NORTH EGEAN

KUŞADASI

The surroundings furnish the occasion to admire some of the most qualified and interesting archaeological sites in all of Turkey: from Ephesos to Priene, Miletus, Colophon. The spacious gulf of Kusadasi is circumscribed on the north by an irregular peninsular appendix which separates it from the gulf of Izmir, terminating opposite the island of Chios. In the southern portion a promontory extends towards the island of Samos, leaving a narrow arm of the sea open. In front of the inhabited center, on an isle connected by a road to the mainland, rises the Kucukada Kalesi, an ancient fortress still surrounded by imposing turreted glacis. This fortress became famous during the 16th century when it was used as base for the exploits of the pirate Khair ad-Din better known as Barbarossa. The famous corsair together with his brothers raged along the Aegean coasts of North Africa, and established a small kingdom in Algeria which served as a bridgehead for further conquests in the Mediterranean basin. After the occupation of Tunis (1533) the Turkish sultan Suleyman entrusted him with the command of the Ottoman fleet against Charles V and the marine republics of Venice and Genoa, which he long kept at bay, acquiring great prestige and riches.

DİDİM

Didim, which is 108 km away from the city center of Aydın, was founded as a sacred place of worship in about seventh century BC. The fact that it is near  to the major tourism centers – Bodrum and Kuşadası, makes the area more precious and accessible. Another advantage of Didim is that it has the most fascinating beaches of the Aegean Sea.

 Didim’s fame rests on the magnificent Temple Of Apollo, a building of awesome scale. Building works in the name of Apollo were started in the eight or seventh centuries BC. Branchids where ruling the region these days.

In the Ottoman times Didim was a Byzantine town called “Yoran / Yeronda”. But after the War Of Liberation, the Byzantines migrated from the town. The Yürüks coming from abroad and some landowners of nearby towns settled to the city afterwards.

The first settlement place of Didim was the region in which Temple Of Apollo was built – so called Hisar nowadays. Since the buildings in the region were damaged because of an earthquake in 1957, the district was rebuilt in Yenihisar by the government. In 1996, the name of the town became Didim.

PAMUKKALE

The sources of thermal water for Pamukkale are about 20 km from Denizli. The ancient city of Hierapolis is also located in the same place. The water comes from underground karstic caverns and creates the cascades through precipitation of calcium bicarbonate as the carbon dioxide evaporates.
Thermal spring water is beneficial for myocardium and cardiac complaints.
The curative value of this thermal spring was understood in ancient times as well. It has been used for centuries. During the Roman Era religious ceremonies and festivals were held at the thermal pools, and important statesmen and rich people came to Hierapolis to be cured. Religious functionaries and ancient physicians administered healing.

BODRUM

Bodrum is the prettiest resort in the southern Aegean. Nestling amongst pine clad hills it is dominated by the massive crusader castle of St. Peter built by the
rather shady Knights Hospitalier who lost it soon afterwards to the all conquering Suleyman. The visual aspect of Bodrum which most people find so appealing is, basically, it's similarity to postcard perfect Greek fishing villages. The white washed walls and Bougainvillea, the painted wooden windows and doors, you get the picture. It's a good place to have a good time if you're after bars and clubs. On the plus side it can be a good base to explore the peninsula, which has some nice beaches, and it's an excellent place from which to embark on a blue boat voyage.

Hosting so many civilizations, Bodrum became very rich during the Persian reign. In 546 BC, after the Lydia Kingdom collapsed, Persians started to rule Bodrum. In 300s BC, during the reign of Persian governor Mouselos, Bodrum became a very famous and rich center. After Mouselos died in 352 BC, his wife Artemisia had a memorial tomb built for his husband, and all memorial tombs have been called mausoleum since then. This mausoleum became one of the seven wonders of the World. Unfortunately a big part of this 45-meters-high mausoleum, some of which is in British Museum, is lost. Bodrum Castle was built by Rodos Knights and used for defense. Inside of this castle is the Bodrum Museum.

As for taking the wrecks out of the sea, Bodrum is the center for Underwater Archeology Museums. A Phoenician trade wreck belonging to the Classical Age, which is exhibited in the museum after being taken out of the sea by the archeologists and instructors thanks to the financial and educational support from Texas A & M University, is one of the best intact wrecks which is being exhibited. A few lines here are not enough at all to tell the history of Bodrum...

DATÇA

“If God wishes his slave to be long-lasting, lefts him in Datça Peninsula”

STRABON

At the intersection of the Aegean and the Mediterranean seas, Datça is a beauty of sand, sun and nature. Between the evergreen pine forests and the deep blue sea, Datça is untouched. Fresh air is abundant here; health is practically inevitable.

Datca was named as Daria in the ancient times. Datça was founded by Dors and Karias. For Herodotus, Dors founded the main city in the region and the city reached to prosperity under the rule of that tribe. Dors founded six cities under Hexapolis Union. Knidos was the center of those and it was located in Datça peninsula. In that period, sea trade became important and merchants used the harbor as a marketplace. Furthermore, the town was a bishopric center. The temples found in the excavations are taken as signs of strong religious influence. The region was invaded by many different civilizations such as Lydians, Persians and Romans. After Seljuks, Ottoman rule began in the region.

MARMARIS

being one of the most important yachting centers in the mediterranean, the pearl of turkey's southern coast hosts countless visitors from around world every year

it is the perfect embarking point for all activities and excursions

famous cities are accessible via local bus (dolmuş), even rhodes can be visited by hydrofoil and only takes a surprising 45 minutes with its natural beauty, proximity to ancient cities, modern and natural yacht harbours and a gulf suitable for water sports, marmaris is the place for everything

SARIGERME

Sarıgerme’s shallow sea and golden sands continues to be a favourite with tourists. Its blue-flagged bays and pine forests which reach as high as the mountains offer you a completely different atmosphere.

Years ago, sturdy logs were cut from the Saros Mountains to the Dalaman river and stacked at the river mouth to stop flooding.
There was a stream called Sarısu in the region and following the building of this dam, the stream’s name was added to call the region "SARIGERME". Just some of the pastimes you can enjoy in Sarigerme are parachuting, water-skiing, banana rides, surfing, yachting, jet-skiing and canoeing.

You can also go on a photo-safari accompanied by a guide. Most hotels and pensions organise these tours in agreement with local guides. More alternatives include diving around Baba Island and trekking.

FETHİYE

Once upon a time, the god Apollo fell in love with the youngest daughter of Finike King. The girl was so shy that he had to find an exceptional way to get closer to her. To live close to her, he turned himself into a little puppy. When he won her heart, he appeared as a handsome young guy. The couple named their first kid as Telmessos (The city of lights).

Once Telmessos, now known as Fethiye, is where green meets the charm of the sea. No far, private beaches wait to be explored. Stepping into the sea, experience the beauty of coral reefs and marine life Founded by Lykians in 5thcentury BC, Fethiye became an important city of culture and trade. In the 4th cc BC, Pericles of Lycia led its forces to the city and captured it. Afterwards, Alexander the Great conquered the town and he was very welcome by the locals. Ruled for sometime by Pergamon kingdom, the region eventually became a part of Roman Empire. In the 9cc BC, it was called Makri and its present name honors a local martyr. After Byzantium sovereignty, it became an Ottoman state and with Turkish settlement it became a small harbor town.