Friday, July 31, 2009
Mount Olympos
The valley and town of Olympos (Lycia) in ancient Lycia on the southern coast of Turkey, 90 km southwest of Antalya, near the town of Kemer.
The former city of Olympos was founded in the Hellenistic period, presumably taking its name from nearby Mount Olympos, one of over twenty mountains with the name Olympos in the Classical world.
From these mountains of the Solymi, according to Homer, the god Poseidon looked out to sea and saw Odysseus sailing away from Calypso's island, and called up a great storm that wrecked him on the shores of the island of Nausicaa.
The coins of the city of Olympos date back to the 2nd century BC. It was described by Cicero as an ancient city full of riches and works of art. The city became one of the six leading cities of the Lycian League. In the 1st century BC, Olympos was invaded and settled by Cilician pirates. This ended in 78 BC, when the Roman commander Publius Servilius Isauricus, accompanied by the young Julius Caesar, took the city after a victory at sea, and added Olympos to the Roman Empire. The pirate Zenicetes set fire to his own house and perished. The emperor Hadrian visited the city after which it took the name of Hadrianopolis for a period, in his honour.
The chief deity of Olympos was Hephaestus, god of fire and blacksmiths. Near Olympos, located in the neighbouring village of Çıralı and about 200 metres above sea level, the eternal flames called the Chimaera may be seen issuing from the ground. The fuel source for the flames is natural gas, largely methane, seeping through cracks in the earth. The mythical Chimaera
- or Chimera - was a monster with the head of a lion, the body of a
goat and the tail of a serpent, who roamed these woods and sprouted fire
from her mouth.
In the Middle Ages, Venetians, Genoese and Rhodians built two fortresses
along the coast, but by the 15th century Olympos had been abandoned.
Today the site attracts tourists, not only for the artifacts that can
still be found (though fragmentary and widely scattered), but also for
its scenic landscapes supporting wild grapevines, flowering oleander,
bay trees, figs and pines.
The Olympos village is located in the heart of the Olympos coastal
national park. The surrounding area offers best conditions for Trekking,
Mountain biking, Canyoning, Rock climbing, Sea kayaking. It is possible
to rent equipment in the village or to join organized tours.
References:
- ^ Homer, Odyssey Book V).
- ^ Cicero, Against Verres II, 1, 4.
- ^ Strabo, XIV, p. 5, Loeb ed.
The Lycian Way
The Lycian way is a 509 km way-marked footpath around the coast of Lycia, from Antalya to Fethiye. The route is graded medium to hard, it is not level walking, but has many ascents and descents as it approaches and veers away from the sea.
It is easier at the start near Fethiye and gets more difficult as it progresses. We recommend walking the route in spring or autumn; February-May or September-November. Summer in Lycia is hot, although you could walk short, shady sections.
The route is mainly over footpaths and mule trails; it is mostly over limestone and often hard and stony underfoot. On the last part of the route, and in Patara, Kalkan, Kas, Myra, Finike, Adrasan, Olympos, Cirali and Tekirova, you can stay in pensions or small hotels.
On other nights, you may stay in a village house, or camp out. There are plenty of camping places with nearby water mentioned in the book; you do not have to ask permission to camp out.
For more information: www.lycianway.com
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Mehmet Özkaya
Here is you can find Mehmet Özkaya's all the blog posts in Antalya City Blog. To read posts, just click on the name of the post next to the picture.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Antalya Nightlife
and pubs scattered throughout the resort, including on the beaches.
Thus, if dancing is the best thing one can take into consideration in view of spending the night, they should, as it were, go with the flow. Almost literally, since the flow of people – both locals and tourists – seems to increasingly prefer to go and party at Ally’s. Ally’s is said to be the best dancing venue in Antalya, but, of course, tastes are subject to debate. However, if the tremendous number of people standing in line to get in works, eventually, as an argument, than Ally’s it what one might be looking for. The club is located in the historical center Antalya, namely, Kaleici. But a place like Club 29 (also referred to as Club Arma) should not be overlooked, since it offers great dancing conditions and, as compared to Ally’s, at daytime it is also an eating venue, not to mention that the view it offers (for those who care to pay attention to this feature) is noteworthy, since the club overlooks the Antalya Marina. As a plus, it is the biggest club in Antalya. 
Eventually, the overall picture of nightlife in Antalya exceeds all differences between the numerous dancing and drinking venues, and comes down to an extremely dynamic environment which is at least worth getting acquainted with. The flourishing belly dancing in Antalya is, on top of all, what decisively rounds up the nightlife picture of the resort.
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ABOUT TURKEY
THE FACTS ABOUT TURKEY
Capital: Ankara
- Centrally located between Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East
- Currency: Turkish Lira
- Declaration of Republic: October 29, 1923
- Ephesus and Halicarnasus (the place for the two of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world) are in Turkey
- Founder: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
- Largest city: Istanbul -> 12,697,164 (5th)
- Population: 77,804,122
- St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, was born in Patara and became the bishop of Demre, in Antalya
- The famous Trojan Wars took place in Western Turkey, around the site where the Trojan horse rests today
- The first church built by man (St. Peter’s Church) is in Antioch (Antakya), Turkey
- The First Ecumenical Council was held in Iznik, Turkey
- The number of species of flowers in Turkey is approximately 9,000, of which 3,000 are endemic. In Europe for instance there are 11,500 species. This shows the richness of flora and fauna in Anatolia
- The oldest known human settlement is in Catalhoyuk, Turkey (7th Millenium B.C.)
- Turkey has the 5th largest labor force compared to the 27 EU Countries, with over 24 million people in 2008
- Turkey has the largest Muslim GDP (without any oil reserves)
- Turkey has the second largest armed forces in NATO
- Turkey is 15th largest economy in the world (IMF)
- Turkey is 6th largest economy compared with the 27 EU Countries in 2008 (WEO)
- Turkey is a `booming` country with a cumulative GDP increase of 143% between 2003 and 2008 totaling USD 742 billion
- Turkey is a member of G20
- Turkey is an important energy terminal and corridor in Europe connecting the East and the West
- Turkey is in the EU Customs Union since 1996 and an EU accession country since October 2005
- Turkey is the 15th most attractive FDI destination for 2008-2010 (UNCTAD)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
ABOUT ANTALYA
ABOUT ANTALYA
Antalya is set on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, also known as the Turkish Riviera. It is Turkey’s biggest international sea resort. The City offers superb beach resort facilities and long stretches of golden sands, with a fine selection of significant historical sites. The city is loved by many for its palm lined streets, charming marina, delicious restaurants, excellent shopping, cosmopolitan nightlife and lots of historical attractions. Each year, millions of people visit Antalya. Fantastic for families, couples and even the more experienced traveler, Antalya’s mix of traditional, cosmopolitan and family friendly activities will ensure everyone will enjoy a holiday in Antalya! If you want to see the heaven in the world, you should visit the Turkish Riviera where is Antalya!
Monday, July 27, 2009
BeachPark
Located in Antalya's breathtaking Konyaaltı coasts, surrounded by the natural green beauty... Close enough to liveliness of the city, yet far enough to get lost among the magic turquoise waters and glittering sun...
Lots of thought has been given into even the tiniest details in BeachPark to meet the needs of those longing for a wonderful break-away to get rid of all city stressors. Whether you are just by yourself, with your family or friends, coming to BeachPark and picking one of a hundred leisurely activities is all it takes to spend an unforgettable day.
Why go there?
Konyaaltı Beach is one of the two main beaches of Antalya, the other being Lara Beach. And Beach Park includes the best beaches of Konyaaltı. There are numerous bars, cafes, nightclubs and hotels, including the Rixos Downtown Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Voyager Hotel). The 'Aqualand' waterpark along Beachpark. In addition, The water is a little cooler compared to other beaches of Antalya because of an underground creek flowing to the sea. There are modern underground facilities for aesthetical reasons. Transportation is easy by means of a buses etc. It is reachable by foot as well.
What is there to do?
In Beach Park, you can do the whole water sports that you can imagine such as swimming, snorkeling, barefoot skiing, boating, jet skiing, kiteboating, parasailing, windsurfing, and yachting. In addition, you can find all kinds of beverages and beautiful environment in the cafes of Beachpark. You can jog along the beach early in the morning. In the evenings, you can go to the bars and discos along with wonderful atmosphere Beachpark.
For more information: http://www.beachpark.com.tr/
Top Activities in Antalya
Here is the top activities in Antalya:
Swimming & Water Sports
Golf
Scuba Diving
Cycling
Blue Cruise
Snow Skiing
Other poplar activities in Antalya: RAFTING, HORSE, ATV & JEEP SAFARIS, and YATCH PARTIES.
Swimming & Water Sports
Other poplar activities in Antalya: RAFTING, HORSE, ATV & JEEP SAFARIS, and YATCH PARTIES.
Top Reasons to Visit Antalya
An Antalya vacation maybe the perfect choice for you because it is a travel heaven and a tourist hotspot. Antalya is one of the top ten destinations in the world, according to number of visitors and revenues. Are you still wondering “why go to Antalya?” Here are some Antalya information and the top reasons why a Antalya vacation is the ideal getaway.
Sun and Sea Lovers’ Paradise:
The unique Mediterranean climate and beautiful nature of Antalya allows almost 6 months of summertime. The sandy beaches are splendid and the sea, especially Antalya coastline, is the most amazing. Blue Voyage or Blue Crusing is the most favorite way to visit all the beaches with a yacht while enjoying the “turquoise” sea. This may surely be the highlight of your Antalya vacation.
History:
Antalya is extraordinary rich in history. Did you know that Antalya hosts the most arhaeological sites in the world? Anatolia is the birthplace of many civilizations, empires, historic figures and legends.
Main Historic sites in the city center
- Kaleiçi: the historical center of the city.
- Ancient monuments include the City Walls, Hıdırlık Tower, Hadrian's Gate (also known as Triple Gate), and the Clock Tower.
- Hadrian's Gate: constructed in the 2nd century by the Romans in honor of the Emperor Hadrian.
- İskele Mosque: A 19th century Mosque near the Marina.
- Karatay Medrese: A Medrese (Islamic theological seminary) built in 1250 by Emir Celaleddin Karatay.
- Kesik Minare (Broken Minaret) Mosque: Once a Roman temple then converted to a Byzantine Panaglia church and finally into a mosque.
- Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque: An 18th-century Mosque built in honor of Tekeli Mehmet Paşa.
- Yat Limanı: the harbour dating to Roman era.
- Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) Mosque: Built by the Seljuks and decorated with dark blue and turquoise tiles, this minaret eventually became the symbol of the city
Accommodation:
Antalya has the most amazing luxury and boutique hotels in the world. The lavishness and the extravaganza in these hotels are probably unmatched since most of them cater to Russian oligarchs and tourists as well. On the other side, you may find the most beautiful hotels at very affordable rates due to intense competition among travel agencies.
Shopping:
Authentic gifts, carpets, rugs, kilims are among the tourist favorites and shopping is breeze if you know where to go. There are more artistic features and special creativity in Turkish carpets than any other carpet in the world.
Culture:
Turkey’s population is a diverse mixture of many different ethnic origins and that shows when you visit different regions of the country. Each region has different traditions, their own arts, music and foklore, and even their eating habits are totaly unique to the region. Even though they all pride themselves in being Turks, this multicultural environment adds great richness to the country.
Eating:
Turkish cuisine is among the best in the world. It is a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. There are so many culinary delights like the Turkish tea, Turkish coffee and the famous Turkish delight. You can find these almost anywhere in Turkey, while the most delicious kebabs are in souteastern part. The foods that are brought in small portions before the main course are called “Meze” in Turkish and they are fabulous. They are usually consumed with the most famous Turkish alcoholic drink called “Raki” (anise flavoured national drink). It is also referred to as the “lion’s milk”. Fish also holds a very important place in Turkish cuisine and Fish restaurants and taverns can be found near the bay areas.
Turkish Bath – Hamam – Spa Experience:
This is definitely a must if you are intending to visit Antalya. Turkish Bath or hamam as it is called here, will help you relax and unwind and get rid of all your nervous energies. A Turkish Spa is also a favorite among tourists nowadays since it combines traditional hamam experience with more Far Eastern touches like using aromatic smells and certain massages.
Nature Sports:
If you are into nature sports you are in the right place. Hiking, trekking, mountain biking, river rafting, scuba diving, windsurfing, wave surfing, kite surfing, paragliding, parasailing, skiing, jet-skiing are among the many nature sports that you can truly enjoy in Antalya. One more Antalya information: The golfing industry has grown very fast over the last few years and Antalya established itself as one of the leading golf destinations in Europe. The golf courses especially in Belek, Antalya are spectacular.
Business Opportunities:
Turkey is one of the largest economies in the world yet it is still considered a developing nation. This provides enormous business and investing opportunities, especially in the real estate sector. Your Antalya vacation may turn into a great investing decision as well.
Relatively Cheap:
Turkey’s national currency is Turkish Lira. Compared to Euro or Dollar, in terms of buying power, it is weaker. This presents an advantage to travellers who convert their Euros or Dollars to TL and buy stuff in TL. An important tip: Immediately convert your foreign currencies to TL upon arrival to Antalya and pay everything in TL.
