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Apollon Temple Didyma

Didyma is located near the village of Didim near the town of Söke in the province of Aydýn in the Aegean region. Here one finds an important sanctuary that housed one of the oracles of Apollo. It was connected to Miletus by sea, and those arriving by ship would land at the harbour of Panormus and thence follow the Sacred way to Didyma.

Until its destruction by the Persians in 494 B.C. it was administered by the family of the Branchidae, the descendants of Bronchos, a youth beloved of Apollo.

For the last two kilometers the Sacred Way was lined with seated statues of the male and female members of the Branchidae family. After his capture of Miletus in 334 B. C. Alexander the Great placed the administration of the oracle in the hands of the city of Miletus. In 331 B.C. the oracle proclaimed Alexander "the son of Zeus". In 300 B.C. the Milesians embarked on the construction of the largest temple in the Greek world.

Although work continued until the middle of the 2nd century A.D. the temple was never finished. Later, a church and other buildings were constructed, while the Byzantines built a barracks in which troops were garrisoned.

The buildings were damaged by fire and in the 15th century further damage was caused by a great earthquake. The Temple of Apollo (Didymaion) was the largest and wealthiest Ionic temple in Anatolia and was renowned for its holy relics, its treasury, its sacred spring and sacred laurel grove. Investigations in the Temple of Apollo were first undertaken in 1834 by the French traveller Charles Texier and the English archaeologist Charles T. Newton, who had conducted the excavations at Halicarnassus.

Ephesus and Virgin Mary`s House

According to the old legends, Ephesus was founded by the female warriors known as the Amazons. The name of the city is thought to have been derived from "apasas", the name of a city in the "Kingdom of Arzava" meaning the "city of the Mother Goddess". Ephesus was inhabited from the end of the Bronze Age onwards, but changed its location several times in the course of its long history in accordance with habits and requirements.

Carians and Lelegians are to be have been among the city's first inhabitants. Ionian migrations are said to have begun in around 1200 B.C. According to legend, the city was founded for the second time by Androclus, the son of Codrus, king of Athens, on the shore at the point where the cayster empties into the sea, a location to which they had been guided by a fish and a wild boar on the advice of the soothsayers.

The Ionian cities that grew up in the wake of the Ionian migrations joined in a confederacy under the leadership of Ephesus.

The region was devastated during the Cimmerian invasion at the beginning of the 7th century B.C. Under the rule of the Lydian kings, Ephesus became one of the wealthiest cities in the Mediterranean world.

The defeat of the Lydian King Croesus by Cyrus, the King of Persia, prepared the way for the extension of Persian hegemony over the whole of the Aegean coastal region. At the beginning of the 5th century, when the Ionian cities rebelled against Persia, Ephesus quickly dissociated itself from the others, thus escaping destruc. 

Bodrum Turkey

Bodrum today a popular holiday resort with a yacht harbor, hillside villas and palm-lined streets, Bodrum was known as Halikarnossos that, in the time of Mausollus, became one of the great cities of the Mediterranean. Mausollus’ father had ruled most of Caria and been recognized by the Persians as a satrap of the province. Though Mausollus continued to pay tribute to the Persians he has for practical purposes an independent ruler, controlling not only the hinterland but also most of the Greek cities of the coast together with neighboring island.

The success of his policy depended on a fleet as well as on diplomacy and Halikarnossos provided him with a good harbor as well as a worthy site for his capital, which then enjoyed a prosperity it had never know before. In later ages the city’s principal claim to fame was as the site of one the Seven Wonders of the World the magnificent sculptured tomb of Mausollus.

But even this was shattered and forgotten when, in 1404, the Knights of St John began the construction of the almost impregnable Castle of St Peter to serve as an outpost of their headquarters at Rhodes. In 1522, when Halikarnossos finally fell to the Turks along with Rhodes, it was the last place in Asia Minor under Christian sovereignty. 

Kusadasi Turkey

Kusadasi, one of Turkey's principle holiday resorts, offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Situated on the west coast of Turkey 90 km south of Izmir, Kusadasi, is reputed for one of the most attractive city of the Aegean, as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Priene, Didyma, Miletos the principals of ancient times, and ideal for sightseers.

Kusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, providing a long tourism season. The city is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year. Numerous powdery sandy beaches with warm clear waters, providing a peaceful atmosphere, allow a great variety of water and beach facilities.

Windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and beach volley are only a few choice for the lovers of active life. After sunbathing restfully during the day, the city awaits the superb sunset. As the sun sets, the attractive cafes and restaurants through the palm-lined boulevard, get busier.

It is a great delight to watch the comings and goings of the yachts and ships with accompanience of the panoramic view of the sunset, on a pre-drink before the dinner. The restaurants, serving a variety of fresh seafood &fish and Aegean specialties, offer a delicious meal in Kusadasi. Dancing and entertaining at a lively bar or a disco until dawn, may end an ideal day in Kusadasi.

Marmaris Turkey

Once a sleepy fishing village, Marmaris has ballooned into one of the Aegean coast, if not Turkey.Little of its history remains as the town is now a modern development with tourism at its heart and soul. The population swells to a massive 200.000 in the summer with most hotels, restaurants, night clubs, shops catering to low cost package holidays although there are facilities for all budgets.

Despite the development which reaches around 10 km along the west of the bay, Marmaris is also well known for its expanse of green, presents the whole year round thanks th the pine covered hills which surround the town. There many villages close by for day trips.The yacht harbour is the biggest and newest in Turkey, therefor the busiest charter port especially for trips along the Turquoise Coast.

In addition to the climate beaches and facilities of the town the transportation infrastructure is a definite plus for attraction visitors. It has easy connections to the nearby airport Dalaman, ferries to Rhodes. on the road Datca and Fethiye is the near resorts.

 Kalkan Turkey

There is something unique about Kalkan that makes this a very special place to visit and the perfect place to experience a little bit of Turkey. Nestled at the base of a mountain the pretty town descends to the sea in amaze of cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. This once sleepy fishing village now has an air of sophistication about it with an abundance of interesting shops, restaurants, bars and cafés.

These all come to life as the sun goes down and the town buzzes with activity as visitors and locals alike enjoy the magical Kalkan nightlife. Relaxation is easily found in Kalkan. You can stretch out in the sun by the water's edge at the many beach clubs or enjoy the atmosphere of the town beach where the local children play and the water is clear and turquoise.

Gumbet Turkey

Gumbet is a popular holiday resort of Turkey located close to Bodrum. The town is popular for its exotic long beaches ,historical ruins and happening nightlife. You can enjoy many water sports at the beaches at Gumbet and spend memorable evening at the bars, discos and nightclubs.

The climate of Gumbet is the typical Mediterranean climate with less humidity and temperature above 30 in July. Some of the popular sights visited at Gumbet are Myndus Gate , Mausoleum of Halicarnassus  and Bodrum Castle that includes the Museum of Underwater Archaeology .

There are many popular islands ,bays , hills , old villages ,forests and historical monuments close to Gumbet where either local sight seeing or overnight excursions on boats are provided.

Alanya Antalya Turkey

Alanya is a popular seaside resort in southern Turkey about 150 km east of Antalya To the east and west of Alanya you find some of the best beaches in Turkey, the Taurus Mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop to the north. Most of old Alanya lies on the great rocky promontory that juts out into the sea. In the old town you find many old houses, towers and mosques, as well as a nice small harbour.

At the waterfront there are plenty of friendly bars, tea-houses, cafes and restaurants with an excellent range of international and traditional cuisine.High above Alanya you find an impressive 14-th century citadel. Within its walls are quaint houses, mosques and a Byzantine church decorated with frescoes. There are twisting narrow alleyways tempting shoppers with their colourful boutiques and stalls of cheese-cloth dresses, carpets, copper and jewellery.

Below the citadel you find sea caves and grottoes. Some can only be reached by boat but you can walk up to the most famous, Damlatas or “Cape of Dripping Stones”. The beautiful cave has a host of impressive stalactites and stalagmites with a moist warm atmosphere said to benefit asthma sufferers. As well as its cultural and historical sights, Alanya has an unbeatable beach life too.

Beautiful sandy Cleopatra beach lies to the west of the resort while the fine sands of Alanya beach stretch to the east. A good range of water-sports are available too. The nightlife is easy-going and relaxed with a wide choice of night-spots located at the edge of town. Take your pick from lively bars to late-night discos for real night-owls. The coast of Alanya consists of wide beaches and they have blue flag.

Blue Flag is an international practice that determines and inspects the cleanness of the sea water and beach standarts. Blue Flag is to the beaches that conforms with these qualities and it is valid for one year. Every fortnight microbiological and physiochemical analyses of the water is done. In Alanya the colour of the sea turns to turquoise from blue. In still weather it is possible to see the fish deep in the sea. It is common of fish wandering around your feet.