Turkey is a vast country. If you were driving along the coast from the tip of the Datca Peninsula to the point east of Adana where the coastline soon heads south on out of Turkey you will have driven over 1200 kms. It is a stunning coastline with warm, crystal blue seas for most of the year, and an equally impressive climate. The spring and autumn are both pleasant while the main weeks of summer and hot and cloudless when a refreshing swim in the sea is ideal to cool off. Suntans are guaranteed but the memories of cruising in a yacht or gulet will remain long after the suntan fades.

The airports of Dalaman and Antalya are geared to handle the huge number of tourists to the area and those flying into Antalya are only an hour from a town that has expanded with the increase in tourists and which has an impressive marina that welcomes boats on a daily basis. Kemer.

Kemer

There was a time when Kemer was certainly best accessed from the sea and sailors will say it is still the case even though there is a modern road linking this expanding town to Antalya to the east. Kemer sits below the mountains that rise as high as 2,200 metres. The setting is as stunning as the coastline itself. A Kemer port cruise offers the chance to sail east or west to visit existing settlements, the ruins of historical cities that date back to the Lycians, in the years before Christ, and the Romans.

Kemer used to be just a small fishing village and the daily catch is still welcomed by restaurants serving typical Turkish cuisine including the freshest fruit and vegetables and by captains who intend to feed passengers on board. There is nothing to stop tourists actually catching their own fish and putting it straight on to the BBQ.

Antalya

The next port of call heading east is the city of Antalya. It has a population of well over a million but that does not mean that it holds no attractions for those wanting a genuine Turkish experience. Antalya’s origins date back to the time when its small harbour was of strategic and trading importance. Kaleici, the Old Town, is still a charming cobbled street district that was important to the Romans. The district is filled with old Ottoman style houses, pensions and shops selling carpets and typical crafts and souvenirs. The Hadrian Gate and impressive wall separate Kaleici from the modern shopping areas of Antalya.

The City was important to the Byzantines subsequently and obviously to the Ottomans whose Empire lasted centuries until finally collapsing completely with the First World War.

An Alaturka Cruise Kemer takes in places such as Antalya but there is the alternative of heading west as well. The road actually heads inland for periods but boats never leave the stunning seas.

Demre

This modern town is the ancient site of the Lycian City of Myra and the home of the Church of Saint Nicholas, the person the modern world regards as the fictional figure, Santa Claus (don’t tell your children!). It is a delight because even though visitors come to see Saint Nicholas’ tomb, it is never overcrowded. It is a fertile region growing a wide range of produce year round, with pomegranates being one of the popular fruits though the crop is picked late autumn.

The sunken city of Kekova and Simena Castle are two interesting sites to visit, mixing a little history and culture with the simple pleasures of relaxation.

Some people travel to Turkey and select a private villa, apartment or hotel and stay in a single place. Perhaps they do an occasional day trip but the main aim of the holiday is to relax, get a suntan and enjoy good bars and restaurants by night? Sailing the Turquoise Coast deprives no one of any of these pleasures but offers so much more.  The sea is just a dive off the boat and a suntan certain. The small towns along any of the available routes mean that an evening at a local restaurant is no problem at all. Think of the extra pleasures sailing provides with the calm waters comfortable for even nervous sailors.

Argos Hotel – A hidden gem

Back during 1996 I found myself travelling to Turkey, alone. I was away for a period of 3 weeks. After arriving in Istanbul, I headed south through Ankara and down to the coast. I spent a few days longer than I wished to in Antalya after getting caught up in a bus strike and I couldn’t get out. Well, that’s a whole other story – full of adventure!

During my meanderings through the streets and laneways of Antalya, I came across the hidden, boutique Argos Hotel. The afternoon sun was getting hot and I longed for a little bit of comfort – I had been staying at a cheaper pension. I decided to be cheeky and ask if I could, for a small fee, spend the afternoon by their pool and promised I’d buy a couple of drinks.

They kindly allowed this and after settling on a poolside lounge I settled in for the most gorgeous afternoon. There were few others around probably opting for local tours. So it’s nearly 20 years since I’ve been there and I wondered if it was still operating. A little Google search quickly confirmed it is!

A scanned business card I kept

I had the pool almost all to myself!

A typical door – Antalya, Turkey

Argos Hotel, Antalya

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• Argos Hotel

It’s not too late to plan a holiday in the sun for this summer, and shopping around is likely to get you some great last minute deals. If you are considering a holiday to Turkey, On the Beach have some attractive self-catering and all inclusive deals to a number of Turkish resorts.

With all the attractions of Turkey clustered into a small island, Cyprus also offers much to the visitor, and is a popular destination for British holidaymakers. It really has something for everyone – if you want to combine partying the night away with lying beside the Mediterranean during the day soaking up the sun, then the fishing village of Ayai Napa is probably for you. There are the fascinating Roman ruins to visit at Paphos, and for visitors wanting to get away from the neon lights and disco music of the livelier resorts, there are endless tracks to walk and little villages to explore in the interior. And for those who enjoy nothing more than trying out new and varied menus whilst they are on holiday, Cyprus offers a real feast of experiences! The cuisine of Cyprus is a well-kept secret, and the traditional Cypriot meal is the “meze”, which translates as “small dishes”. Typically, you will be served many different courses, each one consisting of just enough to allow everyone a taste before moving on to the next.

Some specialties not to missed during your stay :

• Typical of Cypriot cuisine are the dishes grilled over charcoal, such as Sheftalia, a sausage made of pork, lamb, onions & parsley, and Souvlaki, a mix of chicken and pork on little skewers, served with “pourgouri”, the traditional rice of Cyprus.
• You will find wonderfully fresh salads and vegetables in Cypriot restaurants, and it’s worth trying Yemista – a variety of vegetables, peppers, aubergines, courgettes – stuffed with rice, pork and beef.
• There are two excellent cheeses made on the island – Halloumi and Feta, often served grilled as an appetizer, or with water melon.
• For those with a sweet tooth, Cyprus offers an array of wonderful desserts, including the little rich cakes made with honey and nuts – Baklava and Ketafia. Kourabiedes are small almond cakes sprinkled with icing sugar, and, of course, not to be forgotten is Loucoumi or Turkish Delight.

Where is Gallipoli?

Anzac Cove, Gallipoli

The Gallipoli peninsula is a slender peninsula across the water from Canakkale in Turkey. The narrow strait is the gateway to Istanbul. Winston Churchill organised a naval assault in order to capture the Ottoman capital and Allied troops were sent in during April 1915. After 9 months of fierce combat and little progress, the Allied forces withdrew. The number of casualties was extremely high and memorials are dotted around this moving landscape.

I visited Gallipoli during August of 1996. It was a travelling experience filled with lots of mixed emotions. I was travelling alone, going solo for the first time, and probably under circumstances which made me slightly vulnerable to feel awfully alone and isolated. This was never truer, than the visit to the quiet, secluded area of Gallipoli.

I wanted to experience Gallipoli by myself. To hear and feel the Aussie soldiers that were there and what they would have been confronted with as they arrived on the very shore I stood on in this photo. I didn’t want to hear tourists accents; English, American, German, etc complaining of the heat. I wanted to fully take in the harsh surrounds and … pay my respects!

Lonely Planet Turkey

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Gallipoli

One Great Reason to Visit Gallipoli

One great reason to visit this travel destination iespecially if you are an Australian or New Zealander, is that it is part of our history. The rugged landscape and steep cliffs, are a reminder of what the young officers were confronted with on arrival to that beach. It’s an extremely moving experience.

Gallipoli – ANZAC Legend – Free Heroes Remembrance Song

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