Booking Hotel IN > Europe > Turkey
Book your vacation in Turkey:
Hotels Antalya Hotels Belek Hotels Istanbul Hotels Izmir
Hotels Marmaris Hotels Ankara Hotels Gazientep Hotels Adana
Located where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, was host to several civilizations throughout history, and today Turkey has a rich cultural heritage as well as magnificent natural surroundings. Several modern marinas, many coves along its coast and a natural harbor provide lots of options for the ,,blue voyage,,. Marmaris is close to the sites of several ancient cities, and the bay provides ample opportunities for water sports. As one of Turkey’s prime destinations, it provides numerous compelling reasons and sites to visit. During the summer season the population booms with foreign and domestic visitors who enjoy sea bathing along the uninterrupted beach of the county center. If you prefer there are many secluded coves reachable only by boat, while others can be accessed by road as well.
MARMARIS
In antiquity Marmaris was known as Physkos, and it was one of the important port cities of the Carians. During the Hellenistic Period it came under the domination of the Seleucid Kingdom, and later became part of the Roman and Byzantine civilizations. In 1522 the city was conquered by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and became part of the Otoman domain. Between 1919 and 1921 the region was occupied by Italians. From the early years of the Republic until 1980 it remained a little fishing and sponge diving town.
Armar Hotel exterior
$$$$ Armar Club Hotel -With its total capacity of 143 rooms, 9 family rooms, 6 Grand suites and 2 King Suites, Armor accommodation units are equipped with excellent comfortable furniture exquisitely decorated to make your holiday more complete. Have fun and experience the Turkish culture relaxing in its state of the art Turkish bath, aqua parks and outdoor swimming pools.
Climate
Its balmy Mediterranean climate makes the sea suitable for bathing even during the winter. The high hills covered with pine forests surrounding the bay, the rare Sweet gum trees and broad leaved oriental plane trees provide the green backdrop of Marmaris.
Marmaris Boat Tour
Sightseeing
The first place to visit in Marmaris is the Fortress which is thought to have been built by the Ionians. At present it serves as the Archeology Museum of Marmaris. The Fortress took its present form after an Ottoman intervention in 1522. It was opened for habitation during the Republican Period, and it was restored between 1980 and 1990. The Museum exhibits the artifacts found at the excavations conducted in the region, and findings of underwater archeology surveys conducted at Knidos, Burgaz and Hisaronu, such as glass, ingots of various metals, ceramics and amphorae. The museum also displays ethnographic items.
Hotels in Marmaris, Turkey
CESME
Cesme, a city of green and blue, legend and reality, is an outstanding tourism center which makes the dreams of holidaymakers come true with its spectacular nature, deep blue sea and golden beaches lying along the endless shoreline. Pure bays and a hidden history wait for you in Cesme to explore. Windsurfing in Alacati, thermal waters of Ilica and the peasure of diving in Fener Island are only some of the privileges offered by Cesme to its visitors.
Location
Cesme, 80 km away from the metropolitan center of Izmir, is the westernmost point of the Anatolian peninsula. Cesme County is bordered to the north by Karaburun County and to the east by Urla County. To its west and south lies the Aegean Sea and across the sea, the island of Chios. Its 29 km long seashore, from Ildiri (Erythrai) to Alacati, is a perfect holiday destination. With hospitality options including hotels, motels, pensions and summer houses, Cesme provides you with a unique geography where human life intertwines with nature.
History
Cesme, which was called Cyssus during antiquity, was known to be the port that served Erythrai (Ildiri), one of the 12 Ionian cities. For this reason, Cesme has always been refered to together with Ildiri. The early history of Ildiri region goes back to the Bronze age. It came under the dominance of the Lydian State in 560 BC, but in 546 BC it fell to the Persian Empire. Trade flourished, due to its sheltered port, good farm land, and close proximity to Chios. Cesme maintained its commercial importance throughout the ages. In 334 BC Macedonian king Alexander the Great captured the region. After the death of King Attalus, in 133 BC, the Pergamum Kingdom was annexed to the Roman Empire, and Ildiri and its environs became an independent city in the Asian province of the Romans. The name Cesme dates to the time of Ottoman rule, and derives from the cool spring waters and famous fountains that exist to the present day – the word means ,,faucet,, or ,, front,, in Turkish.
Climate
Cesme has typical Mediterranean climate and has a long swimming season. Sea and sun bathing can be enjoyed between May and September. The Imbat breeze, which comes from sea, and drives down the shore temperatures to a pleasant level, is a typical feature of the Aegean climate. Cesme enjoys stable and warm weather throughout the winter – ideal for those escaping colder climes.
Sightseeing
Fortress of Cesme
The fortress was built in 1508 during the reign of Sultan Bayezid. It is based on a rectangular plan with a citadel, and outer walls strengthened with six towers. It was built to defend the port , sitting right at the sea’s edge. Later land reclamation efforts, however, have pushed back the waters. Today the fortress hosts the annual Cesme International Festival, which is held between 2 and 7 July, and other cultural and artistic activities, including musical contests.
Cesme Museum
The Fortress of Cesme houses the Archeological Museum which exhibits many archaeological and ethnographic objects recovered from Ildiri (Erythrai), Cesme and Alacati. Objects on display include the finds of the underwater archaeological survey of the sites of the naval battles as well as reproduction paintings and archival documents related with these wars. The museum has also two separate exhibition halls for marble objects and smaller ceramic and earthenware artifacts.
Haralambos Church
The church, believed to have been built in the 19 th century, has a basilica plan with three aisles and two stores. It was built of solid stone, and today it serves as a cultural center exhibiting various artistic activities.
Traditional Cesme Houses
Well known for their aesthetically pleasing designs, were built side by side without front gardens. Their entrance doors open directly to the road and are sided by ground floor windows with shutters. The front walls of first floors are extended on cantilevers. Generally a yellow colored stone (Koste stone) is used for building.
Hotels in Turkey
Ilica Hotel Lobby
$$$$ Ilica Spa is located 5 km away on the road Cesme – Izmir. Its seashore location makes it almost unique in the world. The thermal waters of 50 – 60 C seep from the seabed making it popular to thousands of visitors each year.
CANAKKALE
The province of Canakkale, City of Peace located in the farthest west part of Asia with its vast lands in Asia and Europe, unique Canakkale Strait which links the two continents and embracing historical and natural beauties. These Straits have been famous since ancient times for the many events that have taken place along its shores.
At the northern exit the Dardanelles lead to the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul, while in the south the Straits open out to the Aegean and Mediterranean. Throughout history, great powers have competed for control of the Dardanelles and its twin waterway, the Bosporus, among them the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Venetians. The Ottomans consolidated control over the straits under Mehmet the Conqueror in 1462 with the building of castles on either side. In the 19th century, the ,, Eastern Question,, centred upon the same issue. In 1915, the Gallipoli Campaign saw an unsuccessful attempt by a British and French fleet to force the Straits. The strategic location of Canakkale has therefore been a key factor in determining the destiny of the peoples of the region.
Troy Amphiteater
Sightseeing and Entertainment
The best way to appreciate the city of Canakkale itself is simply to take a walk round the town. Start at the clock tower, visit the old ,,caravanserai,, and stop at the City Museum further along the main shopping street entering right into the Mirror Bazaar. The long coastline of the province of Canakkale has many beaches for swimming, sunbathing and diving. The waters of the Dardanelles tend to be warm and under constant breezes making it popular tourist destination for the wind surfers. The Gulf of Saros is a particular favorite for the cleanliness of its waters and richness of undersea life.
Iris Hotel Outdoor
$$$ Iris Hotel - located in the secluded Kemerdere village in Canakkale is recognized for its ecological/organic products served to the hotel guests. During the winter period Iris Hotel is widely famous for the Iris Spa program that includes Finnish & Turkish baths, sauna, massage, fitness center and private Jakuzzi. Visit Iris Hotel and rest your body and soul.
Eceabat Hotel Interior
$$$$ Park Eceabat Hotel – Located in Canakkale. Regional attractions include Gallipolli Peninsula National Historic Park. In addition to a restaurant, Park Eceabat Hotel features a bar/lounge. Other amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access and dry cleaning/laundry services. Televisions come with satellite channels. Guestrooms also feature complimentary wireless Internet access, minibars, and slippers.
TROY
The immortal legend of Troy, as told in Homer’s epic poem ,,The Iliad,, has inspired works of literature and artists since time immemorial. Nowadays, film-makers have tackled the classical story of power, revenge, the warrior ethos and undying love. The wooden horse used in the Warner Bros film ,,Troy,, starring Brad Pitt as Achilles, is now the main attraction on the seafront at Canakkale.
The original site of Troy is situated 30 km from Canakkale. It was first settled in the late Neolithic Age about 3000 BC. Throughout the city’s existence, ending in early Byzantine times, nine distinct levels of occupation have been identified. Due to the silting up of the bay and lack of distinctive remains, the location of Troy was lost for thousands of years until Frank Calvert, a keen explorer of ancient sites and resident in the Troad, first pinpointed the hill of Hisarlik as the likely location.
Briefly, the story of the Trojan War is this. The son of the powerful king of Troy was exiled to the forests of Mount Ida as a result of a soothsayer’s prediction. The young man, named Paris, was awarded Helen, the fairest woman in the world, for his role as judge in a beauty contest between the goddesses. But Helen was actually the wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta. Paris escaped from Sparta with Helen back to Troy, thus angering Menelaus and the other Greek kings, who sailed over to Troy to get her back. The Greek and Trojan warriors fought sword to sword, spear to spear, for ten long years until the ruse of the wooden horse brought the Greeks victory and left Troy a smouldering ruin.
Outdoor
$$$$ Paloma Oceana Resort,Antalya - Located directly on the Mediterranean coast this hotel resort is well known for its outstanding sand/pebble beaches with extraordinary beauty. The Resort offers extra service and amenities convenient for families, catering well for children of all ages with clubs and a variety of activities such as: Adventure Playground, Outdoor Swimming pools, Aqua-park with slides, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Turkish Bath, Wellness Center, Sport terrains and many more. It is also the best place to taste a wide selection of Mediterranean, Turkish, Italian and Asian specialties.
IZMIR
Known as ,, Beautiful Izmir”, the city lies at the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships an yachts. The climate is mild and in the summer the constant and refreshing sea breezes temper the sun’s heat. Behind the palm – lined promenades and avenues which follow the shoreline, the city, in horizontal terraces, gently ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains.
Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey, and its port is second only to Istanbul. A cosmopolitan and lively city all year round, Izmir bursts with an added vibrancy during the International Arts Festival (June/July) and the International Fair (Aug / Sept).
Places of interest in Izmir
Archaeology Museum - near Konak Square has a marvelous collection of antiquities, of which the statue of Poseidon and Demeter from the Agora is a fine example.
Ethnography Museum – is next to the Archaeology Museum and houses folkloric works and a fine collection of the famous Bergama and Gordes carpets, traditional costumes and camel bridles
Kadifekale – On Mt. Pagos the impressive ruins of the castle and its walls, built by Lysimachus in the reign of Alexander the Great (4th century B.C), still dominate the city today. The view from the castle over the Bay of Izmir is magnificent.
