Thinking of visiting Turkey but don’t know which resort to chose? Then why not have a look at this interesting and informative destination guide to Bodrum. As i enjoy lots of watersports, my favourite part of Turkey is Bodrum where i can enjoy both modern and tradition activities. Cheap holidays to this lively resort can always be found on the internet.

Bodrum is renowned for its watersports, including snorkelling, wind surfing and boating, but also has lots of tourist attractions, fine beaches and nightlife. There are also regular boat trips to the Greek island of Kos on offer which make a lovely relaxing day out.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

The historic harbour town of Kalkan lies on the Lycian Coast of Turkey at the foot of the Taurus Mountains. Due to the absence of mass tourism, Kalkan, is an unspoiled haven with crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches, wonderful green nature and is steeped in history.

Kalkan

The narrow streets, lined with old whitewashed villas, small traditional shops and restaurants, wind their way down to the quaint old harbour. Kalkan has many roof terrace restaurants which offer spectacular views of the town and sea while the harbour side restaurants enable visitors to watch the fishing boats leave early in the morning and return with their catch in the evening.

Things to do and see

Kalkan Harbour

Kalkan has some of the best beaches in southwest Turkey. The public beach, east of the harbour has been awarded a Blue Flag for cleanliness. About 10 minutes from Kalkan is Kaputas Beach which is nestled in a sandy cove at the foot of a mountain gorge. Kalkan has several beach clubs, some of which can only be reached by the shuttle from the harbour. These beach clubs are made up of platform terraces and gardens which have been cut into the bottom of the mountainside and have ladders going into the sea.

Water sports, including water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing and scuba diving are on offer at the beaches and beach clubs.

Kalkan is a very popular dive spot, offering dive sites with reefs where divers can see all types of marine life, including dolphins, octopus, nurse sharks, moray eels, turtles, stingrays and much much more.

Kalkan also offers canoeing on the Xanthos River and fun river tubing on the Saklikent River.

There are many ancient Lycian sites around Kalkan (probably about 20), all of which are worthy of a visit.

For the more adventurous there is tandem paragliding near Kas which offer magnificent views of the mountains and harbour.

A mountain excursion from Kalkan along the Saklikent Gorge, to the Green Lake or to the old traditional town of Elmali offer fascinating sites to see.

Nights in Kalkan are very quiet but there is still plenty to do, like a visit to one of the trout farm restaurants which are nestled in the mountains.
 

After you visit Kalkan for your holidays, you will want to return again and again.

Gumbet, a suburb of Bodrum, is situated on the southwest coast of Turkey on the southern shore of the Bodrum peninsula. The resort overlooks the Aegean Sea and stretches for 1 km around a horseshoe bay which is lined with hotels offering cheap holidays, restaurants and bars. The sandy beaches

Gumbet

here are very family friendly and offer plenty of watersports, including windsurfing, jet-skiing, paragliding, banana boats and ringos.
There is also an official topless beach just a short distance out of the town.

Located in Ortakent is the Aquapark Dedeman, a massive waterpark with slides and flumes which is a popular destination for all the family.

During the high season,Gumbet is popular with youngsters looking for plenty of nightlife. At night the clubs and bars along the seafront and the side streets come to life.

For those looking for less energetic pleasures there is to the north of Gumbet, Ephesus and Selcuk, the preserved Roman city where St Paul preached to the Ephesians and where the Virgin Mary lived. Also worth a visit are the ruined cities of Priene and Miletus and the temple of Apollo at Didyma. Further inland are the ruined cities of Aphrodisias and Hierapolis and the frozen falls of Pamukkale.

Pamukkale

CLIMATE

The weather here in Gumbet is mild all the year round, however the best time to visit is between May and October when the average temperature is 25C. In July and August the temperature often exceeds 30C.

Situated on top of the eastern edge of the great Anatolian Plateau, the historic city of Ankara overlooks forests and meadows and dates back to the Bronze Age. The city was ruled by Galatians, Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks before falling under Ottoman control.

Ankara

Ankara, Turkey’s capital, is a mix of Ottoman architecture, modern skyscrapers, domed mosques and minarets.

This hidden gem has had new life breathed into it with the restoration of it’s art galleries, bistros and bazaars.

In Ankara you will find leafy parks with funfairs and that touch of eastern promise in the cobbled backstreets, with their spice markets, coffee shops and food stalls.

Ankara also has lots of fine historical attractions. The oldest parts of Ankara surround a magnificent castle which stands in beautiful gardens. There are also plenty of good museums containing priceless artefacts from the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras together with Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartu and Roman civilizations.

For those extra special holidays , Ankara is a must – you just have to experience it yourself!

KEY FACTS
Location – Anatolia, Turkey.
Time zone – GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Climate – Summers are warm and dry and the winters are cold and snowy. The rainy season is spring, especially May.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk

Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk (Anitkabir)
Ankara’s number one tourist attraction is the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was President for 15 years, until his death in 1938. His achievements are a legacy to the modern state of Turkey and he is considered a pioneer of national liberation.
This stunning construction blends ancient and modern architectural design. There is a museum next door, containing a wax statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, together with his writings, personal items and other memoirs.

Temple of Augustus (Monument Ancyranum)
Built by the Galatian King Pylamenes in AD 10 as a tribute and sign of fidelity to Augustus, this temple was reconstructed by the Romans on the ancient Ankara Acropolis in the 2nd century. In the 5th century the temple was converted into a church by the Byzantines. Details of the achievements of Augustus are inscribed on its walls in Latin and Greek.

 
Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
Situated at the entrance of Ankara Castle, this museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts dating back to the third Millennium and a display of rare Paleolithic, Neolithic and Roman artworks.

Ethnography Museum

Ethnography Museum
Ankara’s Ethnography Museum, located opposite the Opera House on Talat Pasa Boulevard, is housed inside a white marble post-Ottoman building which was once Kemal Ataturk’s offices. The museum houses a fascinating collection of folkloric artefacts as well as items from the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.

Ankara Citadel
A visit to Ankara is not complete without a stroll around the the Old City and its much-besieged fortress. Sturdy foundations support rugged double walls built from huge stone blocks. There are many buildings nestled between the walls, of which many have been restored as historic monuments and are protected by UNESCO.

Caracalla Baths (Roman Baths)
Thought to have been constructed by the emperor Caracalla between 212 and 217, the remains of the roman baths are located on the south side of the city. Dedicated to Aesculapius, god of health, the baths originally comprised a dozen pools of water at varying temperatures. Today, amongst hundreds of columns the shape and footprint of the baths can still be seen as well as a wrestling arena. The baths were destroyed by fire in the 10th century.

Atakule

Atakule
For the best panoramic views across the rooftops of Ankara, you will need to go to Atakule, Ankara’s highest building at 410ft. It has a rotating glass tower which is accessed by a glass-framed elevator.

Izmir is Turkey’s third largest city and second most important port. With palm-lined promenades, avenues and green parks, Izmir is set in a circular bay.

Izmir

With an exceptionally mild climate and lots of good hotels, Izmir is the perfect destination for your summer holidays.

CLIMATE

Typical mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers and warm wet winters. The average temperature is 18C, with approximately 148 clear and sunny days in the year. 

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Agora

Agora
The Agora was a marketplace that served Smyrna and was built during the reign of Alexander the Great. It was located underneath a cemetery in the district known as Tilkilik on the outskirts of Kadifekale. Only the northern and western sections have been excavated. In the northern section there is a basilica 160m long with three aisles divided by two rows of columns supporting a sloping roof.

Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum was transferred to its present building in 1984 and contains finds from excavations in various parts of the region, such as Bayrakli, Ephesus, Pergamum, Miletus, Aphrodisias, Sardis and Iasos. These finds date from 1000 B.C. to Ottoman times and include statues of Demeter and Zeus from the Agora in Izmir, geometric pottery, Yortan type vessels, Sidamara sarcophagi and column capitals.

Ataturk Monument

Ataturk Monument
This monument is found in Republic Square. It was erected in 1932 by the Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica. On the pedestal is the relief inscription, “Ordular. Ilk bedefimiz Akdenizl” (Troops. Our first target is the Mediterranean!) and reliefs depicting scenes from the War of Independence.

Cable Car (Teleferik)
Take a ride up to the mountain park in a cable car which offers magnificent views of Izmir. At the top the is a large lake view and pine forests.

Clock Tower
One of the main landmarks of Izmir is the Clock Tower which was constructed to honour the 25th year of power by the reigning Ottoman Sultan, Abdulhamit I. The clock itself was presented by the German Emperor Wilhelm II and has kept time faithfully for more than 100 years. The tower is more than 25 metres high with fountains on each of the four sides.

Clock Tower

Kemeralti Market
Located in the Konak district of Izmir, this is not only a historical area but also one of the best places to shop in Izmir. Historic sights here include the marble fountain Donertas Sebili, built in 1814, and the Mayors’ Building, an important monument from the Turkish War of Liberation.

Kizilcullu Aqueduct
The aqueduct was constructed to bring water from the Ak and Karapmar springs on Mount Nif to the city. It is a Late Roman structure dating from the 2nd century A.D. which underwent repairs during the Ottoman period.

Kulturpark
Situated in the centre of Izmir, this is a nice, quiet green park where you can get away from all the hustle and bustle of the city.

St. Polycarp Church
St Polycarp was built in 1625 on the orders of the king of France, Louis the 13th and is the oldest Christian church in Izmir. Saint Polycarp was the bishop of Smryna, the ancient Greek city that stood where Izmir is now. Polycarp was martyred by the Romans in 155AD. The church has been damaged at various times due to fire and weather but is now restored to how it was 300 years ago. At the beginning of the century the murals were restored by the French architect Raymond Pee.

MOSQUES

Hisar Mosque

Hisar Mosque – The largest mosque in Izmir, built in 1598.

Basdurak Mosque – Built in 1652.

Kestane Pazan Mosque – Built in 1668.

Corak Kapi Mosque – Built in 1747.

Konak (YALI) Mosque – Located in front of the Government House, it was built in 1754.

Kursunlu Mosque – The oldest mosque in Izmir, built in the 16th century by Sultan Selim 1.

Shadirvan Mosque – Built in the 16th century.

Kizlaragas Mosque – Built in 1745, on the plan of a market han

Antalya is situated on Turkey’s south Mediterranean coast. It has its own international airport, about 12 miles from the city centre. Tucked into a crescent-shaped bay, the city is surrounded by the rugged Taurus Mountains.

Antalya

Antalya has a lovely harbour and the old quarter of Kaleici, which is enclosed within ancient Roman walls. Dominating the town is the Yivli Minaret (Grooved Minaret) which dates from 3rd century. There is also the amazing Archaeological Museum which houses one of the top collections in Turkey.

WEATHER

The climate here is typical Mediterranean, hot and dry in the summer and temperate and rainy in the winter. The best time to visit is between May and October when the average temperature is 25°C. In July and August the temperature often exceeds 30°C. The summer season is about 8-9 months long.

BEACHES

Konyaalti Beach is a sweeping shingle beach, not really a bathing beach, with lots of restaurants, cafes, shops and hotels.
Sandy beaches can be found at Büyük Calticak and Kuçuk Calticak, about 7

Phaselis

miles out of town.
There is also Phaselis, with its pine forests, ancient city and golden sand, and the sandy beaches at Belek which are a bit further afield.

WATERPARKS

There are two great water parks here, Aqualand (near Konyaalti) and Aquapark (Lara), which also has dolphin shows.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Kaleici
The old quarter of Kaleici has been restored and has became a popular tourist attraction, with hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment, however it has retained its original ancient Turkish archaeological characteristics. The restoration of Kaleici won the Golden Apple Prize, the Oscar of tourism. The port’s marina has also been restored and is well worth a visit.

Antalya Museum
This is one of the most notable archaeology museums in the world and is also the only museum in Turkey with a children’s department exhibiting ancient monuments. 

Hadrian's Gate

Hadrian’s Gate
This ornamental marble arch was constructed in 2nd century BC by the Romans in honour of the Emperor Hadrian.

Kesik Minaret (Broken Minaret)
This was once a Byzantine Panaglia church, but was later converted into a mosque.

Yivli Minaret
This 13th century fluted minaret was built by the Seljuks, and decorated with dark blue and turquoise tiles. The minaret has become the symbol of the city.

Karatay Medresesi, Hidirilk Tower , Ahi Yusuf Mescidi, Iskele Mosque, Murat Pasa Mosque, Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Balibey Mosque, Musellim Mosque, Seyh Sinan Efendi Mosque and Osman Efendi Mosque are also worth a visit. 

The ‘Hans’ (Seljuk or Ottoman inns) are of great architectural significance and worth a visit. Some of the best Hans are the Evdir Han, Klrkoz Han, Alara Han and Castle and Sarapsu (Serapsu) Han.

Further Afield
 
Side
Side is situated on a small peninsula extending into the sea. The word “side” is Anatolian in origin and means pomegranate.
 
Aspendos
Situated on the point where the Kopru River meets the sea, Aspendos was once an important port and a commercial centre, with a reputation for raising the best horses in the world! The odeon, basilica, galleria and fountains here are worth visiting.

Duden Waterfalls

Duden Waterfall
Found 15kms north of Antalya, the Duden Falls are the most beautiful of all the waterfalls in this area.

Olympos and the Fires of Chimaera
Located on a beautiful sandy bay, the ruins are spread out on either side of the Ulupinar River and include a Byzantine bathhouse with mosaic floors, a marble temple entrance, a theatre, and some excavated tombs. The shoreline here is also a protected nesting site for sea turtles. On the rocky slopes above the ancient city are a series of eternal flames issuing from cracks in the rock, caused by the combustion of natural gas seeping out of the mountain. The fire that comes out of the ground is said to be coming from the mouth of Chimaera, a mythical fire-breathing monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat and a snake’s tail, who was slain by the Lydian hero, Bellerophon on his winged horse, Pegasus.

Perge
Situated about 18 kms from Antalya, the ruins here are spread over two hills, the theatre on one and the acropolis on the other. According to the legend the city was built by three heroes from Troy.

Sillyon

Sillyon
Sillyon is located between Perge and Aspendos, on top of a flat-topped hill with almost vertical flanks. Because of its unusual physical formation, the hill is easily recognizable even from a distance.

Termessos
Situated 35kms from Antalya, Termessos is regarded as being the most magnificent necropolis on the Mediterranean. It has remnants of an agora, theatre and an odeon.