DISCOVERTURKEY

relaxation

34

|

discover
TURKEY

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
nd

a
country
which
can
offer

so
much

welcome
to

relaxation,
Turkish
style...

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turkey
at
www.gototurkey.co.uk

fact
le

where
to
stay

relaxation

history
&
culture

36

|

discover
TURKEY

sailing
and
cruising
lie
back
and
watch
the

beautiful
scenery,
stopping

off
as
the
fancy
takes
you

urkey is surrounded by sea to

three
sides,
and
has a
coastline
of over
8000 kilometres
in length. One of the best ways to
see Turkey is from the deck of a boat, where
you can lie back and watch the beautiful
scenery, stopping off as the fancy takes you
to explore a historic site or visit a charming
village. Turkey has a wealth of world class
marinas, providing excellent facilities for
those who have their own yacht or who have
chartered one. The large cruise liners usually
only stop off at stanbul and Kuadas. both
large ports which are perfectly situated for
access to some of Turkeys most interesting
historic sites.

Gulets can be fully chartered by a group or are

sold on a cabin basis by tour operators. They
are usually comfortable and can be extremely
luxurious but standards do vary hugely, so if
you are comparing prices you should check
exactly what you are getting for your money.
Cabins can be on the small side with little
storage space so it is wise not to pack too
much in any case, you probably wont be
wearing much more than swimwear during

Turkey is perhaps best known for the Mavi

Yolculuk or Blue Cruise, the coastal voyage
on board a traditional Turkish wooden boat
known as a gulet (goo-let). It all started in
Bodrum with Cevat Sakir Kabaaac, who
wrote a book in the middle of the last century
called Mavi Yolculuk in which he described
his blue cruise sailing around the coast of
Bodrum with the local sponge shermen. He
became known as the Fisherman of Halikarnas and inspired many others to seek the
pleasures which he described.
Over the years, gulets have evolved from
traditional shing and cargo vessels into their
present prole with a broad beam and wide
deck. They usually have a large sunbathing
deck to the fore, a sitting/ dining area at the
back, and cabins below. Constructed mainly
in local shipyards in and around Bodrum,
Bozburun, Marmaris, Fethiye, and stanbul,
and along the Black Sea Coast, the boats
are equipped with motors as well as fully
functional rigging. The number of passengers a gulet carries depends on the boats
size, although most of them accommodate
between eight and twelve people in double
or twin cabins.

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days at sea. Usually, there are three or four

crew members on board, including the captain
and the cook, and the atmosphere is one of
relaxed communal living.
Gulets usually travel a specied route, starting from resorts along the South Aegean and
Mediterranean. Turkey is full of isolated bays,
inlets and tiny islands, some of which can only
be explored from the sea so it is a great way
to see the best of the coast and get away from
the crowds. Those who dont like the idea
of a whole week at sea, can take a day trip
from most resorts. Either book through your
operator or a local agency or simply go along
to the harbour rst 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 Karada
Marina is one of the best-equipped in the
region and the starting point for a trip around
the stunning Gulf of Gkova. Akbk is hidden
behind a forested promontory, it is splendidly
scenic and a great place to stop for its charming
restaurants and snorkelling in the clear waters.
Data is a charming village with the famous
ruins of the ancient city of Knidos nearby.
Orhaniye is a picturesque hamlet, surrounded
by pine trees, where you can see the shallow
bar of sand known as Kzkumu which runs
across the cove and makes it look as if people
are walking on water. Sedir
Island, known
in English as Cleopatras Island (ancient
Cedrai) boasts an incredible beach with ne
sand composed of fossils, and a splendid view
of the Kiran Mountains across the bay. It is
said that the sand here was imported by Mark
Antony for his lover, Cleopatra and that she
bathed here. Marmaris Netsel Marina is one
of the largest and best-equipped marinas in
Turkey, and the Marmaris Albatross Marina,
one of the best for wintering and maintaining
yachts, which make this cosmopolitan resort
an excellent starting point for a Blue Voyage.
At Ekincik, a delightful yacht-mooring, you
can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this area
and the friendly hospitality of its people. From
Delikli
Island, which lies right off the coast,
southeast of Ekincik you can take an excursion to Dalyan on a smaller boat. Gcek is a
charming resort, favoured by yachtsmen, with
some lovely seafront restaurants. Dotted with
islands and indented with many coves, the land
and seascapes of the Gulf of Gcek are irresistible. On Tersane Island stand Byzantine ruins
including those of the ancient shipyards from
which it takes it name. Fethiye, a traditional
market town boasts a natural harbour and
beautiful mountain scenery. Kekova is the
name of a group of picturesque islands with

history
&
culture
relaxation
fact
le

where
to
stay

numerous bays and ancient cities. Along the

northern shore of Kekova Island, at Apollonia, earthquakes once disturbed the land
causing some of the ancient houses to sink
under the clear water, creating the sunken
city which is so enchanting today. Kaleky
Castle (ancient Simena) offers a birds-eye
view of the bays inlets, islands and colourful
yachts sailing peacefully on the glassy water.
At Demre (Kale), the ancient Myra (25 kms
west of Finike), many splendid carved Lycian
rock tombs overlook the magnicent Roman
theatre. St Nicholas, the real Father Christmas,
was the Bishop of this Mediterranean city
during the fourth century. Olympos, on the
southern side of Mount Tahtal (Mt. Olympos),
is surrounded by oleander and laurel bushes.
Nearby, high on the hillside at Yanarta (literally burning stone), the mythological Lycian
hero Bellerophon mounted his winged horse
Pegasus and slew the re-breathing Chimaera.
Kemer, a resort town carefully designed to
blend in with the surrounding scenery, where
the fully equipped Park Kemer Marina has
good facilities. April is the month of the
colourful Kemer Carnival. Also in the spring
there are yacht races between Kemer and
Girne (Kyrenia), in the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus. Antalya, Turkeys largest
Mediterranean city has a backdrop of the
towering Taurus Mountains. Here the ancient
city of Attaleia, named after King Attalus II of
Pergamum, was founded in the 2nd century
BC. Today, palm-lined boulevards, beautiful parks, historical buildings, monuments,
museums and the picturesque old quarter
of Kaleii (with the Kaleii Turban Marina)
blend together to create a perfect holiday
atmosphere.

4a traditional Turkish sailing

boat, or gulet.

copyrighted image kindly supplied by Savile Tours

38

|

discover
TURKEY

trekking
and
climbing
get
away
from
the
crowds
and

discover
the
true
beauty
of
Turkey

urkey is a mountainous
countr y with beautiful
scenery and large areas of
unspoiled countryside, which
are wonderful natural preserves for
an extraordinary variety of wildlife,
ora
and fauna. The mountainous nature
of the country has had a strong inuence on
its cultural evolution. For centuries, nomads
and semi-nomadic peoples have lived here
and migrated annually with their livestock to
the fresh pastures of the mountains and hills
around. These alpine meadows, or yayla, still
represent a rm tie to traditional culture.
Trekking allows you to get away from the
crowds and discover the true beauty of Turkey
the friendly villagers, remote historic sites
and stunning scenery. Serious climbers will
probably want to explore Turkeys rich interior
and mountainous east 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.
Turkey now has two ofcial long distance
footpaths, the Lycian Way, which was
recently listed by the Sunday Times as one
of the worlds top ten walks, and the newer
St. Paul Trail.

Lycian
Way
The Lycian way is a 509 km way-marked
footpath around the coast from Fethiye to
Antalya. It takes its name from the ancient
civilisation which once ruled the area, the
most visible reminders of which are the carved
rock tombs which can be seen throughout the
region. This section of the coastline is stunning with wooded mountains rising steeply
from the shore affording fantastic views and
making for varied walking conditions. The
route also goes past many of the more remote
historic sites. The route is graded medium to
hard; it is not level walking, but has many
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ascents and descents as it approaches and

veers away from the sea. It is easier at the
start near Fethiye and gets more difcult as it
progresses. It is recommended that you walk
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.
Highlights of
the
Lycian
Way
are:

Spectacular walks on the
slopes of
Baba

Da,
beneath
the
ight path
of
the

paragliders
descending
to
ldeniz
Stunning
descent to
Faralya,
above
the

cliffs of
Buttery
Valley.
The
22km long
beach
at
Patara.
Spectacular views over the
coast
from
above
Ka
and
Kalkan.
The
castle,
harbour
and
sunken ruins
at
az
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
Gynk.

St
Paul
Trail
The St Paul Trail is a newer, way-marked
footpath leading from Perge, 10 km east of
Antalya, to Yalva, NE of Lake Eirdir. There
is a second branch starting at Aspendos, 40km
east of Antalya and joining the rst route at
the Roman site of Adada. The route totals
about 500km. This project partly follows the
route walked by St Paul on his rst missionary
journey in Asia Minor.It starts at sea level and
climbs up to 2200m, with two optional peaks
at around 2800m. Although the St. Paul Trail
is slightly wilder than the Lycian Way, it is
also higher and cooler in summer. The trip has
varied and enjoyable walking days, some of
which take you to ridge and peak tops, while
others pass through forests, elds and ancient

villages. The town of Stcler, around which

you will spend two days in the rst part of
our walk, was an important administrative
centre during Ottoman times. There is an old
mosque from that period in the town centre
and ruins from the Roman times on a nearby
hill. Ancient pilgrimage routes ran through
the adjacent gorges, and the area was known
as Bavul, after St Paul. The second part of the
walk takes you over the shoulder of Mt Davras
(2635m), and across the sparta plain for two
days trekking in the Barla mountains with an
optional climb of Gelincik Da (2799m) and
Mt. Kaymaz (2250m). Stay in Barla before
moving on to the lakeside town of Eirdir for
an ascent of Sivri Da, with time to take a
Turkish 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
rs 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
Eirdir
&

crossing
the
lake
by
shing
boat
The
medieval paved
road
around
Sarp
peak
The
beautiful village
of
Beydili
Following
a
Roman
aqueduct into
Yalva
For
further information on these
walks:
visit
www.lycianway.com

Climbing
&
mountaineering
Serious climbers will no doubt wish to discover
Turkeys most challenging peaks, the best
known of which is Mount Ararat or Ar
Da, which is the countrys highest peak. It
is said to have been the place where Noahs
Ark came to land after the oods, and is an
extinct volcano, capped with snow and ice
throughout the year. The summit of Ararat
was rst climbed by Dr Parrot, a German, in
1829 and has been popular with international
climbers ever since. The best time of year to

4 (top) the
ancient ruined
city
of
Perge,

near the
start
of
the
St
Paul
trail.

4 camping
in
the
midst
of
Turkeys
beautiful
mountain
scenery

relaxation

history
&
culture
For
further
information
on
climbing
in

Turkey,
visit www.mountainsofturkey.com

where
to
stay

Other mountains which are popular for

trekking and climbing include the Kakar
Mountains, or Pontic Alps, which run parallel to the Black Sea in the north west of the
country. The scenery is stunning and the
area offers an insight into a more traditional
way of life where the local people spend the
winters in the cities and the summers in the
mountain pastures or yayla with their animals.
The main season is in the summer months
from July September. The Aladalar, or
Red Mountains, form part of the Taurus
mountain chain, running from west to east
along the Mediterranean coast. Most climbers are attracted to the peaks known as the
Beyaz or white Aladalar. The main season
is in June and July when the mountains are a
beautiful lush green with lakes and stunning
waterfalls.

fact
le

climb is in the summer with July, August and

September being the most pleasant months.
The ascent is non-technical although it does
include some rough terrain. The southern face
of the mountain offers the easiest and safest
ascent to the summit, as it has the best routes
as well as having safer communication and
transportation systems. It is not advised to
climb Mount Ar (Ararat) alone and without
a guide. You will, in any case, need ofcial
permission for the climb. Mount Ararat is
approx. 270 kms from Erzurum.

40

|

discover
TURKEY

golf
world
class
courses,
an
excellent

climate
and
fantastic
service

clubs are available for hire. Both individual

and group lessons with PGA professionals
are also available.

Handicap certicates must be produced, with

a maximum of 28 for men and 36 for women,
and soft spikes must be worn.

The Gloria Golf Club has 45 holes in play all

designed by French golf architect, Michel Gayon,
situated amidst pine forests at the foot of the
Taurus Mountains. The Gloria Old is considered
a Gayon classic, with deep bunkers, and no
less than seven lakes, providing a challenge at
all levels. The Gloria Old was host to the PGA
European Turkish Senior Open in 1998, 2000
& 2001. It is 6288 metres, par 72. The 9 hole
Gloria Verde golf course is set around a large
lake, in the midst of pine forest. It is par 36 and
can be played from two different tee positions
and is 3148 metres from the white tees. The
Gloria New is a tree-lined parkland styled course
with a hint of seaside thanks to its undulations. It
measures 6280 metres, par 72 and opens on the
1st November 2005. The New Club House which
opened in October 2005 was specially designed
for the Gloria Golf Resort, with comfortable
restaurant, bar, golferslounge and large pro-shop
& locker room. The fully stocked Pro Shop will
have PGA professionals on site. The Driving
Range has 2 oors West - South with 48 bays
plus 30 Bays with grass tees plus a large putting
green, pitching green and practice Bunker. Also
there are 72 Club Car, 2 person buggies and 18
sets of Callaway golf clubs to hire.

urkey is now well established

as a golf destination. The
excellent climate is an attraction,
with the added benets of high
standards of service and accommodation, good
value for money, and, of course, a fantastic
range of international standard golf courses.
The resort of Belek, on the Mediterranean
coast, just 30 kms from Antalya, is at the heart
of Turkish golf. The rst golf course opened
here in 1994, since when Belek has really
established itself on the international golf
circuit with 7 top class courses, and a further
5 planned. There are also golf courses situated
just outside Istanbul, with more planned for
the Istanbul, Ankara and Mula regions.

Belek
Belek is just 40 minutes drive from Antalya
international airport, making for a quick and
easy transfer. The hotels are all of 4 and 5
star standard and offer an excellent range of
leisure facilities, with plenty to explore in the
surrounding area.
For more general information about Belek
see page 62 or www.belektourismcenter.org

The Antalya
Golf Club consists of two 18hole courses The Pasha and The Sultan both
of which offer challenges for all standards
of golfer, in a beautiful setting. The Sultan
is the more challenging of the two and was
designed with the discerning golfer in mind.
Both courses were constructed by European
Golf Design, under the supervision of design
consultant and Senior Tour professional, David
Jones. The Pasha is an 18 hole golf course
of 5772 metres. par 72. The Sultan is an 18
hole 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

www.antalyagolfclub.com.tr

www.gloriagolf.com

The Robinson Golf Club Nobilis has been

open since 1998 and was designed by internationally renowned architect, Dave Thomas. This
championship standard course of 6314 metres,
par 72, is shaped from a beautiful natural pine
forest and positioned alongside Beleks Acsu
River, covering an area of 729,000m. It offers
excellent playing conditions and beautiful views
of the surrounding mountain scenery. The driving
range holds 60 people. It has a stylish Roman
styled Clubhouse with a good restaurant and
a Pro Shop.
www.nobilis.com.tr

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The National Golf Club was the rst of

Beleks golf courses to open in late 1994, and
the rst in Turkey to be developed according
to European PGA standards. It was designed
by Ryder Cup player David Feherty and
Seniors Tour player David Jones. Feherty has
incorporated aspects of the best courses he has
competed on in the world, and has ensured that
no two holes are similar. The 18 hole course is
6,232 metres with a par of 72. Practice facilities comprise a 40-bay driving range and two
chipping and putting greens. The National Golf
Academy has a very pretty 1547 metre par
29 course including comprehensive instruction facility which caters for all golfers, from
the scratch player to the complete beginner.
Clubhouse facilities include a restaurant, bar,
boutique, terrace, locker and storage rooms and
a pro-shop. Buggies, rental trolleys, woods and
irons are available for hire, and PGA professionals are on hand for individual and group
lessons.
www.nationalturkey.com

The Tat
International
Golf Club is set

in a stunning position, between the sweeping Begz River and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Tat International offers golfers not only
top-class facilities, but stunning views in a
magnicent setting. The 13-acre course has
been designed by Hawtree of England as three
loops of 9 holes, which can be combined and
are called the TAT, the INTERNATIONAL
and the BELEK. From the championship white
tees the Tat & Belek measure 6115 metres, par
72; the Tat & the International measure 6298
metres, par 72; and the Belek & the International
measure 6199 metres, par 72. There is also a
9 hole academy course and practice facilities
include an extensive driving range, with two
chipping and putting greens. The clubhouse
houses two restaurants, a snack bar, lounge,
boutiques, locker and storage rooms, pro shop,
an outdoor swimming pool and terraces.
www.tatgolf.com.tr

history
&
culture
The Klassis Golf and Country Clubs course
was designed by one of the worlds best known
golf players, Tony Jacklin, and has hosted the
European Challenge Tour in 1997 and 1998, and
the BEKO Seniors PGA Tour in 1999. During
its design, top British, French and Belgian golf
specialists were consulted and the result is an
exciting yet balanced course. It has 18 holes
and is 5850 metres, par 72. In addition to the
championship course, there is also a 9 hole
academy course, as well as a driving range and
putting green. There is an attractive clubhouse
and horse riding, tennis, football and swimming
facilities are also on hand.

relaxation

Within a short distance of stanbul there are

two international standard golf courses. For
information on stanbul see page 76.

where
to
stay

stanbul

The Kemer Golf & Country Club is 30

minutes from the city centre, taking you into
the Belgrade Forest. This 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Joan Dudok van
Heel, according to USGA specications, caters
for all golfers whether they are beginners, or
professionals in search of a challenge. Its 6300
metre, par 73 course with facilities include a
training course, golf club facilities, (restaurant,
three caf/bars, sports hall, cinema, openair swimming pool), articial lake, stables,
mountain bike and recreation club, eight tennis
courts, mini football eld and playground. In
addition, the Golf and Country Club facilities
include restaurants, a dining terrace, chess
and billiard hall, bar, gymnasium, squash
courts, sauna, Jacuzzi, winter garden, indoor
swimming pool, tennis courts.
www.kg-cc.com

fact
le

www.golf.klassis.com.tr

42

|

discover
TURKEY

skiing
an
excellent
snow
record
with
beautiful

scenery
and
unusual
aprs
ski

kiing may not be the rst

thing
which
springs to mind

when you think of Turkey,

but considering it is such
a

mountainous country, it is not surprising that Turkey boasts a number of

good
quality ski resorts. Its snow record
is excellent with many of the resorts at high
altitude. Although skiing holidays are not
offered by any UK or Irish tour operators at
present, it is possible to visit independently
and it is surely only a matter of time before
this sector develops.
The rst mention of alpine skiing in Turkey
was in the area around Erzurum in 1914 and
from 1933 onwards sporting clubs began to
be formed for those interested in skiing in
the areas around Bursa, Ankara and Erzurum.
The Turkish Mountaineering and Horsemanship federation, which also catered for skiers,
was formed in 1935 and in 1939 the Turkish
Mountaineering and Winter Sports Federation was established one of the rst such
organizations anywhere in the world. Turkey
currently has 8 ski resorts: Uluda, Kartalkaya,
Ilgaz, Sarkam Palandken, Erciyes, Davraz
and Saklkent

Uluda

Uluda is the oldest established ski resort in
Turkey. It is 36 kms from the historic centre of
Bursa and 150 kms from stanbul. Its proximity
to stanbul means that it is very popular with
weekenders from the city a high society
crowd who come as much for the ambience
as the skiing. It is a pretty, alpine style village
with a good choice and standard of hotel
accommodation and lively aprs ski.
The ski area of Uluda is at a height of 1750
- 2543 metres and is very picturesque, with
pine trees dotting the mountain slopes, and
several runs through the trees. There are some
good nursery slopes facing the main resort
area with an easy progression through blues

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and reds, which make it ideal for beginners

and intermediates. In total it has 1 cablecar, 5
chairlifts and 7 T bars. Qualied skiing instructors are on hand and equipment is available
for hire. The ski season lasts from December
through to the end of March.

Uluda. The ski area lies between 1800-2221

metres with 3 chairlifts and 7 drag lifts. There
is an average snow fall of 3 metres, and the
season lasts from late December until the end
of March. There are two hotels in the resort,
qualied skiing instructors are available and
ski equipment can be hired locally.

Palandken
Erciyes
In recent years, Palandken has become one of
Turkeys most popular ski resorts, in part due
to the short 30 minute transfer from Erzurum
airport, just 12 kms away, and in part due to the
excellent standard of hotel accommodation on
offer in the resort. Heavy investment has also
been put into the infrastructure of the resort
to update the lifts. Palandken is proving
popular with Russian and Dutch skiers as
well as the local Turkish market. Aprs ski
is based in hotels, which have good facilities
and the historic centre of Erzurum is just 5
kms away.
Palandken is a high resort with the ski area
situated between 2150 3200 metres, well
above the tree line. What it lacks in beauty,
however, it makes up for with the quality of
its runs including the longest in Turkey at 12
kms. There is a good nursery slope area with
drag lifts and a total of 17 pistes served by a
gondola and 3 chair lifts. The majority of the
runs are designed for beginners and intermediates but there are a couple of good black
runs and some excellent off piste. Qualied
instructors are on hand and the hotels all have
their own ski hire shops. The ski season lasts
from December May.

Kartalkaya
Kartalkaya is located in the Western Black Sea
Region, approx. 54 kms southeast of the town
of Bolu in the picturesque pine forests of the
Krolu Mountains. Situated approximately
220 kms from Ankara airport (4 hours by
bus), it is popular with well off types who visit
from the city, and nd it more affordable than

Erciyes Ski Centre is located on the extinct

volcanic mountain of Erciyes, which is east of
Cappadocia and south of the town of Kayseri.
It is just a 30 minute drive from Kayseri, which
is only 25 kms away. Kayseri airport is just
35 kms away a convenient 45 minute drive.
There are 2 chairlifts and 3 draglifts serving
the ski area which is at a height of 1800 3000
metres. The longest run is 3.5 kms and there
are a total of 12 kms of pistes. The season lasts
from December end of April. Ski instructors
are available and equipment can be hired
locally. There is one hotel in the resort.

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

history
&
culture
story
&
culture
relaxation
where
to
stay
fact
le
5(top) the

nursery slopes
at
Uluda
4Uluda
attracts
Turkeys
high
society

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discover
TURKEY

religious
sites
few
people
realise
that
Santa
Claus
was

born
in
Patara
in
modern-day
Turkey

urkey has a rich cultural heritage, and Asia Minor, as the

land which is now Turkey was
known,
was of
great signicance
to the
early Christians. Many of
Turkeys great ancient cities are mentioned in
the Bible. The constitution of the Republic of
Turkey guarantees freedom of worship and
those of all faiths are welcomed to Turkey.
Its Christian sites have become places of
pilgrimage visited by many travellers, either
independently or on organised tours.

Mereyam Ana Evi,
the

House
of
Mother
Mary
It is know from the Bible that Jesus entrusted
his mother to the safekeeping of his friend
and disciple, John. It is believed that during
the persecution of the Christians in Jerusalem
around 49 AD, John took Mary to Ephesus
where it is thought that she spent the last
years of her life. The House of Mother Mary
or Meryem Ana Evi as it is known in Turkish
has been partly reconstructed, and is open to
the public for pilgrimage and prayer.

Saint
Nicholas (Santa
Claus)
St Nicholas or Father Christmas, is one of the
most popular Saints in the Christian world.
Perhaps best known as the patron saint of
children, he is patron of a whole range of
diverse groups including barrel-makers, sailors
& shermen, thieves and pawn-brokers as
well as of Greece and Russia. More readily
associated with snowy climes, few people
realise that he was born in what is modern-day
Turkey, in Patara, a port in the province of
Lycia, around 270 AD. His life is shrouded
in stories and legends but we do know that he
was bishop of Myra at the time of Constantine
the Great and that he took part in the rst
Ecumenical Council, in Nicea (znik) in 325

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turkey
at
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A.D. After his death, his remains rested in the

church dedicated to God in his honour until
1087, when some Italian sailors, devotees
of this Patron Saint of seafarers, succeeded
in taking his relics to Bari, where they laid
them in a Basilica built in his honour, and
where they remain until this day. His feast
day is celebrated both in the east and west
on December 6, when traditionally gifts are
exchanged amongst friends and relatives.
Perhaps the most enduring legend surrounding
his life is the story that he secretly helped a
poor father to provide a decent dowry for
his three daughters, throwing three bags of
gold through an open window, thus making
it possible for them to get married, rather than
being sold into prostitution. These three bags
of gold are the origin of the three gold balls
denoting a pawn-brokers shop.

to Antioch. He travelled by foot and by boat,

teaching his religion as he went, and attempting to convert his listeners. A year later he set
off on his second journey (50-53 AD) heading
for Macedonia and establishing churches in
Philippi, Thessalonika and Beroea before
traveling on to Athens and Corinth, returning to
Antioch by boat via Ephesus. During his third
journey (54-58 AD) he spent three years in
Ephesus preaching and instructing those Jews
and Pagans who joined the fold in the ways
and beliefs of the new religion of Christianity. Whilst he was here he wrote some of his
famous letters or epistles to other Christian
communities, including to the Corinthians
and the Romans. Having spent two years
under arrest in Jerusalem, Paul was freed and
travelled back to Rome where he was arrested,
sentenced to death and beheaded in 61 AD.

The Church of St. Nicholas in Demre ancient

Myra, can still be visited today and there is a
festival held there each year in the rst week
of December to mark his feast day.

The
Churches of
the
Revelation

The
Journeys of
St.
Paul
Ancient Anatolia, the land which is now
Turkey, was one of the rst places where
Christianity spread. The early Christians
were persecuted by the Jews and ed Palestine, setting up communities in places such
as Antioch, present-day Antakya. Paul of
Tarsus, to become St. Paul, was one of the
rst preachers of the new religion, having
himself undergone a stunning conversion on
the road to Damascus.
Paul was introduced to the church in Antioch
by Barnabas, and from here he set off on his
rst apostolic journey (44-49 AD) which took
him to Seleucia, Cyprus and then back to
Perge, Antioch in Pisidia (Yalva), Iconium
(Konya), Derbe, Attaleia (Antalya) and back

The seven churches which St. John mentions

in the book of Revelations are all in presentday Turkey: Ephesus, Smyrna (zmir),
Pergamum, Thyatira (Akhisar) ,Sardis,
Philadelphia, and Laodicea (Denizli). There
are a number of companies who organise
tours to visit these sites.

The
Nicean Creed
In 324 Constantine the Great founded the city
of Constantinople (stanbul), which he later
made the capital of his Holy Roman Empire,
declaring Christianity to be its ofcial religion.
After centuries of persecution, Christians could
nally worship openly. In 325 the Church
celebrated the rst Ecumenical Council in
the city of Nicea (znik). It was felt that
some inconsistencies and errors were being
propagated amongst Christians, so this meeting
provided the opportunity to conrm the basic
tenets of the faith, set out in the Nicean Creed
which is still said in churches today.

history
&
culture
relaxation
where
to
stay
fact
le
4detail
of
a
mosaic
in
Haghia

Sophia,
Istanbul

5Church
of
St
Stephen
of
the

Bulgars,
made
completely
of
cast
iron
and
constructed
in
1871

5(above) statue
of
St
Nicholas
who
was Bishop
of
Myra

46

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discover
TURKEY

spas
and
thermal
springs
the
ancient
Romans
discovered

the
therapeutic
powers
of

Turkeys
many
thermal
springs

here
are
over one
thousand

thermal springs or kaplca in
Turkey, scattered throughout western Anatolia. The spa
holiday with its pampering and its health
and beauty treatments may seem like a relatively new phenomenon, but the health-giving
properties of Turkeys natural springs have
been renowned since antiquity. The Romans
were well aware of the therapeutic powers of
thermal springs and mineral waters, building
the ancient city of Hierapolis close to the
waters of Pamukkale.

Bursa
In Bursa too, at the foot of Mount Uluda,
it was the Roman Emperor, Justinian, who
rst built baths to benet from the natural hot
springs of ekirge These were later enlarged
by the Ottoman Sultan Murat I and the Turkish
Baths here, with their warm thermal pools, are
still in use today.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Bursa
became renowned amongst Europes nobility
who came to take the waters, and Atatrk
himself frequented Bursas oldest spa hotel,
the elik Palas, which was built in 1933. The
thermal waters of the ekirge springs are
composed of calcium, magnesium sulphate
and bicarbonate and are said to be good for
rheumatic, hepatic, and gall bladder diseases;
metabolic and gynaecological disorders and
post-operative problems.
Some thermal waters are simply for relaxation,
but others are purported to have specic health
benets. In either case, spas in Turkey are
monitored by the Ministry of Health to ensure
that they meet required standards of hygiene.
These are some of Turkeys best known natural
springs and thermal waters, although not all
of them have luxurious facilities. If you are
looking for luxury then many of Turkeys top

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hotels now have their own spas and health

clubs offering the latest in health and beauty
treatments.

Kangal Sivas Balkl ermik

Perhaps the most unusual of Turkeys spas is
the Kangal Sivas Balkl ermik, the Hot
Springs with Fish situated 13 kms from the
town of Kangal in the province of Sivas in
Central Anatolia. As the name suggests, the
thermal waters contain numerous tiny sh.
They are 2-10 cms in length and play an important role in the cure of psoriasis apparently
by scraping or nibbling off the diseased areas
of skin. The thermal springs come from ve
different sources, owing at a rate of 130 litres
per second, and the sh come directly from the
springs into two large pools. The water itself
contains bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium
sulphate, chlorine, sodium and magnesium
as well as carbon dioxide gas. It is said to be
benecial for complaints such as rheumatism
as well as for gynaecological complaints and
skin diseases. Although accommodation here is
not luxurious, there are motels and restaurants
close to the spa.

The
Balova
Springs,
The Balova Springs, located 10 kms west of
zmir, have also been appreciated since ancient
times. They are situated on the site of the Baths
of Agamemnon, known in antiquity for the
therapeutic qualities of their waters. According
to legend, Agamemnon consulted an oracle
and was told to bring soldiers who had been
wounded during the campaign against Troy
here. The Balcova hot springs contain sodium
chloride and calcium bicarbonate and are
recommended for the treatment of rheumatic
diseases, digestive maladies, post-injury
healing and post- operative problems, along
with calcication and metabolic disorders.
The spa complex boasts 400 beds together

with Turkeys largest indoor thermal pool as

well as a patient therapy pool, sauna, massage,
underwater massage, ultrasound, physical
exercise, electro-therapy and physical therapy.
zmirs Ege University has built a treatment
centre nearby

eme
The popular Aegean resort of eme, situated
some 80 kms west of zmir, takes its name,
which means fountain from the natural hot
springs which abound in the area. It is a perfect
choice for anyone who wishes to combine spa
treatments with a beach holiday and there is a
wealth of good hotel accommodation nearby.
Some hotels even have their own spas which
make use of the natural mineral water. The
most famous of the hot springs, Ilca, is set
right alongside a long, white sandy beach of
the same name. These springs contain a high
level of sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate,
and calcium bicarbonate. As well as the hot
mineral pools and baths, the spa also offers
underwater massage and electrotherapy.

Dalyan
Those who just want a bit of fun and to combine
the benets of natural mineral waters with a
good day out, should consider a visit to one of
the thermal baths near Dalyan, situated close to
Kyceiz Lake, and within easy reach of both
Fethiye and Marmaris. The ancient settlement
of Sultaniye, with its mud baths and water pool
is billed as making you look 10 years younger
- but you have to smother yourself in the strongsmelling mud rst. There is a second spring at
Velibey Thermal Baths, 1.5 km north of Riza
avu with similar qualities. These hot springs
contain sodium chloride, hydrogen, sulfur,
bromide, uoride, and are said to be good for
the treatment of rheumatic, dermatological and
gynaecological diseases, as well as neurological
and physical exhaustion.

5the
thermal
pools
at
Pamukkale
fact
le

where
to
stay

relaxation

history
&
culture

48

|

discover
TURKEY

actionsports
thrill-seekers
will
relish
the
opportunity

to
paraglide
from
1900
metres
over

the
spectacular
lagoon
of
ldeniz

f you dont want to spend your

holiday sitting on a beach, and

museums and ruins bore you, then
read
on... Serious thrill-seekers will
relish the opportunity to paraglide from 1900
metres from the Babadag mountains over the
spectacular lagoon of ldeniz or face the
rapids on the oruh river. Meanwhile those
who just prefer a different perspective will
enjoy exploring Turkeys sights underwater.
Turkey is perfectly placed to take advantage
of the recent trend for activity and sporting
holidays it is such a large country, with such
a varied landscape that it can cater for almost
every type of activity. This is a summary of
some of the most popular and exciting action
sports on offer in Turkey.
Watersports are available in just about every
beach resort in Turkey. Cesme and Bitez are
both popular for wind-surng. Scuba diving
has really taken off in Turkey in recent years,
partly due to the clear, warm waters visibility
of 30 metres is not uncommon - and the wealth
of historic and natural treasures to be observed
under the water, but also because, compared
to many other destinations, Turkey represents excellent value for money. The diving
season usually runs from April to November.
There are scuba diving schools throughout the
Aegean and Mediterranean coasts catering for
everyone from beginners to experts. Marmaris,
Fethiye, Ka and Antalya are some of the
main centres.

Diving
highlights include:
Tekirova: the surrounding islands have a
wonderful array of sea life including huge
thornback rays, and are also a good location
for cavern diving. During August and September there is a huge amount of tuna sh and
seals, and dolphins can be seen throughout the
year Sican:
a few kilometres from Antalya
harbour, this island is also popular. The coast
on the west side is relatively shallow and
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sandy (maximum 8m) but on the northeast

side with rocky seabed descends to 22m, which
also has a small cavern. Kas: The seas around
Kalkan are suited to experienced divers, with
species of sea life including sharks, turtles,
tuna and thornback rays. Patara has coral and
sea sponges, and the Fener waters descend
from 11-132m, with lively and colourful sights.
Oksuz Island is known for its lizard sh, a
member of the shark family. Finike: Gk
Cavern near Finike, is one of the deepest in
Asia which is accessible to divers. The cavern
reaches the seabed and has a wide entrance,
and the presence of stalactites indicates that
this was once dry. Kemer: One of the most
popular diving areas in the region is the Three
Islands, off Tekirova, which has many dive
sites and greater depth than Antalya. Data:
The area around Data has wonderful diving
opportunities with many sharks, dolphins and
Mediterranean seals at a depth of between
10-40m, especially around the islands of Kara
Incir. There is a good dive point off Esen
Island, which is connected to Data harbour.
Marmaris:
There are 52 diving points and
a large selection of ancient underwater ruins
around the area of Marmaris, including
off the coast of Dis (33m), Rodos, Kutuk,
Burnu, Cennet Island, Kadirga Feneri and
Kargi Island. The steep slope of the seabed
off Cennet Island contains especially beautiful plant and animal life. Bodrum is known
for its great diving opportunities with great
depths, 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 for
macro photography. atal Island and the coast
off Gemita are also good dive sites.
Forbidden
Zones: There are a number of
protected sites which include military zones
as well as regions in which there is Cultural
and Natural Wealth.

White-water
Rafting
Turkey has a number of rivers, which are
suitable for white-water rafting, offering
a challenge to everyone from beginners to
experts. Probably the most famous of Turkeys
sites for this exciting activity, is the oruh
River, in Turkeys stunning Black Sea region,
in the province of Artvin, which attracts both
local and international sportsmen. It is one of
the fastest owing rivers in the world, as it
travels its 466 kms from its origins at 3225
metres in the Mescit Mountains to the Black
Sea, over the border in Georgia. It is not just
the waters which are exhilarating but also the
surrounding mountain scenery which is rich
in wildlife including rare red vultures, bear,
goats, wild boars and wolves.
The Frtna River, also in the Black Sea
Region, is also popular for river sports as is
the Kpray in the region of Antalya and the
Manavgat in the same region.

Paragliding
Paragliding involves jumping off a mountain
with a parachute attached, either solo or, for
beginners, in tandem. One of the best places in
the world to paraglide is Babada in Fethiye,
the mountains which overlook the stunning
natural lagoon of ldeniz. It was discovered
by international pilots in the early 1990s and
now attracts both local and foreign enthusiasts.
It is possible for complete novices to participate in a tandem jump, which can be booked
locally or through a tour operator, and includes
transport for the ascent, equipment and basic
training. It is not just the altitude which is
spectacular but also the views, as you jump
over one of Turkeys most beautiful stretches
of coast to land on the Belceiz beach. The
jumping season is usually between April and
October and you can take off at various points
up to 1900 metres high in the mountains.

history
&
culture
relaxation
where
to
stay
fact
le

copyrighted
image
kindly
supplied
by
Exclusive
Escapes

5(top) paragliding
over
ldeniz
5(above)
canoeing
in
Antalya
4white-water rafting

copyrighted
image
kindly
supplied
by
Exclusive
Escapes

Turkish CultureandTourismOfce
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e: info@gototurkey.co.uk
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