The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was rebuilt several times. The city ruins include a theater, gymnasium, the agora and baths, as well as the Celsus Library. The earliest artifacts from Ephesus are dated at 3000 B.C. After the early civilizations of the Carians and Leleks was destroyed by the Kimmerians in the 7th century B.C., the area was rebuilt by the Lydian King Croesus. The area was subsequently conquered by the Persian king, Cyrus, and later by the Romans. Ephesus was an important port city until with the passing of time and erosion, the bay gradually filled with sand. Also, earthquakes damaged the city and by 527 A.D. it was deserted.
Harpy Monument and Xanthros Theatre, Antalya
At the popular resort Fethiye, 135 km southeast of Marmaris, is a major marina at the head of a beautiful bay strewn with islands. A hill crowned by the ruins of a crusader fortress built by the Knights of Rhodes overlooks the little port. Above the ancient town of Telmessos, numerous Lycian rock tombs, reproducing the facades of ancient buildings, were cut into the cliff face. The Tomb of Amyntas, which probably dates from the fourth century BC is the most remarkable.
Swimmers head for the popular Calis Beach, four kilometers west of town, or to Sovalye Island, opposite the harbor, which blazes with flowers in the spring.
The road to Belcegiz Bay takes you through mountains where cozy guest houses cater to those seeking mountain scenery. Ocakkoy is the mountain village that is a must see. Stay in one of the lovely guest houses and enjoy the numerous hiking possibilities. Hisaronu, also in the mountains, has very nice hotels.
St. John's Selcuk - Izmir
Tradition has it that St. John brought St.Mary to Ephesus after the death of Christ and that she lived until the age of 101 in a small house (Meryemana Evi) built for her on Bulbuldagi (Mt. Koressos). Now a popular place of pilgrimage for Catholics and Muslims, the house has received the official sanction of the Vatican and a commemoration ceremony is held every year on August 15th. The third church council in 431 was held in the Baslica of the Virgin Mary in' Ephesus. The Seljuk Turks came to the Seljuk / Ephesus area in 1090. Near Seljuk in Camlik is a TCDD Open-air Steam Locomotives Museum. Eight km east of Seljuk is Sirince, known for its traditional 19th century village houses, some of which have been converted into guest houses. Wine is produced in this small hillside Turkish village, which is a living museum. Not to be missed are the handcrafts on sale in the village. Eighteen km from Seljuk are facilities for wine tasting.
Temple of Apollo, Didim - Aydin
Gullubahce (Priene) was one of the busiest ports of the Ionian Federation. The grid-like system of streets introduced in the 4th century B.C. by Hippodamos of Miletos is a superb example of early town planning.
Milet (Miletos), like Priene, was a great Ionian port and the birthplace of several philosophers and sages. The theater justifies a visit as do the Archeology Museum and the well preserved ruins of the Faustina baths.
Although Didim (Didyma) can only boast a single monument, it is nevertheless a marvelous site. The Temple of Apollo was one of antiquity's most sacred places. Many times looted and burned, the colossal sanctuary still impresses with its elegant beauty surrounded by a double-colonnaded portico. Not far from the archeological site is the beautiful beach of Altinkum with its many guest houses. Akbuk is another resort in the region with inviting beach hotels.
Gullubahce (Priene), Aydin
Although the history of Geyre (Aphrodisias) stretches farther back in time, this city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility, rose to prominence in the first century B.C. Some of the richest treasures of ancient times were uncovered in the excavations here. The public buildings are handsomely adorned with marble that was carved with the skill that produced remarkable temples, monuments, baths, a theater and a magnificent stadium. The reputation of the city's craftsmen for the exquisite finesse of their sculpting spread through the civilized world, and Aphrodisias became the center of the greatest sculpting school of antiquity. Many of its marvelous works of art are now housed in the local museum. The theater and bouleuterion are among the city's best-preserved ruins.
About 35 km east of Aydin is Sultanhisar, host to an Art and Culture Festival every spring. Nearby, in the quiet of the olive trees, are the ruins of ancient Nysa, famous in the 2nd century A.D. as an educational center.
Travertines, Pamukkale - Denizli
A magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world, Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is a fairyland of dazzling white, calcified castles. Thermal spring waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau's edge have created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Both the thermal center with its motels and thermal pools, and the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, are situated on the plateau. The 2nd century Roman theater seats 25,000. Northwest of Pamukkale is the thermal center of Karahayit, known for the high iron content of its water. Honaz Dagi National Park is 20 km east of Denizli, near the town of Honaz. Mt. Honaz is one of the most beautiful and highest peaks (2528 m) in the Aegean region, covered with a gorgeous alpine forest. On the northern slope is the ancient site of Colossae, but with very few remains.
Akyaka, Bodrum - Mugla
The yearly throng of visitors has encouraged small entrepreneurs to make shopping in Bodrum a delight. Leather goods of all kinds, natural sponges and the local blue glass beads are among the bargains to be found in the friendly little shops along the narrow, white- walled streets. Charming boutiques offer kilims, carpets, sandals and embroidery as well as original fashions in soft cotton.
Bodrum has gained the reputation of being a center of the Turkish art community with its lively, friendly and Bohemian atmosphere and many small galleries. This community has encouraged an informal daytime lifestyle and an exciting nightlife. Early evenings in Bodrum are for savoring fresh seafood and other Aegean specialties of the many restaurants.
Afterwards, night clubs (some with cabaret) and superb discos keep you going until dawn. The beautiful Bodrum Peninsula suits holiday makers interested in a subdued and relaxing atmosphere. Enchanting villages, with guest houses and small hotels on quiet bays, dot the peninsula. On the southern coast, Bardakci, Gumbet, Bitez, Aktur, Ortakent Yalisi, Karaincir, Bagla and Akyarlar have fine, sandy beaches (Bitez, Ortakent and Aktur are blue-flag beaches). Campers and windsurfers enjoy Gumbet, and at Bitez colorful sailboards weave skillfully among the yachts in the bay. On shore you can enjoy quiet walks through the orange and tangerine groves bordering the beach. Ortakent has one of the longest stretches of sandy beach in the area and offers an ideal place for relaxing in solitude. One of the most beautiful beaches on the Bodrum peninsula is Karaincir, ideal for active days by the sea and relaxed, leisurely evenings with local villagers. Finally, Akyarlar enjoys a well-deserved reputation for the fine, powdery sands of its beach.
Sponges in Bodrum - Mugla
Turgutreis, Gumusluk and Yalikavak, all with excellent beaches, lie on the western side of the peninsula and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. Gumusluk Beach is blue-flag rated. Turgutreis was named for the, great Turkish admiral who was born there. In the ancient port of Myndos (Gumusluk) you can easily make many friends with the hospitable and outgoing local population. In Yalikavak, white washed houses with cascading bougainvillaea line narrow streets. Small cafes and the occasional windmill create a picturesque setting. Though you can see the north coast of the peninsula and Torba, Turkbuku, Golkoy and Gundogan by road, it is even better to hire a boat and crew to explore the quiet coves, citrus groves and wooded islands. Little windmills, still providing the energy to grind grain crown, hills covered with olive trees. Torba, a modem village with holiday villas and a nice marina is located eight km north of Bodrum. Golkoy and Turkbuku are small, simple fishing villages with a handful of taverns overlooking a lovely bay.
Icmeler, Marmaris - Mugla
As you travel out of Datca, either by road or by boat, you will find unspoiled bays and golden sandy beaches. Kargi is one of the most popular. At the end of the peninsula, 38 km from Datca, stands the ancient Carian city of Knidos, described by Strabo as "a city that was built for the most beautiful of goddesses, Aphrodite, on the most beautiful of peninsulas." (Earlier in history Datca, itself was also called Knidos). The city which was famous as a center of art and culture in the 4th century B.C. had two harbors, one on the Aegean and the other on the Mediterranean. The remains of a circular temple dedicated to the goddess of love overlook the two harbors; the arcaded way was built of white marble, heart - shaped columns. The legendary Aphrodite statue by Praxiteles was one of the most beautiful sculptures of antiquity and once graced this temple.
Kaunos Rock Tombs, Dalyan - Mugla
The town of Koycegiz lies at the northern end of the lake of the same name and is joined to the Mediterranean by a natural channel. This unique environment is a nature and wildlife sanctuary. A road shaded with aromatic frankincense trees leads to the tiny village of Dalyan on the inland waterway. The maze of channels is easily explored by boat as you traverse this tranquil dream world. The restaurants which line the waterways specialize in delicious fresh fish. High on the cliff face, above the fascinating ancient harbor city of Caunos, are magnificent tombs that were carved into the rock. The Dalyan Delta, with the long, golden lztuzu sandy beach at its mouth, is a nature conservation area and a refuge for sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and blue crabs.
