Surrounded by four different seas, Turkey is a beach paradise with over 8000 km of sunny strips of sand. Home to more than 20 different fascinating civilizations,Turkey has a 10,000 year-old heritage, much of which is still being uncovered. Its rich history is very much part of the present, with temples, ancient theatres, churches,mosques, tombs, statues of gods, palaces and fortresses, and of course the many detailed and fascination museums which bring the past to life. Antalya "capital" of the Turkish Mediterranean Coast, is a sprawling modern city with a small, charming historic core, a good archeology museum, a long sunny beach, the Turquoise Coast's busiest airport, good hotels, and dramatic sea and mountain views. The historic core, called Kaleiçi (KAH-leh-ee-chee, or Old Antalya) surrounds the Roman harbor. Many buildings date from Ottoman times, and some have been restored as houses, hotels, pensions or restaurants. Antalya's prime beach is Konyaalti, a l-o-n-g swath of rough sand and pebbles running west for several kilometers. Antalya is also a good base for visits to nearby archeological sites such as Aspendos, Olimpos, Perge, Phaselis, Side and Term Whether you are an art and history buff, an archaeology or a nature lover, enjoy browsing through markets or going diving Antalya offers endless possibilities all year round.
