Akbuk Villa - Places To Go

Places To Go - Summary

There are numerous 'places of interest' within a couple of hours drive from the Villa. If you prefer the comfort of a coach tour, Altinkum offers day trips to some of these places.
A short summary of some of these marvellous places are described below along with a number of photographs, just to wet your appetite!

They have been categorised into 3 distinct groups as follows:

Places of Historical Interest (Ephesus, House Of the Virgin, Priene, Miletos and Alinda)

Places of Natural Interest (Dilek MilliParki near Kusadasi, Lake Bafa and Pamukale)

Other Resorts (Kusadasi and Bodrum)

Places of Historical Interest

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Ephesus (Efes) (approx 1hr 30 mins from villa)	Among the most famous cities of the ancient world, Ephesus was one of the biggest cities of the Roman era. A treasury of all the riches of Ionian culture, Ephesus had a reputation for philosophy and critical thinking. The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as well as countless statues, theaters, libraries, markets and smaller temples were all architectural symbols of the city's fame. Now Ephesus is one of the most extensive archaeological sites in the world.
House Of The Virgin Mary (Meryemana) (approx 1hr 30 mins from villa)	Jesus mother Mary is believed to have lived here from 37 AD until her death in ~45 AD. Despite no proven physical evidence ever having been found, the case for this somewhat surprising claim is actually quite rational and convincing and the foundations and floor contents date correctly for these years. Discovered in 1892 by sceptical priests wishing to disprove the hugely controversial vision of Bavarian nun Catherina Emmerich, it was already well-known to local Muslims & Christians, who had been visiting it for the Feast of the Assumption since time immemorial. It is now officially accepted by the Catholic & Orthodox Churches as the true site rather than the traditional one in Jerusalem and it is now a place of pigramage from all over the world, and received a papal visit in 1967.
Priene (approx 1hr from villa)	Priene, a modest Greek city, dating from the 4th Century BC, was never altered from its original Greek form. The best Ionian ruin in Turkey and noted for its striking setting,which is unquestionably the most spectacular of all the ancient Ionian cities. Originally a flourishing port, it now languishes a full 15kn from the Aegean owing to the silting up of the Maeander river. Priene is a great favourite. See the spectacular 5 pillars against the backdrop of sheer Mt. Mykale and the theatre with its stone thrones with foot stools and finger rests. A thorough exploration takes 2 hours or more and involves quite a lot of climbing.
Milet (Miletos) (approx 45 mins from villa)	The theater of Miletos was built in the fourth century, and then rebuilt by the Roman, who tripled its size. From then on, 15,000 people could see a tragedy, comedy, or a gladiatoral contest. There must have been "something in the water" here at Miletos, that made people clever, as many famous classical thinkers came from here including Thales ("Know Thyself", Delphi) and Isidorus, the architect of Aya Sofya. Its showpieces include the best Greco-Roman Theatre in the country, stoa and the intact Roman Bath Swimming Pool. The small hillocks on the plain before the theatre were once islands in the sea. There, the Miletians were once defeated by the Persians while the population watched.
Alinda (approx 1hr 30 mins from villa)	The impressive hilltop ruins of Alinda are an easy day trip, with a chance to see some beautiful inland scenery. The site is close to the village of Karpuzlu. Alinda is one of the important Karia cities, When Ada, daughter of Hekatomnos had been driven away by her brother Pixadaros from Halikarnassos, she went to Alinda in B.C. 340 and made this city capital. It was built in the Hellenistic age and was altered in Roman times. The stage building was reconstructed in Roman times by merely extending the stage towards the orchestra, the building has collapsed, but its front wall is discernible. The agora, with its imposing terrace walls, dates from the Hellenistic period. This structure is the best preserved agora in Asia Minor. The market building is over 90 meters long and 14.5 meters high, it is in three stories, of which the lower two are preserved entire.

Places of Natural Interest

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Dilek MilliParki (approx 1hr from villa)	This is 28,000 acres of thick woods and pristine beaches, 28 km south of Kusadasi. - One of the most unspoiled in the Aegean, partly due to most of it being a restricted military zone ! - It is home to local wildlife such as bears, jackals, boars & rare lynx. - Birdwatchers can see 209 species including flamingoes. "Zeus' Cave", fishing, cycling and walking are all enjoyed here.
Bafa Lake National Park (approx 45 mins from villa)	The magnificent Bafa Lake Natural Park offers an ideal location for relaxation with its impressive setting, and is popular with visitors who prefer cooling off in the lakeside cafes & restaurants for enjoying the excellent view. It is also a meeting place for nature lovers and hikers, for archaeologists, ornithologists and botanists. 2000 years ago the Bafa Lake was a bay of the Aegean Sea called the "Gulf of Lade". Due to deposits of the river Menderes the bay was slowly separated from the sea. This explains why the lake contains water with a slight salt content, in which mullets, sea breams, eels and carps are caught. Lake Bafa is situated at the foot of Mount Latmus, at the size of 10 miles length and 3 miles width. The lake is fed by little torrents and by the river Meander during the rainy season. The water flows back into the Meander along the same direction in the summer. Also, at certain times, the lake and its environment are visited by thousands of wild ducks, pelicans, water hens, making a marvellous setting. More than 255 different bird species are native to the Bafa Lake and the nearby Great Menderes Delta - observed by ornithologists from all over the world coming every year to one of Europe´s biggest bird refuges. There are also countless rock caves within the National Park.
Pamukale approx 3hr 30 mins from villa)	One of the top natural wonders in Turkey, Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is both, a magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world and with its ancient ruins it is perhaps the most attractive spot for tourists. Pamukkale is a fairyland of dazzling white, petrified castles. Thermal spring waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau's edge have created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins. The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Both the thermal center with its motels and thermal pools, and the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, are situated on the same plateau. The scientific explanation is that hot thermal springs pouring down the hillside deposit calcium carbonate, which solidifies as travertine. If you take off your shoes, you can gingerly roam the terraces or paddle in the pools. The entire territory of Pamukkale is at the center of particular attention on the part of the competent authorities who intend to safeguard the integrity and respect of this truly unique territory. Here, in a landscape fascinating in its own right, the action of various mineral springs which contain calcium oxides has left fantastic concretions on the travertine structures. The resulting effect is spectacular: these mineral-rich waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels designing bizarre solidified cascades, dazzling in their radiance and changing their color according to how the sunlight strikes them. Please note that Pamukkale is approximately a 3hr drive from the villa. There are regular coach tours to Pamukkale from Altinkum.

Other Resorts

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Kusadasi

(approx 1hr 15 mins from villa)

If you want to escape the peace and solitude that Akbuk oozes and have a day trip to Kusadasi, you will not be disapointed with the cosmopolitan atmosphere in Kusadasi with its busy harbour, backed by a wide selection of nightlife, entertainment, restaurants and shops. There are also some excellent beaches here with plenty of water sport options to make this a memorable day trip.
Kusadasi is a popular marine city which has become a major port over the last 15 to 20 years, and as a result, the once sleepy fishing village has evolved into a first-class resort.

Kusadasi translates to "Bird Island", the name was given during the Ottaman period, referring to an offshore island, used as a stopover for pigeons during seasonal migrations. The island was renamed Güvercin Ada, or "Pigeon Island," and today is connected to the mainland by a pedestrian causeway lined with fishermen and excursion boat captains. The most prominent feature of the island is the Byzantine fortress restored and improved in 1834 and now functioning as a museum. The island and museum are definetly worth visiting and the shady area within the castle walls provides a respite from the blazing heat of the summer sun. The island also offers tremendous sunset views of the city.

Bodrum

(approx 1hr 45 mins from villa)

Bodrum is another day trip worth considering if you want to explore somewhere further afield for the day. You can either go by car or by boat from Altinkum. Bodrum is considered by many to be Turkey's mosy exciting and vibrant resort attracting a sophisticated crowd. It is characterised by low-rise whitewashed houses overlooked by the majestic walls of the impressive 15th cenury Bodrum Castle.
Bodrum known in ancient times as Halicarnassus, captures both new and old, with many historical sites of interest like the Mausoleum, Myddus Gate, the castle and amphitheater. Modern day Bodrum includes a wonderful harbour and marina, full of expensive international yachts with bodrum being the yacthing and shuba-diving centre on the Aegean coast.
There are countless bars, restaurants and shops, an extensive bazaar and also Bodrum is renowned for its nightlife hosting many nightclubs including the Halicarnassus club with its laser show focused on the castle, and is reputedly the largest, most famous and most beautiful outdoor club in the world.