IZMIR

Izmir - ( Izmir, Izmir Place, turkey Izmir, Information about izmir, Izmir History )

Izmir Information: Izmir, the city which is home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World...
"I am 8,500 years old..." says the city of Homer...
The legendary female warriors, the Amazons, founded Izmir, or Smyrna as it was called in Ancient Times, according to one story. Alternatively, according to another tale, the Lelegs established it. The city is located on the Aegean Coast in the west of Turkey, and the city is the biggest and most important settlement in the Aegean Region. Izmir, which has managed to modernize whilst preserving its archaeological and historical assets, is an important trade centre, because of its port. The diversity of activities and resources that Izmir is able to provide makes it a very attractive area for tourism. It boasts both spas with healing thermal waters, and the deep blue sea with beaches displaying the safety symbol of the blue flag. Izmir resonates with the water and the wind. Benefiting from the breeze from the Aegean Sea, Izmir enjoys a well-deserved reputation due to sights and ruins such as Bergama (Pergamon), Çeşme, Foça, Kemalpaşa, Selçuk, Tire and Urla, which are outstanding in terms of the richness of their natural and historical assets. It offers visitors many options for a unique holiday experience. Its geographical location means that Izmir enjoys a Mediterranean climate plus natural beauty, a rich cultural and historical heritage, beaches, thermal waters and spas. In addition, it boasts a rich cuisine, featuring grapes, figs, olives, citrus fruits and seafood, as well as the legacies left by civilizations over thousands of years.
The city, known as "Beautiful Izmir" 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. Izmir, which enjoys a special cultural and historical identity, is the third largest city in Turkey. Its port, located inside the gulf, is the second largest in Turkey. As a lively and cosmopolitan city, it occupies a significant place in Turkey's cultural life with the International Arts Festival and International Fair. The whole of the coastal road is enchanting. The districts of Alsancak and Karşıyaka are areas offering great opportunities to meet the locals in the many restaurants, cafes and along walking paths.
Address: IZMIR / TURKEY

FETHIYE

Fethiye - ( Fethiye, Fethiye Place, turkey Fethiye, Fethiye Information, Fethiye History )

Information About Fethiye In history Fethiye was known as the "Untouched Virgin of the Lands Lights" and today it is as if all the magnificence of the entire Mediterranean was concentrated in the bay of Fethiye : Its islands ,coves, long sandy beaches, and the entire riches of its history and natural beauty are before yopu to explore .With its excellent seas, highly developed facilities, and entertainment beyond belief, it is a paradise that caters to your possible requirement for remarkable holiday. The most impressive ancients ruins, the best sites for pragliding and water sports, most magnificent bays and beaches come together at Fethiye, along with mouth watering gastronomy.
Fethiye is a traditional market town set around a beautiful natural harbour. It is a large centre for scuba diving. Boats depart from here for day trips around the stunning coastline. The most popular boat trip is the twelve islands boat trip, which is an extremely relaxing way to spend the day, touring the beautiful coves and islands of the Gulf of Fethiye, with breaks for lunch and swimming. Life here continues all year around, and recently, many British nationals have chosen to make this relaxed area their home. There are a number of hotels in the town itself, which mostly attract older couples, who enjoy the traditional lifestyle and also like the fact that it is flat and easy to get around. There is a greater variety of shops in the narrow streets of the bazaar area, Paspatour, offering more competitive prices than those in any of the resorts. This area is also lively in the evening with a multitude of Turkish bars and live music. There is no beach in Fethiye itself although there are hotels which have access to the sea for swimming. Once the site of Telmessos, all that remains from this ancient city, are the Lycian rock tombs which overlook the modern town, a couple of Lycian sarcophagi and a small Roman theatre.
Oludeniz Ölüdeniz is the archetypal picture-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 watersports are allowed. The main resort beach is a long stretch of coarse sand and shingle beach known as Belceğiz. Most of the houses, built in the traditional local Muğla style, are set back from the beachfront. There is a strip alongside the seafront promenade with a number of relaxing bars and restaurants, serving local and international cuisine. Shops 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 depart from the bay for trips around the surrounding coast. Paragliding is a big draw with the descent from the Babadağ mountains to land on Belceğiz beach, rating as one of the best in the world.
Hisaronu Fifteen years ago there were only a few houses here but now it is a lively resort in its own right. Due to the planning restrictions and lack of space to expand in Ölüdeniz itself, many holidaymakers now stay in this lively village. It is in a stunning location, surrounded by stunning pine-clad mountains, and hotels are all built in the local style, low rise, mostly with rooms set in villa-style blocks and decorative wooden balconies. The beach of Ölüdeniz is just a short dolmush ride away (approx. 15 minutes), and the town of Fethiye is also very close, approximately the same distance away in the opposite direction. You can, however, easily spend your time in Hisarönü , lazing by the pool, and venturing out at the night to sample international or local fare in one of the many restaurants or visit its lively bars playing music well into the early hours. There are plenty of shops with a wider range on offer than in Ölüdeniz itself.
Ovacık Just a short distance from Hisarönü, is the newer resort area of Ovacık, which is essentially a collection of hotels and apartment buildings, blending in with the stunning mountain scenery. It is more peaceful than its neighbour, and all facilities are in the centre of Hisarönü just a short walk or dolmuş ride away. Ovacık makes a good base for those who want to walk in the surrounding countryside. Çalış Beach The nearest beach to Fethiye is Çalış beach, a pebble and coarse sand beach in a beatiful setting, which can be reached by boat or dolmuş from the town center. The seafront promenade with its hotels and restaurants is closed to traffic during the summer, making it safe for children. The resort has expanded around the beach, and has a relaxed feel popular with families and older couples.
Kayakoy One of the highlights of a stay in this area is a visit to the eerie ghost town of Kayaköy, literally 'stone village'. Once the Greek town of Karmylassos, it was abandoned in the 1920's. It has recently been the subject of renewed interest as it features as the setting for Louis de Bernières novel, 'Birds without Wings' which provides a fascinating insight into life here and the period of dramatic social change which took place in the time leading up to the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. There are around 400 houses here together with churches and other public buildings. It can be visited by dolmush on foot from Hisarönü or even on horse-back.
Gocek Göcek is popular with yacthing types who come here for its excellent marina. It is a charming resort with a range of sophisticated hotels and upmarket restaurants and boutiques. Saklıkent Gorge Known in Turkish as the 'hidden city' Saklıkent is a stunning mountain gorge some 44 kms from Fethiye, a narrow opening stretching an incredible 18 kms into the rockface of Mount Akdağ. A wooden walkway has been constructed above the icy cold waters of the mountain springs of Gökçesu and Ulupınar. If you are feeling particularly brave you can take a dip here, but otherwise the waterside cafes provide a relaxing break and a chance to enjoy the spectacular setting.
Address: Mugla Fetiye/ TURKEY

BODRUM

Bodrum - ( Bodrum, Bodrum Place, turkey Bodrum, Bodrum Information, Bodrum History )

Bodrum Information 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, Gümbet, Bitez, Ortakent, Bağla, Aspat, Karaincir, Akyarlar, Turgutreis, Gümüşlük, Yalıkavak, Gündoğan, Göltürkbükü, Torba, Güllük, 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, Gökova, 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.
Gümbet Named after the domed water-cisterns that speckle the countryside near-by, Gümbet is the closest beach to Bodrum - just 10 minutes away by car - and is very popular with British holidaymakers, many of whom choose to stay here close to the beach and venture into Bodrum at night. As it has grown in popularity, however, Gümbet has developed in its own right and now offers a wide choice of lively bars and restaurants, popular with a young crowd. Its long sandy beach is lined with hotels and pensions which attract many young people and water-sports enthusiasts with its large windsurfing school and diving courses.
Gumusluk Reached by a winding road from Gürece, Gümüşlük is very popular for its secluded setting. Ever since being designated as an archaelogical site, no major buildings have been allowed to alter the landscape, making it a very pleasant place to stay with its unspoilt scenery, long sand and gravel beach and a handful of excellent fish restaurants perched right on the sea-front. The site of the ancient Myndos, Gümüşlük is scattered with remnants of its historical past: as you look out towards the harbour you will spot the fortification wall, an ancient tower and submerged walls. Also, if you walk towards the south end of the beach, you will also be able to swim very close to some of the ruins, making it the perfect spot for snorkeling. Gümüşlük is accessible by dolmuş from Bodrum or from Turgutreis.
Turgutreis A sophisticated new marina adorns the waterfront at Turgutreis, complete with exclusive cafes, restaurants and boutiques, as well as a host of new bars and discos. Thought not very sandy, its beach is very popular with families because the sea is shallow for quite a way out, making it safer for young children. For a more peaceful alternative to the main beach, there is also a long and sandy beach near the lighthouse on the way towards Akyarlar. There is also good access to Bodrum from Turgutreis, with a regular dolmuş service that stops at the main square in Turgutreis.
Yalıkavak Formerly the area's main sponge-fishing port, the village of Yalıkavak maintains a relaxing atmosphere for quaint seaside eating. Its position in the north-western corner of the peninsula, 18 km from Bodrum means it is one of the least developed spots in the area with fewer hotels and self-catering apartments, making it an enjoyable stay away from the crowds. As you reach the bay, you will notice the ruins of three old windmills on the hills - the hills around the village are also perfect for picnics and walks, particularly in the spring when they are covered with a colourful carpet of wild flowers bursting newly into bloom.
Turkbuku Türkbükü is one of the Bodrum's best-kept secrets with its array of exclusive hotels, excellent sea-front restaurant s situated on wooden piers and trendy bars that burst into life after sunset. By day, its beach-front cafes and hotels are havens for the jet-set, with fantastic views of the beautiful bay and wooden platforms dotted with sophisticated sun-loungers from which to swim. Bitez: Bitez lies on a bay, a few kilometers west from Bodrum, attracting an older, more up-market crowd. The gently-sloping coarses and beach has wooden piers for swimming and is lined whitewashed hotels and resort villas, whilst also host to a popular windsurfing and sailing school - Its sheltered cove and swallow water are perfect for beginners. Backed by lush tangerine orchards, Bitez is perfect for those who want to escape the crowds, whilst also having good access to Bodrum with direct dolmuşes to and from the city.
Ortakent You can reach Ortakent from the main highway west of Bodrum and it is very popular with Turkish families. Its two-kilometer long beach is considered by many to be one of the best on the peninsula and is dotted with several restaurants, motels and some unique tower-houses. BODRUM HISTORY

Address: Mugla Bodrum / TURKEY