From EXPO 2015 Milano to EXPO 2016 Antalya..

As you know, next year the EXPO 2016 will be held in Antalya. Before EXPO 2016, Antalya City Blog visited EXPO 2015 Milano. Let's see photos..

From EXPO 2015 Milano to EXPO 2016 Antalya..

As you know, next year the EXPO 2016 will be held in Antalya. Before EXPO 2016, Antalya City Blog visited EXPO 2015 Milano. Let's see photos..

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival 2009

The 46th Golden Orange Film Festival kicks of Saturday with 150 films meeting cinema enthusiasts in the Mediterranean city of Antalya. Sixteen Turkish and 12 international films will compete for the golden Venus.

The Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, held annually since 1963 in Antalya, is the most important national film festival in Turkey. The event, jointly organized by the Foundation of Culture and Arts in Antalya takes place in the autumn months at the Antalya Cultural Center. Since 2005, the festival is accompanied by the International Eurasia Film Festival.
2009 Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival (46th) will be at 10-17 October in Antalya.


For more information: http://www.altinportakal.org.tr/

Awards:
The Golden Orange awards are given in three film categories.
National feature film competition
Money prizes are given in major categories and a Golden Orange statuette is awarded in addition in all of the following categories:
  • Best Picture: 300,000 TRY (approx. US$200,000)
  • Best Director: 30,000 TRY (US$20,000)
  • Best Screenplay 20.000 TRY (US$14,000)
  • Best Music 20.000 TRY (US$14,000)
  • Best Actress
  • Best Actor
  • Best Camera Direction (in addition 100 rolls of film worth $30,000 granted by Kodak)
  • Best Art Direction
  • Best Supporting Actress
  • Best Supporting Actor
  • Best Cinematography
  • Best Film Editing
  • Best Makeup and Hairdress (since 2005)
  • Best Visual Effects (since 2005)
  • Best Costume Design
  • Best Sound Design and Sound Mix (since 2005)

Jury special awards

  • The Dr. Avni Tolunay Jury Special Award
  • The Behlül Dal Digitürk Jüry Special Award for Young Talent $25,000
National documentary film competition
  • Best Picture: 7,000 TRY (approx. US$5,400) and the Golden Orange statuee
National short subject competition
  • Best Picture: 7,500 TRY (approx. US$5,750)
Eurasia Film Critics Prize

The jury consisting of five to seven expert film critics from European and Asian countries awards a prize of $15,000 to the producer of the best film.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Gelidonia Lighthouse




GELIDONIA LIGHTHOUSE




The construction of one of the guiding lighhouses of the Mediterrenean, Gelidonya Lighthouse, started on the historic Licea route in Antalya, Kumluca, Taşlık Foreland in 1934 and was opened in 1936.
Gelidonya Lighthouse is the highest lighthouse in Turkey, with an altitude of 227 metres. Being located over steep rocks, it is quite difficult to reach there. Even today, it works manually due to the difficulty in transferring electricity.

As soon as you reach the Lighthouse, it is impossible not to be fascinated by the mysterious and virgin beauties of the combination of the sea and five Gelidonian islands. You will feel that there is no sense of time and experience emotions that are hard to define. Maybe it is an unnamed fantasy land. Gelidonya Lighhouse, washed by the Mediterrenean sunlight among the scent of pinetrees, it is the lighthouse with the most impressive scenery.


For more information: http://www.gelidonyafeneri.com/english/gelidonia.asp?link=../geliresim/lighthouse.htm



Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Antalya Transport System

The main transportation to the city is by air and land. Sea routes are still under development. In 2007, the airport added a new terminal. Antalya has a main port at the south of the Konyaaltı.



Antalya has a transport system which is developing with each passing day. In this transport system, there are light rail (antray), the nostalgic tram, a modern public buses (Antobus), minibuses and taxis. Payment for public transportation was made in cash until the launch of a public transportation card, Halkkart. It is managed by A-Kent Smart City Technologies under the control of Antalya Metropolitan Municipal government. 

Passengers can use identified cards to take buses or trams. The tram system runs from Antalya Museum and the Sheraton Voyager and Falez hotels, along the main boulevard to the city center at Kalekapisi.  In December 2009, a 11.1 kilometers (6.9 mi) light rail line Antray was opened from one of the main city public bus hub northwest to the Zoo and beyond to suburban areas. With its long, open roads, surrounding mountainous terrain and gorgeous sandy beaches, as well as a generally mild climate, Antalya City provides the perfect setting to exercise. So, walking is the best way to get around the petite city center year round.

There are three different public transportation options in Antalya and visitors are encouraged to make use of a combination of all three of them in order to meet their internal travel needs.   For the most part, though, the public bus system is the best method of getting to most areas of Antalya. 


Dolmuş
One public transportation option which visitors might be hesitant to use only because it is somewhat uncommon in many travel destinations is the dolmus.  The dolmus is a perfectly legitimate and efficient mode of transportation and visitors are encouraged to try it, not only for the purpose of conveniently getting around Antalya but also for the experience of local travel.  The dolmus is essentially a large van which travels a specific route. 

Antobus
The third method of transportation is the tram which goes to a limited number of locations but is useful for tourists because it does hit many major attractions, such as the Antalya Museum.  It is a single line with two different trams, one running in each direction.  

Antray
Antalya City is boasting of their latest creation: the first air-conditioned and solar-powered bus stop in Turkey. Antalya Metropolitan Municipality has produced air-conditioned bus stop which is producing their own electricity through solar panels and it has air-conditiontouch door220-volt sockets. In these bus stops, you can charge your mobile phone, lap-top or iphone. The citizens enters through the a glazed touch door and the interior of the bus stop will be cool in summer and warm in the winter through air-conditioning unit. 

Nostalgic Tram
By  using My Antalya application; domestic and foreign tourists can find easily the closest demand points. Antray transport menu, nostalgic trams, city buses, public buses and other transportation routes, and the line numbers for public transport, but also the route to the nearest airport, intercity bus companies transport information, car rental offices and taxi stops can be seen.

Click here and Download My Antalya Mobile Application

Antalya Sightseeing



Friday, September 4, 2009

Main Sights in Antalya


Antalya is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. It was the world's third most visited city by number of international arrivals in 2011, displacing New York. It is Turkey's biggest international sea resort. 
The first place to be seen in Antalya is the Old Town (in Turkish Kaleiçi). The name Kaleiçi means "Inside the Kale" or "Inner Kale" (Kale itself means castle or fortress).  It is the historic city center of Antalya.  It has structures dating from the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Ottoman and modern Turkish republican eras. The Kaleiçi area is located in the centre-eastern portion of the city along the Mediterranean coast fronted by the yacht harbor that dates to the Roman era. 
Old Town - Kaleici
Especially, people must see the Hadrian’s Gate, Roman Clock Tower, Hıdırlık Tower, The fluted (Yivli) minaret, Mermerli beach and the marina in the Old Town. Hadrian's Gate: constructed in the 2nd century by the Romans in honor of the Emperor Hadrian. 
Hıdırlık Tower
Hıdırlık Tower is a landmark tower of tawny stone in Antalya, where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. It is believed that the ruling Roman Empire built this in the second century CE on a square plan. It has since been used as a fortification or a lighthouse. 
Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is Roman architecture. People are meeting under clock tower, it is like the symbol of Antalya. But the real symbol of the city is Yivli Minare (Fluted Minaret) which is built by the Seljuks and decorated with dark blue and turquoise tiles. 
Mermerli Beach
The famous Mermerli Beach is Antalya’s oldest beach. The little pebbly beach belongs to the Mermerli restaurant and is situated east to the marina. Deck-chairs and umbrellas must be paid. Its meaning is Marble Beach, and for good reason. It is all coral and marble at this tiny beach area, sometimes only accessible by steps and more steps going down 50 ft cliffs.
Saklıkent Ski Center
You’ve got to do a day trip to Saklıkent. The meaning of Saklıkent is hidden city. It is a winter resort in Antalya, 45 kilometers from Antalya and 60 kilometers from Antalya Airport. It is open for skiing from November to May. Because of its proximity to Antalya, one can ski and then one hour later swims in the Mediterranean Sea.

Hasan Subasi Cultural Park
Antalya will host EXPO 2016 which is the next scheduled A1 Horticultural Exposition. From 9,160 botanical species growing in Turkey about 3,300 are endemic. 630 of these 3,300 plants grow only at the Mediterranean Sea and 500 of those only grow in the province of Antalya. Hasan Subasi Cultural Park is located in the heart of Antalya's cultural and touristic area of the Konyaalti district. The park is my best relaxing place. Long walk in early morning when the city was sleeping is the best thing in Antalya. It is look like a paradise. You should see the great and fascinating view of Konyaalti beach and Toros Mountains from this park.

Beachpark
Konyaalti Beachpark is the Antalya’s new music and arts center. Here you always find an activity or live music concerts. 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.

Beachpark
There are a number of caves in the city that you can visit, which include:
  • Altinbesik Dudensu Cave
  • Beldibi Cave
  • Damlatas Cave
  • Karain Cave
  • Kocain Cave

Each of these caves has a special appeal that makes it unique


Sites of interest in the city centre
  • Karpuzkaldıran
  • Tünek Hill
  • Karaalioglu Park
  • Arapsu Bridge
  • Lara Beach
  • Minicity
  • Antalya Aquarium
Moreover, you can visit ancient cities near Antalya such as AspendosOlimpos, Side, Selge, Perge, Phaselis, ve Termessos.



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!