes and restaurants through the palm-lined boulevard, get busier. It is a great delight to watch the comings and goings of the yachts and ships with accompanience of the panoramic view of the sunset, on a pre-drink before the dinner. The restaurants, serving a variety of fresh seafood &fish and Aegean specialties, offer a delicious meal in Kusadasi. Dancing and entertaining at a lively bar or a disco until dawn, may end an ideal day in Kusadasi.

Marmaris

Use to be small fishing village, Marmaris has ballooned into one of the Aegean coast, if not Turkey.Little of its history remains as the town is now a modern development with tourism at its heart and soul. The population swells to a massive 200.000 in the summer with most hotels, restaurants, night clubs, shops catering to low cost package holidays although there are facilities for all budgets.Despite the development which reaches around 10 km along the west of the bay, Marmaris is also well known for its expanse of green, presents the whole year round thanks th the pine covered hills which surround the town. There many villages close by for day trips.The yacht harbour is the biggest and newest in Turkey, therefor the busiest charter port especially for trips along the Turquoise Coast.In addition to the climate beaches and facilities of the town the transportation infrastructure is a definite plus for attraction visitors. It has easy connections to the nearby airport Dalaman, ferries to Rhodes. on the road Datca and Fethiye is the near resorts.The harbour has attracted private boats from around the world, with yacht maintenance and production in the workshops on the yalanci strait. Also Marmaris and Icmeler is very popular holiday resort in Turkey.

Oludeniz

Olu Deniz is one of the most photographed resorts in Turkey and over the years has probably featured on more holiday brochure covers than anywhere else in the world. Wisely, when Turkish tourism was in its infancy the local authorities realised how precious this place was and made it a conservation area, forever protecting the stunning shoreline and village from overdevelopment. The village resort is snuggled behind a curved strip of beach that forms an almost complete circle around a natural blue lagoon. Because of the limits on development all the accommodation in Olu Deniz are inland but within easy reach of the resort centre and the fabulous beach. Even though the beach is part of the conservation area there are areas set aside for watersports such as scuba diving, canoes and pedaloes. 31/01/09 Didim Today Altinkum News