Marmaris

The boondocks of Marmaris is amid at the affair abode of the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Marmaris is one of the better accustomed harbors in the apple amidst by pine-clad hills.

Situated in the south-west of Turkey, in Mugla province, Marmaris is one of Turkey's better anniversary resorts. To the arctic lies the Gulf of Gökova; to the south, the Mediterranean. Datca Peninsula avalanche to the western ancillary and to the east is the Lake of Köycegiz. The hills alive into the sea and the admirable accolade accomplish Marmaris the jewel she is. Many foreigners, abnormally Scandinavian nationals, accept bought backdrop in and about Marmaris for their holidays or for the retirement.

The boondocks is 60 kilometers from the bigoted basic of Mugla and the aerial attributes of the surrounding countryside agency that forestry plays an important allotment in the area's economy. The boondocks boundaries are amid by 65,000 hectares of backwoods area.

History

It is not accepted for assertive if Marmaris was founded. However, as Marmaris ahead accepted as Physkos, was allotment of the Carian Empire in the 6th aeon BC afore she was beat by the Lydians. Another aggression by the Lydians in 334 BC led to the allotment of the Roman Empire disqualified by Alexander the Great.

According to the historian Heredotus, the Carians advancing from Crete, acclimatized in the breadth which is now accepted as the arena of Mugla. They aswell took over the boondocks of Physkos with its accustomed anchorage and acclimated it as a aggressive abject and to enhance barter amid Rhodes and the added Aegean Islands. The Carian acculturation entered a aphotic aeon afterwards 300 BC, advancing beneath the administration of the Egyptians, Assyrians, Ionians, and Dorians successively. The Dorians colonized the Carian arena and disconnected the arena into 9 cities, two of which were Halicarnassos and Cnidos. These two cities after on became an alive barter centre and anchorage of Anatolia specializing in handicrafts.

In 138 BC Attalos the 3rd King of Pergamon, whose predecessors had disqualified Caria for 90 years, ceded Physkos to Rome and the city-limits was disqualified from Rhodes by Roman generals. The city-limits became allotment of the Ottoman Empire in 1425, and the alcazar was congenital in 1521 AD for use in a planned advance aloft Rhodes. The Ottoman Sultan at the time, Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, afflicted the name of the boondocks to Mimaras, which again became Marmaris according to historian Evliya Celebi.

A bounded rumor has it that the acumen for the change of name to Mimaras was that Süleyman, on abiding from his campaign to Rhodes, awful the alcazar and said "Mimar as!", which agency "Hang the architect!". Unfortunately there is no affirmation to abutment this agreeable story.

Castle

According to the historian Herodotus, there has been a alcazar in Marmaris aback 3000 BC. During the Hellenistic Age Caria was invaded by Alexander the Great and the alcazar was besieged. The 600 citizenry of the boondocks accomplished that they had no adventitious adjoin the advancing army and austere their backing in the alcazar afore artifice to the hills with their women and children. The invaders alive the cardinal amount of the castle, repaired the destroyed sections to abode a few hundred soldiers afore the capital army alternate home.

The 17th aeon biographer Evliya Celebi mentions the castle, which was rebuilt by Kanuni Sultan Süleyman in 1522 if he invaded Rhodes.

Since 1979, advance plan has been continuing at the castle, in adjustment to restore it aback to aboriginal condition. Beneath the advocacy of the Ministry of Culture, the alcazar has been adapted into a museum. There are seven galleries, of which the better is getting acclimated as an exhibition anteroom and the courtyard is busy with melancholia flowers.

About Bodrum

Located on the Aegean bank of Turkey, beneath than 4 hours drive from Izmir, calmly accessed by air (and absolutely generally by sea) Bodrum offers a host of ball to the accidental and austere company alike. It is difficult to anticipate that anybody visiting Turkey has not heard of or visited Bodrum.

First impressions can be misleading; a asleep sun decrepit boondocks of whitewashed houses adolescent on a admirable hillside overlooking the dejected amnion of the Aegean would be reasonable. However to in fact accept Bodrum and what the arena has to action is something, which can alone acquired by absolute experience.

Bodrum absolutely offers something for everybody, sun, sea, beaches, vista, food, shopping, history, daytime action and Nightlife to battling annihilation to be begin in the Mediterranean. From a toddler to retiree all are accommodated.

The 11th aeon alcazar of St. Peter provides the focal point of the town. Which aswell seems to neatly bisect the shopping, restaurant and ball breadth from the peaceful palm-lined beach promenade. During the summer months this is abounding with the acclaimed Bodrum board “Gullets” and will eventually advance you to the berth active by admirable yachts from all locations of the world.

Depending on your mood, you can chose to sit and relax in one of the abounding waterside cafés and let the apple ablution by you. Or you can yield a circadian dejected cruse, or assurance up for an underwater scuba adventure.

bodrum_beyaz_evler

Bodrum’s amnion are acclaimed for its copious lagoons, abandoned bay’s, different reef, cavern and bedrock formations, accustomed sponges and affluent amphibian life. The nice allotment is you do charge not be an Olympic amateur to adore these but should you accept an adventures angled book a cruise on one of the dive boats and scuba your day away. The alone affair you charge to do is accomplish abiding you accept acceptable sun aegis and a acceptable accumulation of sun lotion.

Dining out is aswell an acquaintance not to be missed, the best of the Turkish Kitchen, adorable seafood, Aegean specialty dishes and International cuisine are all available. A long, adequate archetypal Turkish meal consisting of “Meze” to start, capital advance of Fish (or Meat) with fruits or adorable Turkish sweets to accomplishment accompanied by one of the accomplished bounded wines or even the acceptable “Lions Milk” (Raki) is a accept to for any company to experience. However attention should be your watchword with Raki, it is a adorable and able drink, but it can aswell “creep up” on the blind – you accept been warned!

For the added active visitor, daytime (or overnight) excursions are available. Within an simple drive of Bodrum can be begin the actual sites of Efesus, Pamukale and Dalyan, Village and Market boondocks tours can aswell be abiding by abounding of the bounded biking agents. Jeep Safari, Paint Ball, off Road Trekking, Underwater Tours, Paragliding or a Turkish Bath may be of address to added Adventist types.

All in all, Bodrum has and does action something for every age accumulation and every taste, be they a history buff, a arcade junkie, a balked sailor, a Disco Freak or artlessly a sand, sea and sun worshiper. Bodrum fulfils and provides the accessories for an enjoyable, adequate and adorning acquaintance for your anniversary vacation for all the family.

Shopping and haggling on your Marmaris Holiday

One of the abounding joys of traveling on your holidays to Marmaris, afar from the connected sun bathing, bubbler and eating, is of advance shopping. Now getting Brits, our arcade apple has become hardly abate due to the backbone of the Euro and the Dollar, and we accept to accordingly attending abroad to allay our clamorous charge to absorb our harder becoming banknote on the ridiculous, the barmy or that one different account that will complete the acquisitive little needs of our close arrangement hunter.

Marmaris is a admirable archetype of all the aloft and admitting the baby acceleration on the amount of the Turkish Lira, it is still one of the best places aural a four hour flight ambit that can action some admirable bargains. Gold and argent is awash in affluence as are semi adored jewels and precious stones and the abounding affair about affairs jewellery in Marmaris is no one account will anytime be the same; a lot of of the jewellery shops accept their own workshops and designers appropriately the outstanding alternative of designs including aboriginal designs, if you ambition you can even present your own architecture to them and they would be added than blessed to board you for a baby fee, so instead of the samey adequation of UK branches of bargain jewellery shops just delay till you anniversary in Marmaris and boutique till you bead (this is an added appropriate agenda for the fellas and the gals out there because assurance rings and marriage rings) . Now afar from the admirable alternative of jewellery you aswell accept the actual allegorical carpeting weavers that still braid rugs and carpets on duke looms the aforementioned way they accept been aberrant for several hundred years, with accustomed abstracts like duke absolute sheep's wool, cottony and affection and as all dyes are fabricated with accustomed dyes sourced from the aforementioned abstracts that colour was consistently sourced from they will endure about for ever. And even admitting you may acquisition similarities in some of the designs, no one rug or carpeting is anytime the same, so you are affirmed superior and something appropriate that no one abroad has.

Of advance all bounded arts and crafts with a alternative of paintings from bounded artists and ceramics and added bounded finery are abounding and of actual acceptable quality, so able-bodied account searching at forth with all locally sourced honey and of advance the all-over alternative of bodice and 'designer' items, additional lets not overlook the best bit of arcade in Marmaris is the VAT chargeless arcade so you can aggregate a tax acquittance on abandonment (you charge to accumulate receipts for this).

The best time to go basics on a spending bacchanalia is amid September and end of October if the acclimate in Marmaris is perfect, as all retailers wish to advertise off all their banal afore the end of the Summer Season so you can absolutely gorge on the abounding arcade deals. Just bethink this is 'barter-town' and bluntly it is abrupt not to bargain it is an age-old and time honoured custom, you charge to be fearless, actual bold and indifferent, and you will charge all your cajoling and negotiating abilities to agreeableness the experience out of the boutique babysitter in foreground of you. Bethink not all boutique keepers will bout your personality so if boutique amount 1 flatly refuses you, again you artlessly and accidentally airing to boutique amount 2. It's a abounding bold and absolutely lots of fun, there is no allowance for embarrassment in this activity.

Lastly Marmaris holidays action such a ablaze little assortment of about aggregate you may wish or charge from your anniversary or your fortnight away, that just for your arcade pleasure, Rhodes has been calmly placed just beyond the baptize from Marmaris a brace of hours abroad by baiter so you can pop over there and boutique even more!

Travel Turkey with Music

Travel Turkey with Music

Turkey Dream Country | Youtube Video

Turkey Dream Country | Youtube Video

The Country of Turkey

Turkey is one of the best-kept holiday secrets in the travel business. Europeans have spent their holidays here for many years, taking advantage of the unbelievably low prices for travel services that can be had. Yet among many people, Turkey is probably one of the most misunderstood countries on Earth. It is common for travelers arriving in Turkey to be surprised at the number of misconceptions they had about Turkey. Here are some facts about Turkey to set the record straight.

Turkey is a secular democracy. Although the population is 99% Muslim, Turkey's government is stauchly secular. If you read The constitution of Turkey, which a search on Turkey Central will enable you to do, you'll see that Turkey's government is not unlike the typical European or American government.

Turkey is not a desert. Camels are not from here, although the logo of the pyramid and camel on a pack of Camel cigarettes, and the inscription "Turkish American Blend" imply this. Camels were imported to Turkey years ago, however you will probably never even see one. While Turkey is often confused with middle-eastern countries, many areas of Turkey are covered in forests, lush with greenery, while others are more dry. The coastlines and beaches are very beautiful with cliffs and sandy beaches. There are mountains with fantastic ski resorts, large lakes and rivers, and places where the foliage changes beautifully with the seasons. The Southwest coast of Turkey resembles Southern California for its climate in the Summer. Turkey also has some of the most unusual geological sites in the world, for example, the "fairy castles" of Capadoccia and the mineral pools of Pamukkale, among other places.

Turkey is rich in history, especially Biblical history. The Apostle Paul traveled and lived around Turkey for years, The Apostle John and the Virgin Mary lived in Ephesus, and many of the Old and New Testament stories happened throughout Turkey. Noah's Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat in Eastern Turkey. Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas) actually came from Demre, Turkey, and was buried in Turkey (telling your kids this is your option). It would take pages to cover all of the Biblical history that occurred in Turkey, but it is often referred to as the "second holy land." One of the oldest known human cities, Catalhoyuk, is in Turkey and is currently under excavation. Of course, Turkey is also a place where much Muslim history occurred, since the Ottoman Empire, controlled much of the known world in its time, with its magnificent mosques and palaces still wowing tourists in its former capital, Istanbul. Turkey is the land of the Seljuks, the Phrygians, the Hittites, the Urartians, and other ancient cultures as well. Each culture has left traces of their presence, resulting in Turkey being known as "the cradle of civilization." Today Turkey is replete with museums, ruins, and monuments built by its ancient inhabitants. So if you want to visit the holy lands, but are concerned about your safety, Turkey is your best alternative, if not a primary choice of destinations.

Violent crime is not common in Turkey. While all cities have some level of crime, violent crime is relatively rare in Turkey when compared to most US and European cities.

There is a lot to do in Turkey. Do you dive? like to paraglide? Hike? Shop? Swim? You name it, you can do it in Turkey, and spend a lot less doing it. There is some fantastic diving to be had there, some places are actually underwater museums where you can explore ruins non-divers will never see. You can take a balloon flight over Cappadocia and see this fantastic scene from above in the tranquility of its skies. The shopping offers some fantastic bargains on carpets, gold and jewelry, and hand-made crafts. If you just want to party and have the time of your life, visit the world's largest outdoor disco in Bodrum, the Halicarnus Disco. You can't help but have a good time--believe us--Bodrum and the other popular tourist destinations have no shortage of happening nightspots. If you're interested in a relaxing holiday on the beach, visit places like Fethiye or the many undeveloped, pristine beaches in Antalya. Anywhere you decide to go, there is a wonderful experience awaiting you, no matter how you would like to spend your holiday in Turkey.

Turks genuinely like foreign people. If you've been to Turkey before, you'll know exactly what we're talking about. But if not...you'll just have to visit and experience Turkish hospitality on your own. Many tourists and visitors leave with a lasting positive impression of the Turks, and have found them to be a very polite, kind, and proud people, with an open heart towards others. It is said that if you make a friend of a Turk, you have a friend for life.

Turkish women don't wear burkhas. Turkish women don't wear chadors, burkhas, or any of the head-to-toe coverings. Although you will see Turkish women dressed modestly and wear headscarfs, this is not required, or even encouraged, and has more to do with family traditions and personal religious expression. You will more likely see Turkish women wearing stylish western clothing. Women in Turkey are free to enjoy all of the freedoms that men do, and also serve in prestigious positions in business and government. Turkey recently had a woman prime minister, and their freedoms are guaranteed by the constitution of the Republic of Turkey.

Summer in Turkey!

With much enthusiasm for our native countries, Bengi Korkmaz, MBA 2, Christos Stergiou, MBA 2. and I organized a trip to Turkey and Greece this past summer. While we wanted the trip to give an opportunity to GSBers to explore the history, culture, food, nightlife, and beaches of both countries, our only constraint was time. Of course this was nothing new to GSBers, so we planned an itinerary that covered Istanbul, Bodrum (a popular summer destination on Turkey’s West Coast), and Patmos (the famous Greek Island where Sir Christos Stergiou renews his soul.
On the 3rd of September, the official start date of the trip, I was very excited. Nonetheless, the idea of hosting 25 curious, hyperactive GSBers in my country made me nervous. The first day of the trip, Bengi and I were bombarded with questions about the history of every building, stone, or dish we ran into. We then decided to memorize the guidebook. However, realizing that some people on the trip, like Abbas Hasan, MBA 2 actually knew more than the guidebook, we decided to hire a guide who, unlike us, actually knew what he was talking about.
In the limited time we had in Istanbul, we tried to see most of the “must see” places including the ancient grandeur of Ayasofya (Hagia Sofia); the Ottoman architectural piece of Sultanahmet Camii (the Blue Mosque); the lavish home of the Sultans, Topkapi Palace; the Middle-Eastern atmosphere of Kapali Carsi (the Grand Bazaar) and Misir Carsisi (Spice Bazaar); the Byzantine mosaics of Kariye Camii (Church of St. Saviour in Chora) and Reina, Angeliquebuz and Pasha (the must visit clubs of the city).
During our stay in Istanbul, people were most surprised by the followings startling facts:

* The number of mosques in the city (yes, there are about 6000 mosques but given 99% of the Turkey’s population is Muslim this should not be so surprising)
* One meal in Istanbul can be equivalent to three meals in other places (or five Arbuckle meals)
* People in Spice Bazaar can say “Turkish Viagra, 5 times a night” in 10 different languages in 30 seconds
* Good negotiation skills are required in the bazaars (Turks should teach Negotiation Class at the GSB)
* People are good looking. I guess the trip members were not convinced by the Turkish representation in our class.

After three hectic days in the city, we set off to Bodrum. As summer was coming to an end, Bodrum was relatively empty. So we chose to relax on the beach, eat a ton, and swim a lot. One day we took a boat trip, which really excited the male members as they made friends with the topless women on the other boats in the bay.
After two peaceful days, the moment of truth hit Bengi and me, as we had to hand the reigns of our 6-day hegemony to Christos. While we were on the boat on our way to Patmos, Christos delivered a touching speech, which can be summarized as “from now on, do what I tell you to do.” During our two days in Patmos we pretty much did what he told us to do.
What we learned in Patmos:
* The scenery is amazing, especially its sunsets and its moonlit nights
* Jeff Kuo is an amazing singer. We recorded him singing so wait to see it yourself
* Christos’ mom is a great cook, hence his growing stomach is well-justified
As our wonderful trip came to a close, I left Patmos with a heavy heart, but not without a promise to return. On my journey back to Istanbul, I thought to myself how wonderful it was to have shared my country’s culture and landscape with my friends.

Sources: http://www.gsbreporter.com/news/2003/10/20/Travel/Summer.In.Turkey-532345.shtml

Turkey Art Culture

Among the prominent statesmen of the 20th Century, few articulated the importance of culture as well as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, which stated: "Culture is the foundation of the Turkish Republic." His vision encompassed Creative cultural heritage of the nation and the best values of world civilization. It stressed personal and universal humanism. "Culture," he said, "is a key element, a person worthy of humanity," and described Turkey as ideological "creation of patriotism blended with a high humanist ideal."

To create the best synthesis, Ataturk underlined the need for the use of all viable elements in the national heritage, including the ancient indigenous cultures, and techniques of art and civilization of the world, past and present. Gave impetus to the study of earlier civilizations of Anatolia - including Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian and others. Pre-Islamic culture of theTurks the subject of intense research, which revealed that, long before the Seljuk and Ottoman Empire, the Turks had their own civilization. Atatürk, the popular art and folklore of rural areas as a source of Turkish creativity.

The development of painting, sculpture and crafts, was arrested by Ottoman officials who claimed to represent the human form was idolatry, but these arts flourished during Ataturk presidency. Many museums were opened and architecture gained new strength. Western classical music, opera and ballet, theater and has impressive strides.Several one hundred "People's Houses" and "People's Rooms" across Turkey, the local population and young people, a wide range of artistic activities, sports and culture. Books and magazines publishing publication enjoyed a boom. The film industry began to grow. In all areas of cultural life, Ataturk inspired a boom.

Ataturk's Turkey is living proof of this ideal - a country rich in its own national culture, open to the heritage of world civilization and at home, equipping the modern technological age.