Overseas Property Consultants - Morocco Property Country Guide

Turkey is a large country of 780,000 square km (about the size of Texas USA) of which 97% is in Asia and 3% in Europe. It has 7,200 km of coastline on three different seas – the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

Although Turkey is situated in a geographical location where climatic conditions are quite temperate, the diverse nature of the landscape, and the existence in particular of the mountains that run parallel to the coasts, results 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.

Turkey is a country with a lot to offer: tranquil sandy beaches, an impossibly turquoise sea, an unrivalled reputation for hospitality, a cuisine to die for and a vast array of delightful scenery with a host of animals, birds and greenery dotted with spectacular mosques and castles.

There are an enormous variety of things to see and do ranging from water sports to mountain trekking, archaeology to night clubbing and river rafting to raki drinking. Whether you leave Turkey with magnificent carpets, amulets to ward off evil, belly dancing tips, an appreciation of its history, or just a tan, you will want to go back for more and more.

Altinkum & Kusadasi

This area is well known for its ancient ruins, the most important being Ephesus. Both towns are ideal for families with golden sand beaches and a variety of entertainment, restaurants and bars to keep you entertained into the night.

Altinkum is a busy resort which has been receptive to the demands of the British holiday-maker. This resort has grown directly behind the beach and Altinkum refers to the beach area, Didim is the name of the actual town. Most of the locals working here speak English and the centre of the resort is full of restaurants and bars to satisfy the British palate.

The main beach in Altinkum (often referred to as First Beach) is a large bay of golden sand with incredibly shallow waters and therefore it is very popular. There are a couple of other sandy bays, the one to the left-hand side is broken by a headland but can be accessed by the beachfront promenade. Watersports are plentiful here so there is always something to watch or participate in. Altinkum receives a high number of repeat guests as well as being a sought after destination by Turkish holidaymakers. Dolphin Square no longer exists but the Tea Garden still remains and is a great place to sit whilst familiarising yourself with the resort and watching the world go by. Supermarket chains such as Migros, Tansas and Gima are located along the main Didyma to Altinkum road making it easy to self-cater and buy provisions.

The Saturday Bazaar is also at the top end of the town plus the old town of Didim and the ruins of Branchidai at Didyma, the site of an ancient temple which has been excavated since 1873, with wonderfully preserved inscriptions including the head of Medusa. Altinkum has developed into a lively destination with plenty to do night and day which is why we have chosen accommodation to suit all tastes, both close to the centre and a little further back. The sights of Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Bodrum are additional attractions easily accessible from Altinkum and shouldn’t be missed.

Antalya has all the activities of a large city but has managed to preserve it's peaceful old quarter. The city has a relaxed liberal air about it, with good restaurants and an active nightlife.Belek is a modern resort 35Km from Antalya and is well known for its golf, with championship golf courses. Belek also has great sandy beaches and is close to the Manavgat waterfalls.

In Antalya, the pine-clad Toros (Taurus) Mountains sweep down to the sparkling clear sea forming an irregular coastline of rocky headlands and secluded coves. The region, bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year, is a paradise of sunbathing, swimming, and sporting activities like windsurfing, water-skiing, sailing, mountain climbing and caving. If you come to Antalya in March and April, you can ski in the mornings and in the afternoons swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Important historical sites and beautiful mosques await your discovery, amid a landscape of pine forests, olive and citrus groves and palm, avocado and banana plantations.

The Turkish Riviera is Turkey's tourism capital. Its full range of accommodations, from tourist class to deluxe hotels, and the hospitable people of Antalya will make your holiday comfortable and enjoyable. Set amid amazing scenery of sharp contrasts, Antalya, Turkey's principal holiday resort is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize-winning marina. In the picturesque old quarter, Kaleici, narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses abut the ancient city walls.

Belek is a modern resort situated 35km from Antalya and well known for its golfing, with championship golf courses.

The resort has everything you could want as a tourist or resident. Golden sandy beaches that stretch in both directions as far as the eye can see. There is also horse riding and golf, with the National Golf Club being one of six golf clubs in the area, with four more planned. Skiing is possible in the Toros Mountains. The stretch of coastline on which Belek sits is a nesting ground for the loggerhead turtle and the lesser-known green turtle. Take a cruise up the Manavgat River to enjoy the plentiful wildlife or visit the Manavgat waterfalls and market. The ruins of Perge with its Hellenistic gates and fine stadium lie not far from the resort of Belek.

Alanya occupies a point of land flanked by two great sweeping beaches stretching up to 8km. Abundant modern tourist facilities and well-preserved historical sites give you several options for a day's activities. An important city of ancient Pamphylian, Perge (18 km from Antalya) was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 B.C. St. Paul preached some of his first sermons here.

The theatre's stage has finely carved marble reliefs; other carvings from around the city are displayed in the stadium. Amateur archaeologists will want to see the handsome city gate flanked by two lofty towers, a long colonnaded road once paved with mosaics and lined with shops, a large agora, the public baths and a gymnasium.

Bodrum Peninsula

Bodrum peninsular is an area of outstanding natural beauty and stunning diversity. The area has 32 islands and islets and 174 Km of coastline. Yachting, swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving are prime activities. Bodrum casts a magic spell. It exerts a lasting fascination on everyone who visits.

The town's charm is well-known, attracting a diverse population of vacationers who stroll along its long palm-lined waterfront, while elegant yachts crowd the marina.
Not far from town, you can swim in absolutely clear, tideless, warm seas. Underwater divers, especially, will want to explore the numerous reefs, caves and majestic rock formations. The waters offering an immense variety of aquatic life.

Bodrum also is South Aegean's prettiest resort for scuba diving, with a yacht harbour and a port for ferries. Bodrum has several dive centers that rent out equipment, arrange excursions and even provide diving lessons for the inexperienced individual, eager to try out this underwater sport.

Shopping makes a delight in Bodrum. Leather goods of all kinds, natural sponges and the local blue glass beads (the Boncuk) are among the bargains to be found in the friendly little shops along the narrow, white-walled streets. Charming boutiques offer kilims, carpets, sandals and embroidery as well as original fashions.

Kalkan rises steeply from the harbor side spreading itself high around the bay. Meandering cobbled streets lend themselves to little shops and restaurants where you can while away the hours. Uninterrupted sea views are the order of the day in this little jewel of the coast. Kas is the quintessential Turkish seaside town. Life centres on the town square by the harbour, with its teahouses, restaurants, mosque and shops.

Kemer is an idyllic city by the Mediterranean ocean with beautiful marina, hotels and restaurants. Kemer has kept its beautiful clean beaches, the fantastic nature, calmness and quietness.

Marmaris, Içmeler, Turunç, Dalyan & Dalaman

Ancient and modern combine to make Marmaris a stylish and sophisticated area. Turunc is one of the most beautiful bays along the Aegean coast.

Turquoise Coast: including Göcek, Çalis, Fethiye, Üzümlü, Hisarönü, and Ölüdeniz.

This stretch of the Turkish coastline is known as the Turkish Riviera or Turquoise Coast and contains some of Turkey's most dramatic coastlines with crystal clear seas.