Yazılı (Epigraphic) Canyon Nature Park

Antalya City Blog visited the Yazılı (Epigraphic) Canyon Nature Park and took some photos for you!

The Epigraphic (Yazılı) Canyon is a canyon and Natural Park in the province of Isparta (province) in southern Turkey. The park was established in 1989 and covers an area of ​​600 hectares. It is located in the district Sütcüler, approximately 69 km south-east of Isparta, 84 km from Egirdir, and 130 km away from Antalya province. One of the places to whic the nature was generous while giving out beaties to the earth Epigraphic Canyon.

His name (Yazılı equal Turkish for written) received the canyon because on a large rock an ancient Greek font is, but its origin can not be determined.

In Yazılı Canyon, you can find unique vegetation, wildlife, landscape diversity and unique beauty of the region's resources creates value, and historical monuments.

Some part of it has been destroyed during road constructions but the poems on it tells about Epiktetos who was born as a slave and died as a famous philosopher, and they say; “Passenger, get ready and set off but know this; / a free person is the one who is free in himself/ in his nature is the limit of freedom/ and if he is sincere in his decision / if his honesty is within his heart, these make a man noble/ by them is the man glorified, not by the mistakes.” 

Upon reading these lines which unexpectedly appear as a philosophy of life, you walk forty five km more and then you arrive at a very green plain. Some surrender themselves into the cold waters of in-rock pools, while some sleep with the scent of the grass. And some climb the branches of splendid monumental pines which stands still despite the years.

You can also watch the life circle of the nature in Yazılı Canyon: little yellow spiders spreading to the earth from their webs, rainbow- winged butterflies, taps of woodpeckers accompanied by the songs of the birds, trouts caught in the nets thrown into the waters at the mouth of the canyon, plants whose leaves remind you of a red tiger fur, olanders…and of course the great titmice, hoopoes, European jays….

This Natural Park which hosts the campers with its area of 600 hectares, is one of the places through which the ancient King Road used to run. That St. Paul went through this road while going to Pisidia Antiokheia from Perge makes the canyon valuable for the Christians.

The canyon takes a dazzling light bath in autumn. Its depth changes between 100-400 m. Many groups such as mountaineers, search and rescue teams, scouts, rock climbers camp and work in the canyon. It is also ideal for the botanicians and bird watchers.

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Turkey Motorbike Tours: South Turkey Tour Begins

Turkey Motorbike Tours's South Turkey tours runs for 11 days/11 nights comprising of 2,600 kms (1,600 miles) starting in Antalya. They visit historical and cultural sites, riding along beautiful coastal roads with stunning views and stopping for Turkish tea in canyons and waterfalls, checking out Cappadocia, meeting the friendly locals and sampling the delicious home cooked Turkish cuisine along the way. 

Accommodation on this tour includes staying in independent good quality hotels for a good night's rest after a great day of riding.

All our hotels are personally sourced and checked. They are 3, 4 star and Boutique hotels, all with fantastic individual qualities.

Turkey Motorbike Tours is a motorbike touring company based in London offering motorbike tours of Turkey. 

Their Director & tour leader Armagan Babayigit is originally from Istanbul & has been living in London for the past 13 years. He has combined his two passions - motorbikes & Turkey - into a business & shows people from around the world the beauty of Turkey, it's stunning coastline, amazing heritage & history & of course its friendly people! 

Armagan will be taking 3 people from England on a 10 day tour of South Turkey departing next Monday 7th April from the Antalya Sea Life Hotel at 9am.

The tour will include stops in Kemer, Antalya, Silifke, Karaman, Urgup, Cappadocia, Konya, Egirdir, Pamukkale, Fethiye & back to Antalya!

For more info: 

http://www.turkeymotorbiketours.com/2013-tours/southern-tours

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Visiting Antalya in the Spring - Tips on What to See and Do

While other parts of Europe are still rain-sodden and windswept in spring, in Antalya things are already starting to heat up. This makes it the ideal city to make an early start on your summer. Think long walks along the beach, eating local cuisine, soaking up the sun, carousing at countless festivals on a warm evening as the sun sets.

Of course, the whole Mediterranean region is getting warmer at this time of year. As a result budget flights are starting to fill up all over the northern hemisphere, long weekends are being planned, and the quest for accessible sun begins. Despite this increasing competition from other destinations, Antalya remains unrivalled. Read on to find out why visiting Antalya in spring is about much more than just topping up your vitamin D levels.

Festivals & Events

People in Antalya have built up a reputation for knowing how to have a good time. Here’s a selection of some of the best events over the coming season, offering countless dates around which you can plan an unforgettable trip.

• Nevruz (Spring) Festival 21 March

The sun gives more light and heat to the southern hemisphere until March 21, after which this applies to the northern hemisphere instead. That is why March 21 is a day to celebrate for people living in the northern hemisphere as the symbol of awakening and creation. On Nevruz Day, people lay their tables with an assortment of foodstuffs, play games, hold festivities, eat painted eggs and prepare large fires. Nevruz, which every society celebrates in forms peculiar to itself, still exists with traditional celebrations in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tatarstan, the Uygur region, Anatolia and the Balkans.

• Antalya International Choir Festival

The 6th Antalya International Choir Festival will be held on 02-06 April 2014. 

As being the 6th anniversary of the festival, the organizing commitee has made a special program for the 2014 edition. This year, it is planning to organise a big concert performance of "9th Symphony" by Ludwig van Beethoven with the choirs selected by festival organisation committe from festival attendants and Antalya State Symphony Orchestra together. At least 120 chorists and 100 professional orchestral musicians will be performing on the stage. 

•  Tour of Turkey

The 50th Presidential Cycling Tour will be held between the dates of April 27 to May 4, and the third stages of the Tour of Turkey will be held in Antalya. 

Sports fans who want to follow the competition will have the chance to watch step by step. If you want to follow as a privileged can apply over the internet. 

A single multi-stage intercontinental tour in the world which could be of great importance for the organization and promotion of tourism.

Eating

Whether you enjoy a great start to the morning with a breakfast on your apartment’s balcony or terrace or take advantage of the balmy evenings. If you’re a seafood lover then the beach area of Antalya features some of the city’s finest seafood restaurants.

Antalya’s signature cuisine includes Piyaz, spicy hibeş with mixed cumin andtahini, şiş köfte, tandır kebap, domates civesi, şakşuka, börülce salatası, kabak çiçeği dolması, kabak çintmesi, börülce çorbası, şiş köfte, laba, and various cold Mediterranean dishes with olive oil. One local speciality is tirmis, boiled seeds of the lupin, eaten as a snack. "Grida" (also known as Lagos or Mediterrenean white grouper) is a fish common in local dishes.

Shopping

Shopping in Antalya is great all year round and with the new spring/summer collections in shops, what better excuse do you need to revive your drab winter wardrobe for something more fresh and well, Antalya? You’re guaranteed not to be wearing the same thing as your friends when you get home. Antalya City is a shopaholic’s dream. In Antalya you will find a variety of differents shopping items like the traditional Turkish knick-knacks popular with tourists like textiles, gold and copper work, carpets, leather goods and souvenirs. Expect to find trendy brand name stores like Zara, LaCoste, Diesel, Mango, Polo Garage, Tommy Hilfiger, U.S. Polo Assn., Boyner, Nike, Adidas, Reebok, 2014 bridesmaiddresses, perfume, electronic & computer stores and many more. 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 visitAntalya. 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!

The Weather in Antalya in Spring

By April temperatures are usually warm enough for the beach, with average highs of 20 degrees Celsius. By June it’s up to 25 degrees. These conditions are ideal for many people – you avoid the extreme temperature of the summer while still being able to spend much of your time in the sun. Antalya have the best urban beaches in the Eastern Mediterranean and the city has three miles of them to choose from, all easily accessible by public transport.

If basking by the sea isn’t your thing, fear not – Antalya is also equally lucky in terms of parks, providing sightseeing opportunities aplenty and green spaces to lie back on the grass. Antalya Zoo is also situated within the grounds of the park making it the perfect family destination.

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Kovada Lake National Park

Antalya City Blog visited the Kovada Lake National Park and took some photos for you!

If you wander around this lake which is located at 30 km south of Eğirdir, coots, wild ducks, and grey herons scared of your voice, will get off from their places under the trees and fly towards to opposite coast of the lake. Isparta is, to some extend, the whispers among the plane trees which surround Kovada Lake like a dark yellow necklace in autumn.

While going to Kovada Lake from Eğirdir town along the channell, apple and cherry trees, colourful poplars, reeds along the water welcome you. Sometimes you go through a mist which covers the road like a white veil. These images are the messengers of a calm lake reminding of a picture painted by an artist called “the Nature”.

Kovada Lake with the surrounding area of 6534 hectares has been one of our National Parks since 1970… It was decared as a 1 level protected area in 1992. The depth of the lake is 6-7 m while the width is 9 km. On the contrary of the other lakes in Isparta, its water is not very clear because of the sediments.

However, thanks to the trees growing among the rocks, it presents beautiful views when looked from the hills around.

The surrounding area of the Kovada Lake is 20.6 km and its height above the sea level is 900 m. There are walking courses around the lake for those who love hiking. Beginning from the small recreational facility of National Parks General Directorate, the short road is a 350 m walking course. Another road beginning at the same point and reaching out to the watch tower is 2.800m. long. Professional travelers can camp by the lake and go for longer walks.

Remember! Be careful that your shoes are proper as the lake shores are rather rocky. Permission of Environent and Forest Direcorate is required for those who wish to camp in groups. Phone: (0246) 228 53 00. Permission is not required for those who camp with a single tent. Bring a sweater even if you will camp in summer.

Kovada National Park is a rich working and recreation place for nature lovers. Many kinds of trees from redpine to juniper; from wild olive to kocayemiş (arbutus unedo) to menengiç (Terebinthina Chia), pırnal meşesi (quercus ilex) constitute the basis of the natural flora. Herbs like wild rose, daphne, blackberry, and boyacı sumağı (rhus cotnus) enrich this structure. The diversity of flora can be observed in wild life, however many animal species have been endangered due to hunting. Yet, you shouldn’t be surprised to see martens, badgers, wild boars, foxes, squirrels or rabbits.

Kovada Lake is an important point for bird watchers as well. Its waters are valuable as it is a watering hole for migratory birds. Wild geese, rudy shelducks, herons, wild ducks, woodcocks come to the lake. If you happen to see bouncing birdson the rocks, know that they are partridges. As for the inhabitants in the water, they are carps, sudak (Lucioperca lucioperca) ,pool fish, eğrez (vimba vimba), velvet fish, eels and fresh water lobsters.

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Isparta: The City of Roses

Antalya City Blog visited Isparta and took some photos for you. You can read our recommendations before you visit Isparta.

Isparta is a province that placed at the Mediterranean Region, and famous with lakes, roses and rugs. Ancient cities, national parks, and caves are places to be seen in province. Districts: Isparta (center), Aksu, Atabey, Eğridir, Gelendost, Gönen, Keçiborlu, Senirkent, Sütçüler, Şarkikarağaç, Uluborlu, Yalvaç, Yenişarbademli. 

Isparta has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers.

Isparta is a pretty province of the Mediterranean region of Turkey. It is widely known as "the City of Roses" for its beautiful roses and rosewater production. The city has a population of around 500.000 inhabitants and is situated 1030 meters above the sea level. 

The most important natural attraction of Isparta is, without doubt the Egirdir Lake.

The shores of Egirdir lake offers its visitors a good opportunity for fishing, picnicking and some other sportive activities like trekking, climbing and swimming. The fish restaurants with a nice lake view offers delicious local fish accompanied with local mezes and drinks. 

Hiking and Nature Trip in Isparta

Isparta offers good opportunity for hiking and mountaineering, mountain biking and other outdoor activities. You can go to Gökçay, Kovada, Gölcük, and Davraz.

Top 5 Places to Go in Isparta city center

1. Böcüzade (Park)
2. Kafeler Caddesi (high-street student coffee shops)
3. Gökçay (Picnic Area)
4. Ayazmana (Picnic Area)
5. IyaşPark Shopping Mall

Isparta by night..

Public Transport in Isparta

Buses  run very frequently until late at night. Apart from that, there are taxis in the city.

Where to Stay in Isparta

Sirene Davras Hotel 
(http://www.davras.com.tr)

Barida Hotel 

                  (http://www.baridahotels.com)

Büyük Isparta Hotel (http://www.buyukispartaotel.net)

Basmacıoğlu Hotel (http://www.basmaciogluotel.com)

Hotel Artan 
(http://www.hotelartan.com)

Hotel Bolat 
(http://www.otelbolat.com.tr)

Altıngöl Hotel Eğirdir 
(http://www.altingolotel.com)

Isparta is 120 km away from Antalya and 110 km away from Antalya Airport. 

Read About Isparta Süleyman Demirel Airport: http://antalya-magnificent-city.blogspot.com.tr/2013/12/antalya-city-blog-visited-isparta.html

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