Alanya sits on the Mediterranean Coast with Cleopatra Beach to the right of the peninsula on which stands Alanya Castle. The current castle was built over existing fortifications and served the double purpose of a palace of local government and as a defensive structure in case of attack. It is said that Mark Antony gave the castle to Cleopatra as part of her dowry. A winding, steep road leads up to the castle and along the road are the market traders selling locally made table cloths, napkins, decorative cushions covers and pashminas at very reasonable prices. Always haggle for a better price it’s what they are used to.
The Alanya Castle and the landmark 'Red Tower' is a very popular place for international visitors. It stands at the end of the harbour area below the castle. You can pay a small fee to climb the 108 foot tower and look out over the harbour, but be sure to do it on a cool day!
Damlatas Caves was stumbled upon by engineers in 1946 during blasting work for the construction of Alanya harbour and was first opened to visitors in 1999. The climate in the cave is said to be therapeutic for those with respiratory problems, especially asthma sufferers. The caves are 100 foot deep and 50 foot high and lined with fabulous stalagmites and stalactites on both sides of the paths. Worth going for a visit!
Near the Damalatas Cave is the Alanya Museum. It has two sections where archaeological and ethnographical arts are exhibited. Ruins from Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine, made of bronze, marble, baked soil, glass and mosaic and inscription in karamnlıca language and coins from Classical (BC 7-5 century), are exhibited here.
On those hot summer days when you want to cool off and relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds, then head to Dimcay Valley. Dotted along the river you will find tree houses and barges all fitted out with carpets and cushions and a low set tables. The barges are on floats sitting in the river, and this is where you will have your lunch served to you. Afterwards, you can either go for a very cool swim or lie down and sleep whilst listening to the sound of the running stream beneath you. Everyone has their own little space so there is no need to share with strangers. This is just Bliss…
Going East from Alanya towards Gazipasa is the Antique Syedre Castle. It is set upon the hill but not very visible from the main road except for a few crumbling walls of the outer Antique castle. Once inside the castle site it is totally peaceful and serene with panoramic views from Alanya to Gazipasa and beyond. Much of the site has still not been excavated, so has been left to the forces of nature to keep its secrets.
As you drive inland from Demirtas, follow the signs fpr Sapadre Canyon through the valley’s and mountains until you come to an old flour mill which is now a restaurant, about 5km from the opening of the canyon. Here you can sit and relax and have lunch before venturing forward towards the canyon. A man-made platform has been erected for visitors to walk through the canyon and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature as the clear waters of the stream run beneath it. As it is a recently new site it is still unspoiled and really worth a visit.
If you like history, you’ll love Side. Side is an ancient city of Pamphylia and was established in 6th. Century BC. So step back in time to the Roman Empire and walk in the steps of the ancient Romans. Discover the ceramic tiles set into the paths, now covered over with sand to help protect them from visitors. Visit the Ampi-theatre, the column lined streets, and the famous temples of Apollo and Athena.
About an hour’s drive from Alanya is the town of Manavgat. As you drive into the country side, the lower lakes will be on your right hand side. As you drive deeper into the mountains you will come upon the Dam, where you can drive to the top and look down the valley towards the sea. Take a drive around the lakes at your own leisure or catch one of the many boats which leave early in the morning.
Turkey is surrounded by the Black Sea to the north, the Aegean Sea to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the south and boasts a coastline of over 8000 kilometres. Turkey is a mountainous country with beautiful scenery and large areas of unspoiled countryside.
To get away from the crowds and discover the true beauty of Turkey, one of the best ways is from the deck of a boat, where you can lie back and watch the beautiful scenery,
stopping off if the fancy takes you to explore historical sites or have a cool swim but even by walking a short distance inland from some of the busiest coastal resorts, it can feel as if you are in a different world.
Everyone has a different idea of relaxing – whether it be soaking in a warm spa, lazing around at the pool or beach or for the sporty type, an exhilarating ride through white-water rapids, scuba diving or paragliding, and for the history buffs, ancient ruins and traditions, Turkey has something special to suit everyone.
Cappadocia
The best times to go to Cappadocia is April to mid June and September to October which are the best months to avoid the intense heat and crowds of the summer. The climate is generally cooler than the popular coastal areas of the Mediterranean and the Aegean, so it’s best to bring a few warm clothes. When travelling in the rural Anatolian village areas of Turkey, it is a good idea for women to dress modestly and appropriately especially when visiting the mosques.
The setting is one of nature’s most bizarre wonders where in the course of millions of years, the land has been shaped into fantastic forms. The Cappadocia region is largely underlain by sedimentary rocks formed in lakes and streams, and deposits of rock which erupted from ancient volcanoes approximately 3 to 9 million years ago. The rocks of Cappadocia eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms. The volcanic deposits are soft rocks that the people of the villages in the heart of the Cappadocia Region carved out to form houses, churches, monasteries.
The Göreme Open Air Museum is one of the most visited sites of the monastic communities in Cappadocia and is one of the most famous sites in central Turkey. It is an area comprising of more than 30 rock-carved churches and chapels containing some superb frescoes, dating from the 9th to the 11th centuries. The surrounding mountains are especially beautiful in springtime with wildflowers and some snow cover. The Ihlara Valley in the southern part of Cappadocia, is a dramatic gorge which is 16 km (10 mi) long. Cut into volcanic rocks, with a stream running through it. It holds about 60 Byzantine churches, chapels, monasteries and hermits' caves dating from the 11th to 13th centuries. There are numerous underground cities throughout the region, so it's worth the trip.