Alanya (Mediterranean Region, Turkey)

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Alanya is ideally placed for getting out and exploring some of the most famous historical sites in Turkey. Alanya is a mixture of modern bustling resort yet still retaining a traditional section in the Old Quarter.

Alanya has two large beaches and is overlooked by Alanya Castle that was once a mighty Ottoman Fortress. Almost a small city, centred upon a small fishing harbour which is now overwhelmed by trappings of tourism. A grid of streets extends a mile or so outwards along the coast, in both directions, packed with hotels and restaurants. Hotels facing the road suffer from 24-hour traffic.

Soaring almost vertically upwards from the harbour is a rock headland crowned by medieval castle walls, mainly intact, within which are the remains of a 12th-century Seljuk town with a mosque, mausoleum, caravanserai and castle. There is even a small hotel, many small shops, stalls and snack bars. The atmosphere here, two mls by road above the city, is more like a mountain village resort, in marked contrast to the often ugly and unfinished seaside developments below.

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With noise, fumes and billows of dust from near-continuous traffic, the appeal would seem to be small. Alanya, however, continues to defy logic by attracting hordes of normally selective Germans, as well as lesser numbers of other nationalities.

It certainly has a bit of everything, albeit of negligible quality. With its many bars and clubs, Alanya serves the requirements of teenagers better than other age groups. The beaches here extend for miles in both directions. However, the quality of the pebbly and gritty sand and the water can at best be assessed as only acceptable. The beaches drop steeply into the sea, creating a short yet strong underflow. This and negotiating an ancient lava field, lying just below water level, can make entering and leaving the sea something of a challenge.

Like all big Turkish towns, shopping in Alanya has a veritable bazaar of small shops with hundreds cramming the narrow alleys above the harbour. Carpets, leatherware and jewellery are in the majority, with many more general stores stocking souvenirs. Roadside stalls sell local pottery, from ashtrays to Ali-Baba jars.

The main attraction here is a visit to the castle together with the Red Tower guarding the harbour. There is also a funfair and small park particularly suitable for children. Evening entertainment is Alanya's strong point centred mainly around the harbour.

Excursions here consist mainly of sightseeing at the ancient harbour and city of Alanya; inland to mountains and pine woods for relief from oppression of coast. Archaeological sites, with theatres at Aspendos, Perge and Side; very touristy caves at Damlatas.

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Population: 69.660.600
Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli, Azeri, Kabardi
Currency:
Local Times:

Country Dialling Code: +90
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Often described as the 'crossroads of Europe and Asia', Turkey is one an extremely popular holiday destination. It is a place of interwoven cultures, where eastern and western sensibilities happily co-exist. Turkey is a paradise where one can experience the four seasons simultaneously... Whether be fond of art, history, archeology or nature, you will feel the happiness beyond desires and hopes during your stay in Turkey. Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of a shinning sea at four directions, Turkey generously offers its 8000km long shores before your eyes.

Turkey is at the northeast end of the Mediterranean Sea in southeast Europe and southwest Asia. To the north is the Black Sea and to the west is the Aegean Sea. Its neighbours are Greece and Bulgaria to the west, Russia and Ukraine to the north (through the Black Sea), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, and Syria and Iraq to the south. The Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosporus divide the country.

Although Turkey is situated in large Mediterranean geographical location where climatic conditions are quite temperate, diverse nature of the landscape, and the existence in particular of the mountains that run parallel to the coasts, result in significant differences in climatic conditions from one region to the other. While the coastal areas enjoy milder climates, the inland Anatolian plateau experiences extremes of hot summers and cold winters with limited rainfall.

The driest regions are the Karaman, Igdir and Sanliurfa, where annual rainfall frequently is less than 300 millimeters. The wettest regions are the Black Sea coastal region where annual rainfall can reach 2,200 millimeters annually, and the region receives rainfall throughout the year.

For those who travel to engage in culinary pursuits, the Turkish cuisine is worthy of exploration. The variety of dishes that make up the cuisine, the ways they all come together in feast-like meals, and the evident intricacy of each technique involved offer enough material for life-long study and enjoyment.

It is not easy to discern a basic element or a single dominant feature, like the Italian pasta or the French sauce. Whether in a humble home, at a famous restaurant, or at dinner in a Bey's mansion, familiar patterns of this rich and diverse cuisine are always present. It is a rare art which satisfies the senses while reconfirming the higher order of society, community and culture.

The skiing area of Uludag is 1750 2543 m high and covered with forests. The duration of skiing is 120 days a year. The most suitable skiing conditions are between 20 December and 20 March. The average snow fall is 3 m in winter. At the beginning of the season the type of snow is "powdery snow" and at the end of the season the snow characteristic is slightly "slushy."

With over 8,333 km of coastline along the four seas, Turkey is a treasure chest of coves, inlets, bays and beaches at which yachtsmen can choose a different, private anchorage each night. The sailing paradise of Turkey is also home to the Blue Voyage. This idyllic cruise means sailing with the winds, into coves and over the seas and becoming one with nature.

It is also an experience of the history of man from the perspective of the sea rather than from the land, a journey which carries you to the private beach of Cleopatra, the eternal fires of remains of ancient civilizations. For lovers of the active life, sailing in clear waters provides great opportunities for swimming, fishing, skiing, surfing and diving.