Ankara is about as European as Turkey will be. The majority of the city looks the same as other British or European cities, but with hints of the mystical east in some areas if you know where to look. Ankara is also a large university town. If you find yourself on the streets of Kizilay, you will find many students are thronged in Sakarya bars mostly through the year.

The status of the capital city with the company of language schools and universities, bring a considerable expatriation community to Ankara, hence the feel of western culture is in place. In addition there are various kinds of military wings stationed here.

Genclik Park has fountains, boat rides and a funfair. Most Saturdays, you will also discover Conscripts patrolling while garbed in a variety of uniforms. Generally British Citizens and European’s come where for business but lately, tourism has begun to make an impact in various places in the city. If you wish to travel to Anatolia, Cappadocia or the Black Sea coast, a suitable place to base yourself is on Ankara. Large expanding numbers of operators and service industries are catering to tourists. There are all levels of accommodation here with prices rivaling those of Istanbul or the south coast.

The most convenient transportation hub in Turkey would be their newly made bus station that provides services to anywhere feasible. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a trip to Lebanon that’s only 16 hours away.

Fethiye is one of the most important tourism centers in Turkey. It is a wealthy town that’s full of culture, natural beauty, geography and plain loveliness. It’s on a wide bay joined by many islands. The rear is surrounded by pine forests.

Fethiye is located 135 kilometers southwest from Marmaris, with a busy and outstanding marina. This was once an ancient city called Telmessos. On top of a hill, you will see an overlooking fortress built by the knights of Rhodes. Fethiye has carved tombs on the side of the cliffs built by the Lycians. They are beautifully carved and exquisitely remarkable.

The tomb of Amnytas was built using a Doric architectural style dating back to the 4th century B.C. It is worth visiting. The Fethiye tower and Sarcophagi are some of the historical sights to behold in the city. Fethiye is famous for its artworks that once belonged to the Romans, Carians, Lycians and Persians.

Dalaman is a peaceful village and known as a gateway to the beautiful region of Turkey where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet. This is called the Turquoise Coast. The region of Dalaman goes well for people who seek a wonderful beach holiday in the Mediterranean, with beautiful weather and a rich tapestry of culture and history. Dalaman has been declared a protected tourist area. You can stay at their vivacious resorts, like the Hisoranu and Marmaris. They have delightful authentic beaches in Icmeler and Olu Deniz, with a riverside view of Dalya.

Now the Agricultural Ministry has passed ownership of the states’ farm to the tourist industry for elite development. There are already over 1,000 people investing in Dalaman. At the moment the prices for Real Estate investors in big holiday areas are unrealistic, but Dalaman is a very up and coming resort. There are plans on building a new yacht marina sometime this year. Tourists will now have opportunities to spend their vacations in and around Dalaman all year round.

Like most of Turkey’s pride, Side is a lovely coastal resort town situated on the Mediterranean. Located 15 km east of Antalya, it is the nearest resort community to the city center. Side is considered a pretty little town with chic shops, modern architecture and night bars that is a contrast to the ancient city ruins. Bordered by two beaches, encompassed by the azure waters of the Mediterranean on both sides, and bestowed with wonderful archeological finds- Side is prospering as one of the most well recognized holiday destination.  Side is a perfect balance between nature and history, and should definitely not be missed as a vacation option.

The Best Time to Go

As with most of Turkey’s holiday locales, the perfect time to visit Side is during late April until June and then October to November. Summer is also a nice time to visit, however weekends tend to get really overcrowded as locals flock to Side from other Turkish cities.

The city of Bodrum was once known as Halicarnassus. Its history goes back all the way to the 13th century B.C. Excavations show its rich 5000 year old history. Carians, among other civilizations, found their home in Bodrum. Homer’s Iliad tells that the Carians helped and defended Troy.

The father of history, also known as Herodotus, was born in Bodrum around 484 B.C. He said the city was founded by the Dorians. The Carians and the Lelegians were the next to occupy the city. Its most brilliant period was around 353 B.C., when it was the capital of the Satrap of Caria. It was in this Century that it became famous for its trades, boat building and sailing. A warrior woman, Artemisia, achieved fame through her stand against the Admiral of the Carian Fleet, Rhodes, in 480 B.C.

Bodrum’s oldest antique is the Mausoleum built by Artemisia II, honouring her husband King Mausolos. It came to be one of the wonders of the old world. The Mausoleum is still an expression of a large tomb, the large building stands over 164 feet in height. The Mausoleum’s first relief reached London in 1864 and placed in the British museum along with frescos and other artefacts.

Altinkum is a town situated on the shore of the Aegean Sea in Turkey.  With its fine beach lines and warm locals, Altinkum is a perfect place to invest for a summer rest house, retire in or just relax and have a vacation. With its beaches gently shelved into the alluring azure Aegean; you will soon see how the resort got its name.  Altinkum means “golden sand” which comes from the words altin as gold and kum as sand.  This holiday resort town is popular with the British and with the Turkish tourists.

Altinkum has three main beaches that boast its long attractive shore line, clear blue sea, its climate and its fine establishments.  The first beach is lined by restaurants, bars and shops.  The second beach is smaller, but just as well served.  The third main beach is smaller still, but is well catered for by many restaurants and bars.  These bars and restaurants found along the beach-side offer a range of Turkish and British food.  There are two 5-star hotels in Altinkum, so accommodations are not a really problem.

Turkish citizens have already noticed the benefits that Altinkum offers 15 years ago. They started building their own holiday villas and summer houses in Altinkum.  But when Turkey’s economy declined, some of these people, mostly retirees, were forced to leave the big cities and into their summer houses.  This somehow caused an uptrend in Altinkum’s local economy and eventually contributed to its growth.

Alanya is one of Turkey’s most sizable countries and is soon expected to be recognized as a city. It is a significant center for tourism in the Mediterranean region. Alanya is divided into two parts, the old: Eski; and the new Yeni. The old Alanya was built on the sides and on top of the Upper Peninsula dividing Alanya into halves. The castle dominating the view of both sides of town is perhaps the most appealing spot. Constructed during the Hellinistic period, the Inner castle wall rises as high as 6.5 km and was even raised further, furnished and fortified with 110 at some point in the Seljukid era. As for the New Alanya, it stretches both to the west and the east of the peninsula. The coast of Alanya commences from Antalya towards Gazipaza.

Situated at the end of a rocky promontory that extends out into the Mediterranean on the cusp of two long pristine beaches is the well known resort town of Alanya, Turkey. Alanya is a stunning holiday maker’s dream location, inundated by cafes, bars, seafood restaurants, modern motels and hotels. The cafes that hem in the harbor are the popular places for tourists to spend their time relaxing and people watching. Beginning at the town’s exquisite park, the paved road travels along the coast and into the harbor. The harbor is full of quaint boutiques that entice tourists with entertaining decorated gourds, handbags, jewelry, clothes leather, handicrafts, and symbols and souvenirs of Alanya.

In Eski Alanya you will come across a slight and nice harbor; several mosques and towers; as well as ancient homes. The water front is populated by numerous tea-houses, bars, cafes, and restaurants that serve an excellent variety of traditional and international cuisine.

Situated at the bottom of quietly sloping mountains, and broadening around a lovely turquoise bay, Akbuk is fast turning out to be a hot commodity for British buyers.  For the enthusiasts of tranquility and peace, coupled with spectacular views, Akbuk is definitely the spot to beat. Although still an emergent resort town, Akbuk can offer its visitors far more authentic Turkish living.

In 1991, Akbuk was converted into a township, from the lonely sleeping village it once was. Due to careful planning, its incision to becoming a full fledge community went very smooth. Most of the buildings where positioned beautifully, never marring the strikingly gorgeous beaches. For the holiday connoisseur who delights in tranquility coupled with water activities, Akbuk is truly the ideal dream vacation hot spot. In fact, a lot of people who were taken with Akbuk’s allure not only frequent the town for holiday’s, instead, made a decision of acquiring a second home. This is with the intention of making Akbuk a place to retire in.

Even if tour operators are becoming acquainted with the wonders that Akbuk offers, it still remains rather immaculate than Bodrum, Kusadasi, or Altinkum.

The town of Kusadasi is named after the little island situated in its harbor called Dove Island. This delightful marine city is an established major cruise ship port. Within the 15 to 20 years the changes that being a cruise ship harbor has really brought remarkable and positive changes to the city. Today Kusadasi is a high class resort with numerous infrastructures such as shops, restaurants hotels and a full night life, definitely a far outcry from the sleepy fishing community it once was.

It’s not the weather or the historical sites that make Kusadasi appealing. It has a varied sense of lifestyle; a result of the multi cultural mixes that cruise ships bring to any place. Some have adapted and others could not adjust, but the town has molded itself into a prime tourist spot ripe for business opportunities and property investors.

Kusadasi is a great place to visit year round, because it is not just a popular resort but also a full fledge city capable of luxurious living and diverse lifestyles. Take for example Bodrum, if you visit during the off peak season, the streets will be noticeably deserted and most shops will be closed. However with Kusadasi gaiety is never a problem. Some tourist shops might close but the local shops will be open to cater to your every need. Bars, restaurants, and streets will also never be lacking for people.

A call for Britons to invest on far distant lands maybe unimaginable in past, but today with the British Real Estate industry in a deep hole, the British are looking to invest their money in more profitable ventures in Turkey. Wanting to reap the profits, more and more buyers from the UK are venturing into the Turkish property market. The low cost of living, affordable real estate, affordable construction, and lower interest rates are all enticing investors to bring their money into Turkey.

The British Are Coming!

According to John Walker, of Spot Blue (a Turkey Real estate company) “There are 2.06 million people in the UK and Ireland who own properties overseas – that’s one in 30 people – and recent figures suggest many of those are looking to relocate permanently,”  and Turkey is way up high on the list of possible places to move in to.