The ancient Phocaea, Foca once formed part of the Ionian Federation. Today it is a modern lively holiday town on two deep bays. The pleasant accommodations, clean beaches and inviting restaurants make it an attractive holiday spot. Those seeking the perfect tan can find it on the natural rock terrace of Siren Islands.
PERGAMON
Bergama
(Pergamon), once a great center of culture, survives as one of Turkey's
finest archaeological sites. On the Acropolis, a hill above the modern
town, are the remains of the celebrated library, a steep and impressive
theatre, the temples of Trojan and Dionysus, the monumental altar of Zeus,
the sanctuary of Demeter, a gymnasium laid out on three terraces and the
Agora. The Asclepion, located to the southwest of the lower city, was a
sanctuary dedicated to the god of health, Asclepios. In town visit the
Archaeological and Ethnographical Museum; nearby, is the site of a temple
dedicated to Serapis, later one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse,
and subsequently converted by the Byzantines into a basilica.
Dikili, frequented by cruise liners bringing visitors to Pergamon, is Bergamas
harbortown. it offers a 
relaxing atmosphere with many pleasant
restaurants
lining the Kordon Promenade. A stop at the little port of Candarli, the
ancient Pitane, is recommended in order to see the Genoese fortress, one
of the best preserved in Turkey. Ayvalik is a charming port, situated amid
beautiful pine woods. Nearby, the 5eytan Sofrasi (Devil's Table) offers
a splendid panorama of the archipelago along the Gulf of Ayvalik and the
little island of Alibey (Cunda), where there are pleasant seafood restaurants.
Sarmisakli Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. The
Gulf of Edremit, also known as the Olive Riviera, has a number of charming
seaside resorts: Kucukkuyu, Altinoluk, Akcay (a thermal center with numerous
springs), Edremit and Oren, all with beautiful beaches, ring the Gulf of
Edremit and offer visitors a wide choice of hotels and guest houses with
views of the sea. Here also, is situated the beautiful Kaz Dagi National
Park, with magnificent landscapes, restful green areas and several hot
springs. According to mythology it was in this area that the world's first
beauty contest was held. Under the shadow of Kaz Dagi (Mt. Ida, 1774 meters)
in Pinarbasi, west of Akcay, Paris gave the golden apple to Aphrodite in
the famous "Judgement of Paris. "
BEHRAMKALE
(ASSOS)
87
km south of Canakkale in Ayvacik Province is Assos, the famous teaching
center of antiquity Aristotle, Plato's most famous student, was invited
to Assos and spent over three years living and teaching there. He married
the niece of Hermeia, founded a school of philosophy and conducted his
early exploratory work in zoology, biology and botany. The acropolis of
Assos is 238 meters above sea-level, and the Temple of Athena was constructed
on this site in the 6th century B.C. This Doric temple is being restored
to its former glory and role as guardian of the Biga Peninsula and Edremit
Gulf. Linger to see the moonlight scattered through the temple ruins, or
rise early for the gentle awakening of dawn over the acropolis, from the
top of which you can take in the magnificent vista of the Gulf of Edremit;
and you will appreciate why this heavenly location was chosen. On the terraces
descending to the sea are agoras, a gymnasium and a theatre. From the northern
corner of the acropolis, you can see a mosque, a bridge and fortress, all
built in the 14th century by the Ottoman Sultan Murat 1. Below lies a tiny
and idyllic ancient harbor. Assos has gained the reputation of being the
center of the Turkish art community with its lively, friendly and bohemian
atmosphere. This may be the holiday you will remember for years to come.
ÇANAKKALE
The city of Canakkale lies at the
narrow, 1,200-meter entrance to the Canakkale Strait that connects the
Sea of Marmara and the Aegean. Passenger and car ferries run daily between
Canakkale, on the Asian side, and Eceabat and Kilitbahir, on the European
side. Yachts navigating the straits stop at the well-equipped Canakkale
Marina to allow apparent in the well-preserved, traditional, domestic Turkish
architecture, and Ottoman Mosques. Leisure resorts have been built around
the region's hot springs, and can accommodate those seeking the thermal
springs' pleasurable and beneficial effects.
MANISA
An attractive Aegean city, Manisa
has preserved several splendid examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture.
Endowed by Ayse Sultana, mother of Suleyman the Magnificent, the Sultan
Mosque was built early in the 16th century. Every year in April, on the
grounds of this mosque, a festival is held celebrating Mesir Macunu, a
sticky imperial elixir that reputedly cured the sultan's ailing mother.
The 16th century Muradiye Mosque was designed by the great architect Sinan
and the adjacent medrese, or theological college, today houses the Archaeological
Museum. September sees the annual Harvest Festival begin when the fruits
of the vineyards are brought in with great celebration. The region's numerous
vineyards produce grapes, dried for export. South of the city lies the
Spil Dagi National Park, home of the famous "crying rock" of Niobe. If
you travel to the northeast you come to Gordes, a pleasant town particularly
known for its fine carpets. The ruins of ancient Sart (Sardis), once the
capital of the Lydian realm of Croesus, lie on the Sart Cayi (Pactole River).
Here the first coins were minted. The Temple of Artemis and a restored
gymnasium testify to the city's past splendor, as does the important third-century
A. D. synagogue. On the south side of Sardis, Mt. Boz offers hiking and
other mountain sports. On its south slope, in the village of Birgi, is
the Cakir Aga Mansion, a fine example of traditional Turkish architecture.
USAK
Historically, Usak was an important
carpet weaving center, a role it continues to play today Tourists find
the Archaeology Museum informative and interesting. The Kaftanci House
Museum, with the Ataturk Ethnography Museum, displays wonderful Usak carpets
and kilims; Ataturk resided here.
AFYON
An inaccessible and imposing citadel
dating to Byzantine times overlooks this provincial city The Archaeological
Museum and the War of Independence Memorial reveal Afyon's place in history
Monumental bas-reliefs, a legacy of the Phrygian Kingdom, are carved into
rock faces on hills north of the city. Aslantas is the largest. At Aslankaya,
lion reliefs are engraved into the sides of the rock. The Acik Hava Muzesi
(Open-Air Museum) is near the north entrance of the town of Dinar, 100
km south of Afyon. This is the site of the legendary music contest between
Apollo and Marsyas (Pan). Byzantine and Roman gravestones, inscriptions
and statues can be seen here.
KÜTAHYA
Kutahya
City is one of the oldest Turkish cities, with Turkish traditions still
being practiced today and important Ottoman architectural monuments, including
a castle, mosques, medreses, baths, complexes, mausoleums, and mansions.
One of the finest mosques is the 14th century Ulu Mosque. Kütahya
Castle offers a wonderful, panoramic view of the old town on the western
side of the city The Kutahya Archaeology Museum was a medrese in the 14th
century-, it now displays ethnographia, Roman and Byzantine relics, and
tiles of Iznik and Kütahya from Ottoman times. Lajos Kossuth, the
19th century Hungarian hero, lived with his family in what is now the Kossuth
House Museum; relics and documents related to Kossuth are displayed in
the museum. The kilns of Kutahya produced exquisite ceramics in the 16th
and 17th centuries - a craft which lives on today You can visit the workshops
where skilled artisans produce tiles, plates and bowls renowned for their
cobalt blue patterns on a milky white background. Southwest of Kütahya,
is the Roman town of Cavdarhisar (Aezani) where a theater, stadium and
the Temple of Zeus remain. In the same direction, Murat Mountain offers
camping facilities and hot springs, amid delightful scenery Near Dumlupinar
are the Baskomutan National Park and the War of Independence memorials.
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