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Your guide to Turkey
BULGARIA
N
Black Sea
GREECE
Istanbul
Izmit Bursa ANKARA Kayseri
Troy
"Atmospheric markets, eye-popping beaches and ancient cities - Turkey is a seductive blend of sunshine, spices and sights."
Belly dancing. Bustling bazaars. Bounty-like beaches. They all scream Turkey. With one foot in the East and one in the West, it's an explosion of cultures and influences. And as you can imagine, the results are pretty amazing. Ottoman mosques rub shoulders with Roman temples. Spice markets sit alongside chic boutiques. And dramatic mountains sweep down to sunbaked beaches. Whether you're stretching out on Side's duvet-soft beaches or waxing lyrical about the eyepopping scenery of Antalya's shores, you won't know which dazzling sliver to head to next. What's more, unlike some other parts of the Med, most of Turkey's tourist resorts have lost little of their native flavour. You'll find sugar-cube towns, old castles and temples peppering many of the key sun-traps. And if it's history you're after, you couldn't ask for more. Journey back in time and explore the ruins of Ephesus. Gaze in awe at needle-like minarets in Istanbul. And relive the days of the crusades at St Peter's Castle in Bodrum. But this exotic country is also moving with the times. So turn your travels on their head and get to grips with Turkey's bang up-to-date side, too. Live the high life and mingle with the jet-set at Marmaris' marina. Or shake things up and have an after-dark ball in Bodrum's buzzing bars and clubs. Wherever you make tracks in this mesmerising Middle-East-meets-Europe land you're sure to fall for its charms in a heartbeat. Beaches Turkey's beaches are something of a sensation. Considered to be far superior to neighbouring Greece's - they're wow, wow and wow. Mile after mile of sun-drenched sands vie for your attention here. They are, without doubt, some of Europe's most beautiful. Hundreds of unspoilt lovelies garnish the shores, many of which barely see a soul. From blonde bombshells to angel-white coves, life's most certainly a beach. Topping the bill has to be Olu Deniz. Mother Nature definitely did some of her finest work here. With snow-white sands that melt into a dreamy turquoise lagoon, it's no wonder it's been photographed a million times over. Not to be outdone, the Antalya region's golden sands and sparkling seas can't help but grab your attention, too. Side's a firm favourite here, which is no surprise when you clap eyes on its 10km of coastline. All that eye-candy means it can get a tad busy though, so sneak off to the more secluded Sorgun or Kumboy beaches if you fancy a bit more privacy. Maybe you'll make a beeline for Bodrum? The younger crowds here tend to flock to Gümbet's sands, with oodles of watersports on
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a Aegean Se
Izmir
Cappodocia Erciyes Dagi
3917
Pamukkale Kusadasi Ephesus Altinkum Marmaris Ortakent Bitez Bodrum Antalya Turgutreis Side Fethiye Gumbet Hisaronu/Ovacik Icmeler Olu Deniz Turkey Kas Med iterr anean Sea
Adana
TURKEY
125 km
© TUI 2005
offer, though Tusan and Ladies beach are also popular pickings. And last but by no means least - Altinkum is another coastline where you can't put a foot wrong. With shores wide enough to land a jumbo jet, they're particularly great for kids to run about on. Decisions, decisions Things to see and do Ephesus After Pompeii, Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city in the Mediterranean. Turkey's most visited site, it was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire and the capital of Asia Minor. Once home to the Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Wonders of the World - you can still see its magnificent marble buildings and shrines. Travel back to toga-wearing days and get a real taste for what life was like in Roman times. Don't miss the Great Theatre, which during its heyday could hold up to 25,000 people and is still used as a venue for performances and concerts. Climb up to the top of the tiered seats for a superb view out across Ephesus. Another `must see' is the Library of Celsus. Dating back to 110 AD, its two storey façade features rows of elegant porticoes supported by white marble columns.
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London Turkey
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