DENIZLI
Nestled
against high mountains near the Buyuk Menderes (Meander) River is Denizli.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of a verdant valley, the area is also
rich in culture and history. The Luvians were the first inhabitants, followed
centuries later by the Hittites. Throughout centuries, the fertile plain
nourished other civilizations: The Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Macedonians,
Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and the Ottomans. Modem Denizli is a city
of wide streets, parks and hotels. The Ataturk Ethnography Museum in the
city center displays folk art and ethnic artifacts. While shopping in the
Kaleici Carsisi look for souvenirs of copper, jewelery, towels and silk
blouses. You can choose among Camlik, Incilipinar or Gokpinar Parks for
a rest, picnic, or simply a walk through the forest in the shade of pine
trees. The fresh water springs and thermal baths attract many visitors.
PAMUKKALE
A
magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world, Pamukkale (Hierapolis)
is a fairyland of dazzling white, petrified 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. Another
thermal center northwest of Pamukkale, Karahayit is known for its water's
high iron content. 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. It is covered with a gorgeous alpine
forest. Early Christians settled on the northern slope; the name of this
ancient site is Colossae, and remains of the settlement can be seen.
MUGLA
The province
of Mugla includes the famous holiday cities of Bodrum, Marmaris, Datca,
Koycegiz and Fethiye. Beautiful resorts, comfortable hotels and motels,
cozy guest houses, impressive ruins of past civilizations and magnificent
landscapes offer holiday makers plenty of choice. Mugla, the province's
capital, lies inland and is known for its traditional architecture. In
the village of Ozluce, a veritable open-air museum east of Mugla, is Turolian
Park, where you can find fossils that are from 5 - 9 million years old.
BODRUM
An
impressive medieval castle built by the Knights of Rhodes guards the entrance
to Bodrum's dazzling blue bay, in which the Aegean and the Mediterranean
Seas meet. The town's charm is well-known, attracting a diverse population
of vacationers who stroll along its long palm-lined waterfront, while elegant
yachts crowd the marina. Not far from town, you can swim in absolutely
clear, tideless, warm seas. Underwater divers, especially, will want to
explore the numerous reefs, caves and majestic rock formations. The waters
offer up multicolored sponges of all shapes and sizes, octopi and an immense
variety of other aquatic life. The reputation of Bodrum's boatyards dates
back to ancient times, and today, craftsmen still build the traditional
yachts: the tirhandil with a pointed bow and stern, and the gulette with
a broad beam and rounded stern. The latter, especially, are used on excursions
and pleasure trips, and in the annual October Cup Race. 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 as the center
of the 
Turkish
art community with its lively, friendly and Bohemian atmosphere and many
small galleries. This community has encouraged an informal day-time life
style and a night-time of excitement. The evenings in Bodrum are for sitting
idly in one of the many restaurants, dining on fresh seafood and other
Aegean specialties. Afterwards night clubs (some with cabaret) and superb
discos keep you going until dawn. Bodrum, known in ancient times as Halicarnassus,
was the birthplace of Heredotus and the site of King Mausolus' Tomb (4th
century B.C. ), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the harbor,
the Bodrum Castle, or the medieval castle of St. Peter, is a fine example
of 15th century Crusader architecture, and has been converted into the
Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with remains dating as far back as the
Bronze Age. The stunning panoramic view from Goktepe, nearby, is much photographed
by visitors to the Museums' second-century theater. The beautiful Bodrum
Peninsula suits holidaymakers 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
masts of 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, Karaincir, is ideal for lively active days by the sea and relaxed,
leisurely evenings with local villagers. Finally, Akyarlar enjoys a well-deserved
reputation for the fine, powdery sand of its beach.
AROUND
BODRUM
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 a blue-flag beach. In Turgutreis, the birthplace
of a great Turkish admiral of the same name, you will find a monument honoring
him. 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. See
the north coast of the peninsula - Torba, Turkbuku, Golkoy and Gundogan
- by road or, even better, hire a boat and crew to explore the quiet coves,
citrus groves and wooded islands. Little windmills which still provide
the energy to grind grain crown hills covered with olive trees. Torba,
a modem village. with holiday villas and a nice marina is located 8 km
north of Bodrum. Golkoy and Turkbuku are small and simple fishing villages
with a handful of taverns overlooking a lovely bay. After a boat trip to
Karaada, half an hour from Bodrum, you can bathe in the grotto where the
warm mineral waters flowing out of the rocks are believed to beautify the
complexion. The translucent and deep waters of the Gulf of G6kova, on the
southern shore of the 
Bodrum
peninsula vary from the darkest blue to the palest turquoise, and the coastline
is thickly wooded with every hue of green. In the evening, the sea reflects
the mountains silhouetted against the setting sun, and at night it shimmers
with phosphorescence. You can take a yacht tour or hire a boat from Bodrum
for a two-, three-, or seven-day tour of the gulf. The Gulf of Gulluk,
and harbor of the same name, lie north of the Bodrum peninsula on the Aegean.
The mythological Dolphin Boy is said to have been born a little farther
to the north at Kiyikislacik (lassos). South of GuIluk, Varvil, ancient
Bargilya, sits at the end of a deep narrow inlet surrounded by olive covered
hillsides. Inland from Gulluk is Milas, ancient Mylasa, known for its beautiful
carpets - a century old tradition which continues today The weavers rarely
mind a visitor watching them at work. Plenty of old Turkish houses with
carved timbers and latticed windows provide examples of the local architectural
style. Gumuskesen, a monumental tomb, thought to be a small copy of the
famous Halicarnassus Mausoleum, stands in the west of the city. The ancients
built Labranda, a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus, high in the mountains. Today
tourists have rediscovered this mountain retreat and escape to its exhilarating
air and breathtaking scenery.
