Mainpage
About South-West Turkey
The region is bathed in sunshine 300 days a year and is a paradise for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. You can also explore important historical sites dating back thousands of years, set in a landscape of pine forests and citrus groves and learn about the mythology that is intertwined with the area. The Mediterranean coast is full of antique artefacts.
The landscape presents an astonishing variety, from large plains to high mountains stretching east to west. Nature mingles with history at every step, bearing the heritage of several civilizations. Since the first settlements of 6500 B.C. on this land, legend has always embellished reality, leading us to Ephesus or Aspendos, miraculously preserved monuments to the Hellenistic-Roman civilizations.
The best known holiday resorts in the area are Bodrum, Marmaris, Datça, Gökova, Köycegiz and Fethiye, where many foreigners found a second home, too. Private boats can be chartered to explore the bays of the south Aegean, immortalised in several books and poems and called Mavi Yolculuk (Blue Voyage).
Bodrum (ancient Halikarnas) is the birthplace of the great historian Herodotus. The mausoleum of King Mausolos was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Marmaris is a lively resort with a modern marina surrounded by lush mountains and crystal-clear waters, and further south is the bay of Ölüdeniz, famous for water sports and paragliding, and the coastal town of Fethiye.
A treasury of all the riches of Ionian culture, Ephesus had a reputation for philosophy and critical thinking. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as well as countless statues, theatres, libraries, markets and smaller temples were all architectural symbols of the city's fame
Many would agree that the coastal region of south-west Turkey
has some of the most stunning views in the country and, in the words
of Herodotus, "has the most beautiful sky and
the best climate in the world."
The peninsulas and golden beaches stretch along the
coastline and this region was also the venue of countless
mythological events. There are remains of ancient cities
near any holiday resort that one may chose
Any kind of sport is possible, golf, trekking, river rafting, bird watching in the wetlands and of course, any kind of water related sports are only a small choice.
Many traditional events take place in the autumn or spring, like Turkish bullfights, camel wrestling, (where no bull or camel is harmed!) or the famous oil wrestling are well worth a day, not only for the event, but you will dive in an atmosphere completely authentic and far away from touristy shows
The touristy infrastructure is superb, a wide variety from 5-star hotels to simple pensions is available. Car renting is never a problem, organized tours are offered to the most famous attractions of the country at reasonable prices.
