Antalya

Antalya, named after its founder Attale II, King of Pergamon, in the 1st century BC, is now a very popular tourist destination.

It's a very dynamic city of 45,000 people nestled in at the bottom of a gulf, and protected by a chain of mountains. The historic heart of the city, Kaleici, is located inside a fortification with three walls, built by the Romans.

This charming little port was first Roman and then Byzantine. It served as a stop off point on the crusades route. Today, the port serves as a harbor for the boats used for tourist excursions. The old Ottoman residences, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, have been carefully restored to their original condition and many have been turned into hotels, boarding houses or restaurants. The town's narrow, paved streets come alive under the protection of the fluted minaret Yivli A (the symbol of the town), toward the end of the day when the town's merchants (oriental rugs, leather garments, souvenirs) open their doors in a veritable oriental atmosphere.

If you want to relax, there are three long beaches very near town: Side, Alanya, Patara. If you're looking to escape from the heat, check out the waterfalls at Duden, about 9 miles from town. Take a rest in the shade by the side of the waterfalls. There are also some important archeological sites about 30 miles from Antalya: Perge with its great stadium, Aspendos with its Roman theater, and especially the ruins at Termessos, perched on a plateau between two peaks south of Güllük mountain.

And before you leave, don't miss a visit to the nice little hammam behind the Kecik minaret. Tourists are welcome. After your massage, you'll feel energized and revitalized. If you would like to go as a couple, make an appointment. There are a number of boarding houses, hotels and restaurants in Antalya. Most of the town's night clubs and cafés are located near the port.

Sea Excursions: Boats leave from the port in the old city. A three hour excursion takes you to Duden falls where the river unfurls its waters from a cliff into the sea below. Prices range from 15 to 20 USD, with a stop for a dip in the sea included in the price.