Turkey Travel Guide, travel in turkey, tours to turkey, holiday in turkey, cheap holidays

Essential information for visitors to Istanbul, including the best sights, hotels and restaurants.

2010-11-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

Getting there

British Airways (0844 493 0787; www.britishairways.com) and Turkish Airlines (0844 800 6666; www.turkishairlines.com) fly to Istanbul’s main Atatürk Airport, while easyJet (www.easyjet.co.uk) flies to Sabiha Gökçen airport on the Asian side (about 20 miles from the ferry port that takes you to the European side). Taxis from Atatürk into Sultanahmet cost about 30 Turkish lira (about £13); the Metro takes about 50 minutes and costs 3 lira (www.iett.gov.tr). From Sabiha Gökçen, the Havas Airport Bus (www.havas.net/en/shuttle-parking) goes to Taksim Square, while a taxi costs about 75 lira. Many hotels operate an airport pickup service.

The inside track

The Spice Market is a must, but walk around the surrounding streets to discover where the Turks do their shopping. You’ll often find better prices and quality, and get to experience a haggle without the hassle.

On Wednesdays, head to the traditional area around the Fatih Mosque, to what is reputedly the biggest open-air market in Europe. You’ll see virtually no foreign visitors – it’s a fascinating experience.

Have a flutter at Veliefendi Hippodrome (0090 212 444 0855; www.veliefendi.com) in Bakirköy. Meets are every Wednesday and Sunday (entry is 2 lira for men, 1 lira for women); the atmosphere is frantic but family orientated and hugely enjoyable.

Feyhaman Duran, Turkey’s first Impressionist painter, died in 1970, but his house has been preserved intact. Located on the edge of Istanbul University gardens in Beyazit, it’s intensely evocative of his painting style (440 0000, ext 11425).

The best hotels

The Constantine Hotel £
Decorated in typical modern Turkish style; on the edge of Gülhane park, and a pleasant 10-minute walk from all the Sultanahmet sites (513 0808; www.theconstantinehotel.com; from €40/£34).

Hotel Empress Zoe ££
Within strolling distance of Hagia Sophia; a verdant garden makes it an island of calm; the home-cooked Turkish breakfasts are well worth getting up for (518 2504; www.emzoe.com; single rooms from €80/£65).

A’jia £££
On the Asian side, a five-star boutique hotel in an Ottoman waterfront pavilion; rooms are modern, chic and luxurious; transport issues are solved by the hotel’s private river taxi (216 413 9300; www.ajiahotel.com; from €260/£215).

The best restaurants

Buhara £
Kebab restaurant busy with locals at lunchtimes; basic décor but the quality and variety of the grilled meats and home-made breads are outstanding (Nuruosmaniye Caddesi 7A; 527 5133).

Karaköy Lokantasi ££
Traditional Turkish dishes served in chic, blue-tiled surroundings, a few steps from the Golden Horn. A simple lunchtime menu converts into a stunning array of mezze in the evening (Kemankes Caddesi 37; 292 4455).

Sunset Grill £££
With its menu of modern Turkish and Japanese cuisine, Sunset Grill combines stunning food with equally stunning views (Adnan Saygun Caddesi; 287 0357)
turkey travel

Five free things to do in Istanbul

2010-11-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/8056499/Five-free-things-to-do-in-Istanbul.html?image=5

Five of the best free attractions in Istanbul, Turkey, from haggling in the city's markets to exploring the Florence Nightingale Museum.

Admire the Blue Mosque

The architecturally beautiful Blue Mosque is distinctive for its array of cascading domes and six glittering minarets. Commissioned in the 17th century by Sultan Ahmet I, the Blue Mosque – so called because of the 20,000 blue tiles that adorn its domed ceilings – was designed to rival neighbouring Hagia Sophia. Pause to admire the mosque’s impressive main entrance, but note that non-worshippers must enter via the north gate. Open daily 0930 – 1730; closed to non-Muslims during prayer times.

Istanbul, Turkey: a cultural guide

2010-11-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

Istanbul is often described as a city of two halves, spread-eagled over the eastern tip of Europe and the western edge of Asia. But it is much more than that: ancient and modern vie for attention on both European and Asian sides, with gleaming glass towers overlooking the traditional wooden buildings that still cling to the banks of the Bosporus. My favourite journey, up the Bosporus from the Golden Horn – either by boat from Sultanahmet's busy port of Eminönü or on foot along Necatibey Caddesi, the main street on the European side – is the perfect way to see the city.

Continuing up the Bosporus takes you to an altogether different era and style of Istanbul: the Dolmabahçe Palace, which was built in 1855 for Sultan Abdül Mecit, but became the official residence of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Although you can only visit by guided tour, the sheer extravagance and excess of the décor is a lot more fun than the more celebrated Topkapi, which is positively minimalist in comparison.

Once I've had my fill of the palace-lined shores of old-money Istanbul, I head uphill towards the modern face of consumerism in the main shopping avenue of Istiklal Caddesi. Make your way through the tight, winding streets of Çihangir and Galata, and once again you'll see old and new side by side. Sip espresso with the cool artistic set at Kahvedan on Akarsu Sokak or Tezgah, a café-cum-second-hand bookshop on Yeniçarsi Caddesi. Or shop in some of the best vintage shops I've come across (my favourites are Mozk Vintage Shop on Aga Hamami Sokagi and Matchbox on Matara Sokak), and browse the packed, ramshackle antique shops, like Güney Ticaret on Soganci Sokagi, that are full of dusty bric-a-brac. Yet wander a couple of streets away from this cosmopolitan enclave and you'll soon spot headscarved women hanging their washing out.

Did you know? Istanbul has the world's third-oldest metro (1875), after London and New York

When a sugar hit is what I need to make it the length of Istiklal Caddesi, I head for Inci, a small, wooden-panelled pastry shop dating from the Forties, about halfway down the street. It serves the most unctuous, cream-stuffed profiteroles I've ever tasted. And, as the only beverage on offer is a vivid yellow lemon drink, I'm sure to leave the place with enough energy to make it all the way to the Golden Horn and beyond.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/turkey/8058801/Istanbul-Turkey-a-cultural-guide.html

turkey travel

Sherwood Hotel Antalya

2010-10-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Sherwood Breezes Resort, a five star, ultra all-inclusive luxury resort located on the golden sands of Lara Beach - Antalya, Turkey. Create a memorable vacation with your family relaxing the days away or enjoying fun-filled activities in a setting that offers excellent restaurants and bars, lucious gardens, five pools, live entertainment and an open-air amphitheater right on the Mediterranean Sea.

Our award winning resort, offers 349 spacious rooms suites featuring the latest amenities. Allow our guest relations staff to assist you with every need from making a la carte dining to sight seeing reservations. Throughout your stay, enjoy the exciting flavors, fresh ingredients and the tastes of Turkey and the Mediterannean. Restore and reviitilize your senses in our spa and traditional Turkish bath.

With an emphasis on offering something for all members of your family, our supervised Kid's Mini Club provides hours of fun for children ages 4 to 12.

Let Sherwood Breezes Resort extend you a warm Turkish welcome and a memorable vacation.
sherwood hotel antalya

Turkey Tour Packages

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Tour List | All Tours

ISTANBUL TOURS
Istanbul Outstanding ( Half Day Morning )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Ottoman Heritage ( Half Day Afternoon )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Byzantine and Ottoman Traces ( Full Day )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Bosphorus Cruise with Golden Horn on Private Boat ( Half Day Morning )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Bosphorus Cruise with Golden Horn on Private Boat ( Half Day Afternoon )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Bosphorus and Dolmabahce Palace ( Full day )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Bosphorus and Beylerbeyi Palace ( Full day )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Dolmabahce Palace and Asian Side ( Half Day Afternoon )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Beylerbeyi Palace and Asian Side ( Half Day Morning )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Chora Museum and Asia Side with Pera ( Half Day Afternoon )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Istanbul Cocktail ( Full Day )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Princes Islands and Asian Side ( Full Day )

ISTANBUL TOURS

Turkish Night on The Bosphorus

ISTANBUL TOURS

Dinner - 1001 Nights Show

EPHESUS TOURS

Daily Ephesus Tour by Plane

CAPPADOCIA TOURS

Cappadocia 1 Night / 2 Days by Plane

CAPPADOCIA TOURS

Cappadocia 1 Night / 2 Days by Overnight Bus

EPHESUS TOURS

Ephesus - Pamukkale 1 Night / 2 days by Plane

CAPPADOCIA TOURS

Day Excursion to Cappadocia by Plane

EPHESUS TOURS

Ephesus - Pamukkale - Pergamum 2 Nights / 3 days by Plane

and all other Turkey Tour Packages
http://www.packagetoursturkey.com/GB/tours.aspx

Hotels in Antalya Turkey

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	Saphir Resort & Spa Hotel

	Alanya / Antalya
	From 74 €

	Delphin Botanik Hotel

	Alanya / Antalya
	From 42 €

	Crystal Hotels De Luxe

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 50 €

	Delphin Diva Hotel Antalya

	Lara / Antalya
	From 65 €

	Hotel Begonvil Kas

	Kas / Antalya
	From 40 €

	Hotel Club Barbarossa Kas

	Kas / Antalya
	From 50 €

	Club Phaselis Rose Hotel

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 50 €

	Phaselis Princess Hotel Tekirova

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 65 €

	Greenwood Resort Hotel

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 50 €

	Kaya Select Hotel Belek

	Belek / Antalya
	From 48 €

	Utopia World Hotel

	Alanya / Antalya

	Patara Resort Hotel Kalkan

	Kalkan / Antalya
	From 45 €

	Crystal Hotels AdmiralResort

	Side / Antalya

	Turan Prince World Hotel

	Side / Antalya
	From 33 €

	Mirada Del Mar Hotel

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 42 €

	Ic Hotels Family Resort Belek

	Belek / Antalya
	From 85 €

	Queen Elizabeth Suite

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 60 €

	Queen's Park Resort Hotel

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 52 €

	Chateau De Prestige

	Kemer / Antalya

	Hera Park Hotel

	Side / Antalya
	From 26 €

	Temple Side Hotel

	Side / Antalya
	From 19 €

	Toll Hotel Side

	Side / Antalya
	From 28 €

	Olympos Mocamp Hotel

	Kas / Antalya
	From 40 €

	Kaya Side Hotel Antalya

	Side / Antalya
	From 46 €

	Tashan Hotel Kas

	Kas / Antalya
	From 53 €

	Kemer Resort Hotel Antalya

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 72 €

	Hera Beach Hotel

	Side / Antalya
	From 25 €

	Fame Residence Lara Spa

	Lara / Antalya
	From 48 €

	Limak Limra Hotel Kiris

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 36 €

	Le Jardin Resort Hotel Kiris

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 66 €

	Aquapark Hotel Kas

	Kas / Antalya
	From 28 €

	Aqua Princess Hotel Kas

	Kas / Antalya
	From 39 €

	Kalkan Park Hotel Antalya

	Kas / Antalya
	From 40 €

	Kervansaray Hotel Antalya

	Lara / Antalya
	From 50 €

	Ambassador Group Hotels

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 53 €

	Silence Resort Manavgat

	Side / Antalya
	From 56 €

	Sultan Pataros Hotel Kas

	Kas / Antalya
	From 35 €

	Belconti Resort Hotel Antalya

	Belek / Antalya
	From 60 €

	Simena Hotels Kemer

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 81 €

	Royal Atlantis Resort Hotel

	Manavgat / Antalya
	From 70 €

	Grand Prestige Hotel

	Side / Antalya
	From 40 €

	Santa Marina Hotel

	Konyaalti / Antalya
	From 22 €

	Crowne Plaza Hotel Antalya

	Konyaalti / Antalya
	From 32 €

	Adora Golf Resort Hotel

	Belek / Antalya
	From 58 €

	Porto Bello Hotel Antalya

	Konyaalti / Antalya
	From 68 €

	Letoonia Golf Resort Belek

	Belek / Antalya
	From 32 €

	Gloria Verde Resort Hotel

	Belek / Antalya
	From 70 €

	Grand Viking Hotel Kemer

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 48 €

	Camyuva Beach Hotel

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 30 €

	Saphir Hotel Alanya

	Alanya / Antalya
	From 38 €

	Turkiz Beldibi Resort & Spa Hotel

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 104 €

	Grand Haber Hotel Kemer

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 47 €

	Barut Hotels Hemera

	Side / Antalya

	Alatimya Village Hotel Kemer

	Kemer / Antalya
	From 39 € antalya hotels

Mardan Palace Hotel Antalya

2010-10-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

Mardan Palace Hotel Antalya
Welcome to the most lavish resort in the Mediterranean, where the finest Turkish Hospitality is delivered with dedication and enthusiasm. The Mardan Palace Antalya is a hotel recreating the amazing palatial architecture of ancient Ottoman days, combining it with a specific passion for service and quality, which are the prime ingredients to this tailor-made oriental fairy tale.

The Mardan Palace Antalya is located at the beautiful shore of the Mediterranean in the exquisite Lara region. Each of the guestrooms and suites boasts spectacular views on the pool side, mountain or the sea. All rooms come equipped with advanced interactive multi-media systems, including WiFi connectivity. The Mardan Palace Antalya is divided in "wings": the Anatolian Wing, consisting of a total of 225 rooms – the most amazing characteristic of the Anatolian Wing is the decoration, in a traditional Ottoman style, through grandiose colour combinations set in dark wood and finished with gold detailing; the European Wing, crafted in a post-modern interior design that reflects simplicity within the total of 203 rooms; the Dolmabahce Wing, equipped with the most luxurious furniture, and total of 88 rooms. The Mardan Palace Antalya features 7500sqm of premium spa and fitness facilities: Steam, Aromatherapy, Hydrotherapy, Turkish and Sole Steam (Salt) baths, Saunas are just some of the services provided. At the Mardan Palace you will find diverse and interesting dining and lounging facilities, such as the Russian Restaurant or the French or Mediterranean Restaurant, or the Onyx Bar, the Waterfall Bar, and the Jazz Bar, with live music for an evening of entertainment.

http://www.mardanpalace.com/

General Information:

Category:	Epoque Classic Luxury
Address:	Kundu Köyü Oteller Mevkii Aksu - Lara 07110 Antalya Turkey, Antalya
Type:	Boutique Hotel
Best Rate:	213 EUR
Total Rooms:	560
Languages Spoken by Staff:	English, French, German, Spanish,
Credit Cards Accepted:	MASTERCARD, VISA, AMEX, DINERS, MAESTRO

Map of Turkey

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Daha Büyük Haritayı Görüntüle

Antalya - Kemer Hotels

2010-10-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

Alatimya Vıllage
www.alatimya.com.tr

Alibaba Pansion Otel
Alibaba Apart

Club Med
www.clubmed.com.tr

Emek Pansiyon
www.emekpansiyon.com.tr

Kaplan Paradise Otel
www.kaplanhotel.com.tr

Club Salima
www.clubsalima.com.tr

Majesty Hotels & Resorts
www.majesty.com.tr

Pirates Beach Club
www.piratesbeach.com.tr

Amara World
www.amaraworld.com

Club Otel Poseidon
www.clubhotelposeidon.com

Grand Haber Otel
www.grandhaber.com

Tunay Pansiyon
www.tunayspansiyon.com

Club Phaselis
www.clubphaselis.com.tr

Club Med Kemer Tatil Köyü
www.clubmed.com.tr

Ulusoy Tatil Köyü Kemer Holiday Club

Zigana Tatil Köyü
www.clubzigana.com

Simena Otel & Villas
www.simenahotels.com

All destinations Hotel in Turkey
http://www.icemtour.com/

Antalya - Kalkan Hotels

2010-10-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

Harpy Otel Kalkan
www.harpy.com.tr

Otel Dionysia
Dionysia Hotel

Patara Prince Resort
www.pataraprince.com

Pırat Otel
www.hotelpirat.net

Taşhan Otel
www.tashan.com.tr

Apart Otel 3T Suite & The Villas

Diva Residence Hotel
www.divakas.com

Villa Hotel Kuluhana

Hotel Kalamar
Kalamar Hotels

Antalya - Kaleici Hotels

2010-10-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Karyatit Hotel
www.hotelkaryatit.com

Clup Phellos Otel
www.hotelclubphellos.com.tr

Medusa Hotel
www.medusahotels.com

Otel Club Barbarossa
www.hotelbarbarossa.com

Taşhan Otel
www.tashan.com.tr

Argos Hotel
www.argoshotel.com

Alp Paşa Otel
www.alppasa.com

Tekeli Konaklari
www.tekeli.com.tr

Antalya - Kaş & KaleHotels

2010-10-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

Aqua Princess Otel
www.aquaprincess.com

Clup Phellos Otel
www.hotelclubphellos.com.tr

Medusa Hotel
www.medusahotels.com

Otel Club Barbarossa
www.hotelbarbarossa.com

Taşhan Otel
www.tashan.com.tr

Alp Paşa Otel
www.alppasa.c

Club Çapa
www.clubcapa.com

Thetis Otel
Thetis Hotel

Kekova Hotel
Kekova Hotel.

Amphora Boutique Otel
Amphora Boutique Hotel

Kabay Tree Houses
www.kabaytreehouses.com

Argos Hotel.
www.argoshotel.com

Antalya - Finike Hotels

2010-10-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

Deniz Hotel
www.denizhotel.com.tr

Amelas Hotel
www.amelas.com/tr/index.htm

Baykal Otel
www.baykalotel.com

Corendon Hotel & Resorts Presa di Finica
www.corendonhotels.com

Anadolu Hotel
Anadolu Hotel

Presa Dı Fınıca Hotel & Suıtes
Presa Dı Fınıca Hotel & Suıtes

Baba Motel
www.babamotel.com

Onuncu Köy Hotel
www.onuncukoyhotel.com

Corendon Otel
www.presadifinica.com.

finike hotels

Antalya - Belek Hotels

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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 Düden 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

Martim Pine Beach Resort
www.pinebeachcity.com

Tatbeach Golf Otel

Grida Village

RIXOS Belek
www.rixos.com/belek

AydınBey Famous Hotel
www.aydinbeyresorts.com

Nisos Varuna

International Comfort
www.ichotels.com.tr

Club Ali Bey Belek
www.club-alibey.com

Club Mega Saray
www.clubmegasaray.com

Voyage Hotel Belek
www.voyageotel.com

Gloria Golf Resort
www.gloria.com.tr

Riverside Hotel
www.riversidehotel.com

Attaleia Holiday Village
www.attaleia.com.tr/tr

Cornelia Resort
www.corneliaresort.com

LykiaWorld
www.lykiaworld.com

Kaya Hotels and Resorts
www.kayatourism.com.tr

Arcadia Hotel
www.arcadiahotel.info

Belconti
www.belconti.com

Joy Hotels
www.joyhotels.com

Justiniano Club Belek
www.justinianohotels.com

Robinson Club Nobilis
www.nobilis.com.tr

Antalya - Alanya Hotels

2010-10-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Bera Hotel
Alanya Bera Hotel
www.bera.com.tr

Kleopatra İkiz Otel
Alanya Kleopatra Hotel
www.clubturtas.com

Aydınbey Otel
Aydınbey Hotel
www.aydinbeyresorts.com

Otel Mirador
Mirador Hotel
www.miradorhotel.com

Ulusoy Aspendos Otel
Ulusoy Aspendos Hotel
www.aspendoshotel.com

Hare Hotel
Hare Hotel
www.harehotel.com

İlay Alanis
Alanis Hotel
www.ilayalanis.com

Şah Inn Club
Sah inn Hotel
www.sahinnclub.com

Sunset Beach Hotel
Sunset Beach Hotel
www.sunsetbeachhotel.com.tr/

Antique Roman Palace
Antique Roman Palace
www.antiqueromanpalace.com

Şifalar Apart Otel
Şifalar Apart Hotel
www.sifalarhotel.com

Otel Justiniano Beach
Justiniano Hotel
www.justinianohotels.com

Otel Akropol
Akropol Hotel
www.akropolhotel.com

Club Turtaş Otel
Turtaş Hotel
www.clubturtas.com

Kam2000
Kam2000 Hotel
www.kam2000.de

Club Hotel Karaburun
Karaburun Hotel
www.clubhotelkaraburun.com

alanya hotels

Walking ancient paths on the Lycian Way

2010-10-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Turkey we encountered was far from the Turkey of the busy coastal towns

The sea looked tantalisingly close, but to reach it involved a scramble down a cliff with fixed ropes where, according to the guidebook, "a fall could be fatal". We took the easier option, joining the gathering group of walkers nursing beers at the cliff edge of Butterfly Valley, as the sun made its descent into the shimmering waters off the Turkish coast.

Our goal was to walk four days of the Lycian Way, Turkey's first long-distance route, a trail of 316 miles that starts at Ovacik, near Fethiye, and ends at Antalya.
The walk is a classic journey through history. Among other things, it follows ancient paths and goat tracks Alexander the Great traced on his march through Lycia more than 2,000 years ago. Along the route are rock caves and tombs, relics of ancient civilisations and opportunities to stop at former strategic cities such as Xanthos and Patara, still home to staggering ruins of tombs and amphitheatres. Our walk would climb into the Babadag mountains, which follows the Teke peninsula (formerly Lycia) with the Taurus Mountains behind. South across the Mediterranean are views of the Greek island of Meis and on a clear day you can see the island of Rhodes.
We were six women of varying stages of fitness, accompanied by our "fixer" Suha and his friend Ahmet, both friends of Di, who organised our trip and who visits Turkey so often she is a virtually a resident of Kalkan. That first day combined all the components of adventure: dramatic weather (a hail storm), historic landmarks, breathtaking scenery, exhaustion and elation.
The seven miles we walked took us to elevations of nearly 2,625ft, reached through switchbacks up the mountainside. We passed through olive groves, small villages with pomegranate orchards and mulberry trees, and spotted the occasional wild tortoise. We crossed streams and springs, picnicked with views of the coastline as far as the eye could see, and walked through forests of flowering oleander, guided by the waymark signs of two splashes of paint, one red and one white, on trees or rock.
Eight hours later we followed a trickling stream into the beekeeping and farming village of Faralya. Once bed and dinner were secured, we strolled along an ancient cobbled track to the cliff overlooking Butterfly Valley, so named because of the Jersey Tiger moths that fed on the wild buddleia – though they now seemed few and far between. Later we feasted on trout caught from a pool at our guesthouse as stars began to fill the sky.
The next day began with a five-mile walk to Kabak. Civilisation suddenly came into view: a small guesthouse, Mama's, hidden by tangled bougainvillea, with a sign pointing us to the beach.
We found the route, stripped off and plunged into the sea, tired feet aching with the chill, but what a glorious moment – even though it added two hours to a long day.
From sea level we had a two-mile climb. Bit by bit the sea shrank behind us. Our steep ascent led through sweet-smelling pine forest as we followed a stream up past a waterfall. Onwards and upwards we went, finally emerging on the plain and into the tiny hamlet of Alinka. At the first house, a young boy tending sheep welcomed us. His mother made tea with wild sage and sugar while we sat in plastic chairs repaired with staples and string.
That night we stayed at Bayram's House in Gey, owned by the village's mayor, where, due to a mix-up, we found ourselves billeted in a dormitory with six mattresses on the floor. A quick swig of whisky bolstered our waning spirits and we sat down to the best meal of our trip: home- cooked lamb, borek (filo pastry filled with cheese and meats), yufka (a type of flat bread), salads and yogurt with bottles of chilled wine. Drifting in on the wind came the sound of music from the square. Our visit had coincided with a fiesta for the young men of the village about to start their military service.
The Turkey we encountered was far from the Turkey of the busy coastal towns. We'd walk for hours without seeing a soul; one day we passed just one man on an ancient tractor and two veiled women on a scooter. And everywhere we went we were treated with generous Turkish hospitality, passers-by offering us fruit, nuts or dates. One family even offered to kill a lamb for us.
On our last day, in order to reach the bay before Kalkan, we took a less-known section of the walk, neglecting to read up on our route in Kate Clow's essential guide, The Lycian Way. Had we done so we would have seen that the "narrow, dramatic cliff path along steep rocks involves some scrambling". We found this out for ourselves shortly after admiring a Roman aqueduct at Delikkemer. With the end of our walk and a hot bath almost within sight, we started the final rocky descent to the coast. Suddenly the track petered out and the only way seemed to be down sheer rock face. In a rare moment, everyone stopped talking and we lay flat, inching ourselves along a section of jagged rock with the sea perilously far below.
We made it. Our destination was in view. We left our precious waymark signs and marched to the hillside above Kalamar Bay. To reach our villa from this side of the hill we had to scale a mountain of rubble and climb over railings. Not a very dignified arrival but one that was far more satisfying than the usual taxi ride from Dalaman airport.

TurkuaZoo: Turkish Biggest Aquarium

2010-10-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

Europe’s biggest shopping center and residential area Forum Istanbul is in Istanbul and Turkey’s the first colossal aquarium "Turkuazoo” will be in the service .“Turkuazoo” which has the feature of being the first aquarium in the world being located in a shopping center promises to offer a pleasant experimentation to those who expect to spend a rollicking familial time regarding subaquatic world.You will be able to swim in an aquarium together with sharks if you have the courage.

Diving with sharks !

“Turkuazoo” endearing the sea and sea animals to kids causes the adults to experience some moments full of excitement .You don’t need to go to Capetown or to the further most place in the world.

Coming to Turkuazoo you could dive with sharks or reach the top excitement.In addition ,our sharks are completely tame and without being in any trouble you can become friends with them or you may even take photos.

Indispensable address of organisations :

Do you want more than ten thousand sea animals to be present in your wedding ceremony except your guests ? Here offers Turkuazoo that facility too.Wedding ceremonies , birthday parties, demonstration meetings and your other special days …

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Turkuazoo

How you can go to Turkuazoo

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brittany murphy

Amazing Photos in Turkey

2010-10-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

Womans...

Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Galata Bridge

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Villager Girl

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Brothers

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Village

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Railway

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Mountain of Ağrı

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Ankara

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Public BeachPhotographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
İshakpaşa Palace

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Sultanahmet

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Boğaziçi

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
İstanbul Street

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Ağrı

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Beyoğlu

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Baker Boy
Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Father - Daughter

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Shepherd
Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

İstanbul in Winter

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Doğubeyazıt

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Kapadokya - Cappadocia

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Students
Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Ağrı Mountain

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Sisters
Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

İstanbul in winter

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Mother and daughters
Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

İstanbul in winter

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

İstanbul in winter

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Mardin

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Ardahan

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Midyat Street

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Altın Boynuz, istanbul

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Lake

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

İstanbul

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Winter

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Shepherd
Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Urfa

Photographer: Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Winter in Turkey

2010-10-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

Winter is a splendid time to visit Turkey. Take advantage of cheaper transatlantic airfares and discover Turkey as most tourists never do. Snow transforms the countryside, while traditional and modern comforts enhance life in the cities. To really appreciate a Turkish bath, a steaming glass of tea, a cup of salep, or a shop full of fine carpets, experience them in January. Restaurants offer delicious winter foods, while concert halls, clubs, galleries, and museums present a rich buffet of cultural events.
But in the provinces, activity around the most popular coastal areas and archeological sites slows down with the frosts of late autumn.

Winter ballooning over Cappadocia’s lunar landscape

Nonetheless, the crisp cold and bright sun of Anatolian winter are invigorating and inspire adventure.

Winter breakfast of Kaymak & Wildflower Honey
The richest cream is made from water-buffalo milk. Photo by Nilgun Erzik

Take a four-wheel drive Jeep trip into the Toros Mountains or make a sunrise balloon safari above the eroded volcanic terrain of Cappadocia. (All Cappadocia winter photos displayed here are courtesy of our fellow traveller and photographer, Dan)

Cappadocia’s tufa cones are even more eerie with a dusting of snow

It’s easy to imagine the days of Marco Polo and caravans moving across the steppes of Central Asia when one encounters a thick-coated camel.

Two-humped Bactrian camels offer alternative cargo transport

Whether you are inclined to luxuriate in the cities or strike out into the countryside, winter provides us with the opportunity to show you facets of Turkey that most visitors never see.

Erciyes Dagi Volcano: part of the geologic picture of Cappadocia

When you find yourself crossing the vast open plateau, you no longer wonder that Turkey has been a cradle of intellectual debate and spirituality for millenia. Whether you trace the footsteps of Alexander, St. Paul, or Rumi, or simply take a bus across the mystical plain, Turkey’s layers of history are palpable. And in the quiet months of winter, it is easier to hear the echoes of those who passed here before us.

Land of Mystics: Winter on the High Plateau

Let us help you discover Turkey this winter…

Winter in Istanbul

Although Istanbul is often classified as having a Mediterranean climate, winters are slightly harsher than in some southern Mediterranean cities.

Snow is quite common in Istanbul, usually falling some time between December and March and it can be heavy when it does fall for a week or two at a time. Having said that, Istanbul is a wonderful city in the winter too, and compared with some European cities, the temperatures are quite mild. March has an average high of 11C (52F), whilst November is 14C (57F).

Many of the higher end hotels in Istanbul have their own spas and Turkish baths which are definitely a well deserved treat for winter visitors. Even if your Istanbul hotel doesn’t have a Turkish bath (or Hammas) there are plenty of public ones which you can try!
winter in turkey

A cultural guide to Istanbul

2010-10-12T11:58:00.000-07:00

Istanbul is often described as a city of two halves, spread-eagled over the eastern tip of Europe and the western edge of Asia. But it is much more than that, ancient and modern vie for attention on both European and Asian sides, with gleaming glass towers overlooking the traditional wooden buildings that still cling to the banks of the Bosporus. My favourite journey, up the Bosporus from the Golden Horn – either by boat from Sultanahmet's busy port of Eminönü or on foot along Necatibey Caddesi, the main street on the European side – is the perfect way to see the city.

At the beginning of this journey, and as the ancient grandeur of the Topkapi Palace, Haghia Sophia and the Blue Mosque drift away, the Istanbul Museum Of Modern Art, in its striking, if somewhat unsightly, converted Fifties warehouse, comes into view. The contemporary art scene is still small in Turkey, but don't underestimate the high standards of exhibitions at the Istanbul Modern I love to spend a morning wandering around, with the reward of delicious tea in its beautifully situated café.
Continuing up the Bosporus takes you to an altogether different era and style of Istanbul: the Dolmabahçe Palace, which was built in 1855 for Sultan Abdül Mecit, but became the official residence of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Although you can only visit by guided tour, the sheer extravagance and excess of the décor is a lot more fun than the more celebrated Topkapi, which is positively minimalist in comparison.

Once I've had my fill of the palace-lined shores of old-money Istanbul, I head uphill towards the modern face of consumerism in the main shopping avenue of Istiklal Caddesi. Make your way through the tight, winding streets of Çihangir and Galata, and once again you'll see old and new side by side. Sip espresso with the cool artistic set at Kahvedan on Akarsu Sokak or Tezgah, a café-cum-second-hand bookshop on Yeniçarsi Caddesi. Or shop in some of the best vintage shops I've come across (my favourites are Mozk Vintage Shop on Aga Hamami Sokagi and Matchbox on Matara Sokak), and browse the packed, ramshackle antique shops, like Güney Ticaret on Soganci Sokagi, that are full of dusty bric-a-brac. Yet wander a couple of streets away from this cosmopolitan enclave and you'll soon spot headscarved women hanging their washing out.

Istanbul has the world's third-oldest metro (1875), after London and New York

Istiklal Caddesi itself is nothing special, and is lined with familiar chain stores, but venture down any of its narrow side streets and you'll find plenty of cafés serving some of the city's most authentic Turkish coffee and tea.
When a sugar hit is what I need to make it the length of Istiklal Caddesi, I head for Inci, a small, wooden-panelled pastry shop dating from the Forties, about halfway down the street. It serves the most unctuous, cream-stuffed profiteroles I've ever tasted. And, as the only beverage on offer is a vivid yellow lemon drink, I'm sure to leave the place with enough energy to make it all the way to the Golden Horn and beyond.

Sacred Mysteries: A Date with an angel on the Hagia Sophia

2010-10-06T14:32:00.000-07:00

I’ve just seen the face of an angel that no one had set eyes on for 160 years. I travelled 1,500 miles, saw the angel and then came home.

The angel a seraph, most likely, since it has six wings – is depicted in mosaic high on the wall of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The position is incomparable, for this church dedicated to Holy Wisdom by the Emperor Justinian nearly 1,500 years ago leaves an exhilarating impression of vast space enclosed by walls that let in streams of light.

Above a nave 100 ft wide, the central dome is high enough to accommodate the Tower of Pisa. Where the square of supporting piers meets the hemisphere of the dome there are curving triangular surfaces known to architects as pendentives. Filling these, in each of the four corners, were four images of seraphim.

When the basilica (by then a mosque) was restored in the late 1840s, the faces of the seraphim were covered with golden plaques, out of Islamic sensitivity about graven images.

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya ) has been a museum since 1934, and in the most recent restorations, after 16 years of scaffolding, in time for Istanbul’s role as a European capital of culture, 2010 one of the faces has been revealed.

The face itself is about three feet across, though from the floor of the building it is almost lost in the feathery wings that frame it.

Curiously it reminded me of medieval versions of the face of the moon (often depicted in the sky next to the crucified Christ). It has a serene air. Once, it would have drawn the worshipper’s eye toward the centre of the high dome above, where Christ the Pantocrator reigned in mosaic.

The present image of the seraph must date from the mid 14th century, after the mending of damage to the dome from the earthquake of 1344. The glory of the golden mosaics, which by then had already covered the walls and domes for centuries, was expressed by the 10th-century emissaries to Byzantium of Prince Vladimir of Kiev, who exclaimed: "We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. For on earth there is no such splendour or such beauty."

That glory is not entirely departed, for the firmament remains on which the shining tesserae were set. The effect of such mosaic vaults is visible in miniature at the church of St Saviour in Chora near the western city walls.

St Saviours narrative mosaics recall those in St Mark’s, Venice, and the church also boasts an astonishingly vigorous mural of the risen Christ pulling Adam and Eve by the wrists out of their graves. At St Saviour too, an angel cloaked in wings stands at the gates where St Peter leads the righteous into heaven.

In Hagia Sophia some details bring home its antiquity. A piece of graffiti cut in runes on a marble balustrade of the southern gallery records the name of Halfdan, no doubt a member of the Varangian Guard that undertook to serve the Emperor in days before England had been conquered by the Normans.

At this upper level too, the most beautiful mosaics survive, such as the Deesis (the Greek convention of Christ enthroned with supplicating saints), where the tranquil face of Christ and the bowed heads of the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist gaze from a background of gold.

The older glowing tesserae are cubes of glass backed by gold leaf or colour. Some abstract patterned mosaics to be seen here date from the sixth century, and exploratory patches of more have been uncovered under some of the arches.

I was lucky enough to travel to Istanbul with the help of the Turkish Tourism Office and to stay in the peaceful comfort of the Four Seasons hotel in the Sultanahmet district, just next to Hagia Sophia. But it is perfectly easy to catch a plane to Istanbul and potter about the city under your own steam. There is plenty to see apart from Hagia Sophia, but what can equal it?

Reasons to fly to OluDeniz

2010-10-01T08:12:00.001-07:00

Reasons to fly to Oludeniz

Turkey's Mediterranean shore is known as the Turquoise Coast. Travellers booking Olu Deniz flights will discover that the sands are fine, the sun shines endlessly and the waters are shimmering blue. Away from the beach the area is studded with ancient buildings, stunning ruins and fascinating walks.
Olu Deniz is situated close to Fethiye. Its beach is truly beautiful, said to be the most photographed beach in Turkey, a sweep of sand lapped by the blue waters and framed by mountains.

The resort town of Hisaronu is on the mountain plateau overlooking Olu Deniz, full of bars, clubs, restaurants and shops.
There is an abundance of water sports available on Olu Deniz. Paragliding from Babadag Mountain onto the beach below is popular. From Olu Deniz or Fethiye there are boat trips along the coast.
Search and compare: cheap flights to Olu Deniz

Olu Deniz Insider Information

Turquoise sea, yellow sand, pine covered mountains... This is the unbelievably beautiful lagoon you see on posters and brochures about Turkey. Lots of the beach is free but you have to pay to use the best part.
Parasailing and paragliding is a great way to make the most of the landscape.
Pirates used to roam the coast here, and luckily the land has not been pirated for mass tourism as the area became a national park in 1978.

Olu Deniz Airports

Dalaman Airport (DLM) (website: www.atmairport.aero). The airport is located near near Fethiye and Marmaris.

Oludeniz Hotel Deals

2010-10-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

Turkey hosts ‘Night of the Year’ for Europe’s Tourism Industry

2010-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Europe's top destinations and leading travel companies will gather under one roof on Friday 1 October at the Rixos Premium Belek, Antalya, Turkey.

All will be hoping to walk away with the most sought-after achievement in the travel and tourism industry - the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony trophies.

The awards, described by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars' of the global travel and tourism industry, has helped improve quality, value and customer service over the past 17 years.

Nominees include some of the most respected and successful travel names in the business including Europcar, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Hilton Hotels, Lufthansa, Hertz, Mardan Palace, Tui Travel, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, and The Rocco Forte Collection.

The evening, attended by the region's major company CEO's, tourist board chiefs, association leaders and Government Ministers is set to be a spectacular affair. Focus on Travel News, one of the media partners of the event, will also follow the award ceremony in Antalya.

Entertainment for the evening comes in the form of the world-famous ‘Fire of Anatolia' dance act. This stunning cast of 45 dancers step, stomp and swirl to traditional folk music from the Black Sea to the Balkans. Traditional Turkish dancing with a collaboration of ballet and modern dance, the performance is backed by swirling Turkish music and drumming. Fire of Anatolia also holds the Guiness World Record for the fastest dance performance with 241 steps per minute.

Hosting the event is Seda Akgul, a familiar face on Turkish TV including TV8. Other entertainment on the night includes The Magic Drifters.

European nominees are among 5,000 nominated companies across more than a 1,000 categories, including airlines, cruise companies, destinations, resorts and hotels in 162 countries.

The highly contended title for Europe's Leading Airline sees Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, TAP Portugal and Turkish Airlines fighting it out for the coveted title.

Meanwhile, competition is rife among the countries up for Europe's Leading Destination. The contenders are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Crete, Dublin, Dubrovnik, Istanbul, Lisbon, London, Pafos, Paris, Prague, Rome, Tallinn, Venice, Vienna and Vilnuis. Italy has the highest odds being the only country to have two destinations nominated.

Going head to head for the title of Europe's Leading Marketing Campaign are: Expedia.com, "Where you book matters"; Spanish Institute of Tourism, "Spain, a country to share"; STA Travel, iPhone campaign; The Hans Brinker Budget Hotel Amsterdam, "The Worst Hotel in the World"; Thomas Cook, 2010 Marketing Campaign; Visit London, "Only in London"; Visit Denmark & Expedia, Joint Campaign and Yorkshire.com, "Welcome to Yorkshire".

But it's the struggle between hotels, large and small, that are likely to see the fiercest competition.

Battling it out for the highly sought after title of Europe's Leading Hotel are Aquapura Douro Valley, Portugal; Castel Monastero, Italy; Ciragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, Turkey; Donbass Palace Hotel, Ukraine; Dubrovnik Palace Hotel Conference Centre & Spa, Croatia; Grand Hotel Lienz, Austria; Hotel Le Bristol Paris, France; Hotel Ritz Paris, France; Lešić Dimitri Palace, Croatia; The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, Ireland and White Pod, Switzerland.

Leading the way in hotel sustainability, the following nominees are all eager to gain the coveted title of Europe's Leading Green Hotel: Apex City of London, England; AquaCity Poprad, Slovakia; Ariston Hotel, Italy; Bedruthan Steps Hotel, England; Chateau Mcely, Czech Republic; Choupana Hills Resort & Spa, Madeira; Hotel FOX, Denmark; Ice Hotel, Sweden; Kolarbyn Eco-Lodge, Sweden; Radisson SAS Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland and Strattons, England.

In addition to overall Europe categories, there are awards for 57 countries including: Andorra, Belgium, England, France, Greece, Iceland, Monaco, Poland, Slovakia, Turkey and more.

Travel industry professionals throughout the world have been voting online for their preferred companies and organisations during the past four months. Voting has now closed and votes counted ready for the big night.

Consumers increasingly use the list of winners as a reliable guide and means of reassurance when choosing their holiday. Companies and destinations that finish up on the winners podium, receive extensive commercial benefits and global profile.

For a full list of nominees for Europe log on to http://www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees.

Rixos Premium Belek, the leading resort hotel in Belek's Ileribasi district will be hosting the event. Main sponsors include Turkish Airlines and World Mobi.

Winners of the Europe Gala Ceremony go through to the final of the World Travel Awards in London on Sunday 7th November, immediately prior to World Travel Market.

Cheap flights to Dalaman Marmaris

2010-09-26T15:10:00.000-07:00

Cheap flights to Dalaman Marmaris

Cheap flights to Dalaman Marmaris or Icmeler in Turkey and you longing to get away but struggling for cash? There’s no need to panic, simply take advantage of the great deals on flights Monarch Airlines and you’ll be getting ready for your holidays in Turkey before you know it. You can compare cheap flights and book the best deal for you and your family today even you can pay with Paypal this days.

All you’ll then need to do is dig out that dusty old passport and get packing. With holidays to suit all budgets and tastes, you will be amazed with prices and due Gold Trail Travel Agent is gone busted many flights prices has increased but if you want good affordable price check out monarch.co.uk now.

Sun yourself on the beaches of the turkish holiday resorts. Time to book your flights to Turkey before gets to late because amazing prices to Bodrum, Dalaman, Alanya in Turkey and you will be able to get some airport transfers to Kusadasi, Altinkum, Bodrum, Gumbet, Marmaris, Icmeler and Alanya from many airports in Turkey now.

Take the whole family to Turkey to enjoy some much-needed sun, sea and sand. . With a relatively short flight time from the UK which is only 4 hours, you can be sunning yourself on the sunny beach in no time and dont forget also you can book 2011 flights now which has been launched by monarch.co.uk couple of days a go.

Turkey top holiday destinations follows as ; Marmaris, Altinkum, Fethiye, Kusadasi, Icmeler, Belek, Gumbet, Hisaronu, Oludeniz and many others with Alanya in Turkey. However Marmaris has been famoust for many years along with Altinkum Didim this days by many people from all over the World.

Historic Ephesus, Apollon Temple, Pamukkala and Bodrum Castle, with Artemis will take you back to many years with great history behind and dont forget to visit Virgin Mary`s House near Ephesus and taste Sirince wines..

Flights to Turkey are cheaper than you think if booked in advance, but there are also some great last-minute savings to be made. Why wait or search expensive flights deals while you can check one of the best offers online now with Monarch Airlines.

Turkey Tour Competition: Win a Gulet Cruise

2010-09-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

Turkey Tour Competition: Win a Gulet Cruise

Peter Sommer Travels has teamed up with Current World Archaeology magazine and the Turkish Culture & Tourism Office to offer two lucky people the chance to indulge in an expert led cultural tour and gulet cruise, Sailing Western Lycia, September 25th - October 2nd, 2010.

You will travel on a wonderful gulet from a starting point at the pretty harbour of Göcek, just 30 minutes from Dalaman airport, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. The tour is led by Cambridge University Classicist and archaeologist Dr Nigel Spivey. Every day, you will visit one of the antique cities that adorn this timeless Turkish coast, and then stroll along ancient roads lined with wild herbs, olive trees, and rock tombs. You will have the chance to both snorkel over sunken harbours and climb rocky fastnesses for unrivalled vistas. From mighty theatres to churches floored with mosaics, each site is an archaeological adventure, part of a historical puzzle that reveals a remarkable story of human civilisation. Every day there are plenty of opportunities to swim in the crystal waters of the Turquoise coast, to windsurf, kayak, or go for a hike.

Highlights include a visit to Xanthus, the great capital of ancient Lycia, whose magnificent treasures caused an extraordinary stir when they were brought to the British Museum, and a visit of Gemiler Island resplendent with its avenue of Byzantine churches. Full board, road transfers, and entrance fees to archaeological sites will be covered. International flights will be generously provided by the Turkish Culture & Tourism Office in London.

The deadline for entries is midnight on Saturday July 31, 2010.

How to enter: Please answer the following question on ancient Turkey:

The temple of Artemis was regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but with which site was it associated?

2010-09-21T14:08:00.000-07:00

Istanbul has been luring travelers for thousands of years but today there are more reasons than ever to visit this incredible city. From museums to mosques, bazaars to boutiques, there is no other place on earth that matches Istanbul when it comes to contrasting old and new, East and West, secular and religious.

Culture

Istanbul is a 2010 European Capital of Culture, and the year has been filled with celebratory performances and festivals, including art and architecture shows, jazz festivals, rock and hip-hop concerts, ballet, film festivals, and fashion events all giving the city a chance to showcase its culture. Upcoming highlights include a Puppet Festival (Aug. 23–28), a whirling dervish Mevlevi Culture and Sema Ceremony (Sundays in Aug.), special Ramadan Istanbul Events (Aug. 8–Sept. 8), and many other music and art exhibitions through the fall.

Eating

Food and travel go hand in hand, and Turkish cuisine holds many delights, especially for vegetarians—it seems like Turkish cooking offers at least 1,000 different ways to prepare an eggplant. Mezes, the small plates similar to Spanish tapas, are a great way to sample all sorts of delicacies, especially when accompanied by raki, an anise flavored liquor.

Some of our favorite spots to sample Turkish cuisine in all its many guises include the very casual Çiya, where the chef/owner is something of a culinary anthropologist, collecting recipes from around the country and serving delicious incarnations in his no-frills eatery; Cezayir, which serves innovative "new Turkish cuisine"; Abracadabra, a relatively new spot that focuses on natural, local, and seasonal ingredients; and Giritli, which serves outstanding fish dishes and has a lovely garden.

Indeed, the Turks make the most of the good weather in summer and fall with alfresco dining—especially on the city's rooftops. The Beyoglu neighborhood, which sits on a ridge overlooking the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and the sights of Sultanahmet (the old city) is leading the rooftop charge; here you can eat dinner while looking at both Europe and, across the water, Asia. This is real intercontinental dining.

Two restaurants—360 Istanbul, atop a historic apartment building, and Mikla, at the top of the 18-story Marmara Pera hotel, have spectacular 360-degree views. (If you're choosing between the two, Mikla is, generally speaking, for an older crowd, while 360 Istanbul is a good place to get a glimpse of the city's younger elite.) The open-air (summer only) NuTeras is a chic bar that serves excellent mezes and looks out on the Golden Horn.

Sites, Old and New

Whether your interests are old, new, religious, or secular, there's no lack of awe-inspiring sites to see in Istanbul, the cradle of civilization. In Sultanahmet, compare the Blue Mosque, with its mesmerizing blue tile exterior, with Aya Sofya, the church-turned-mosque-turned-museum, whose interior size and grandeur will take your breath away. Make sure to visit the sprawling riches of the Topkapi Palace, home to generations of sultans and the harems. For a quick respite from the chaos, descend into the peaceful Yerebtan Sarnici cistern, where you can wander on walkways over the water, with classical music playing in the background. To juxtapose all this history check out the Istanbul Modern, a converted warehouse on the shores of the Golden Horn, showcasing modern painting, sculpture, and photography from Turkey and around the world.

Day trips

For an easy, convenient way to get away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, take a ferry trip up the Bosphorus from the EminönÃ¼ docks in Sultanahmet. The boats zigzag up the Bosphorus, stopping for a three-hour break at one of two fishing villages on either side of the Bosphorus, near the Black Sea. Either village is great for an inexpensive and delicious meal of fresh fish before you take the ferry back to town.

If it's a beach you're looking for, take a ferry to the Princes Islands: Buyukada and Heybeliada, the two largest of the nine islands, are both car-free but easy to get around, whether you rent a bike or a horse and carriage.

Shopping

Istanbul has been a shopper's town for, well, centuries, and the sprawling Grand Bazaar, open since 1461, could easily be called the world's oldest shopping mall. You'll find everything from carpets, leather, and gold to furniture, clothes, and knickknacks. This is not to say that the city is stuck in the past, though—far from it. Istanbul has a wide range of modern shopping options, from the chic boutiques of Nisantasi—some of our favorites are the moderately priced Yargici, the innovative Bahar Korçan, and elegant Gönul Paksoy and, to huge shopping centers like the ultramodern Kanyon mall in the Levant neighborhood.

Lodging

There is no shortage of hotel rooms in Istanbul and it seems like each season at least one new luxury-brand hotel opens. If you want to go all out, there are a bevy of fabulous options—the Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet, in the heart of the old city's chaos, manages to be an enchanting respite, while the new side of town is home to the W Istanbul and the Swissôtel Istanbul, just to name a few. Of course, there are more down to earth lodgings to be found as well, with plenty of local flavor and color. One of our favorites is the Hotel Empress Zoë, a boutique hotel in Sultanahmet that blends a funky, interesting atmosphere with charming rooms and friendly service.

Perhaps most intriguing, though, is the historic Pera Palas hotel, set to reopen in September 2010 after a €20 million facelift. This legendary lodging is being restored to its original grandeur: it first opened its doors in 1892 to welcome guests arriving from Paris on the Orient Express. Everyone who was anyone stayed here, including Mata Hari and Agatha Christie. Now guests will be able to stay in classic rooms while enjoying modern amenities, such as a new spa.

Çalış Carnival 2011 – Car Boot Sale Sunday 26 September 2010

2010-09-17T15:00:00.001-07:00

The Çalış Carnival car boot sales resume for the 2011 season with the next sale to be held on Sunday 26 September 2010 in Calis, Fethiye.

The first sale of the 2011 carnival year will be held in the car park behind Mado Ice Cream Parlour, Calis Seafront (next to the Lighthouse Restaurant and Bahar Hotel).

This is the first event of the 2011 Carnival year so if you have second hand gear to shift now is a great time to get it sold.

Stalls cost 10TL (a stall constitutes 2 tables width) and charities will not have to pay for their stall but are limited to one stall per charity.

You can bring your own tables or hire them from us as 2TL a table and 1TL for a chair.

All stall fees will go towards the Çalış Carnival 2011 and Carnival charities.

Get There Early but not TOO Early

The committee are unable to take advance bookings and reserve spaces as this has proved to be unmanageable in the past.

The allocation of stalls will therefore be on a first come first set up basis and stallholders should arrive no sooner than 7:00 am and no later than 8:30 am to secure a place.

The Zabita have informed the committee that new goods stalls/trade stalls and hot food stalls will not be permitted but craft stalls/hand made goods and second hand goods are fine.

The Zabita will be patrolling the sale.

The Carnival Committee would be really pleased to receive donations of any unwanted presents, household items, small furniture, bric a brac, books, clothing, plants etc for sale on their charity stall as they are running out of items to sell! For enquiries or donations please ring 0535 8554919 or 0536 3739520.

The Sunday Telegraph featured Cappadocia as lead article

2010-09-06T15:06:00.000-07:00

The Sunday Telegraph featured Cappadocia as lead article in new format travel section on Sunday 5th September 2010.

This special article, Cappadocia Guide: Kingdom of Caves featured Cappadocia, Turkey's central Anatolian region, as a fairytale land: "a swirling landscape the colour of oatmeal and peaches", as well as highlighting the region's best places to visit, stay and eat. This land of fairy chimneys has been inhabited by Hittites, Tabals, Persians, Romans (in AD17), Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans over the years; and invites you to experience its wonder on hot air balloon or by exploring the underground cities and cave dwellings that still survive, adorned with frescoes and secret tunnels.

With a circulation of 510,146, The Sunday Telegraph is published weekly with a Travel section that combines incisive consumer advice with witty, observant reports that appeal to every type of traveller.

Director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office UK Irfan Onal commented: "We are very happy with this special article on Cappadocia in the Sunday Telegraph, with its quality and high-end readership and trusted journalism. As Turkey proves an ever more popular destination for British travellers, the press we receive reflects the wide variety of offerings in the country all year round."

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/turkey/7979918/Cappadocia-guide-Turkeys-kingdom-of-caves.html

Turkey Voted Favorite Country

2010-09-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Published by Ozgur Tore

Thursday, 02 September 2010

Turkey has been chosen by Condé Nast Traveller readers as their favourite country in the Destination category at the Condé Nast Traveller 12th Annual Readers' Travel Awards for the first time.

Turkey's popularity also ensures a spot in prestigious The World's Top 100 list too where it was voted number 2 overall.

Istanbul, European Capital of Culture 2010 also scored highly; Istanbul was voted in the top 10 in the Overseas Cities category (5^th place), with top marks for people/hospitality. The city is also home to some of the readers' favourite hotels; as the Ciragan Palace Kempinski was voted in 6^th place and The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, 13^th place, in the Category of Overseas Leisure Hotels. The Ritz Carlton, Istanbul also secured 8^th spot in the Overseas Business Hotels category.

Director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office UK Irfan Onal expressed his delight at winning the award: "We are thrilled that Turkey has won this prestigious award, which is even more meaningful given that it is chosen by the readers themselves. This is the highlight in what has been a very successful year as the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office UK. Indeed, visitor numbers from the UK continue their spectacular rise, with year-on-year figures up 15.5% for the first 7 months of this year."

The Country award was received by Turkish Ambassador H.E Mr. Unal Cevikoz. Also attending the award was The Ambassador's wife Mrs. Emel Cevikoz, Director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office, Mr. Irfan Onal and Deputy Director, Dr. Aysegul Gurgezoglu.

http://www.ftnnews.com/content/view/10242/33/

Yacht Tourism in Turkey Expanding Rapidly

2010-08-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

With Turkey's long coastline, yacht tourism is an important contributor to the country's tourism revenue.

Being surrounded by four seas, Turkey is ideally positioned for extensive growth in yacht tourism. Realizing the huge potential, the government and private sector are investing heavily in the yacht tourism. A number of new marinas, both private and state, have either been constructed or are under construction. As a result, the share of Turkey's yacht tourism is set to expand rapidly in the near future, says the new research report "Turkey Tourism Industry Forecast to 2012".

Marinas also play a part in Turkey's plans to develop tourism along its Black Sea coast. Companies active in the tourism sector are investing huge amount of money in order to increase the number of berths. Apart from this, several other reasons discussed in the report will fuel growth in the tourism industry. Hence, the number of international tourist arrivals in Turkey is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% during 2009-2012.

Our team of experts have done comprehensive research on Turkey's as well as Middle East tourism industry and presented deep insight and exhaustive forecast on the same. Detailed information regarding different types of tourism such as Health Tourism, Golf Tourism, Winter Tourism and others has been provided in the report.

"Turkey Tourism Industry Forecast to 2012" provides thorough research and rational analysis along with reliable statistics of Turkey's tourism industry. It gives an insight into the prevailing industry trends to assist in the understanding of overall industry structure. Analysis and statistics regarding international tourist arrivals, tourism receipts, outbound tourist expenditure and other segments have been thoroughly studied in the report to give a comprehensive view of the tourism industry. The report has examined current industrial developments and competitive landscape.

For FREE SAMPLE of this report visit: http://www.rncos.com/Report/IM009.htm

http://www.ftnnews.com/content/view/10202/33/

Best beaches in Turkey: Olympos - ANTALYA

2010-08-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

Olympos beach is situated in the Olympos Beydaglari National Park. Photo: IMAGES & STORIES/ALAMY

Why go?

More than a few of Turkey’s most unusual travel destinations are time-consuming to reach — Cappadocia , for instance, or eastern Anatolia. Olympos is a short bus ride away from most of the Mediterranean resort towns — just 1½ hours from Antalya. And Olympos most certainly is unusual: a small cluster of tree-house hostels is the big draw, as are the eternal flames of the Chimera.

Who goes?

In the main, backpackers.

What is there to do?

Olympos is still a secluded village, which is why the aforementioned tree-house hostels have become something akin to all-inclusive resorts for the budget travel crowd. Most visitors stay at their guesthouses for nightly entertainment of the DJ and drum-circle variety. By day, everyone goes to the beach. Kayaking is an option, and guesthouses offer adventure travel trips, including rock climbing, mountain biking, and even whitewater rafting at the nearby Köprülü Canyon. Anyone keen on peace and solitude might consider trekking a portion of the 300-mile Lycian Way.

Bars and bites

Every decent guesthouse in Olympos serves breakfast and dinner, so make sure you know what’s on offer at your tree house of choice before laying out any serious lira. As for drinking, if you don’t have a beer or two with a couple of new-found friends at your guesthouse’s bar, you will probably end up doing so at the place next door.

Getting there

Antalya has the closest international airport, although most travellers arrive in Olympos by bus, usually having bought one-way tickets from a guesthouse at their last destination. To find the beach itself, simply follow the stampede — there’s just one main path and, conveniently enough, it’s lined with Roman ruins.

Dan Eldridge wrote about Antalya and the Eastern Mediterranean coast for the current edition of Lonely Planet: Turkey (£11.19). He is also the author of Moon Handbooks: Pittsburgh (Avalon Travel, £12.99), which was recently nominated for a 2008 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award. See: www.pioneercontent.com.

Best beaches in Turkey: Ölüdeniz Beach, Ölüdeniz

2010-08-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

The crisp, turquoise waters make Ölüdeniz a favourite destination Photo: Getty

Why go?

They don’t call it the Turquoise Coast for nothing. The water here is an uncommonly crisp blue, and because the curved beach is so large, it can accommodate even the biggest of paradise-seeking crowds. There is mountainous scenery, and a famously calm lagoon along the beach’s western stretch.

Who goes?

Everyone. Ölüdeniz is widely known as Turkey’s top beach destination and, not surprisingly, the surrounding area is equally well-developed, with accommodation in every price range. Young couples, large families, adventurous types, backpackers, and package-holidaymakers all flock here in huge numbers.

What is there to do?

Paragliding enthusiasts have been soaring above the beach in Ölüdeniz for two decades now, and some companies offer riding tours of the wooded mountains. It’s also possible to join a day-long booze cruise — swimming and snorkelling optional.

Bars and bites

Bars and restaurants are simple to find. Try Cloud 9, a laid-back café and a favourite of the paragliding crowd. If you would rather have a sit-down meal of genuine Turkish cuisine, head to Kumsal.

Getting there

Dalaman Airport, about 30 miles away, is the closest you will get to Ölüdeniz by air. If you’re staying in the nearby town of Fethiye, have a hotel employee point you towards the nearest pick-up spot for the Ölüdeniz dolmus (shared taxi), which loops through the area frequently during the day.

Dan Eldridge wrote about Antalya and the Eastern Mediterranean coast for the current edition of Lonely Planet: Turkey (£11.19). He is also the author of Moon Handbooks: Pittsburgh (Avalon Travel, £12.99), which was recently nominated for a 2008 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award. See: www.pioneercontent.com.

Best Beaches Turkey: ANTALYA Konyaalti

2010-08-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Diversions are plentiful in the city-setting of Konyaalti Photo: 4Corners

Why go?

Konyaalti sits in the heart of the big city, so this is a great holiday option for anyone who might be bored by the idea of lying on a beach towel for hours. Diversions are plentiful. And although the population swells during the weekend, the beach seems to stretch on forever, so you won’t have a problem claiming your own patch of sand. The black-and-brown Bey Mountains stretch out dramatically to the west. On clear days, they seem almost near enough to touch.

Who goes?

There are exceptions, but both Konyaalti and its surrounding village of restaurants and cafés are visited almost exclusively by locals, many of them well-off. The Russian and German package tourists who frequent many of the country’s Mediterranean beaches don’t seem interested.

What is there to do?

Entrepreneurial types offer banana boat rides and the like. On the western end of the beach, a marine animal park and a water-slide park sit near each other. And there seems to be no end to the number of drinking, dining and snacking establishments nearby.

Bars and bites

Antalya Beach Park is something like an upmarket, open-air food court, and you will pass by it on your way to the beach. Try some chewy Turkish ice cream during the day; when night falls, dine outside at one of the dozens of candlelit tables.

Getting there

Antalya Airport is only about 20 minutes from the city centre by shuttle bus. For Konyaalti, hop on the city-centre tram heading west, and ride it to the end of the line.

Dan Eldridge wrote about Antalya and the Eastern Mediterranean coast for the current edition of Lonely Planet: Turkey (£11.19). He is also the author of Moon Handbooks: Pittsburgh (Avalon Travel, £12.99), which was recently nominated for a 2008 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award. See: www.pioneercontent.com.

Turkey's Lycian Way: Walking on the trail of ghosts !

2010-08-26T15:34:00.000-07:00

By Nigel Richardson

The sarcophagus of Captain Eudemos bears a small fishing boat of the sort used in the Mediterranean at the time of Christ, and a touching poem about how his ship has sailed into its final harbour. The tomb is a limestone strongbox, built to last forever, but some time in the last 2,000 years grave robbers have smashed a hole in it and snaffled the treasures within.

The captain's tomb is in the ancient city of Olympos, on the bulge of Turkey's Mediterranean coast between Marmaris and Antalya. Olympos was one of the principal cities of the kingdom of Lycia, pronounced Lick-ia, and today its old stones lie on the route of a long-distance footpath: the Lycian Way.

My partner and I were in the midst of walking parts of the footpath, but today was a day off and we were dragging our pleasantly aching limbs around these poignant monuments to the vanity of human wishes. Olympos has that air of stillness that is unique to sites of long-extinct civilisations, as if the ghosts died long ago.

This was strangely relaxing after the exertions of the route. For the truth was, it had been more of a slog than we had anticipated. The Lycian Way, despite sounding the part, is no ancient thoroughfare, once tramped by Roman legions or the soldiers of Alexander the Great. Barely 15 years old, it is a stitched-together route of old roads, goat tracks, village paths and so on that runs for about 310 miles along and near the coastline, from Oludeniz in the west to Antalya in the east.

The Lycian Way is the brainchild of an Englishwoman, Kate Clow, who is a passionate walker and conservationist. In the mid-Nineties she submitted the idea of creating a long-distance footpath (Turkey didn't have one) to a competition run by a Turkish bank. Her proposal duly won and she spent the next five years walking and waymarking the route into being.

"It doesn't fit in with any bit of ancient history or anything like that," Kate told me when we met in her house in Antalya after I had walked about 36 miles of the Lycian Way in four days. "What it's supposed to do is give people an insight into how Lycia was a couple of thousand years ago."

This it does. As well as old Olympos, the Lycian Way took us through the flames of the Chimera that flicker from a hillside of bare rock. This is the natural phenomenon that gave rise to the Greek myth of the fire-breathing monster slain by Bellerophon. My partner, who was captivated by the tale as a small child, was reduced to childlike wonder by these eternal flames.

Further west, we crossed hilltop necropoli covered in scores of limestone tombs shaped like upturned boats, and viewed the semi-submerged ruins of old Simena, displaced by an earthquake in the second century BC.

The communities, too, seemed throwbacks to another age. We stayed in a combination of boutique hotels and simple pansiyons along the way, some accessible only by foot or sea. There were no cash machines, no fast-food outlets, the meze and grilled fish were fresh and delicious, and people had an old-world courtesy and charm about them, pressing their last pieces of fruit into our hands as we walked, and making gifts of picked flowers.

"I hope one thing that rubs off on walkers is that they realise you don't have to be the way everyone lives in the west: grab grab grab," Kate told me later.

It was partly the time of year, but everywhere seemed impossibly fecund, bursting with growth and vividly green new life. Towering mountains and headlands, forested with pines and cedars, and wild strawberry with their smooth, strangely burnished red trunks, plunged to valleys of lemon groves and pomegranate orchards, and then on to serried ranks of white plastic polytunnels and to misty-calm seas.

But if it all looked beautiful – polytunnels excepted – it was a beggar to walk. The elevations are tough – 700m up and down on the most difficult day – and the path is often boulder-strewn and punishing on the feet. Add to that the heat, even in early May, and the mosquitoes, and you will appreciate that this was no stroll in the park, even for a fairly experienced walker who has done several high-altitude treks.

There was an added, complicating element to the walk: the need to follow waymarks painted on rocks and tree trunks. These parallel red-and-white flashes – the same insignia as on Europe's grandes randonnées – have been repainted twice since they were first done in 1999, most recently last year.

Nevertheless, landslips, tree falls and bulldozing by the forestry services have obscured or destroyed some, and there were occasional hold-ups while we retraced our steps and scoured the mountain "furniture" for fugitive waymarks.

We weren't without backup, however. The trip had been organised by Inntravel, the doyen of walking holiday companies, which is including the Lycian Way in its programme for the first time this year. It books the hotels, arranges for your luggage to be transported to the next hotel while you walk, and provides a ring binder of information and walking directions – the latter vital when no detailed maps exist and the waymarks are unreliable (though I should say that their own directions are occasionally confusing and I have since suggested where they could be clarified).

Inntravel inspires a loyal following, and one of the incidental pleasures of the walk was running into other Inntravel clients along the way. We seemed a like-minded bunch, fiftysomethings as keen on food, culture and time to read as we were on setting one booted foot in front of the other. One thing we agreed on was that the walk was tough and the estimated timings given in the route directions were on the optimistic side.

Was the slog worth it?

"Time is a great healer," said Malcolm from Reigate in Surrey, meaning that the places the walk gets you to, and the days off built into the itinerary, are compensation for the exertion. No gain without pain, you might say, which for me is the beauty and merit of walking holidays.

This trade-off was perfectly exemplified by our final destination, the seaside hamlet of Simena, which is one of the most dreamily lovely spots I have stayed in. Built on a hillside sloping steeply into the sea, its old stone houses and wooden balconies are dotted among Lycian tombs; one was casually incorporated into a wall of our pansiyon.

Lying among the dead we had never felt more alive. Tired, though.

Inntravel (01653 617001; www.inntravel.co.uk) offers nine nights on the Lycian Way from £798 per person half-board based on two sharing, including four picnic lunches, airport transfers, luggage transported between hotels and information pack. The £10 entry visa is payable on arrival in Turkey. Flights into Antalya are extra but bookable through Inntravel.

Time to go Autumn walking, from late September to the end of November, is best. Avoid late spring and summer: by the end of May it is already too hot.

Kemer Holiday Club Received Food Safety Certificate

2010-08-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

Operating for 22 years in Kemer Antalya as a tourism investment of Yılmaz Ulusoy Holding; Kemer Holiday Club announced that it has received another certificate.

Kemer Holiday Club, which has ISO 9001:2008, White Star and Blue Flag certificates, is proud to announce that the club recently received ISO 22000:2005 certificate.

ISO 22000:2005 specifies requirements for a food safety management system where an organization in the food chain needs to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards in order to ensure that food is safe at the time of human consumption

Ersin Ozgundogdu, General Manager of Kemer Holiday ClubErsin Ozgundogdu, General Manager of Kemer Holiday Club

General Manager of Kemer Holiday Club; Mr. Ersin Özgündoğdu said, Our sensitivity about food hygiene for many years was authorized by receiving ISO 22000:2005 certificate. We give importance to infrastructure, education, control, and enforcement in this subject. We are proud to receive international certificates at the fields that we consistently provide safe products for many years,".

For more information about Kemer Holiday Club, please visit its website.
http://www.ftnnews.com/content/view/10113/33/

Orthodox Christians held historic Mass at monastery in Turkey

2010-08-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

Around 2,500 Orthodox Christians held the first Mass in 88 years at the ancient Sümela Monastery in Turkey's north-eastern province of Trabzon on Sunday, August 15.

Trabzon Governor Kizilcik said that the service, which was held first time after 88 years, was attended by Orthodox Christians from Greece, Russia, Georgia, USA, Turkey and led by Patriarch Bartholomew I; the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians.

"We are most thankful as this day is sacred for not only believers in the Black Sea but for all Orthodox and the Christian world as it is the Assumption Day of Mother Mary. We are blessed to celebrate this day here in Sümela. First it is grace from God and then it is grace from the government," said Patriarch Bartholomew I.

Standing at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley in Trabzon's Macka town, Sumela Monastery lies at an altitude of approximately 1,200 meters. Founded in the year 386 AD during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (375-395), legend has it that two priests undertook the founding of the monastery on the site after having discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the mountain.

The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, a library, and a sacred spring revered by Orthodox Greeks. The entrance to the Monastery leads up a long and narrow stairway.

The inner and outer walls of the Rock Church and the walls of the adjacent chapel are decorated with frescoes. The main subject of the frescoes is biblical scenes telling the story of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
http://www.ftnnews.com/content/view/10074/33/

Number of tourists visiting Turkey increases in 2010

2010-08-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry announced the number of tourist arrivals to the country in the first half of 2010.

The number of arriving foreigners in Turkey in June 2010 increased by 7,26% compared to the same month of the previous year.

DISTRIBUTION OF FOREIGNERS ARRIVING IN TURKEY BY YEARS AND MONTHS
	YEARS			RATE OF CHANGE (%)
MONTHS	2008	2009	2010*	2009/2008	2010/2009
JANUARY	782 786	751 817	809 974	-3,96	7,74
FEBRUARY	896 482	898 927	953 848	0,27	6,11
MARCH	1 305 297	1 207 729	1 414 616	-7,47	17,13
APRIL	1 647 903	1 750 281	1 744 628	6,21	-0,32
MAY	2 748 564	2 718 788	3 148 337	-1,08	15,80
JUNE	3 305 832	3 263 089	3 500 024	-1,29	7,26
JULY	4 084 764	4 343 025		6,32
AUGUST	3 762 136	3 760 372		-0,05
SEPTEMBER	2 981 044	3 136 010		5,20
OCTOBER	2 462 497	2 617 193		6,28
NOVEMBER	1 267 996	1 403 740		10,71
DECEMBER	1 091 376	1 226 143		12,35
TOTAL	26 336 677	27 077 114		2,81

6 MONTHS TOTAL	10 686 864	10 590 631	11 571 427	-0,90	9,26
():Provisional Data.*

According to the provisional data acquired from the General Directorate of Security, the number of arriving foreigners in Turkey in June 2010 has reached 3,500,024 with a 7,26% increase compared to the same month of the previous year.

246,088 (%7,03 ) of 3,500,024 foreign visitors arriving in Turkey in June is excursionist.

The cities with border gates with the most number of arriving foreigners in June 2010 are:

1- Antalya % 39,14 (1,369,850)

2- İstanbul % 18,83 (659,108)

3- Muğla % 14,32 (501,226)

4- Edirne % 6,90 (241,366)

5- İzmir % 4,54 (158,784)

The number of arriving foreigners in Turkey between January-June 2010 increased by 9,26% compared to the same period of the previous year.

According to the provisional data acquired from the General Directorate of Security, the number of arriving foreigners in Turkey between January-June 2010 has reached 11,571,427 with a 9,26% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.

593,163 (%5,13) out of 11,571,427 foreigners arriving in Turkey between January-June 2010 are excursionist.

The cities with border gates with the most number of arriving foreigners between January-June 2010 are:

1- Antalya % 31,21 (3,612,016)

2- İstanbul % 26,46 (3,061,587)

3- Edirne % 8,95 (1,035,638)

4- Muğla % 8,70 (1,006,787)

5- Artvin % 3,97 (459,198)

DISTRIBUTION OF FOREIGNERS ARRIVING IN TURKEY BY NATIONALITIES IN
*2008-2010() JUNE (TOP TEN)**
COUNTRIES	2010*	SHARE %	2009	SHARE %	2008	SHARE %
RUSSIAN FED.	578 527	16,53	481 300	14,75	530 369	16,04
GERMANY	423 703	12,11	478 412	14,66	539 482	16,32
U.KINGDOM	419 674	11,99	339 325	10,40	298 690	9,04
IRAN	186 580	5,33	138 175	4,23	126 400	3,82
BULGARIA	119 938	3,43	121 632	3,73	107 082	3,24
NETHERLANDS	98 440	2,81	100 881	3,09	123 892	3,75
FRANCE	96 266	2,75	97 886	3,00	90 594	2,74
U.S.A	95 214	2,72	85 444	2,62	83 167	2,52
UKRAINE	88 640	2,53	87 361	2,68	106 060	3,21
GEORGIA	88 120	2,52	103 834	3,18	69 324	2,10
OTHERS	1 304 922	37,28	1 228 839	37,66	1 230 772	37,23
TOTAL	3 500 024	100,00	3 263 089	100,00	3 305 832	100,00
():Provisional Data.*

Russian Federation takes the first place by its share of 16,53% (578 527) in the comparison of arriving foreign visitors by nationality in June 2010, Germany takes the second place by its share of 12,11% (423,703) as well as United Kingdom is the third country by its share of 11,99% (419,674). Iran, Bulgaria, Netherlands, France, U.S.A, Ukraine, Georgia and follow respectively United Kingdom.

DISTRIBUTION OF FOREIGNERS ARRIVING IN TURKEY BY NATIONALITIES IN
*2008-2010() JANUARY- JUNE (TOP TEN)**
COUNTRIES	2010*	SHARE %	2009	SHARE %	2008	SHARE %
GERMANY	1 683 158	14,55	1 682 803	15,89	1 831 941	17,14
RUSSIAN FED.	1 257 263	10,87	1 003 377	9,47	1 180 162	11,04
U.KINGDOM	1 004 393	8,68	854 271	8,07	765 506	7,16
IRAN	926 383	8,01	527 012	4,98	490 900	4,59
BULGARIA	624 582	5,40	637 523	6,02	549 724	5,14
GEORGIA	449 782	3,89	557 079	5,26	341 553	3,20
NETHERLANDS	416 034	3,60	414 967	3,92	460 408	4,31
SYRIA	375 450	3,24	179 717	1,70	176 177	1,65
FRANCE	368 862	3,19	369 654	3,49	351 804	3,29
GREECE	286 908	2,48	266 382	2,52	249 763	2,34
OTHERS	4 178 612	36,11	4 097 846	38,69	4 288 926	40,13
TOTAL	11 571 427	100,00	10 590 631	100,00	10 686 864	100,00
():Provisional Data.*

Germany takes the first place by its share of 14,55% (1,683,158) in the comparison of arriving foreign visitors by nationality in January-June 2010, Russian Federation takes the second place by its share of 10,87% ( 1,257,263) as well as United Kingdom is the third country by its share of 8,68% (1 004 393). Iran, Bulgaria, Georgia, Netherlands, Syria, France and Greece follow respectively United Kingdom.

ftnews.com

2010-07-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

An epic story of perseverance and ingenuity lies hidden beneath the rocky cliffs of Turkey's Ihlara Valley.

For Calgary's Peter Lapinski, a young Roman Catholic priest, the journey to this remote area was much more than a typical tourist pleasure trip. It was equal parts history lesson, adventure and pilgrimage.

The Melendiz River flows through the fertile Ihlara Valley in Turkey's south-central region of Cappadocia. Located away from major travel

routes and sheltered by a massive extinct volcano, it served as an oasis of faith and intellectual activity since ancient times. The valley is honeycombed with underground villages and more than 100 churches, decorated with Byzantine frescoes, carved into its cliffs by refugees fleeing persecution during the early years of Christianity.

Lapinski, associate pastor at Calgary's St. Patrick's Catholic Church and an avid photographer, recently made a solo trek to explore Turkey's Cappadocia region. His goals were to experience Turkish culture first-hand and visit the remains of the area's colourful history. By travelling alone, he also hoped to discover more about himself.

"I wanted a more open experience, without everything planned ahead of time," says Lapinski. "By travelling alone, you are able to blend in easier, and it almost forces you to interact more with local people. Plus you have freedom about where to go and where to stay, and lots of time to think."

Cappadocia is filled with many surprises, including a distinctive geological feature called "fairy chimneys."

These isolated towers, formed out of hardened volcanic ash eroded from centuries of wind and rain, can stand as high as 40 metres. Often capped by a cone-shaped spire of harder rock, their unusual appearance delights visitors and locals alike.

The otherworldly beauty of Cappadocia's landscape was only part of its draw for Lapinski. The entire region is a unique slice of history, art and culture.

Dr. Anne Moore, a professor in the University of Calgary's department of religious studies, has also visited the area.

"Cappadocia is a pivotal region in the history of Christianity," says Moore. "It was a famous monastic centre for about a thousand years. The Byzantine era is a period that we in the west are not very familiar with. Having the chance to actually see these icons and artwork is fascinating, and gives you a sense of the glory that was known as the Byzantine Empire."

Lapinski spent time exploring the Cappadocian cities of Aksaray and Kayseri, as well as the famous Goreme Open-Air Museum. A complex of medieval rock-hewn monasteries, Goreme is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a favourite stop for visitors. For Lapinski, however, his hike through the more secluded, quiet Ihlara Valley was the highlight of his trip.

The valley's hidden location made it an ideal site for the first Christians to establish a settlement. Fleeing persecution from advancing Roman soldiers, they dug into the cliffs of soft volcanic rock.

Later, Byzantine monks and other inhabitants seeking safety from invaders at various times between the sixth and 13th centuries enlarged the cave-like dwellings and worshipped in giant, hand-carved rock churches. Many of these are decorated with intricate religious artwork and are connected by a labyrinth of tunnels and corridors. Hiking through the valley is a feast for the senses.

"So many sights and sounds -- the caves and churches cut into the rock, the flowers, the birds, the wind, the water flowing through the valley," recalls Lapinski. "But the thing I remember most is the smells, which is a little surprising. Everything smelled so sweet and rich."

Even though the valley is only 16 kilometres long, Lapinski took his time, examining the churches and ancient frescoes, and spending a night in one of the caves.

"It was a really good sleep, so dark and silent, with no one else around," says Lapinski. "The sunset and sunrise were beautiful from my cave. I imagined being part of this community, these people who had lived there so long ago and who shared the same faith as me."

Besides the cave, Lapinski found a variety of inexpensive accommodations in Turkey, including hostels, pensions, overnight bus rides and a Franciscan monastery in Istanbul. Buses in Turkey, his choice of transportation, are clean, safe and cheap.

According to 2009 statistics, the country's population is 98 per cent Muslim, and Lapinski visited a number of mosques. Throughout his trip, he was impressed with the friendliness of the Turkish people.

"There were tea shops on every corner," says Lapinski. "I loved just sitting and watching the people, enjoying the food and music. Everywhere I went people were so helpful and kind. I met some wonderful people, and a few times I was even mistaken for a Turk."

Lapinski encourages others to have a flexible attitude when travelling.

"We all think that when everything is planned ahead of time, we will be more safe and feel more comfortable," says Lapinski, "but if we are open, if we slow down, if we make space and time for God in our lives, we will be happily surprised. And I think this is true every day of our lives."

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Ölüdeniz - Fethiye

2010-07-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

Ölüdeniz Beach is Mediterranean Turkey's most beautiful, also its most famous and popular.

Ölüdeniz (ur-LEW-deh-neez, "dead" or calm, sea"), only 8.5 km (5.3 miles) south of Fethiye over the mountains, is big enough to handle the crowds of swimmers and sunbathers, but not always the number of cars and buses that cram the narrow access road.

Paragliders leap from nearby mountaintops, soaring and floating above the beach and the sea, finally landing right on the beach. Tandem paragliding, where two people fly together in the same harness, is very popular.

The fertile alluvial plain behind the beach is now filled with small hotels, pensions and restaurants, and any further expansion has been relegated to the nearby hilltop towns of Ovacik and Hisarönü.

The beach takes its eerie name from the secluded lagoon at the beach's western end by the Hotel Meri. Protected by hills and entered by a narrow channel, the lagoon is calm during even the worst storms.

The Lycian Way, a 500-km (311-mile) rustic footpath, starts in Fethiye and wanders through the hills, descending to Ölüdeniz before ascending again above Kidrak and Faralya, passing the head of Butterfly Valley and the access road to the Tohum Eco-Center before wandering southeastward toward Patara and, ultimately, Antalya.

To get away from it all, consider the Villa Mandarin in Faralya, past Ölüdeniz along the coast.

If you plan only a short stay at Ölüdeniz beach before moving on, you might want to stay in Fethiye, where prices tend to be lower, and take one of the frequent minibuses to Ölüdeniz for the day. All intercity buses operate out of Fethiye's otogar (bus terminal).

For distances from Ölüdeniz to other places, see the distances on the Fethiye page, and add 8.5 km (5.3 miles).

Turkey's Xanadu Island is the latest 5-star all-inclusive luxury resort

2010-07-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

A brand-new five-star all-inclusive Turkish resort called Xanadu Island might cause many people to be reminded of the opening lines of Coleridge's poem: 'In Xanadu did Kubla Khan/ A stately pleasure-dome decree...'

Or even Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich's The Legend of Xanadu, famous for its whip-crack sound: 'Our love was for a day, Then doomed to pass away, In Xanadu...'

The tune that kept going around my head, however, was Olivia Newton-John's 1980 ELO-penned hit (bizarrely, ELO's only UK No1): 'A place where nobody dared to go, the love that we came to know, They call it Xanadu...'

From the moment that I checked into the hotel, about 40 minutes' drive west of Bodrum, I had the song stuck in my head.
Xanadu Island

In the swim: Backing onto the Mediterranean, the sensational pool at the five-star Xanadu Island

Imagine my surprise, then, on day two of our stay, when on the stroke of noon, as a pre-lunch treat, a posse of Russian animateurs from the kids' club - all young men with ponytails (post-Soviet coiffeurs have moved on from the mullet, you may be delighted to hear) - leapt up and performed a carefully rehearsed dance routine to the pulsating rhythms of ONJ.

It was the sort of exquisitely daft moment you often get these days on cruise ships.

And this is what Xanadu reminded me of - in the nicest possible way: a land-based cruise ship. Everything you could possibly need for your holiday, in one generously proportioned space.

This Xanadu - near the coastal town of Turgutreis, from where you can now get a fast ferry service to the Greek island of Kos - is a sister hotel to the well-established and popular Xanadu near the city of Antalya.

And while rather than Kubla Khan it might have been commissioned by some very sober-looking Turkish businessmen - much in evidence on the Xanadu website (with very little about the new hotel) - the new property does have the feeling of a pleasure palace. Everything is on a huge scale, from the guest rooms (the bathrooms are vast) to the monster buffet, indoors and outdoors. In the big amphitheatre, for example, you can see a surprisingly grand production of Grease (and there's that ONJ connection, again).

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1295685/Turkeys-Xanadu-Island-latest-5-star-inclusive-luxury-resort.html#ixzz0u9irMIPP
There's a great spa which has a traditional Turkish bath where I rashly agreed to being covered with a muddy gel and pummelled by a worryingly severe man. The session involved frequent dowsings of hot water. As he finished the massage and I rose from the table, he looked me in the eye and said 'Sorry' before pouring a bowl of ice-cold water over my head. It literally took my breath away - all I could do was smile.

There were fewer surprises in store on the fantastic beach with lots of quiet coves. And if you need a change, a short bus ride takes you to Bodrum, which is as about as good and interesting as any Mediterranean resort can get.

Featured in the exclusive collection of five-star hotels to be found in Thomas Cook's Ultimate Style programme, Xanadu is a smart late-booking choice: non-euro Turkey stands out this year as stunningly good-value.

If you travel on October 16, Xanadu Island will cost you just £789pp for seven nights including flights for two adults sharing a junior suite.
Travel facts

For more information, see www.thomascookstyle.com, call 0844 412 5970 or visit your nearest Thomas Cook or Going Places travel agent.

To learn more about Turkey, see the Turkey Mediterranean Coast pocket guide published by Thomas Cook Publishing, £4.99 from www.thomascookpublishing.com or call 01733 416477.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1295685/Turkeys-Xanadu-Island-latest-5-star-inclusive-luxury-resort.html#ixzz0u9ix0uI8

Turkey's Best Beaches

2010-07-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Here are Turkey's top 10 beaches, with nearest big town (in parentheses). Some even rate the coveted Blue Flag for cleanliness.

Important note: most Turkish beaches do not have lifeguards, but some do occasionally have dangerous riptide and undertow conditions. Swim at your own risk, don't swim alone, and make some plan for what to do if disaster strikes.

1. Patara (Fethiye): 50 meters/yards wide and 20 km (12.5 miles) long, this beach 75 km (47 miles) south of Fethiye is Turkey's finest. Accommodations—and shade—are limited, though. (Big photo)

2. Ölüdeniz (Fethiye): Very fine, with good hotels, restaurants and bars, but because it's Turkey's most famous, it can get crowded. (Big photos)

3. Olimpos (Antalya): The opposite of the others: small, secluded, atmospheric, backed by a forest filled with Roman ruins. 79 km (49 miles) southwest of Antalya (map).

4. Side (Antalya): The once-idyllic village 65 km (40 miles) east of Antalya is now crowded and noisy, but the beaches are still fine and unspoiled. Roman ruins abound (map).

5. Alanya: The town (115 km/72 miles east of Antalya) is busy and crowded, but the beaches are so long (22 km/14 miles to the east) that there's plenty of sand for everyone. Great Seljuk castle, too (map).

6. Iztuzu (Dalyan): Good beach, with or w/o logger-head turtles. The town, 8 km (5 miles) NW of Dalaman Airport, the river, cliff tombs and Caunos ruins are a nice bonus.

7. Bodrum Peninsula: Beaches in the towns are not great, but good smaller ones abound: Ortakent Yalisi (coarse sand & pebble), Turgutreis (surfy), and gem-like Gümüslük (map).

8. Kemer (Antalya): Very mod-resorty, but near a lot of interesting day-trip possibilities (map).

9. Pamucak (Ephesus): Big, broad, dark sand, only 7 km (4 miles) west of Ephesus, relatively clean with a few cig butts and bottlecaps (map). (Big photo)

10. Çalış (Fethiye): Long beach near the city cradling yacht-happy Fethiye Bay, good but somehow un-charming, and famous Ölüdeniz is just 10 km (6 miles) away over the hills.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Kızkalesi (Silifke): Known only to Turks and savvy foreigners, the beach is sort of small but the castle out at sea makes up for it.

Sinop: Nice beaches, never crowded, because the Black Sea water is usually pretty chilly.

Kuşadası (Ephesus): Nice enough beaches, but small and very crowded (map).

Antalya: Big, l-o-n-g pebble/coarse sand beach using the Blue Flag System to certify cleanliness (map).

Samandağı (Antakya): W-a-y down near Syria (26 km/16 miles) southwest of Antakya, but has a trash problem.

Anamur (Alanya): Good beach that only Turks seem to know about. Interesting Byzantine ghost town nearby.

BEACH SAFETY:

Note that few Turkish beaches have lifeguards! Be careful of the surf, and prepared to save yourself.

Safranbolu Travel

2010-07-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Safranbolu is located in the Karabük Province in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. It is located approximately 200 kilometers north of Ankara and about a hundred kilometers south of the Black Sea coast. It is about 9 kilometers north of the city of Karabük.

Safranbolu was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1994 due to its well-preserved Ottoman era houses and architecture.

History

Safranbolu’s history dates back around 3,000 years and has been host to many civilizations including the Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans. There are many tumulis and ancient graves in the Safranbolu area which provide proof of settlement during the early Bronze Age.

When the Roman Empire split in 395AD, the city became part of the Byzantine Empire. Although Turks took power in 1196, control of Safranbolu switched between the Empires for many years and contrary views remain regarding when the Ottomans took definitive power of the city.

There were a series of civil wars beginning in 1402 and it was only when Sultan Mehmet united the Ottomans that the city was definitively rested in Ottoman hands. The administrative structure of Safranbolu changed many times throughout its history. The town’s first mayor was Haci Muhammed Aga, who took power in 1870.

Safranbolu’s importance is often linked to its strategic position on the Silk Road and it was an important caravan trading post, especially well known for its top quality saffron, for which the city is named for.
Navigation

Located at the west of Black Sea Region in Turkey, Safranbolu has the coordinates as 41 degree 16 minute northern latitude, 32 degree 41 minute eastern longitude. It's a borough of Karabük Province and 10km from Karabük on the southwest, 70 km from Amasra on the north, 225 km from Ankara on the south and 390 km from Istanbul on the west.
Weather

Safranbolu's climate takes on characteristics of the Black Sea and Central Anatolian regions of Turkey. The city enjoys hot summers, cold winters and mild spring and autumn seasons.

Jan 18, 2010 http://www.dmi.gov.tr/en-US/forecast-cities.aspx?m=karabuk
Turkish State Meteorological Service
Getting there
By plane

There are no airports close to Safranbolu.
By train

There is a Karaelmas Ekspresi ('Black Diamond Express') train which runs from Ankara to Zonguldak. Those bound for Safranbolu should exit the train at the 'Karabuk' stop and take a taxi or bus to Safranbolu from there. Up to date timetable information, prices and bookings can be done through the Turkish State Railways website: [1]
By car

Those coming to Safranbolu by car along the Ankara-Istanbul Highway should take the 'Gerede' exit and continue north. There are signs directing travellers to Karabuk and Safranbolu.
By bus

The easiest way to reach Safranbolu by bus is to take one of the many direct services to nearby Karabuk, from where frequent minibuses make the 8km journey to Kirankoy. There are some direct buses which run from Ankara to Kirankoy (4 hours). From Istanbul-Karabuk it take 6 - 7 hours.
By boat

As Safranbolu is located inland, it is not possible to reach by boat.
Getting around
By car
By public transport

The easiest way to get around Safranbolu is by dolmus (shared taxi). There are regular dolmus services which run between the new town and old town of Safranbolu, a distance of about 2km. There are also local buses which run from the main square in Carsi (the old town) to the roundabout in Kirankoy and finish in Bağlar at the Köyiçi stop.
By foot

Safranbolu is easily accessible by walking, and is a good way to take in the history and architecture of Carsi (the old town) and its historic houses.
By bike
See

Most visitors come to Safranbolu to see its impressive houses. There are over 1,000 preserved Ottoman buildings which date to the 18th and 19th centuries. Almost all of the structures have been preserved, giving a rare glimpse into life during Ottoman times.

The town functions as a virtual open air museum. There are a number of public buildings worth visiting including the Cinci Hodja Hamam (Turkish bath), the Tennaries Clock Tower, an old hospital and city hall, mosques, the Incekaya Aqueduct and many private homes which are open to the public. The houses, many of which have between 6 and 9 rooms over 3-4 stories, reflect the large number of family members which once inhabited them. Intricate carvings can be found on some interior walls and ceilings of the houses.

Other popular attractions include the Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Camii (Mosque) which dates to 1661; the historic 17th century Cinci Hamam which is still in operation; the Cinci Hanı caravanserai which was constructed in 1645 and is now a hotel; and Hıdırlık Parkı (Hidirlik Park).
Do

Take a wander through the old town, admiring the UNESCO World Heritage preserved buildings.

Events and Festivals

Safranbolu welcomes filmmakers who are interested in documentarism to INTERNATIONAL GOLDEN SAFFRON DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL once a year in September.
Eat

Safranbolu has a large selection of cafes and restaurants. Some of the more popular of these include:

Cevrikkopru- this restaurant has 3 branches in Safranbolu and offers a variety of grills and traditional Turkish meals.

Merkez Lokantasi- located opposite the Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Mosque, this eatery is popular with both locals and travellers.
Drink

Asmaalti Cafe & Bar serves up food and live music.

Sleep

There are a fair variety of accommodation options in Safranbolu, the most popular of which are the many hotels, pensions and guesthouses located inside the restored Ottoman houses. Most hotels are in the mid-range category but there are also some budget and high-end options available.
Budget

Bastocu Hotel & Pension- This small historic pension has shared dormitories and private rooms as well as a garden.

Safranbolu Camlica Konagi- this 3-storey family-run mansion has capacity for 35 guests in 10 bedrooms.
Mid-Range

Cesmeli Konak- This hotel was built in the 19th century and maintains traditional Turkish decor and decoration.

Efe Guesthouse- this Ottoman-era guesthouse is over 180 years old and has a roof terrace which enjoys views over the city.
Upscale

Gulevi Hotel- set inside two renovated Ottoman houses, this historic hotel has all modern amenities.

Cinci Han Hotel- situated inside a 17th century building, Cinci Han Hotel has a variety of suites to choose from, as well as a restaurant, cafe, bar and conference facilities.
Learn

Karabuk Universitesi Safranbolu Meslek Yuksekokulu [2] is a vocational school as a part of Karabuk university. The mission of the Safranbolu Vocational School is to reach, produce, apply and promote knowledge, and to educate individuals with that knowledge for the social, cultural, scientific and technological development of the society.
Keep connected
Internet
Phone

Phone code for Safranbolu is +90 (370)

Post office PTT is located at Yeni Mahallesi, Sadri Artunç Caddesi, No:82 in the town and the phone number is +90-370-712 6733.
Safety

EMNİYET MÜDÜRLÜĞÜ - Police Department's phone number is (+90) 370 712 12 22

JANDARMA KOMUTANLIĞI - District Gendarmerie Command's phone number is (+90) 370 712 12 20
Stay Healthy

Safranbolu Devlet Hastanesi (State Hospital) [3] is located at İnönü Mahallesi, Sağlık Sokak in Safranbolu and the phone number is (+90) 370 712 11 87.

AVANOS TRAVEL

2010-07-10T12:13:00.001-07:00

Avanos is the pottery centre of Cappadocia. The city is set on the banks of the Kizilirmak, meaning the Red River. The river gets its name from the clay that it deposits - the caly that is used for the pottery Avanos is famous for.

The main street of town has numerous shops and workshops selling plain and decorated pots and plates and you can watch the potters at work using kick wheels, the design of which has remained unchanged for generations. Many of the workshops will encourage you to have a go yourself. Groups of tourists are shipped in the whole time and there are always a few people willing to give it a go - always good for a few laughs.

Avanos is a possible base for exploring Cappadocia with accommodation and services available at reasonable rates. Sights in town include the Caravanserai, a restored Han (travellers 'service station'), and the Ozkanak Underground city, a smaller version of those at Derinkuyu and Kaymakli.

ANTALYA - KEMER TRAVEL

2010-07-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

Overview
Like many resort towns, Kemer was purpose-built and thus has little local flavour, with all of its amenities aimed at tourists on holiday. Kemer's setting, however, is incredibly beautiful, and it supposedly had its origins as a Lycian settlement.

The small seaside town of Kemer is situated in a forested valley surrounded by the western Taurus Mountains, close to the larger, livelier resort of Antalya. It boasts a lovely marina with a promenade down to the beach, and tastefully designed hotels and houses spread along the shore, and there are many bays and coves to explore. An interesting place to visit is the Yoruk (Nomad) Park where visitors can see traditional craftsmen at work under leafy trees.

There is not much to do in the town itself, and day trips to neighbouring Beldibi or Antalya are recommended, as are trips to the ancient sites of Phaselis and Olympos, as well as the fascinating, permanent natural vents, known as the Fires of Chimaera, that release burning methane and whose flames were used by sailors to navigate at night.

Many hotels in Kemer offer their own entertainment and activities for guests, and several have private beach access. Kemer therefore suits those looking for little else but an extremly relaxing holiday.

KUŞADASI - KUSADASI

2010-07-07T03:29:00.000-07:00

Kuşadası is a major Aegean resort town and cruise ship port. Being so close to the renowned ruins of Ephesus (map), it gets more than its share of Turkish and foreign visitors.
Once a sleepy farming village, Kuşadası (koo-SHAH-dah-suh) was transformed by the Turkish tourism boom of the 1980s. It's now a busy resort with a beach along the waterfront boulevard in town and several other beaches north and south of the town. They tend to be crowded in the summer.
Scores of hotels provide for the sun-seekers.

The prime beach—rather narrow, and backed by city—is Ladies Beach (Kadınlar Plajı). Some visitors make the 15-minute, 8-km drive to nearby Pamucak Beach, which is wide, long and uncrowded, nearer to Ephesus, but with fewer services.

You can use it as a base for visiting sights in the region such as Ephesus; Priene, Miletus and Didyma; Euromos; Pamukkale and Aphrodisias. Guided tours are available to all these places, or you can see them by yourself. More...

When a cruise ship is in port, Kusadasi's transient population soars and the market teems with hagglers. If you're arriving on a cruise ship and would like a good, reasonably-priced shore excursion like those mentioned above, contact Anker Travel, a trusted local tour operator, travel agency and TurkeyTravelPlanner.com partner.

Click here for full information on ferries to Greece and the Greek Islands.

In the evening, Kuşadası's nightlife scene is lively, from the British- and Irish-themed bars to the cool jazz haunts.

Here's how to travel to and from Kuşadası.

Here's a tip: pronounce the town's name "koo-SHAH-dah-suh" if you want to sound like you know what you're doing. That's the correct Turkish pronunciation. (The clueless pronounce it "KOOS-uh-DASS-see.") It means "Bird Island:" kus = bird, ada(si) = island.

POPULAR TURKEY TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

2010-07-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

Ankara City Information (The Capital of Turkey)

The Ankara region's past reaches all the way back to prehistoric times. While there are several versions as to the origin of the name Ankara, it seems as though its historically recorded name has hardly changed ever since antiquity untill our time: Ankyra (Ancyra), Angora, Enggürü and now Ankara.

After having remained within the borders of successively the Hittites, Phrygians, Kimmerians, Persians, Lydians, Macedonians, Galatians, Romans and Seljuks, the town was included in the Ottoman realm in 1354, by the son of Orhan Gazi [Gazi=Veteran Fighter of the Faith, Orhan Gazi was the Ottoman sovereign, �1362], Süleyman Pasha [Pasha=Commander]. In 1902, the Province of Ankara included 5 sanjaks and 21 kazas [sanjak and kaza are subdivisions of an Ottoman province], but in 1924 the sanjaks were abolished according to the Bill on the Principles of Organization and thus the sanjaks of Kayseri, Yozgat, Kirsehir, and Çorum were elevated to province status and thus separated from the Province of Ankara.

Our province, where the planning for the Liberation War and preparations for the founding of the Republic took place, holds a special significance in our recent history. After he had chosen Ankara as headquarters to conduct the proceedings of the Representative Body, Mustafa Kemal was greeted with much enthusiasm upon arriving here on Dec. 27th, 1919. It was here that, from that day on, Mustafa Kemal started to form the foundations of the Turkish Republic. The town of Ankara, declared Capital on Oct. 13th, 1923, was from then on the scene of a rapid social, economical, political, military and cultural development.

CULTURE:
Ankara, which has been the cradle of the Anatolian Civilizations for ages, has been in a rapid social development and renewal especially in the aspect of cultural activities, after becoming the Capital City. In our province, which has been the resort of many civilizations from the Ancient Anatolian culture up to day, we see the deep effects of the developments in the traditions, conventions and culture more clearly in the rural areas.

The trend, which started with imitating the old Ottoman architecture especially in the Dikmen, Çankaya and Gazi Osman Paşa quarters of the province, transformed into modern architecture and pioneered the form and style of today� contemporary Turkish architecture. Besides, the old mansions and houses in the Ankara Castle today still live almost without any changes.

In our province there are about 30 official and private museums, 1 National Library with its renewed facilities, 43 public, 1 mobile and 1 children� library. Moreover, many official and private organizations that address to national and international congress tourism keep alive the cultural activities. In our province there are 343 associations and foundations performing cultural and art activities. There are 418 printing houses, 32 cinemas, 8 state theaters and 21 private theaters in our province.

Our province has made successful works in the field of museums after becoming the Capital City. Anatolian Civilizations (Archaeology) and Ethnography Museums were established in the first years of our Republic and their works of art are rapidly becoming rich.

Anitkabir Ankara Atakule Ankara Ankara Hotels

WHERE TO VISIT?

- Anitkabir (Ataturk Mausoleum)
Located in an imposing position in the Anittepe quarter of the city stands the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic. Completed in 1953, it is an impressive fusion of ancient and modern architectural ideas and remains unsurpassed as an accomplishment of modern Turkish architecture. There is a museum housing writings, letters and items belonging to Ataturk as well as an exhibition of photographs recording important moments in his life and the establishment of the republic. (Anitkabir and the museum is open everyday, except Mondays. During the summer, there is a light and sound show in the evenings).

- The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Close to the citadel gate an old bedesten has been beautifully restored and now houses a marvelous and unique collection including Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian and Roman works. (Open everyday, except Monday. During the summer, the museum opens everyday).

- The Ethnographical Museum
Opposite the Opera House on Talat Pasa Boulevard is the Ethnographical Museum. There is a fine collection of folkloric artifacts as well as fine items from Seljuk and Ottoman mosques. (Open everyday, except Monday).

- The Ankara Citadel
The foundations of the citadel were laid by the Galatians on a prominent lava outcrop, and completed by the Romans; the Byzantines and Seljuks made restorations and additions. The area around and inside the citadel is the oldest part of Ankara and many fine examples of traditional architecture can be seen within the citadel walls. There are also lovely green areas in which to relax.

- The Temple of Augustus
The temple can be found in the Ulus quarter of the city. It was built in the 2nd century BC and only later dedicated to the Emperor Augustus. It is important today for the 'Monument Ancyranum', the testament of Augustus that is inscribed on its walls in Latin and Greek. In the fifth century the temple was converted to a church.

- The Roman Bath
The bath, situated on Cankiri Avenue in Ulus, has the typical features of Roman baths: a frigidarium (cold section), tepidarium (cool section) and caldarium (hot section). They were built in the time of the Emperor Caracalla (3rd century AD) in honor of the god of medicine, Asclepios. Today only the basement and first floors remain.

- The Column of Julian
This column, in Ulus, was erected in 362 AD probably to commemorate a visit by the Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate. It stands fifteen meters high and has a typical leaf decoration on the capital.

- Haci Bayram Mosque
This mosque, in Ulus, next to the Temple of Augustus, was built in the early 15th century and subsequently restored by Sinan in the l6th century with Kutahya tiles being added in the 18th century. The mosque was built in honor of Haci Bayram Veli whose tomb is next to the mosque.

AMASRA

2010-07-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

Amasra is a small Black Sea port town in the Bartyn Province, Turkey. The town is today much appreciated for its beaches and natural setting, which has made tourism the most important activity for its inhabitants.
Amasra has two islands: the bigger one is called Buyuk ada (Great Island) while the smaller one is called Tavsan adasy (Rabbit Island).

Aspendos

2010-07-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

Aspendos, a theater with a 10,000- person capacity located in between the peaks of the Toros Mountains, is a a oemust seea sight and has attracted droves of admirers over the years.

Travel to Turkey

2010-06-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

A Country For All Tastes

Turkey has so much to offer her visitors: breathtaking natural beauties, unique historical and archeological sites, steadily improving hotel and touristic infrastructure, a tradition of hospitality and competitive prices. It is not surprising therefore that this country has recently become one of the world's most popular tourism destinations. Due to Turkey's diverse geography, one can experience four different climates in any one day. The rectangular shaped country is washed on three sides by three different seas. Its shores are laced with beaches, bays, coves, ports, islands and peninsulas. The summers are long, lasting as long as eight months in some areas. Turkey is also blessed with majestic mountains and valleys, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and grottoes perfect for winter and summer tourism and sports of all kinds.

Fethiye

Skiing fans, mountain climbers, trekkers, hikers and hunters can enjoy new and unforgettable experiences in Turkey. But Turkey is, above anything else, a huge open-air museum, a repository of all the civilizations nurtured by the soils of Anatolia. The huge amount of historical and archaeological wealth in Turkey seems more appropriate for an entire continent than a single country. Recently, a new field of tourism has opened up â€” health tourism. The country is in fact rich with hot springs, healing waters and muds which come highly recommended by the medical authorities as a remedy for many diseases.

Konya / Mevlana

For centuries, Turkey has also been a crossroads of religions, not only of Islam and Christianity, but of many others now forgotten by history. Many religious devotees can find a site, a shrine, a monument, a tomb or a ruin connected with their faith or belief.

It is not possible in this page to represent all the touristic attractions of Turkey. So, we suggest you to spare more time browsing our portal further. If you are not quite familiar with what Turkey offers her visitors you may start with the menu contents on the left or if you are looking for more specific subjects you may use the top menu items:

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