Istanbul vacation brochure

DISCOVERTURKEYrelaxation

Everyone�has�a�different�

concept�of�relaxation�

-�soaking�in�a�warm�

spa,�a�round�of�golf,�an�

exhilarating�ride�through�

white-water�rapids...

Whether�you�favour�skiing�

or�scuba�diving,�whether�

you�want�to�follow�in�

the�steps�of�St.�Paul�or�

paraglide�from�a�high�

mountain,�Turkey�has�the�

holiday�to�suit�you.�It�is�

rare�if�not�unique�to�find�

a�country�which�can�offer�

so�much�–�welcome�to�

relaxation,�Turkish�style...�

34��|��discover�TURKEY

discover�turkey�at�www.gototurkey.co.uk

where�to�stay

fact�file

history�&�culture

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tion

Turkey is surrounded by sea tothree�sides,�and�has a�coast-line�of over�8000 kilometresin length. One of the best ways to

see Turkey is from the deck of a boat, whereyou can lie back and watch the beautifulscenery, stopping off as the fancy takes youto explore a historic site or visit a charmingvillage. Turkey has a wealth of world classmarinas, providing excellent facilities forthose who have their own yacht or who havechartered one. The large cruise liners usuallyonly stop off at İstanbul and Kuşadası. bothlarge ports which are perfectly situated foraccess to some of Turkey’s most interestinghistoric sites.

Turkey is perhaps best known for the MaviYolculuk or ‘Blue Cruise’, the coastal voyageon board a traditional Turkish wooden boatknown as a gulet (goo-let). It all started inBodrum with Cevat Sakir Kabaağac, whowrote a book in the middle of the last centurycalled Mavi Yolculuk in which he describedhis ‘blue cruise’ sailing around the coast ofBodrum with the local sponge fishermen. Hebecame known as the ‘Fisherman of Halikar-nas’ and inspired many others to seek thepleasures which he described.

Over the years, gulets have evolved fromtraditional fishing and cargo vessels into theirpresent profile with a broad beam and widedeck. They usually have a large sunbathingdeck to the fore, a sitting/ dining area at theback, and cabins below. Constructed mainlyin local shipyards in and around Bodrum,Bozburun, Marmaris, Fethiye, and İstanbul,and along the Black Sea Coast, the boatsare equipped with motors as well as fullyfunctional rigging. The number of passen-gers a gulet carries depends on the boat’ssize, although most of them accommodatebetween eight and twelve people in doubleor twin cabins.

Gulets can be fully chartered by a group or aresold on a cabin basis by tour operators. Theyare usually comfortable and can be extremelyluxurious but standards do vary hugely, so ifyou are comparing prices you should checkexactly what you are getting for your money.Cabins can be on the small side with littlestorage space so it is wise not to pack toomuch – in any case, you probably won’t bewearing much more than swimwear during

days at sea. Usually, there are three or fourcrewmembers on board, including the captainand the cook, and the atmosphere is one ofrelaxed communal living.

Gulets usually travel a specified route, start-ing from resorts along the SouthAegean andMediterranean. Turkey is full of isolated bays,inlets and tiny islands, some of which can onlybe explored from the sea so it is a great wayto see the best of the coast and get away fromthe crowds. Those who don’t like the ideaof a whole week at sea, can take a day tripfrom most resorts. Either book through youroperator or a local agency or simply go alongto the harbour first thing in the morning.

Some�of�the�highlights of�the�coast�from�Bodrum�to Antalya:

Bodrum is the place where it all started,a buzzing, bohemian resort whose KaradaMarina is one of the best-equipped in theregion and the starting point for a trip aroundthe stunning Gulf of Gökova. Akbük is hiddenbehind a forested promontory, it is splendidlyscenic and a great place to stop for its charmingrestaurants and snorkelling in the clear waters.Datça is a charming village with the famousruins of the ancient city of Knidos nearby.Orhaniye is a picturesque hamlet, surroundedby pine trees, where you can see the shallowbar of sand known as Kızkumu which runsacross the cove and makes it look as if peopleare walking on water. Sedir�Island, knownin English as Cleopatra’s Island (ancientCedrai) boasts an incredible beach with finesand composed of fossils, and a splendid viewof the Kiran Mountains across the bay. It issaid that the sand here was imported byMarkAntony for his lover, Cleopatra and that shebathed here.Marmaris’Netsel Marina is oneof the largest and best-equipped marinas inTurkey, and the Marmaris Albatross Marina,one of the best for wintering and maintainingyachts, which make this cosmopolitan resortan excellent starting point for a Blue Voyage.At Ekincik, a delightful yacht-mooring, youcan enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this areaand the friendly hospitality of its people. FromDelikli�Island, which lies right off the coast,southeast of Ekincik you can take an excur-sion to Dalyan on a smaller boat.Göcek is acharming resort, favoured by yachtsmen, withsome lovely seafront restaurants. Dotted withislands and indented with many coves, the landand seascapes of the Gulf of Göcek are irresist-ible. OnTersane Island stand Byzantine ruinsincluding those of the ancient shipyards fromwhich it takes it name. Fethiye, a traditionalmarket town boasts a natural harbour andbeautiful mountain scenery. Kekova is thename of a group of picturesque islands with

sailing�and�cruisinglie�back�and�watch�the�beautiful�scenery,�stopping�off�as�the�fancy�takes�you



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copyrighted image kindly supplied by Savile Tours

4a traditional Turkish sailingboat, or gulet.

numerous bays and ancient cities. Along thenorthern shore of Kekova Island, at Apol-lonia, earthquakes once disturbed the landcausing some of the ancient houses to sinkunder the clear water, creating the sunkencity which is so enchanting today. KaleköyCastle (ancient Simena) offers a bird’s-eyeview of the bay’s inlets, islands and colourfulyachts sailing peacefully on the glassy water.At Demre (Kale), the ancient Myra (25 kmswest of Finike), many splendid carved Lycianrock tombs overlook the magnificent Romantheatre. St Nicholas, the real Father Christmas,was the Bishop of this Mediterranean cityduring the fourth century. Olympos, on thesouthern side ofMount Tahtalı (Mt. Olympos),is surrounded by oleander and laurel bushes.Nearby, high on the hillside atYanartaş (liter-ally ‘burning stone’), the mythological Lycianhero Bellerophon mounted his winged horsePegasus and slew the fire-breathing Chimaera.Kemer, a resort town carefully designed toblend in with the surrounding scenery, wherethe fully equipped Park Kemer Marina hasgood facilities. April is the month of thecolourful Kemer Carnival. Also in the springthere are yacht races between Kemer andGirne (Kyrenia), in the Turkish Republic ofNorthern Cyprus. Antalya, Turkey’s largestMediterranean city has a backdrop of thetowering TaurusMountains. Here the ancientcity ofAttaleia, named after KingAttalus II ofPergamum, was founded in the 2nd centuryBC. Today, palm-lined boulevards, beauti-ful parks, historical buildings, monuments,museums and the picturesque old quarterof Kaleiçi (with the Kaleiçi Turban Marina)blend together to create a perfect holidayatmosphere.

Turkey is a mountainouscountry with beautifulscenery and large areas ofunspoiled countryside, which

are wonderful natural preserves foran extraordinary variety of wildlife,flora�and fauna. The mountainous natureof the country has had a strong influence onits cultural evolution. For centuries, nomadsand semi-nomadic peoples have lived hereand migrated annually with their livestock tothe fresh pastures of the mountains and hillsaround. These alpine meadows, or yayla, stillrepresent a firm tie to traditional culture.

Trekking allows you to get away from thecrowds and discover the true beauty of Turkey– the friendly villagers, remote historic sitesand stunning scenery. Serious climbers willprobably want to explore Turkey’s rich interiorand mountainous east but even by walking ashort distance inland from some of the busiestcoastal resorts, it can feel as if you are in adifferent world.

Turkey now has two official long distancefootpaths, the Lycian Way, which wasrecently listed by the Sunday Times as oneof the world’s top ten walks, and the newerSt. Paul Trail.

Lycian�Way

The Lycian way is a 509 km way-markedfootpath around the coast from Fethiye toAntalya. It takes its name from the ancientcivilisation which once ruled the area, themost visible reminders of which are the carvedrock tombs which can be seen throughout theregion. This section of the coastline is stun-ning with wooded mountains rising steeplyfrom the shore affording fantastic views andmaking for varied walking conditions. Theroute also goes past many of the more remotehistoric sites. The route is graded medium tohard; it is not level walking, but has many

ascents and descents as it approaches andveers away from the sea. It is easier at thestart near Fethiye and gets more difficult as itprogresses. It is recommended that you walkthe route in spring or autumn; February-Mayor September-November. Summer in Lyciais hot, although you could walk short, shadysections. The route is mainly over footpathsand mule trails; it is mostly over limestoneand often hard and stony underfoot.

Highlights of�the�Lycian�Way�are:• Spectacular walks on the�slopes of�Baba�

Dağı,�beneath�the�flight path�of�the�paragliders�descending�to�Ölüdeniz

• Stunning�descent to�Faralya,�above�the�cliffs of�Butterfly�Valley.

• The�22km long�beach�at�Patara.• Spectacular views over the�coast�from

above�Kaş�and�Kalkan.• The�castle,�harbour�and�sunken ruins�at

Üçağız• The�church�of�the�Angel�Gabriel in the�

hills�above�Myra.• A�fabulous ridge�top walk to�Finike.• Staying�at the�lighthouse�at Cape�

Gelidonia.• Climbing�Mount�Olympos - 2388m.• Splashing�in the�canyon�at�Göynük.

St�Paul�Trail

The St Paul Trail is a newer, way-markedfootpath leading from Perge, 10 km east ofAntalya, toYalvaç, NE of Lake Eğirdir. Thereis a second branch starting atAspendos, 40kmeast of Antalya and joining the first route atthe Roman site of Adada. The route totalsabout 500km. This project partly follows theroute walked by St Paul on his first missionaryjourney inAsiaMinor.It starts at sea level andclimbs up to 2200m, with two optional peaksat around 2800m.Although the St. Paul Trailis slightly wilder than the Lycian Way, it isalso higher and cooler in summer. The trip hasvaried and enjoyable walking days, some ofwhich take you to ridge and peak tops, whileothers pass through forests, fields and ancient

villages. The town of Sütcüler, around whichyou will spend two days in the first part ofour walk, was an important administrativecentre during Ottoman times. There is an oldmosque from that period in the town centreand ruins from the Roman times on a nearbyhill. Ancient pilgrimage routes ran throughthe adjacent gorges, and the area was knownas Bavul, after St Paul. The second part of thewalk takes you over the shoulder ofMt Davras(2635m), and across the İsparta plain for twodays trekking in the Barla mountains with anoptional climb of Gelincik Dağı (2799m) andMt. Kaymaz (2250m). Stay in Barla beforemoving on to the lakeside town of Eğirdir foran ascent of Sivri Dağı, with time to take aTurkish bath or swim in the lake.

Highlights of�the�St.�Paul�Trail�are:• The�Aksu river�crossing�and�the�

waterfalls�at�Ucansu• The�huge�pines�and�firs on the�route�

above�Oren.• The�views�from the�route�above�the�

Candir�canyon• The�Roman road�at Adada• Staying�on the�island�in�Lake�Eğirdir�&�

crossing�the�lake�by�fishing�boat• The�medieval paved�road�around�Sarp

peak• The�beautiful village�of�Beydili• Following�a�Roman�aqueduct into�YalvaçFor�further information on these�walks:�visitwww.lycianway.com

Climbing�&�mountaineering

Serious climbers will no doubt wish to discoverTurkey’s most challenging peaks, the bestknown of which is Mount Ararat or AğrıDağı, which is the country’s highest peak. Itis said to have been the place where Noah’sArk came to land after the floods, and is anextinct volcano, capped with snow and icethroughout the year. The summit of Araratwas first climbed by Dr Parrot, a German, in1829 and has been popular with internationalclimbers ever since. The best time of year to

trekking�and�climbingget�away�from�the�crowds�and�discover�the�true�beauty�of�Turkey



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4 (top) the�ancient ruined�city�of�Perge,�near the�start�of�the�St�Paul�trail.

4 camping�in�the�midst�of�Turkey’sbeautiful�mountain�scenery

climb is in the summer – with July,August andSeptember being the most pleasant months.The ascent is non-technical although it doesinclude some rough terrain. The southern faceof the mountain offers the easiest and safestascent to the summit, as it has the best routesas well as having safer communication andtransportation systems. It is not advised toclimbMountAğrı (Ararat) alone and withouta guide. You will, in any case, need officialpermission for the climb. Mount Ararat isapprox. 270 kms from Erzurum.

Other mountains which are popular fortrekking and climbing include the KaçkarMountains, or PonticAlps, which run paral-lel to the Black Sea in the north west of thecountry. The scenery is stunning and thearea offers an insight into a more traditionalway of life where the local people spend thewinters in the cities and the summers in themountain pastures or yayla with their animals.The main season is in the summer monthsfrom July – September. The Aladağlar, or‘Red Mountains’, form part of the Taurusmountain chain, running from west to eastalong the Mediterranean coast. Most climb-ers are attracted to the peaks known as theBeyaz or white Aladağlar. The main seasonis in June and July when the mountains are abeautiful lush green with lakes and stunningwaterfalls.For�further�information�on�climbing�in�Turkey,�visit www.mountainsofturkey.com

Turkey is now well establishedas a golf destination. Theexcellent climate is an attraction,with the added benefits of high

standards of service and accommodation, goodvalue for money, and, of course, a fantasticrange of international standard golf courses.The resort of Belek, on the Mediterraneancoast, just 30 kms fromAntalya, is at the heartof Turkish golf. The first golf course openedhere in 1994, since when Belek has reallyestablished itself on the international golfcircuit with 7 top class courses, and a further5 planned. There are also golf courses situatedjust outside Istanbul, with more planned forthe Istanbul, Ankara and Muğla regions.

Handicap certificates must be produced, witha maximum of 28 for men and 36 for women,and soft spikes must be worn.

Belek

Belek is just 40 minutes drive from Antalyainternational airport, making for a quick andeasy transfer. The hotels are all of 4 and 5star standard and offer an excellent range ofleisure facilities, with plenty to explore in thesurrounding area.For more general information about Beleksee page 62 or www.belektourismcenter.org

The Antalya�Golf Club consists of two 18-hole courses – The Pasha andThe Sultan – bothof which offer challenges for all standardsof golfer, in a beautiful setting. The Sultanis the more challenging of the two and wasdesigned with the discerning golfer in mind.Both courses were constructed by EuropeanGolf Design, under the supervision of designconsultant and Senior Tour professional, DavidJones. The Pasha is an 18 hole golf courseof 5772 metres. par 72. The Sultan is an 18hole golf course of 6330 metres in length,par 72. Course facilities include a restaurant,bar, pro shop, locker and storage rooms.Buggies, electric and manual trolleys and

golfworld�class�courses,�an�excellent�climate�and�fantastic�service�

clubs are available for hire. Both individualand group lessons with PGA professionalsare also available.www.antalyagolfclub.com.tr

The Gloria Golf Club has 45 holes in play alldesignedbyFrenchgolf architect,MichelGayon,situated amidst pine forests at the foot of theTaurusMountains.TheGloriaOld is considereda Gayon classic, with deep bunkers, and noless than seven lakes, providing a challenge atall levels. The Gloria Old was host to the PGAEuropean Turkish Senior Open in 1998, 2000& 2001. It is 6288 metres, par 72. The 9 holeGloria Verde golf course is set around a largelake, in the midst of pine forest. It is par 36 andcan be played from two different tee positionsand is 3148 metres from the white tees. TheGloriaNew is a tree-lined parkland styled coursewith a hint of seaside thanks to its undulations. Itmeasures 6280metres, par 72 and opens on the1stNovember 2005.TheNewClubHousewhichopened inOctober 2005was specially designedfor the Gloria Golf Resort, with comfortablerestaurant, bar, golfers’lounge and large pro-shop& locker room.The fully stocked Pro Shopwillhave PGA professionals on site. The DrivingRange has 2 floors West - South with 48 baysplus 30Bayswith grass tees plus a large puttinggreen, pitching green and practiceBunker.Alsothere are 72 Club Car, 2 person buggies and 18sets of Callaway golf clubs to hire.www.gloriagolf.com

The Robinson Golf Club – Nobilis has beenopen since1998andwasdesignedby internation-ally renowned architect, Dave Thomas. Thischampionship standard course of 6314 metres,par 72, is shaped from a beautiful natural pineforest and positioned alongside Belek’s AcısuRiver, covering an area of 729,000m². It offersexcellent playing conditions and beautiful viewsof the surroundingmountain scenery.Thedrivingrange holds 60 people. It has a stylish Romanstyled Clubhouse with a good restaurant anda Pro Shop.www.nobilis.com.tr

The National Golf Club was the first ofBelek’s golf courses to open in late 1994, andthe first in Turkey to be developed accordingto European PGA standards. It was designedby Ryder Cup player David Feherty andSeniors Tour player David Jones. Feherty hasincorporated aspects of the best courses he hascompeted on in theworld, and has ensured thatno two holes are similar. The 18 hole course is6,232 metres with a par of 72. Practice facili-ties comprise a 40-bay driving range and twochipping and putting greens. TheNational GolfAcademy has a very pretty 1547 metre par29 course including comprehensive instruc-tion facility which caters for all golfers, fromthe scratch player to the complete beginner.Clubhouse facilities include a restaurant, bar,boutique, terrace, locker and storage rooms anda pro-shop. Buggies, rental trolleys, woods andirons are available for hire, and PGA profes-sionals are on hand for individual and grouplessons.www.nationalturkey.com

The Tat�International�Golf Club is setin a stunning position, between the sweep-ing Beşgöz River and the Mediterranean Sea.The Tat International offers golfers not onlytop-class facilities, but stunning views in amagnificent setting. The 13-acre course hasbeen designed byHawtree of England as threeloops of 9 holes, which can be combined andare called the TAT, the INTERNATIONALand the BELEK. From the championshipwhitetees the Tat &Belekmeasure 6115metres, par72; the Tat & the International measure 6298metres, par 72; and theBelek& the Internationalmeasure 6199 metres, par 72. There is also a9 hole academy course and practice facilitiesinclude an extensive driving range, with twochipping and putting greens. The clubhousehouses two restaurants, a snack bar, lounge,boutiques, locker and storage rooms, pro shop,an outdoor swimming pool and terraces.www.tatgolf.com.tr



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Within a short distance of İstanbul there aretwo international standard golf courses. Forinformation on İstanbul see page 76.

The Klassis Golf and Country Club’s coursewas designed by one of theworld’s best knowngolf players, Tony Jacklin, and has hosted theEuropeanChallengeTour in 1997 and1998, andthe BEKO Seniors PGATour in 1999. Duringits design, top British, French and Belgian golfspecialists were consulted and the result is anexciting yet balanced course. It has 18 holesand is 5850 metres, par 72. In addition to thechampionship course, there is also a 9 holeacademy course, as well as a driving range andputting green. There is an attractive clubhouseand horse riding, tennis, football and swimmingfacilities are also on hand.www.golf.klassis.com.tr

The Kemer Golf & Country Club is 30minutes from the city centre, taking you intothe Belgrade Forest. This 18-hole champion-ship golf course, designed by Joan Dudok vanHeel, according to USGAspecifications, catersfor all golfers whether they are beginners, orprofessionals in search of a challenge. Its 6300metre, par 73 course with facilities include atraining course, golf club facilities, (restaurant,three café/bars, sports hall, cinema, open-air swimming pool), artificial lake, stables,mountain bike and recreation club, eight tenniscourts, mini football field and playground. Inaddition, the Golf and Country Club facilitiesinclude restaurants, a dining terrace, chessand billiard hall, bar, gymnasium, squashcourts, sauna, Jacuzzi, winter garden, indoorswimming pool, tennis courts.www.kg-cc.com

Skiing may not be the firstthing�which�springs to mind�when you think of Turkey,�but considering it is such�a�

mountainous country, it is not surpris-ing that Turkey boasts a number of�good�quality ski resorts. Its snow recordis excellent with many of the resorts at highaltitude. Although skiing holidays are notoffered by any UK or Irish tour operators atpresent, it is possible to visit independentlyand it is surely only a matter of time beforethis sector develops.

The first mention of alpine skiing in Turkeywas in the area around Erzurum in 1914 andfrom 1933 onwards sporting clubs began tobe formed for those interested in skiing inthe areas around Bursa,Ankara and Erzurum.The Turkish Mountaineering and Horseman-ship federation, which also catered for skiers,was formed in 1935 and in 1939 the TurkishMountaineering and Winter Sports Federa-tion was established – one of the first suchorganizations anywhere in the world. Turkeycurrently has 8 ski resorts: Uludağ, Kartalkaya,Ilgaz, Sarıkamış Palandöken, Erciyes, Davrazand Saklıkent

Uludağ�

Uludağ is the oldest established ski resort inTurkey. It is 36 kms from the historic centre ofBursa and 150 kms from İstanbul. Its proximityto İstanbul means that it is very popular withweekenders from the city – a high societycrowd who come as much for the ambienceas the skiing. It is a pretty, alpine style villagewith a good choice and standard of hotelaccommodation and lively après ski.

The ski area of Uludağ is at a height of 1750- 2543 metres and is very picturesque, withpine trees dotting the mountain slopes, andseveral runs through the trees. There are somegood nursery slopes facing the main resortarea with an easy progression through blues

and reds, which make it ideal for beginnersand intermediates. In total it has 1 cablecar, 5chairlifts and 7T bars. Qualified skiing instruc-tors are on hand and equipment is availablefor hire. The ski season lasts from Decemberthrough to the end of March.

Palandöken

In recent years, Palandöken has become one ofTurkey’s most popular ski resorts, in part dueto the short 30 minute transfer from Erzurumairport, just 12 kms away, and in part due to theexcellent standard of hotel accommodation onoffer in the resort. Heavy investment has alsobeen put into the infrastructure of the resortto update the lifts. Palandöken is provingpopular with Russian and Dutch skiers aswell as the local Turkish market. Après skiis based in hotels, which have good facilitiesand the historic centre of Erzurum is just 5kms away.

Palandöken is a high resort with the ski areasituated between 2150 – 3200 metres, wellabove the tree line. What it lacks in beauty,however, it makes up for with the quality ofits runs including the longest in Turkey at 12kms. There is a good nursery slope area withdrag lifts and a total of 17 pistes served by agondola and 3 chair lifts. The majority of theruns are designed for beginners and interme-diates but there are a couple of good blackruns and some excellent off piste. Qualifiedinstructors are on hand and the hotels all havetheir own ski hire shops. The ski season lastsfrom December – May.

Kartalkaya

Kartalkaya is located in theWestern Black SeaRegion, approx. 54 kms southeast of the townof Bolu in the picturesque pine forests of theKöroğlu Mountains. Situated approximately220 kms from Ankara airport (4 hours bybus), it is popular with well off types who visitfrom the city, and find it more affordable than

Uludağ. The ski area lies between 1800-2221metres with 3 chairlifts and 7 drag lifts. Thereis an average snow fall of 3 metres, and theseason lasts from late December until the endof March. There are two hotels in the resort,qualified skiing instructors are available andski equipment can be hired locally.

Erciyes

Erciyes Ski Centre is located on the extinctvolcanic mountain of Erciyes, which is east ofCappadocia and south of the town of Kayseri.It is just a 30minute drive fromKayseri, whichis only 25 kms away. Kayseri airport is just35 kms away – a convenient 45 minute drive.There are 2 chairlifts and 3 draglifts servingthe ski area which is at a height of 1800 – 3000metres. The longest run is 3.5 kms and thereare a total of 12 kms of pistes. The season lastsfromDecember – end ofApril. Ski instructorsare available and equipment can be hiredlocally. There is one hotel in the resort.

Sarıkamış

Sarıkamış ski centre is located near Sarıkamış,60 kms from Kars in the east of Turkey.Kars airport is approx. 50 kms away – a 40minute drive. It is famous for the quality ofits powder snow. The altitude in the skiingarea of Sarıkamış is from 2200-2634 metreswith pistes running through beautiful pineforests, which provide shelter from the wind.The season usually lasts fromDecember – theend of March. The resort is equipped with 2chairlifts and 1 T bar. The Saricam telesiegeis the largest and most modern in Turkey, witha capacity of 2400 pax per hour.At Cibiltepe,at an altitude of 2700 metres, there is skiingfor all levels – from beginner to advanced,including a piste of 7kms surrounded by pineforests. There is one hotel situated in the resort.Qualified skiing instructors are on hand andequipment is available for hire.

skiingan�excellent�snow�record�with�beautiful�scenery�and�unusual�après�ski



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5(top) the��nursery slopes�at�Uludağ

4Uludağ�attracts�Turkey’s�high�society

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Turkey has a rich cultural herit-age, and Asia Minor, as the�land which is now Turkey wasknown,�was of�great signifi-

cance�to the�early Christians. Many ofTurkey’s great ancient cities are mentioned inthe Bible. The constitution of the Republic ofTurkey guarantees freedom of worship andthose of all faiths are welcomed to Turkey.Its Christian sites have become places ofpilgrimage visited by many travellers, eitherindependently or on organised tours.

Mereyam Ana Evi,�the�House�of�Mother�Mary

It is know from the Bible that Jesus entrustedhis mother to the safekeeping of his friendand disciple, John. It is believed that duringthe persecution of the Christians in Jerusalemaround 49 AD, John took Mary to Ephesuswhere it is thought that she spent the lastyears of her life. The House of Mother MaryorMeryem Ana Evi as it is known in Turkishhas been partly reconstructed, and is open tothe public for pilgrimage and prayer.

Saint�Nicholas (Santa�Claus)

St Nicholas or Father Christmas, is one of themost popular Saints in the Christian world.Perhaps best known as the patron saint ofchildren, he is patron of a whole range ofdiverse groups including barrel-makers, sailors& fishermen, thieves and pawn-brokers aswell as of Greece and Russia. More readilyassociated with snowy climes, few peoplerealise that he was born in what is modern-dayTurkey, in Patara, a port in the province ofLycia, around 270 AD. His life is shroudedin stories and legends but we do know that hewas bishop ofMyra at the time of Constantinethe Great and that he took part in the firstEcumenical Council, in Nicea (İznik) in 325

religious�sitesfew�people�realise�that�Santa�Claus�was�born�in�Patara�in�modern-day�Turkey�

A.D.After his death, his remains rested in thechurch dedicated to God in his honour until1087, when some Italian sailors, devoteesof this Patron Saint of seafarers, succeededin taking his relics to Bari, where they laidthem in a Basilica built in his honour, andwhere they remain until this day. His feastday is celebrated both in the east and weston December 6, when traditionally gifts areexchanged amongst friends and relatives.Perhaps the most enduring legend surroundinghis life is the story that he secretly helped apoor father to provide a decent dowry forhis three daughters, throwing three bags ofgold through an open window, thus makingit possible for them to get married, rather thanbeing sold into prostitution. These three bagsof gold are the origin of the three gold ballsdenoting a pawn-broker’s shop.

The Church of St. Nicholas in Demre ancientMyra, can still be visited today and there is afestival held there each year in the first weekof December to mark his feast day.

The�Journeys of�St.�Paul

Ancient Anatolia, the land which is nowTurkey, was one of the first places whereChristianity spread. The early Christianswere persecuted by the Jews and fled Pales-tine, setting up communities in places suchas Antioch, present-day Antakya. Paul ofTarsus, to become St. Paul, was one of thefirst preachers of the new religion, havinghimself undergone a stunning conversion onthe road to Damascus.

Paul was introduced to the church inAntiochby Barnabas, and from here he set off on hisfirst apostolic journey (44-49AD) which tookhim to Seleucia, Cyprus and then back toPerge, Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvaç), Iconium(Konya), Derbe, Attaleia (Antalya) and back

toAntioch. He travelled by foot and by boat,teaching his religion as he went, and attempt-ing to convert his listeners.Ayear later he setoff on his second journey (50-53AD) headingfor Macedonia and establishing churches inPhilippi, Thessalonika and Beroea beforetraveling on toAthens and Corinth, returning toAntioch by boat via Ephesus. During his thirdjourney (54-58 AD) he spent three years inEphesus preaching and instructing those Jewsand Pagans who joined the fold in the waysand beliefs of the new religion of Christian-ity. Whilst he was here he wrote some of hisfamous letters or epistles to other Christiancommunities, including to the Corinthiansand the Romans. Having spent two yearsunder arrest in Jerusalem, Paul was freed andtravelled back to Romewhere he was arrested,sentenced to death and beheaded in 61 AD.

The�Churches of�the�Revelation

The seven churches which St. John mentionsin the book of Revelations are all in present-day Turkey: Ephesus, Smyrna (İzmir),Pergamum, Thyatira (Akhisar) ,Sardis,Philadelphia, and Laodicea (Denizli). Thereare a number of companies who organisetours to visit these sites.

The�Nicean Creed

In 324 Constantine the Great founded the cityof Constantinople (İstanbul), which he latermade the capital of his Holy Roman Empire,declaring Christianity to be its official religion.After centuries of persecution, Christians couldfinally worship openly. In 325 the Churchcelebrated the first Ecumenical Council inthe city of Nicea (İznik). It was felt thatsome inconsistencies and errors were beingpropagated amongst Christians, so this meetingprovided the opportunity to confirm the basictenets of the faith, set out in the Nicean Creedwhich is still said in churches today.



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4detail�of�a�mosaic�in�Haghia�Sophia,�Istanbul

5Church�of�St�Stephen�of�the�Bulgars,�made�completely�of�castiron�and�constructed�in�1871

5(above) statue�of�St�Nicholaswho�was Bishop�of�Myra

There�are�over one�thousand�thermal springs or kaplıca inTurkey, scattered through-out western Anatolia. The spa

holiday with its pampering and its healthand beauty treatments may seem like a rela-tively new phenomenon, but the health-givingproperties of Turkey’s natural springs havebeen renowned since antiquity. The Romanswere well aware of the therapeutic powers ofthermal springs and mineral waters, buildingthe ancient city of Hierapolis close to thewaters of Pamukkale.

Bursa

In Bursa too, at the foot of Mount Uludağ,it was the Roman Emperor, Justinian, whofirst built baths to benefit from the natural hotsprings of Çekirge These were later enlargedby the Ottoman SultanMurat I and the TurkishBaths here, with their warm thermal pools, arestill in use today.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Bursabecame renowned amongst Europe’s nobilitywho came to take the waters, and Atatürkhimself frequented Bursa’s oldest spa hotel,the Çelik Palas, which was built in 1933. Thethermal waters of the Çekirge springs arecomposed of calcium, magnesium sulphateand bicarbonate and are said to be good forrheumatic, hepatic, and gall bladder diseases;metabolic and gynaecological disorders andpost-operative problems.

Some thermal waters are simply for relaxation,but others are purported to have specific healthbenefits. In either case, spas in Turkey aremonitored by theMinistry of Health to ensurethat they meet required standards of hygiene.These are some of Turkey’s best known naturalsprings and thermal waters, although not allof them have luxurious facilities. If you arelooking for luxury then many of Turkey’s top

hotels now have their own spas and healthclubs offering the latest in health and beautytreatments.

Kangal Sivas Balıklı Çermik

Perhaps the most unusual of Turkey’s spas isthe Kangal Sivas Balıklı Çermik, the ‘HotSprings with Fish’ situated 13 kms from thetown of Kangal in the province of Sivas inCentral Anatolia. As the name suggests, thethermal waters contain numerous tiny fish.They are 2-10 cms in length and play an impor-tant role in the cure of psoriasis – apparentlyby scraping or nibbling off the diseased areasof skin. The thermal springs come from fivedifferent sources, flowing at a rate of 130 litresper second, and the fish come directly from thesprings into two large pools. The water itselfcontains bicarbonate, calcium, magnesiumsulphate, chlorine, sodium and magnesiumas well as carbon dioxide gas. It is said to bebeneficial for complaints such as rheumatismas well as for gynaecological complaints andskin diseases.Although accommodation here isnot luxurious, there are motels and restaurantsclose to the spa.

The�Balçova�Springs,

The Balçova Springs, located 10 kms west ofİzmir, have also been appreciated since ancienttimes. They are situated on the site of the Bathsof Agamemnon, known in antiquity for thetherapeutic qualities of their waters.Accordingto legend, Agamemnon consulted an oracleand was told to bring soldiers who had beenwounded during the campaign against Troyhere. The Balcova hot springs contain sodiumchloride and calcium bicarbonate and arerecommended for the treatment of rheumaticdiseases, digestive maladies, post-injuryhealing and post- operative problems, alongwith calcification and metabolic disorders.The spa complex boasts 400 beds together

with Turkey’s largest indoor thermal pool aswell as a patient therapy pool, sauna, massage,underwater massage, ultrasound, physicalexercise, electro-therapy and physical therapy.İzmir’s Ege University has built a treatmentcentre nearby

Çeşme

The popularAegean resort of Çeşme, situatedsome 80 kms west of İzmir, takes its name,which means ‘fountain’ from the natural hotsprings which abound in the area. It is a perfectchoice for anyone who wishes to combine spatreatments with a beach holiday and there is awealth of good hotel accommodation nearby.Some hotels even have their own spas whichmake use of the natural mineral water. Themost famous of the hot springs, Ilıca, is setright alongside a long, white sandy beach ofthe same name. These springs contain a highlevel of sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate,and calcium bicarbonate. As well as the hotmineral pools and baths, the spa also offersunderwater massage and electrotherapy.

Dalyan

Thosewho justwant a bit of fun and to combinethe benefits of natural mineral waters with agood day out, should consider a visit to one ofthe thermal baths near Dalyan, situated close toKöyceğiz Lake, and within easy reach of bothFethiye and Marmaris. The ancient settlementof Sultaniye, with its mud baths andwater poolis billed as making you look 10 years younger- but you have to smother yourself in the strong-smelling mud first. There is a second spring atVelibey Thermal Baths, 1.5 km north of RizaÇavuş with similar qualities. These hot springscontain sodium chloride, hydrogen, sulfur,bromide, fluoride, and are said to be good forthe treatment of rheumatic, dermatological andgynaecological diseases, aswell as neurologicaland physical exhaustion.

spas�and�thermal�springsthe�ancient�Romans�discovered�the�therapeutic�powers�of�Turkey’s�many�thermal�springs�



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5the�thermal�pools�at�Pamukkale

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If you don’t want to spend yourholiday sitting on a beach, and�museums and ruins bore you, thenread�on... Serious thrill-seekers will

relish the opportunity to paraglide from 1900metres from the Babadag mountains over thespectacular lagoon of Ölüdeniz or face therapids on the Çoruh river. Meanwhile thosewho just prefer a different perspective willenjoy exploring Turkey’s sights underwater.Turkey is perfectly placed to take advantageof the recent trend for activity and sportingholidays – it is such a large country, with sucha varied landscape that it can cater for almostevery type of activity. This is a summary ofsome of the most popular and exciting actionsports on offer in Turkey.

Watersports are available in just about everybeach resort in Turkey. Cesme and Bitez areboth popular for wind-surfing. Scuba divinghas really taken off in Turkey in recent years,partly due to the clear, warmwaters – visibilityof 30metres is not uncommon - and the wealthof historic and natural treasures to be observedunder the water, but also because, comparedto many other destinations, Turkey repre-sents excellent value for money. The divingseason usually runs fromApril to November.There are scuba diving schools throughout theAegean andMediterranean coasts catering foreveryone from beginners to experts. Marmaris,Fethiye, Kaş and Antalya are some of themain centres.

Diving�highlights include:

Tekirova: the surrounding islands have awonderful array of sea life including hugethornback rays, and are also a good locationfor cavern diving. DuringAugust and Septem-ber there is a huge amount of tuna fish andseals, and dolphins can be seen throughout theyear Sican:�a few kilometres from Antalyaharbour, this island is also popular. The coaston the west side is relatively shallow and

sandy (maximum 8m) but on the northeastside with rocky seabed descends to 22m, whichalso has a small cavern. Kas: The seas aroundKalkan are suited to experienced divers, withspecies of sea life including sharks, turtles,tuna and thornback rays. Patara has coral andsea sponges, and the Fener waters descendfrom 11-132m, with lively and colourful sights.Oksuz Island is known for its lizard fish, amember of the shark family. Finike: GökCavern near Finike, is one of the deepest inAsia which is accessible to divers. The cavernreaches the seabed and has a wide entrance,and the presence of stalactites indicates thatthis was once dry. Kemer: One of the mostpopular diving areas in the region is the ThreeIslands, off Tekirova, which has many divesites and greater depth than Antalya. Datça:The area around Datça has wonderful divingopportunities with many sharks, dolphins andMediterranean seals at a depth of between10-40m, especially around the islands of KaraIncir. There is a good dive point off EsenIsland, which is connected to Datça harbour.Marmaris:�There are 52 diving points anda large selection of ancient underwater ruinsaround the area of Marmaris, includingoff the coast of Dis (33m), Rodos, Kutuk,Burnu, Cennet Island, Kadirga Feneri andKargi Island. The steep slope of the seabedoff Cennet Island contains especially beauti-ful plant and animal life. Bodrum is knownfor its great diving opportunities with greatdepths, colourful sea sponges and caverns.The waters around Kargi and Kocek islands,around 20-30m depth, contain antique ruins,with sea creatures of all sizes and good formacro photography. Çatal Island and the coastoff Gemitaşı are also good dive sites.

Forbidden�Zones: There are a number ofprotected sites which include military zonesas well as regions in which there is Culturaland Natural Wealth.

White-water�Rafting

Turkey has a number of rivers, which aresuitable for white-water rafting, offeringa challenge to everyone from beginners toexperts. Probably the most famous of Turkey’ssites for this exciting activity, is the ÇoruhRiver, in Turkey’s stunning Black Sea region,in the province ofArtvin, which attracts bothlocal and international sportsmen. It is one ofthe fastest flowing rivers in the world, as ittravels its 466 kms from its origins at 3225metres in the Mescit Mountains to the BlackSea, over the border in Georgia. It is not justthe waters which are exhilarating but also thesurrounding mountain scenery which is richin wildlife including rare red vultures, bear,goats, wild boars and wolves.

The Fırtına River, also in the Black SeaRegion, is also popular for river sports as isthe Köprüçay in the region ofAntalya and theManavgat in the same region.

Paragliding

Paragliding involves jumping off a mountainwith a parachute attached, either solo or, forbeginners, in tandem. One of the best places inthe world to paraglide is Babadağ in Fethiye,the mountains which overlook the stunningnatural lagoon of Ölüdeniz. It was discoveredby international pilots in the early 1990’s andnow attracts both local and foreign enthusiasts.It is possible for complete novices to partici-pate in a tandem jump, which can be bookedlocally or through a tour operator, and includestransport for the ascent, equipment and basictraining. It is not just the altitude which isspectacular but also the views, as you jumpover one of Turkey’s most beautiful stretchesof coast to land on the Belceğiz beach. Thejumping season is usually betweenApril andOctober and you can take off at various pointsup to 1900 metres high in the mountains.

actionsportsthrill-seekers�will�relish�the�opportunity�to�paraglide�from�1900�metres�over�the�spectacular�lagoon�of�Ölüdeniz



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5(top) paragliding�over�Ölüdeniz

5(above)�canoeing�in�Antalya

4white-water rafting

copyrighted�image�kindlysupplied�by�Exclusive�Escapes

copyrighted�image�kindlysupplied�by�Exclusive�Escapes

Turkish Culture�and�Tourism�Office

t: 020 7629 7771e: [email protected]

www.gototurkey.co.uk

opening hours:�9.30-5.30�Monday to�Friday

Documents

Istanbul vacation brochure