Climate, Geography & Regions

Climate

It is commonly said that you can experience each of the four seasons on the same day in some part of Turkey. During the spring months early tourists bask in the Mediterranean sunshine of the south while on the lofty mountain tops above people are skiing. The Black Sea region glistens under spring rains while Southeastern Anatolia still sleeps under a blanket of snow. In some areas the temperature variation over 24 hours can be as much as 20 oC. Average precipitation from region to region also varies enormously. For a country located in a temperate climatic zone, this variety is unusual, and is due to the diverse nature of Turkey’s landscape, ranging as it does from low-lying plains to towering peaks, and in particular to the existence of mountain ranges running parallel to the coast.

The Mediterranean region, to the joy of the millions of sun worshipers who visit it annually, experiences the hot, dry summers typical of southern Greece and Italy, and its mild winters last only from December to March. The climate of the Aegean is similar though with lower temperatures. The climate of the Marmara Sea and Istanbul, influenced by the Balkan Peninsula, is less appealing. Warm, humid summers are followed by cool, rainy winters with lots of grey sky but not much snow. The Northern slopes of the Black Sea ranges and the narrow strip of land bordering the ‘Pontus Euxine’ are misted over with rain year-round and are known for the resulting luxuriant green vegetation. The summers of the Central Anatolian plateau are hot and dry and the winters cold but fairly dry. Further east, the altitude increases and harsh winters with heavy snow between October and May are followed by blazing hot summers. In the Southeast a Middle Eastern influence exerts itself with cool dry winters and torrid summers

Geography

The total area Turkey covers is approximately 800.000 sq km, which makes it one of the biggest countries in Europe and the Middle East. Its neighbours are Greece and Bulgaria on the norhtwest, Armenia and Georgia on the northeast, Iran and Iraq on the southeast and Syria on the south. Turkey has no direct border with Russia, but shares the Black Sea. The other seas that cover Turkey are the Aegean in the west and the Mediterranean in the south. In the words of a Turkish poet, Turkey is a huge big peninsula that looks like the head of a horse, and is surrounded by seas on three sides.

Regions

The areas most popular with the home buyers are all located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Enclosed below is a brief description of each of these areas.

map_of_turkey

Altinkum  Alanya  Antalya  Belek   Bodrum  Cesme  Dalaman  Dalyan
Datca  Fethiye  Gokova  Kalkan   Kas  Kemer  Kusadasi  Marmaris   Side

Altinkum

Altinkum, which means ‘Golden Sand’, is a well established seaside resort on the Turkish Aegean coast. It is well known throughout the region for its beautiful sandy beaches and bustling beach front full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Didim is the main town associated with Altinkum and is particularly famous for its Saturday market and the ancient Didyma, site of the Temple of Apollo which was once the centre of a Miletian sacred precinct that was first built around 560 BC.

Altinkum life centers on Dolphin Square, with its myriad of shops, pavement cafes and nice restaurants. If you go around the Dolphin Square and you will see the stunning golden sands of Altinkum beach, and the rich blue water of the Aegean Sea.

History: Didyma (nearby Didim, in the Aegean region of Turkey) was a cult center for the city of Miletus. It is located in the present day village of Yeniköy, about fifteen kilometers from the site of Miletus. In ancient times, it was connected to its mother city by a sacred road that had statues located on either side of it. The Didymaion, the temple to Apollo and its oracle at Didyma, was of considerable repute among the ancients. German archaeologists excavating at the site have shown that the earliest sanctuary here was built in the 8th century B.C. and that it was enlarged into an enormous temple around 560 B.C. After their bloody suppression of the Ionian rebellion, the Persians sacked and laid waste to Miletus (which they regarded as the instigator) and the Didymaion in 494 B.C. It was during this assault that the temple's cult statue of Apollo was carried off to Ecbatana. After Alexander the Great defeated the Persians in 334 B.C., the Ionian cities regained their independence and work was begun on reconstructing the Apollo temple.

Around 300 B.C., King Seleukos I of Syria, who then controlled western Anatolia, had the bronze statue of Apollo brought back from Ecbatana to be installed in the new temple, to whose construction he also provided monetary assistance. The new building was designed by the architects Paionios and Daphnis. The former was from Ephesus and was one of those who worked on the Artemision there. The temple was planned on a much grander scale than the original sanctuary and indeed it was the third largest religious structure in the ancient world being surpassed only by the Ephesian Artemision and a temple on the island of Samos. The Hellenistic temple measured 109.34 by 51.13 meters and had a total of 124 columns. It was set on a seven-stepped platform measuring 3.5 meters high and in the center of the east front there was a separate flight of fourteen steps. The construction of so huge a building naturally took a long time and continued during the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C. One section was only completed in Roman times. While the temple suffered repeatedly from fires and earthquakes, it sustained the worst damage in an earthquake in 1493.

The columns still standing measure 2.40 meters in diameter and 19.70 meters in height. The double row of columns surrounding the temple was covered over with a marble roof as was the temple proper. The central courtyard measured 53.63 by 21.71 meters and was the site of the archaic period temple. During Hellenistic times, a small temple (called as naiskos) was built here to house the bronze statue of Apollo. Its surrounding walls were 25 meters in height and decorated with Gryphons. The cellar was unroofed. East of the adyton (sacred courtyard) is a great stairway of 24 steps measuring 15.20 meters wide. This flight of steps leads up to a windowless, three door hall where the oracle was written down and delivered. The hall measured 20 meters high and had a marble roof. East of the chamber, a door 5.63 meters wide and 14 meters high leads to the pronaos. The pronouncement of the oracles could only be listened to from outside the chamber. Stairways led to the upper floor. On either side of the entrance are doors measuring 2.25 meters high and 1.2 meters wide that each connects to a narrow, vaulted tunnel leading to the adyton. At the far end of each corridor is a small propylon-like room.

Alanya

With its vast beaches, historic sites, the innumerable fish restaurants of its modern hotel and motels and its cafes and bars, Alanya, is an outstanding holiday getaway. The first thing that greets the visitor is the 13th century Seljuk Castle, which sits like a crown atop of Alanya Peninsula. Besides the impressive castle, there is the shipyard and the Red Tower (Kızıl Kule) with monumental beauty. All along the road which runs beside the port are late night cafes and bars and boutiques selling handicrafts, leather clothing, jewelry, handbags and local gourds painted with extraordinary colors. If you like to explore caves, then you must see Damlataş Cave.

Near the cave is the Ethnography Museum. By boat you can reach three other caves: the Phosphorous Cave with its phosphoric rocks, Girls Cave (Kızlar Cave), where pirates held their women prisoners, and Lovers Cave (Aşıklar Cave). The cool shade of Dim Brook Valley, 15 km east of Alanya, is an ideal place to get away and relax. The sea all around Alanya is excellent for swimming. Alanya is a paradise of sun, sea and sand.

History: Based on skeletal evidence found between the villages of Bademağacı and Oba northeast of the city, Alanya is believed to have been inhabited in pre-historic times.Alanya was sometimes considered part of Cilicia and sometimes part of Pamphilia. It was later ruled by the Hittites and Romans respectively. In a bad state of repair after a number of invasions and wars, the city was rebuilt by the Romans. In the Byzantine era, Alanya was called Kolonoros, which means the 'beautiful mountain'.

Climate: Because of its climate, plants from all over the world can be found in Alanya. Some of the most common are oranges, bananas, vegetables of all kinds, tropical fruits from South Africa and India such as papaya, guava, avocado and a variety of dates and coffees. Alanya has a typical Mediterranean climate with wet humid winters and hot dry summers. The average temperature year-round is 19ºC. The water averages 21ºC.

Airport: Antalya International Airport is only 2 hours from Alanya Centre. Antalya Airport has direct flights from UK and many European capitals.

Antalya

Because of the archaeological and natural riches of the area, Antalya is also known as the Turkish Riviera. The sun, sea, nature and history combine to form a very popular resort, highlighted by some of the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean. The 630km shoreline of the province is liberally scattered with ancient cities, harbors, memorial tombs and beaches, secluded coves and lush forests, many of which are easily accessible from the city.

With its palm-lined boulevard, internationally-acclaimed marina, and old castle with traditional architecture, all set amidst a modern city, Antalya is a major tourist centre in Turkey. In addition to the wide selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops, the city also plays host to a number of sporting events throughout the year, like International Beach Volleyball, triathlon, golf tournaments, archery, tennis and canoeing competitions. The Cultural Centre, which opened in 1995, hosts cultural and art events in the fields of music, theatre, and creative arts. The main area of interest in the city is central old quarter within the Roman walls, known as Kaleici, and there are many good museums

Airport: Antalya airport is 10km east of the city centre, and has direct flights from UK and many European capitals. It is well connected to other parts of Turkey, and in summer has eight daily direct flights from Istanbul and two from Ankara.

Belek

Belek is a modern resort situated on the Mediterranean coast. Its warm climate and proximity to Antalya, in particular the City’s international airport, make it an ideal year-round golfing location. The resort is set along a long, sandy beach which backs onto a forest of pine and eucalyptus trees, at the foot of the snow-capped Taurus Mountains. This top class golfing location is complimented further by hotels of the highest standard which benefit from a range of sporting and leisure facilities. The region has 32 four or five-star hotels and first-class holiday villages and five golf courses. All of the facilities that have been designated first-class provide an ideal atmosphere for families and meticulously offer many opportunities and services aimed at pleasing their guests. All the facilities offer floodlit tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, completely equipped health centers, play areas and many more possibilities. Belek also has the unique bonus of cultural and historical sights. In neighboring regions, there is the Hellenistic / Roman city of Perge, which is rated second after Ephesus and the great amphitheater of Aspendos that still today can hold nearly 15.000 viewers. Nearby as well are the fantastic Manavgat Falls and the Roman city of Side with its large amphitheater.

Airport: Antalya airport is 12 km from Belek centre, and has direct flights from UK and many Europen capitals. It is well connected to other parts of Turkey, and in summer has eight daily direct flights from Istanbul and two from Ankara.

Bodrum

Homer's description of Bodrum as "The land of eternal blue" and the words of another resident of Bodrum, Cevat Şakir, who said "The heavenly bliss of life in Bodrum is better than any eternal bliss that may await us”, were not without foundation in reality. Throughout history Bodrum, known as Halicarnassos in ancient times, has always been fought over and people have been unwilling to share its beauty with others.

Built on a peninsula formed by the meeting of the eastern and western harbors, Bodrum, with its narrow streets winding down to the sea, is famous for its castle, its world-renowned yachts, its shipyards and the dazzling white houses and tombs lining the shores of its two harbors.

Bodrum has all the facilities to meet the expectations of tourists from all income levels ranging from the rich yacht owners to the penny counting tourists who just want a reasonable room to make his vacation last all summer.

History: Bodrum has been the cradle of several civilizations. Down through the ages it has suffered from the countless invasions of those coming from the Aegean islands and has been important to all those powers wishing to dominate the Aegean.Halicarnassos(Bodrum) was an important city in the Caria civilization which was located between its much more powerful neighbors Lykia and Ionia. The region boasts such greats as the historian Heredotus, history's first woman admiral Artemisia I, and the just-as-skilled Artemisia II as well as artists like Leachares and Shepas.

Bodrum experienced the dominance of various civilizations throughout the history such as Persians,Mecedonians,Roman Empire and Byzantines. Byzantines lost their power in Anatolian region after they were defeated by the Seljuk ruler Alpaslan at Malazgirt in 1071. Rhodian knights had constructed the present Bodrum castle and established their rule over the region. Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent on his military expedition to Rhodes and conquered Bodrum.

Climate: Summers are hot and dry while winters are mild and sometimes rainy.

Airport: The Bodrum-Milas Airport is only 30 km. from the city center. Transportation is provided by Turkish Airlines, taxis and minibuses.

Cesme

Cesme is a charming convergence of healing mineral springs, excellent beaches, crystal clear waters and sun, perfect for vacationers. It is located 94 km west of İzmir, on the very tip of the peninsula that bears its name. It was called as the 'little harbor' by sailors, but in the course of time, the area became known as Çeşme (Fountain) due to the increasing number of fountains with ice - cold waters. The Erythrai Ancient City excavated in (the village of) Çeşme-Ildırı, the Castle, Caravanserai and many fountains from Ottoman Period and the other examples of civil architecture in the historical texture of the city compose the historical and archaeological remains of the area.

Today the remains of the Acropolis can be seen on top of the hill which is in the city centre. Small statuettes offered to the Temple of Athena Pallas were found during the excavations in the Acropolis. One of the most important finds is the statue of a woman belonging to Archaic Age. It is on display in the İzmir Museum of Archaeology.

History: Cesme, the port of Erythrai Ancient City, was called as Cyssus in Ancient Times. It was an important settlement area in the 6th century BC. The city developed its trade by establishing relations with Egypt, Cyprus and Western Countries.

Airport: The nearest airport is Izmir’s Adnan Menderes, 90 minutes by road. There are many domestic flights to Istanbul and Ankara, as well as European charter flights.

Dalaman

Since the Dalaman Airport is opened, more and more visitors are attracted to the natural and historical beauties around Dalaman. Especially the wonderful inlets, bays around Kapidag peninsula have always been spectacular spots for the blue cruise tours, Sarsala, Gobun, Bongus, Siralibuk, Tasyaka bays and Baba, Nar and Peksimet Islands are to mention.

With cool plateaus, bays with wonderful sceneries, rafting in Dalaman River, thermal baths, historical remains, Dalaman region has a lot to offer to all kinds of nature lovers. If you spend a few days in Dalaman and visit those beauties around this area, you might decide to buy your holiday house here.

Airport: Dalaman International Airport is only 10 minutes from Dalaman Centre. There is many charter and direct flights from major UK and European cities.

Dalyan

Dalyan is a gem of a little town, situated at the southeast of Mugla, named after the river which links Lake Koycegiz to the Mediterranean. The channels of the river wind through the reed beds of the estuary amidst spectacular mountain scenery. Dalyan, according to the local Tourism Office is one of the "last corners of paradise." Surrounded by pine-clad mountains, cotton fields and bulrushes, this is a national conservation area with unspoilt natural beauty.

Dalyan sits on the river channel between the vast Köycegiz Lake and the Mediterranean Sea. Access to the beach is by "water boat" and idyllic 30 min. journey past the spectacular 4th century Rock Tombs, or by a 20 min. bus ride to the other end of the beach. The ruins of the ancient city Caunos are easily accessible and well worth exploring. It dates from 3000 BC and among the ruins is a 5000 seat theater. The village is in the center of a broad delta at the head of which lies the 7 km. long sandbar called Iztuzu beach. The endangered Loggerhead Turtle has turned here for hundreds of years to lay its eggs. Up river you can visit the mud baths or hot springs reputed to be good for skin and general health. You can also rent a boat and spend the day cruising around the lake.

Airport: Dalaman International Airport is only 40 minutes from Dalyan Centre. There is many charter and direct flights to Dalaman Airport from major UK and European cities.

Datca

Here is the beautiful Datça. 50 miles down the Knidos peninsular from Marmaris, on the Mediterranean coast lies the lovely little town of Datca. To the north part of the Aegean Sea. The Datca road twists through the mountains like a ribbon with waterfalls, pines, olive, almond, orange and lemon trees; the views along this coastline are stunning. Surrounded by turquoise/azure seas, beautiful bays with peaceful beaches, friendly villages and resorts, all beckon you to stay a little longer. Gulets and yachts sail these beautiful and calm waters all summer long. Bougainvillaea, oleander, mimosa, Melissa, jasmine, and roses are just some of the colorful flowers of this region. Wild thyme, rosemary, and many more herbs grow wild and smell delicious in the warm air. Restaurants, café bars, antique carpet shops, gifts, leather and jeweler shops are all open till midnight. On Friday and Saturdays the weekly market takes place. Datca has a magical quality of its own and all who visit return year after year.

Climate: Summers are hot and dry, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees, and winters are warm and wet.. The area is quite typical of a Mediterranean climate.

Airport: The nearest airport is Dalaman, from which there are many international charter flights especially from Europe. It is over 130km and takes 3 hours by bus.

Fethiye

Fethiye with its cultural wealth, natural beauties and geography, is among the important tourism centers of Turkey. It is famous for its works of art belong to Persians, Lycians, Carians and Romans. This charming county is in a bay within Fethiye Gulf where both large and small islands are scattered. The rear of the bay is surrounded by pine forests.

History: The ancient name of Fethiye, which was a coastal city at the borders of Lycia-Caria, is Telmessos. There is not definite information about the foundation of this Ancient city. According to the first written records, it has come into existence in the 5th century B.C. Telmessos, separate from Lycia, survived as an independent city for a long time. The city experienced the rule of Persia, Alexander the Great, Rome, Pergamum Kingdom, Byzantium, Menteşeoğulları Principality and Ottoman State respectively.

Climate: Mediterranean climate, which is hot and dry during summers and warm and rainy during winters, is dominant in the region. Temperature, which is approximately 30 degrees during summer months, is generally over 10 degrees during winter. Sea water temperature never decreases less than 16 degrees during each season.

Airport: The nearest airports are Dalaman Airport (50 km) and Bodrum Airport (255 km). Besides the flights of Turkish Airlines both in summer and winter, it is also possible to benefit from the flights from European cities during tourism season. Antalya Airport, at a distance of three hours from Fethiye, also provides transportation to Fethiye.

Gokova

Akyaka where is a delightful position at the end of the Gökova gulf looks like a heaven on earth with its mountains covered with forests, brooks as aquarium, its clear sea, campings, abundant water, history and special wooden covered houses.The number of inhabitants amounts in the winter to approximately 1500, in the summer it almost doubles. It is bordered in the north by the almost 1000m high Sakartepe, in the south by the wetlands of the Gökova plain ("heaven's plain") with it's multitude of species, particularly water birds, takes the visitor into it's spell. Akyaka is one of the most beautiful villages you can sea on the Turkish Turquoise Coast situated right at the tip of magnificent Gokova Bay, on the road between Mugla and Marmaris. Make sure to stop over either to stay a few days, to experience the calm beauty of the pine forests and clean Mediterranean Sea or even a few hours to restaurants on the outskirts by the clear Azmak River, observing ducks and geese which live there year around. Akyaka is also well known for the authentic architecture of Mugla area where Nail Cakirhan, the Turkish architect has his prize winning house. It is open to public as a cultural center during the high season. Sedir Island, in the Gulf of Gokova, is the ancient Cedrai. Its old city walls, theater and temples can be visited by driving from Akyaka, south to Gelibolu Bay and then crossing by boat. This voyage also offers an unforgettable panoramic view of the mountain scenery across the bay.

Climate: Summers are hot and dry, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees, and winters are warm and wet. The area is quite typical of a Mediterranean climate.

Airport: The nearest airport is Dalaman, from which there are many international charter flights especially from Europe. It is over 100km and takes 2 hours by bus.

Kalkan

Kalkan is a lovely small hilltop town that overlooks a tiny bay. Its quaint, traditional, white-washed houses, shuttered windows and balconies garlanded with brilliant flowers that cascade to the streets below, make it the ultimate in a peaceful holiday town in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Narrow winding streets lined with souvenir shops lead down to the charming marina.

Every morning boats busily take tourists to one of the nearby beaches or small bays. As the sun sets it is Kalkan style to meet on the roof terraces for a drink before dinner and enjoy the comings and goings of the yachts, the business of the marina and the panoramic view.

Kalkan is situated on a beautiful small bay near Antalya province. Nearest airport is Dalaman (2 hours by taxi). You can enjoy a daily island excursion in a gullet (wooden hulled local boats), a moonlight dinner cruise, or go by minivan to the nearby villages of Patara and Bergin. Patara beach is a 20 km long, unspoiled white sand beach 12 km from Kalkan. There is another beautiful small sandy beach (Kaputas beach) 5 km from Kalkan. Unfortunately there are no sandy beaches in Kalkan.

History: There is no specific data on when Kalkan was founded, but one of the legends which are most widely accepted is that a woman from the Island of Meis came with a boatload of goods which she tried to sell to the villagers around the Kalkan area. Her venture was successful and other tradesmen from Meis followed her example and actually moved to Kalkan about 150 to 200 years ago, thus making Kalkan a small trading coastal post. The original settlers were of both Greek and Turkish origin and were subjects of the Ottoman Empire. It is interesting to note that the architectural style of the Kalkan resembles that of the houses in Meis (Castellorizo), which incidentally until the early part of the twentieth century was considered to be the sponge capital of the world.

Very quickly, within a period of 25 years, Kalkan grew to its present size and became a successful community. The rapid growth of Kalkan can in all likelihood be attributed to the fact that Kalkan has the only hospitable harbor between Kas and Fethiye.

Airport: The international airports of Dalaman and Antalya are within easy reach of any place in the Teke Peninsula. Turkish Airlines has several flights from Istanbul and Ankara which serve these airports on a daily basis. Foreign airlines are also increasing their use of Dalaman and Antalya in their direct flights.

Kas

Kas was one of the most important cities of Lycia, and is now a small resort with great historical interest. Its quaint town centre has a rocky waterfront, with good beaches nearby. There are water sports available in the area, like canoeing, jet-skiing, diving and paragliding, plus cavern diving, which uses technical equipment to explore the deep and dark caverns. For those who love traveling on the water, the Mavi Yolculuk (Blue Voyage) tours, and other excursions on boats, can be made to the surrounding islands.

History: Habesos is the earliest known name of the ancient city, as proved from archaeological findings. But the name Antiphellos is far more familiar, and this was the harbor of ancient Phellos. Excavations here have revealed a settlement dating back to the4th century BC, possibly earlier, although it reached its height of importance during the Roman and Byzantine periods, when it was a centre for Bishops. It had also been significant in the world of sea-faring commerce, and during the Roman era was especially famous for its exported sponges. It was attacked by Arabs, then added to the territory of the Anatolian Seljuks, and took the name Andifli. After the destruction of the Anatolian Seljuk state, the Ottomans added it to its lands. The name Kas means ‘eyebrow’, or ‘something curved’, describing the shape of the town under the backdrop of 500m high cliffs behind.

Climate: Summers are hot and dry in Kas, quite typical of Mediterranean region, and can reach around 35 degrees during the day. Winters are warm during the day although can get cool at night, and can drop below 10 degrees

Airport: Kas is 192 km from Antalya Airport and 160 km from Dalaman Airport

Kemer

The mountains of the Taurus Range rise up immediately behind the coast, the whole length - from Konya alti Beach to the Kirlangic Peninsula is a national preserve, the Bey Mountains (Olympos) National Park. The history of this area, the ancient Lycian Peninsula, can be traced back to the Neolithic Age to the settlements at Beldibi.

The 42 km of road from Antalya to Kemer pass through spectacular mountain scenery. This resort town has been carefully designed to blend in with the surrounding scenery and offers an ideal environment for a wonderful holiday. A fully equipped Kemer marina has facilities for all activities so that yachtsmen can enjoy the unspoilt bays and beaches south of the town. Shoppers will delight in the wonderful range of high quality souvenirs for sale. A beach promenade north of the marina has steps leading down from its cafes and shops directly to the beach. Kemer Beach is a Blue Flag beach. The term “Blue Flag“coined by the European Union means clean beach.

In the Theme Park you can watch traditional craftspeople at work. The adjoining bay is a charming and delightful spot with many sports and daily entertainment facilities discreetly hidden among the pines. April is the month for the colorful Kemer Carnival. Also in the spring there are the yacht races between Kemer and Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Kiziltepe, Goynuk (Blue Flag) and Beldibi (Blue Flag) north of Kemer and Camyuva and Tekirova (Blue Flag) to the south, are tourist centres full of various activities. The holiday villages are all designed to blend into the forest that encircles them.

Climate: Summers are hot and dry, and winters are warm and precipitating

Airport: It is one hour away from Antalya International Airport. Also reaching to Kemer via maritime lines is possible.

Kusadasi

Kusadasi, which means "bird island", is set in a superb gulf in the Aegean region of Turkey and is known for its turquoise sparkling water, broad sandy beaches, bright sun and large marina with a capacity for 600 boats. A glorious ancient city stands beside it, Ephesus with hundreds of thousands of visitors from tours each year. The town is not far from Adnan Menderes Airport, Izmir (only 80 km). Numerous holiday villages and hotels line its shores and hundreds of restaurants serve food from all around the world and, of course, Turkish Cuisine, which is one of the largest cuisines of the world. We mustn't forget discos, bars, cafe bars and "Turkish Nights"; all those to cater holiday-makers.

Kusadasi has retained a certain earthiness to it and inexpensive meals and pensions can still be found in town. Many shops do a brisk trade with passengers from hundreds of cruise ships that dock for a day or two, allowing enough time for a trip to Ephesus and a shopping expedition.

The tiny Güvercin Adasi (Pigeon Island) is connected to the mainland with a causeway. Its romantic setting includes a well-maintained flower garden which surrounds the restored 14th or 15th century fortress housing a restaurant and disco frequented by lovers or those hoping to find one by the night's end.

Beaches close to town tend to get quite crowded during summer. If you prefer more serenity, head for Dilek Peninsula National Park, known locally as Milli Park about 28 km (17 miles) from Kusadasi.

It is also possible to get to Greek island Samos by regular daily ferries.

History: Around 2000 BC. People coming from Lelek, Caria and Lydia had settled down as a society to the slopes of Pilav Mountain. Later one by one with the unit settlements Pigale, Maratheson, Neopolis and Panionion came to life; Ionians and later Romans by Ephesus coming into the dominance of Rome, had lived in these lands.

Today's Kusadasi is founded in 16th century by Venetians as a colony. The castle on the small island was built for the purpose of observation in Byzantine times. In the Middle Ages Kusadasi was ruled by Venetians and Genoeses which had taken the name of Scala Nova.

The city was surrounded with castle walls for being protected from the violence of pirates, very common in the Mediterranean those centuries. It known that there is an Ionian Region of Kusadasi. This had taken an important harbor mission on Asia - Europe trade road for many years.

In the period of Scala Nova, the Armenians dominant to trade, Greeks and Jews had joined to former nations. With the Malazgirt War in 1071 Seljuk Turks had started to spread in Anatolia and during the process of Turkish principalities formation, in 1304 Sasa Bey had been the authority of Kusadasi and surroundings. Mehmet Bey had connected this vicinity to Aydinogullari after Sasa's death.

Kusadasi is a harbor town and Turks had kept this in mind. Although they were nomads from central Asia and far away from maritime business, they had learnt maritime as well as the Ephesians in a short time. They had lived comfortably with the spoils they caught at naval battles. Kilic Arslan added this town to Selcuk government and Scala Nova again had become the exportation gate of Anatolia in 1186. The Ottoman sultan Yildirim Beyazit had joined Ayasulug (in Selcuk) to his principalities and the city became Ottoman in 1390. Tamerlane (Timurlenk) decided to take whole of Anatolia under his sovereign, but when he could not take Ayasulug he put the castle on fire in which Ottoman soldiers resisted, and St. Jean's Church was damaged very badly. With Celebi Mehmet I, Kusadasi had gathered to the Ottoman Empire and became a district.

With the vicinities passing to Ottomans, Turks entered into societies in these areas. At the end of 1st World War Ottoman Government had overcome, so Kusadasi was given to Italians with a treaty, and under their rule, the town was filled with Turks, Greeks, Jews, and Armenians. Most of those minorities left the country on 7th September 1923 after the victory of War of Independence led by Atatürk. Lands between Güzelcamli and Selcuk, the estates of Greeks which went back during the agreement to exchange minorities between Greece and Turkey, were given to Turkish immigrants in return to their properties there; the same was done by the Greek government. This migration was between 1941 and 1955.

Kusadasi is living parallel to Ephesus in history and the settlements around it. The places that have historical and tourist values are:

Panionian Agora, Roman Bath, Ilica Hill, Scala Nova, Pygale, Kadi Castle, Andiz Tower, Neopolis, Aquaducts, Ania, Melia, Kursunlu Monastery, ֫üz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai, The Castle on Pigeon Island, Ramparts surrounding the City, Kusadasi Houses, Kaleici, Mosques, Turkish Baths, Yacht Harbor and Dilek National Park.

Airport: The nearest airport is Izmir’s Adnan Menderes, 90 minutes by road. There are many domestic flights to Istanbul and Ankara, as well as European charter flights.

Marmaris

Once a sleepy fishing village, Marmaris has ballooned into one of the largest resorts on 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, nightclubs and shops catering to low-cost package holidays, although there are facilities for all budgets.

Despite the development which reaches around 10km along the west of the bay, Marmaris is also well-known for its expanse of green, present the whole year round thanks to the pine-covered hills which surround the town. There are many beaches around the bay, and there are ancient cities and seaside villages close by for day trips. The yacht harbour is the biggest and newest in Turkey, and therefore 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 attracting visitors. It has easy connections to the nearby airport Dalaman, ferries to Rhodes, and on the road to Datca and Fethiye. The harbor has attracted private boats from around the world, with yacht maintenance and production in the workshops on the Yalanci Strait. With the climate being comfortable even in winter, and the nearby impressive mountains and pine forests, Marmaris is likely to remain a popular and practical holiday spot for a long time.

History: It is thought that the first settlement in Marmaris, whose history dates back to 3400 BC, began with the arrival of a tribe to the region, whose leader was called Kar. The area was then called Karla after him, and its location around the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas always made it an appealing region.

Suleyman the Magnificent assembled a force of 200,000 in 1522, whilst launching the siege of the Knights of St John’s base in Rhodes (Rodos). Soon afterwards, he made the city more powerful with the rebuilding of the tiny castle overlooking the town. Lord Nelson and his entire fleet sheltered in the harbor in 1798, en route to Egypt to defeat Napoleon’s armada at the Battle of Aboukir.

Marmaris therefore became a place where different civilizations reigned over time, and there is architectural and historical evidence of Egyptian, Asdur, Ion, Dor, Persian, Macedonian, Syrian, Roman, Byzantium, Seljuk and Ottoman presence.

Climate: Summers are extremely hot and dry, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees, and winters are warm and wet, plunging to 5 degrees at night. The area is quite typical of a Mediterranean climate.

Airport: The nearest airport is Dalaman, from which there are many international charter flights especially from Europe. It is over 100km and takes 2 hours by bus, and there are regular bus services between 07.30 – 22.00.

Side

Blessed with over 300 days annual sunshine, a mild winter climate and rich in antiquities, Side has quickly become the premier resort of the Turkish Riviera. Bars, shops and restaurants are uniquely set amidst colonnaded streets and ancient ruins. The beautifully restored Agora Baths are now home to the Side museum. Nearby, the second century amphitheatre hosts the annual music festival and offers fine views towards the lively harbor and the Temple of Apollo perched on the waters edge.

Side is set to benefit from continued growth over the coming years including two new golf courses currently under construction and a planned yacht marina. There is also a winter ski resort just 80 mins drive away, making Side one of the few places in the World where one can ski, swim, sail and play golf in one day!

History: Side, which is 7 km. away from Manavgat, is an ancient settlement center. Side, which is mentioned by historians as founded on 1405 A. D., had met with the reigns of Lydian, Persian, Alexander The Great's, Antiogonous's, Ptolemaioses, respectively beginning from the second half of VIth century A. D. After 215 A. D., The city, which is improved under supervision of Syrian Kingdom, and turned into a science and cultural center, had left to Bergama Kingdom on A. D. with Apameia peace, then had protected its independence with Eastern Pamphilya region, and reached to a great richness and prosperity with a huge commercial fleet.

It entered under Byzantium reign after Roman reign after 78 B. C. Side, which was a Bishop center during Vth and VIth centuries, had lived its greatest times during these years.

Main gate of the city, which has a unique labor, is between two towers. There are two main streets in Side province. These streets are samples of columned streets of Ancient Age. After passing city gate, flat stones adorned area is the starting point of this street. There are columned porticos beside both sides of these streets, and shops behind them. There is a "Nymphaeum", biggest historical fountain of Anatolia, against city gate, outside ramparts. A wide pool place is below this foundation. You can reach to a monumental structure, passing through a street after theater. This building with dimensions of 100x100 m., is an agora. Agora, which is the Bazaar area of the city, is surrounded by porticos and there are shops at three sides of it. There is a Gymnasium, surrounded by porticos and composed of three halls, on the street, south side of the Agora. In the main street at North - south direction, there is an arched structure, constructed during Roman Period. Importance of Side city's theater, in connection with architecture, is its construction on arched places instead of a slope of a hill like other roman theaters.

Theater, which is composed of three divisions, cavea, orchestra and scene, is the biggest and most monumental one among Pamphylia theaters, and has a capacity of 20.000 spectators.

There are wide cemeteries outside of Side's ramparts, and most important one of these, Western Necropolis, is 1, 5 km. away. There are also temples and aqueducts in Side. Most important ones of the temples are Athena, Apollon and Men temples. Water of side is brought from Dumanlı source, within Oymapınar Dam Lake, approximately 25 km. away. This water transportation system is composed of ten aqueducts, of which some of them are two layered. Biggest one is near to Oymapınar and has 40 specs.

Climate: Summers are hot and dry, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees, and winters are warm and wet, plunging to 5 degrees at night. The area is quite typical of a Mediterranean climate.

Airport: The nearest airport is Antalya International Airport where there are many international charter flights from major Europe and UK cities. It is over 90kms and takes 2 hours by bus.