The Yamanlar Camligi, a pine forest near the lovely Karagol Lake, 40km northeast of Karsiyaka, is a popular picnic spot that also has restaurantsand a swimming pool.
A Hitite bas- relief is carved into the rock at Kemalpasa (20 km fromIzmir) which lies in the Karebel Pass.
On the highest point above Izmir, Belkahve overlooks the Gulf of Izmirand is a relaxing spot to enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee. A favorite hauntof Ataturk's, it is now the site of the largest statue in his honor.
The Seven Churches of the Apocalypse, mentioned by St. John in the Bookof Revelations, formed separate and distinct communities, and are all foundin Turkey: Izmir (Smyrna), Efes (Ephesus), Eskihisar (Laodicea), and Bergama(Pergamum). Tours of one to four days can be arranged to see several orall of the churches.
The Cesme Peninsula, lapped by the waters of the Aegean Sea, lies westof Izmir. The name 'Cesme", meaning fountain refers to the many springsfound in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is one of Turkey'smost beautiful stretches surrounded by clear blue sea, with landscapesof cultivated fields of aniseed , sesame and artichokes dotted with figand gum trees. In the upspoiled bays you can swim in absolute peace.Visitorswill find excellent holiday accommodations, restaurants, sports and entertainmentfacilities.
A 14th century Genoese fortress, restored and enlarged by the Ottomansin the 16th century, dominates the small port of Cesme, 80 km from Izmir.Today the town is a popular holiday resort with excellent accommodationsand restaurants. The 16th century caravanserai near the fortress, builtby Suleyman the Magnificent, has been converted into a hotel, while the19th century Church of Hagios Haralambos has been restored as the EmirCaka art gallery. Thermal baths offer a health-oriented escape from modernlife. The finest quality carpets, leather goods, as well as souvenir itemsare available in shops here. 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.Cesmehosts an annual International Song Contest in the summer. Also, weeklyferry lines run from Cesme to Venice. The very popular holiday center ofIlica boasts an excellent white, sandy beach, and the outstanding facilitiesof the Altin Yunus Marina and Holiday Complex. The bay here is ideal forwater sports, especially windsurfing and sailing. The thermal baths aroundIlica are very popular; the best being located on Sifne Bay; Pasa Limanihas a campsite which offers campers comfortable facilities.In ilica Bay,the colorful Internationl Cakabey Optimist Yacht race is held every yearin July.
Ildiri, a quietf seaside village 20 km northeast o1 Cesme, was ancientErythrai. Those who climb up to the acropolis at dusk are rewarded withbeautifuul views as the sun sinks over the bay and islands. Nearby GerenceGulf is pristine inlet northeast of the Cesme Peninsula which can be reachedby yacht or car. The natural surroundings offer relaxation while the bayis ideal for water sports. In Dalyan, a fishing village built on a sheltereddeep water inlet just north of Cesme, some of the region's best fish restaurantsborder the quay of the lively marina.
Tourists are attracted by the variety of Ciftlik's acommodations, andby a long, sandy beach (Pirlanta Plaj),just outside of town to the southwest.Campingfacilities are available to the south, and nearby stretches one of thearea's best beaches, the Altinkum Plaj (Golden Beach). Windmills, someof which have been converted into attractive restaurants, dot the hillabove Alacati, a delightful and typical Aegean town. Alacati lies to thesouth inland from Ilica and the coast; a couple of kilometers to the southis a good beach. Many lovely bays, accessible only by yacht, are to befound along the coast southeast of the town and ensure peaceful and relaxinganchorage in this popular salling region.
Known in ancient times as Clazomenae, Urla Iskelesi offers a marinaas well as plentiful accommodations in all price ranges. Restaurants onthe top of Guvendik hill afford a marvelous view of the bay and its islands.
The prosperous little fishing village of Cesmealti is noted for itssimple yet excellent fish restaurants. As you drive along the panoramicKaraburun Peninsula coastal road you pass several calm bays and quaintfishing villages: Balikova, Mordogan and Karaburun. At Karaburun, charminghotels, gardens and fish restaurants are situated between the beautifulmountain backdrop and the clear, clean water. From Manastir Mountain, youcan enjoy an unforgettable view of the Karaburun coast, the Foca coastlineopposite, and the entrance to the Gulf of Izmir. On the southern side ofthe Cesme Peninsula, near the town of Seferhisar, is the small picturesquemarina of Sigacik. This important yachting center is surrounded by fortificationsdating from the Genoese period and is a good point from which to visitthe Temple of Dionysus at the antique site of Teos as well as the lovelyAkkum beach.
South of Akkum, the New Neptune Holiday Village has windsurfiing anddiving schools; this is the best area for these sports.
Gumuldur has excellent tourist facilities-beautiful beaches, restaurantsand hotels.
Near Ahmetbeyli (Claros) to the east, stands the Appollo Temple andthe remains of the colossal statue of Apollo.
Here you can also enjoy a good fish meal or a swim at the town's widebeach. A winding panoramic coastal road leads from Ahmetbeyli south toPamucak beach.
The northern Aegean Region
The ancient Phocaea,Foca once formed part of the lonian League. Todayit 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 terracesof Siren islands.
Bergama (Pergamon), once a great center of culture, survives as oneof Turkey's finest archaeological sites. In the Acropolis, on a hill abovethe modern town, are the remains of the celebrated library a steep andimpressive theatre, the temples of Trajan and Dionysus, the monumentalaltar of Zeus, the sanctuary of Demeter, a gymnasium laid out on threeterraces and the Agora. The Asclepion, located to the southwest of thelower city, was a sanctuary dedicated to the god of health, Asclepios.In town, visit the Archaelogical and Ethnographical Museum; nearby, isthe site of a temple dedicated to Serapis, becoming one of the Seven Churchesof the Apocalypse and subsequently converted by the Byzantines into a basilica.Dikili, frequented by cruise liners bringing visitors to Pergamon, is Bergama'sharbor town. It offers a relaxing atmosphere with many pleasant restaurantslining the Kordon Promenade.A stop at the little port of Candarli, theancient Pitane, is recommended in order to see the Genoese fortress, oneof the best preserved in Turkey.
Ayvalik is a charming port, situated amid beautiful pine forests. Nearby,the Seytan Sofrasi (Devil's Table) offers a splendid panoroma of the archipelagoalong the Gulf of Ayvalik and the little island of Alibey (Cunda), wherethere are pleasant seafood res-
taurants. Sarimsakli Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in thearea. The Gulf of Edremit, also known as the Olive riviera, has a numberof charming seaside resorts: Kucukkuyu,Altinoluk, Akcay (a thermal centerwith numerous springs), Edremit and Oren, all with beautiful beaches, ringthe Gulf of Edremit and offer visitors a wide choice of hotels and guesthouses with views of the sea. Also, situated here is the beautiful KazDagi National Park with magnificent landscapes, restful green areas andseveral hot springs. According to mythology it was in this area that theworld's first beauty contest was held. Under the shadow of Kaz Dagi (Mt.Ida, 1.774 meters) in Pinarbasi, west of Akcay, Paris gave the golden appleto Aphrodite in the famous "Judgement of Paris".
Behramkale (Assos)
87 km south of Canakkale province is Assos, the famous teaching centerof antiquilty.
Aristotle, Plato's most famous student was invited to Assos and spentover three years living and teaching there. He married the niece of Hermeia,foundeda 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 Templeof Athena was constructed on this site in the 6th century. B.C. This Dorictemple is being restored to its former glory and role as guardian of theBiga Peninsula and Edremit Gulf. Take a stroll in this area t o see themoonlight scattered through the temple ruins or rise early for the gentleawakening of dawn over the acropolis, from the top of which you can takein the magnificent vista of the Gulf of Edremit; and you will appreciatewhy this heavenly location was chosen. On the terraces descending to thesea are agoras, a gymnasium and a theatre. From the northern corner ofthe acropolis, you can see a mosque, a bridgea and fortress, all builtin the 14th century by the Ottoman Sultan Murat I. Below lies a tiny andIdyllic ancient harbor. Assos has gained the reputation of being the centerof the Turkish art community with its lively, friendly and bohemian atmosphere.Thismay be the holiday you will remember for years to come.
Canakkale
The city of Canakkale lies at the narrow, 1,200-meter entrance to theCanakkale Strait that connects the Sea of Marmara with the Aegean. Passengerand car ferries run daily between Canakkale, on the Asian side, and Eceabatand Kilitbahir, on the European side. Yachts navigating the straits stopat the well-equipped Canakkale Marina to allow tourists more time in thearea.Hotels, restaurants and cafes along the promenade have a view of theKilitbahir Fortress and the Canakkale Archaelogy Museum.
In 1451, Sultan Mehmet II, later the Congueror of Istanbul, built onefortress on the European side of the Canakkale Strait, at Kilitbahir, andone on the opposite shore at Cimenlik, to control the passage of shipsthrough the strait.Today the Cimenlik fortress serves as a military museumdedicated to the Canakkale Battle of 1915, one of the most celebrated ofWorld War I.
To honor the 500,000 soldiers who lost their lives at Gelibolu (Gallipoli),the peninsula was made into the Gelibolu Historical National Park. It includesmemorial monuments, the Ariburnu Cliffs and Tuz Lake.The beauty of thegreen hills, sandy beaches and blue waters provides an honored restingplace for the soldiers who bravely fought and died in this historic battle.You cannot help but sense the heart of the Turkish nation, in the specialspirit of this place. Homer immortalized Truva (Troy) in the stories ofKing Priam,Hector,Paris and the beautiful Helen.Archaelogical excavationshave revealed nine separate periods of settlement and the ruins of citywalls, foundations of dwellings, a temple and theater.A symbolic woodenTrojan horse commemorates the legendary war.
As you approach Bozcaada Island, the Venetian castle commands your attention.Then,your eyes are drawn to the glistening white houses and the restaurantsand cafes which line the promenade. Wine seems as plentiful as water onthis island; a circuit reveals many veneyards and wine cellar.There aregood, sandy beaches at Ayazma, Poyraz and Igdelik.The largest of the Turkishislands, Gokceada, is ringed with pristine bays.
Its hills, covered in the contrasting greens of pines and olive trees,are dotted with sacred springs and monasteries.Regularly scheduled ferryboatsmake the trip from Canakkale and Kabatepe. In August, islanders and touristsgather for colorful local fairs. TO BE CONTINUED
24 Sep 96