» Touristic Places
Aegean:
The Aegean shores of Turkey are among the loveliest landscapes in the country. The magnificent coastline, lapped by the clear water of the Aegean Sea, abounds in vast and pristine beaches surrounded by olive groves, rocky crags and pine woods. |
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» Izmir
Known in Turkish as "Beautiful Izmir" the city lies at the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. The climate is mild and in the summer the constant and refreshing sea breezes temper the sun's heat. Behind the palm-lined promenades and avenues which follow the shoreline, the city, in horizontal terraces, gently ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains.. Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and its port is second only to Istanbul. A cosmopolitan and lively city all year round, Izmir bursts with an added vibrancy during the International Arts Festival (June/July) and the International Fair (August/Sept). The original city was established in the third millennium B.C. (at present day Bayrakli), at which time it shared with Troy the most advanced culture in Western Anatolia. By 1500 B.C. it had fallen under the influence of the Central Anatolian Hittite Empire. In the first millennium B.C. Izmir, then known as Smyrna, ranked as one of the most, important cities of the Ionian Federation. During this period, one of the city's most brilliant, it is believed that Homer resided here. Lydian conquest of the city, around 600 B.C., brought this period to an end. Izmir remained little more than a village throughout the Lydian and subsequent sixth-century B.C. Persian rule. In the fourth century B.C. a new city was built on the slopes of Mt. Pagos (Kadifekale) during the reign of Alexander the Great. Izmir's Roman period, beginning in the first century B.C., was its second great era. Byzantine rule followed in the fourth century and lasted until the Seljuk conquest in the 11th century. In 1415, under Sultan Mehmet Celebi, Izmir became part of the Ottoman Empire.
Main Events: April 28-30; Theather and Folklore Festival in Ephesus. June-July; International Çeşme Song Festival, The International Arts Festival. July-August; Folklore and Sports Festival in Foça. August-September; International Trade Fair
Major Sights in İzmir: Archeology Museum, Ethnograpy Museum, Selçuk Yaşar Art Museum, Kadifekale, The Agora, The Şirinyer and Yeşildere Aqueducts, Mosques from Seljuk and Ottaman Periods. |
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» Cesme
Çeşme is one of Turkey's most beautiful stretches of coast, surrounded by clear blue seas, with a landscape of cultivated fields. Visitors can enjoy unspoiled bays, excellent holiday accommodation, restaurant, and sports and entertaintment facilities. Thermal bath offer a healty break from the rigors of modern life. Excellent shopping is avaible, with a good selection of carpets, leather goods and souvenirs. At night, a lively atmosphere pervades, especially in the restaurants, cafes, bars and discos along the promenade. Çeşme hosts many national and international meetings and conventions throughout the year.
Main events: July; The Annual International Song Contest. August-September; International Trade Fair. September; Cakabey International Optimist races.
Major Sights in the Environs: Citadel, Caravanserai, old town and houses, Ilıca, Boyalık Bay, Dalyan, Şifne, Paşa Liman, Çiftlikköy, Pırlanta Beach and Altınkum Beach, Ildıra (Erythrai), Alaçatı. |
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» Kusadasi
Kuşadası, literally "Bird Island," is a lovely port built around the shores of a glittering bay.
The terraced town overloks the most beautiful inlet of the Aegean and seems to have been created purely for the delight of the holiday maker. A large marina offers full facilities for visiting yachts. Quality hotels and holiday villages provide a wide range of accommodations. Discos and fish restaurants overlook the harbor. The picturesque old town offers superb shopping. Proximity to Ephesus and other ancients sites make Kuşadası an unusually attractive venue for meeting and conferances.
Main events: January; Camel Wrestling Festival. May; Ephesus Festival.
Major Sights in the Environs: Mehmet Paşa Carvanserai, Güvercinada (Pigeon Island), Dilek National Park, Ephesus, Miletos, Didyma, Priene, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Lake Çamiçi (Bafa), Heracleia, Bodrum, Samos. |
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» Pamukkale
Pamukkale ('Cotton Castle') is a natural wonder of mineral-rich waters cascading over travertines formed through the centuries and is set amid historic ruins. This thermal center 20 km North of Denizli is known all over the world for its restorative and therapeutic benefits for such maladies as rheumatism, dermatological and gynecological disorders as well as nervous and digestive complaints. Built by the King of Pergamum, Eumenes II, İN 190 BC, this ancient facility, then known as Hierapolis, has been continuously used and enjoyed. The waters come from the ground at 35 degrees Celsius and run over the travertines created by centuries of natural activity. The ruins include the octagonal church or martyrium of St. Philip, an extensive necropolis, and former baths. As it was long ago, this is still an enjoyable venue for meetings as well as a center for health, shopping, and relaxation with numerous hotels. To the north, just 5 km away is the thermal center of Karahayıt, whose waters are rich with iron.
Main Events: June; International Culture and Music Festival
Major Sight: St. Philip Martyrium, Hierapolis Baths, Theater, Temple to Apollo, Fountain, Avenue of Columns, Necropolis |
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» Selcuk
South of Izmir on the south Aegean, Selcuk has been transformed since the 1990s into a major tourist destination, mainly as a base to visit the famous ruins of Ephesus a few kilometres away. The ancient classical city is one of the best preserved in the eastern Mediterranean and is a great example of Roman architecture. Selcuk has many historical remains of early Christianity, including a house which many believe to have been visited by the Virgin Mary, and Ayasoluk Hill where St John write his Gospel. There are many small hotels and guest-houses, restaurants and shops which makes the town a good base to explore the area. The town gets busy during the famous annual camel wrestling festival, held in Ephesus around February.
Major Sight: Ephesus Artemis Temple known as one of the seven wonders of world today. Having a glass of home-made wine in Şirince, Walking around the ruins of Ephesus, and visiting the Virgin Mary’s House, Seeing the grotto of the Seven Sleepers, Visiting the Ephesus Archaeology Museum. - more info |
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» Didim (Didyma)
A neighbor of the ancient cities of Miletus and Priene, it is 108 km from Aydın. With transportation from the Bodrum airport via Akbük, it has some of the best sun, sand and sea in the Aegean region. It has a rich history and is an important tourist vacation spot, among the best on the Aegean coast. A prophetic oracle in ancient times, there is a large temple dedicated to the sun god Apollon here. The ancients' belief in fate was very powerful and they saw Apollon as a god of prophecy who would reveal their fate. - more info |
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» Bodrum
The town is dominated by the Crusader castle of St. Peter, now the Museum of Underwater Archeology. Bodrum, known in ancient times as Halicarnassus , was the birhplace of Heredotus and the site of the Tomb of King Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. With its typical Mediterranean architecture, lively narrow streets, attractive marina and friendly Bohemian atmosphere, Bodrum is an enchanting holiday destination with a wide variety of accommodation, lively nightlife and lovely scenery. Hotels and vacation villages in and around the town are equipped to handle meetings and conferences.
Main Events: September; Bodrum Art and Culture Weeek. October: Bodrum Cup (Gulette yacht races).
Major sights in the Environs: Castle of St. Peter, Underwater Archeology Museum, Mausoleum, Amphitheater, nearby beaches and villages. |
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» Marmaris
The marina is one of the largest and best-equipped in Turkey. Situated on a breathtakingly beautiful bay, Marmaris is surrounded by rugged pineclad mountains. Tranquil in its setting, Marmaris is ideal for water sports and sailing. Nevertheless, the town offers a lively atmosphere during the summer season, with a good variety of bars, restaurants and shops. Marmaris offers excellent venues for meetings and conferences with a wide range of accommodation and facilities.
Main events: May; Yacht Agents' Week and Harbor Festival June; Marmaris Festival November; International Yacht Cup Regatta.
Major Sights in the Environs: Citadel, Kaunos, Datça, Knidos, Priene, Miletos, Didyma. |
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