Demre (Myra)

Demre (Myra) is the town where Santa Claus first brought joy. Actually, it was St Nicholas who lived and worked here, and who was later transmuted into the jolly Christmas elf. An 11th-century church in Demre once held his earthly remains, but most of them were later stolen by holy-relic thieves. Demre (also sometimes called Kale) is a small town, and though it has a few small, serviceable hotels and restaurants.

• St. Nicholas Church
  
  Nicholas was born in nearby Patara, became a priest, rose to the rank of bishop, and did much of his good work here in the Roman town then called Myra, a name derived from myrrh.

  Legend has it that he'd drop small bags of gold coins down the chimneys of houses with poor girls who were old enough to marry, but had no dowry. Sanctified for his good works, he became the patron saint of virgins, sailors, children, pawnbrokers and Holy Russia.

  Today the Church of St Nicholas is Demre's most visited site, but there are other things to see in this small coastal Mediterranean town. About 2 km (1.2 miles) inland are the ruins of Roman Myra, with a well-preserved theater and impressive rock-hewn tombs.

Olympos

Olimpos is known for a pristine little beach, a pine forest full of tumbledown marble temples, tree house-hotels, and the Chimera, a natural flame that has burned ceaselessly for millennia.

Located 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast not far from Phaselis , Olimpos is a village set 7 km (4 miles) off the highway among pines, citrus orchards and farmers' fields. A little stream flows through a rocky gorge and reaches the Mediterranean at a beautiful beach.

The Chimera (Yanartas), a natural eternal flame located on a mountainside about 7 km (4.3 miles) from Olimpos village, was easily visible by mariners at sea in ancient times it, but today it has dwindled to a series of tiny flames, a less impressive but still remarkable natural phenomenon.

Perge

The Great Theater and the stadium of Perge (PEHR-geh) are its most impressive and intact buildings, but the remnants of its massive Hellenistic-Roman gate-towers are most photographed because they're so unusual. Through the gates are remnants of a fine colonnaded street-not as fine as the Arcadian Way at Ephesus, but still quite impressive. The southern baths and the agora are worth exploring. The acropolis, on a nearby hilltop, has few extant buildings but a fine overall panorama of the ruins.

Aspendos

Aspendos boa sts the best-preserved Roman theater in Turkey, and one of the best in the world. Located on the Pamphylian plain 47 km east of Antalya and 37 km west of Side, Aspendos is 4 km north of the Mediterranean shore on the banks of the Köprü Çayi stream.

Once called Belkis, Aspendos was founded by the Hittites, but it was Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) who ordered its great theater to be built. Still used for performances today, the theater really allows you to imagine what it was like to attend a dramatic performance in Roman times.

The ruined city includes a substantial aqueduct and less impressive remains of an agora, basilica and stadium, and you can wander through the farmers' fields to find them, though it's the theater that you really want to see.

Side

Side (SEE-deh) was once idyllic, a traditional Turkish Mediterranean village amid marble Roman ruins on 2 km (1.2 miles) of unspoiled beach just an hour (65 km, 40 miles) east of Antalya or west of Alanya.

Tourism arrived with a vengeance in the 1980s, however, and although Side is still nice, it is now crowded in warm weather.

Both Turks and foreigners come for the perfect white sand beaches, the seaside restaurants and bars, the variety of lodgings (from cheap little pensions to luxury hotels), and the impressive Hellenistic and Roman ruins.

Kekova

Kekova-Simena is a very popular Lycian site, situated upon one of the most attractive spots of the Turkish coast. The name "Kekova" is Turkish for "plain of thyme" and describes the area of and around the ancient Lycian sunken city of Simena. A charming mix of ancient, medieval and modern history makes Kekova-Simena interesting as well as beautiful. In ancient times Simena was a small fishing village, later a Crusaders’ outpost of the Knights of St. John and now the sleepy fishing village of Kale.

The ancient city of Simena was once of two parts - an island and a coastal part of the mainland. On the mainland the charming village of Kale ("castle") stands today, its buildings mingling with ancient and medieval structures. At the top of the village sits a well-preserved crusaders’ castle built partially upon ancient Lycian foundations. Inside the castle is the smallest amphitheatre of Lycia. At the eastern end of the village is a cluster of some very nice sarcophagi overlooking the sea and surrounded by ancient olive trees. Near the harbour of Kale is another sarcophagus, popping up from the water. Across the bay, along the island are the half-submerged ruins of the residential part of Simena, caused by the downward shift of land by the terrible earthquakes of the 2nd century AD. Half of the houses are submerged and staircases descend into the water. Foundations of buildings and the ancient harbor are also seen below the sea.

Kekova is an enjoyable place to visit for its beauty alone and is popular with yachters. It is a peaceful place of history, gorgeous turquoise water, sun, islands, unspoilt nature, blue skies and wonderful swimming.

PAMUKKALE (Hierapolis)

Located 20 kilometers from the town of Denizli in the Aegean region of Turkey, Pamukkale is one of the most interesting places in the world, justly famous not only for the entrancing beauty of its unique geological formations but also for its historical remains. The calcium oxide-rich waters flowing down the southern slope of Caldag located north of the ruins have, over the millennia, built up deposits of white travertine on the plateau thus fully justifying both the site's ancient name of Hierapolis (Holy City) and its modern one of Pamukkale (Cotton Castle).

Boat Trip

Turkey has a reputation as one of the world’s sailing paradise and deservedly so. The glorious deep azure and aquamarine coloured waters around the coast are an integral part of most visitors holidays and you cannot say that you have truly experienced the delights of the Turkish coast until you have been on a boat cruise.It’s a treasure chest of coves, inlets, bays and beaches and there is no better way to relax and unwind – the ultimate tonic.

Ilos travels Boat Trip visits quiet coves and beaches and you can soak up the sun or cool down by leaping off the boat into the clean, refreshing crystal-clear waters of the Aegean.Once on board lunch and refreshments are served at one of the many beautiful bays. Then its more of the same sun, sea and fun before returning to the resort.

t is also possible to book a full day Gulet Cruise. Gulets are the traditional Turkish motor-yacht, beautifully hand-crafted from wood with gleaming brass fittings.

Whichever you choose we’re sure you’ll agree it’s the perfect way to spend the day!

Turkish Night

In an Oriental atmosphere enjoy the "Kanun", a typical Turkish musical instrument; discover the delights of a typical "fasil" orchestra; experience the flavour of the songs and custom of our folklore and belly dancing. Have Turkish coffee in a Turkish home furnished with typical carpets, lacework. And as a finale, enjoy a nostalgic journey into very heart of entertainment. A unique environment with good taste and first class service.