Turkey travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Situated on a beautiful peninsula, Bodrum, home of the famous Greek historian Herodotus, is these days better known as a popular holiday resort. Characterised by sugar-white houses spilling down its hillsides, its bustling bazaars, maze-like old town, historic treasures and shop-lined marina make it ideal for action-seekers, shopaholics and sightseeing fiends. With excellent beaches, lie on the western side of the peninsula and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. You can try your hand at water skiing, parasailing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing or perhaps the more sedate pastimes of canoeing or pedaloes. Bodrum is a very lively resort and will suit everybody. There are plenty of shops selling all the fake designer gear and fabulous leather and loads of restaurants catering for everyone. The town’s charm is well-known, attracting a diverse population of vacationers who stroll along its long palm-lined waterfront, while elegant yachts crowd the marina.

Continue reading The sun shines differently here

The ancient city of Ephesus (Turkish: Efes), located near the Aegean Sea in modern day Turkey, was one of the great cities of the Greeks in Asia Minor. Ephesus, located 600km (373 miles) southwest of Istanbul, is one of the grandest and best-preserved ruins of the ancient world. According to evidence dating from around 1400 BC, the Hittites were the first to settle the site, which they named Apasas.
From the entrance at the Eastern gate of the city, there is the Eastern Agora, Odeon, the Temple of Domitianus, Polio Fountain, Trajan Fountain, Scolastica Bath, hillside houses, the Temple of Hadrianus, Celsus Library, Lower Agora, Marbled Street, Grand Theater, Arcadianus Avenue and the Church of the Virgin Mary. Near Ephesus is the house of the Virgin Mary.
Continue reading Ephesus is among the most famous cities of the ancient eras

The rock formations of Pamukkale are a series of natural shelves and ridges, terraces that have been turned white from the solidified chalky calcium deposit sleft behind as the thermal waters tumble into further basins clinging to the cliff edge below. These impressive mineral hot springs are somewhat similar to the Mamoth Hot Springs in Yellostone Ntl Park, but those are much bigger and more impressive. There you are welcome to take a bath in the various natural ponds. The first thing you will see is a rock platform over 100 m in height rising up from the plain. The slopes of this hill, which look from a distance like a great white speck, are covered with large numbers of pools and terraces. As you come nearer, you will begin to see this natural phenomenon, which resembles a frozen waterfall, in greater detail.

Continue reading The natural wonders in Turkey

Goreme which have the old names of Korama, Matiana and Maccan is 10 km far away from the center of Nevsehir province. The valley created from volcanic rocks is famous with the chimney rocks resulting from the erosion made by the natural factors to these rocks and with the historical richness. It has been an important religious place together with the intensive emigration of the first Christians escaping from the pressure of the Roman soldiers. The population escaped from the pressures has made many abbeys, churches and houses in the volcanic rocks from the valley where they were able to hidden easily. In our days in Goreme are found Elmali Church, Saint Barbara Church, Carikli Church, Tokali Church and Hidden Church and all of these are open air museums. In the churches there are scenes from the life of Jesus, descriptions of the saints who written the Bible and pictures of Saint Barbara and Saint Georgius.
Continue reading Just see another side of Goreme, Cappadocia, Turkey

Valencia
All eyes will be on Valencia later this year when the Spanish city hosts the coveted America’s Cup, the world’s biggest and most prestigious yachting event. Valencia is the first city in Europe to stage the race, despite the event’s long history. Already a popular short break destination with savvy travellers, Valencia benefits from a great location a short hop from the resorts on the Costa Blanca and is well served by no-frills airlines. But it is a charming city in its own right, home to the original paella, and it offers an exciting mixture of old and new, with cutting edge modern architecture and traditional baroque barrios. Check out the futuristic looking Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (the City of Arts and Sciences) designed by local architect Santiago Calatrava, featuring Europe’s largest state-of-the-art marine park, complete with a 30m- (98ft-) long shark tunnel, a dolphinarium, huge fish tanks, a colony of Humboldt’s penguins, and a very surreal underwater restaurant . The harbour area, Europe’s largest urban regeneration project, will be at the centre of the action during the Cup.
Continue reading Top hot destinations 2007

Best places in Turkey