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Altin Yunus Marina and
Holiday Complex
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Cesme
The
Cesme Peninsula, lapped by the waters of the Aegean
Sea, lies west of Izmir. The name 'Cesme', meaning
fountain, refers to the many springs found in the area
during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is one of
Turkey's most beautiful stretches - surrounded by
clear blue sea, with landscapes of cultivated fields
of aniseed, sesame and artichokes dotted with fig and
gum trees. In the unspoiled bays you can swim in
absolute peace. Visitors will find excellent holiday
accommodations, restaurants, sports and entertainment
facilities. A 14th century Genoese fortress, restored
and enlarged by the Ottomans in the 16th century,
dominates the small port of Cesme, 80km from Izmir.
Today the town is a popular holiday resort with
excellent accommodations and restaurants. The 16th
century caravanserai near the fortress, built by
Suleyman the Magnificent, has been convert a hotel,
while the 19th century Church of Hagios Haralambos has
been restored as the Emir Caka art gallery Thermal
baths offer a health-oriented escape from modern life.
Excellent shopping - the finest quality carpets,
leather goods, as well as souvenir items are available.
At night a lively, fun atmosphere pervades, especially
in the restaurants, cafes, bars and discos along the
promenade. Yachts can be hired to explore the
Peninsula's splendid coastline. Cesme hosts an annual
International Song Contest in the summer. Also, weekly
ferry lines run from Cesme to Venice. The very popular
holiday center of Ilica boasts an excellent white,
sandy beach, and the out standing facilities of the
Altin Yunus Marina and Holiday Complex. The bay here
is ideal for water sports, especially windsurfing and
sailing. The thermal baths around Ilica are very
popular; the best being located on Sifne Bay; Pasha
Limani has a campsite which offers campers comfortable
facilities. In Ilica Bay, the colorful International
Cakabey Optimist Yacht race is held every year in July.
Ildiri, a quiet seaside village 20 km northeast of
Cesme, was ancient Erythrai, Those who climb up to the
Acropolis at dusk are rewarded with beautiful views as
the sun sinks over the bay and islands. Nearby Gerence
Gulf is a pristine inlet northeast of the Cesme
Peninsula which can be reached by yacht or car. The
natural surroundings offer relaxation while the bay is
ideal for water sports. In Dalyan, a fishing village
built on a sheltered deep water inlet just north of
Cesme, some of the region's best fish restaurants
border the quay of the lively marina. Tourists are
attracted by the variety of Ciftlik's accommodations,
and by a long, sandy beach (Pirlanta Plaj), just
outside of town to the southwest. Camping facilities
are available to the south, and nearby stretches one
of the area's best beaches, the Altinkum Plaj (Golden
Beach). Windmills, some of which have been converted
into attractive restaurants, dot the hill above
Alacati, a delightful and typical Aegean town. Alacati
lies to the south inland from ilica and the coast; a
couple of kilometers to the south is a good beach.
Many lovely bays, accessible only by yacht, are to be
found along the coast southeast of the town and ensure
peaceful and relaxing anchorage in this popular
sailing region. Known in ancient times as Clazomenae,
Urla Iskelesi offers a marina as well as plentiful
accommodation in all price ranges. Restaurant on the
top of Guvendik hill afford a marvelous view of the
bay and its islands.
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