What is the difference between the Aegean coast of Turkey and Antalya, what excursions to visit while relaxing in Kusadasi and Didim, and how is your vacation going here? We visited Izmir as part of a press tour organized by the tour operator ANEX Tour, we answer these questions, share our impressions and , of course, beautiful photos.
The mass Russian tourist has even more opportunities to get to know Turkey from its “western” (literally and figuratively) side and to get to know the resorts of the Aegean coast more fully.
On June 2, the first flight of the flight program to Izmir by the ANEX tour operator took place tour. Flights are operated by the Turkish airline Pegasus Airlines with a frequency of twice a week: on Thursdays and Mondays. Travel time is 4 hours 10 minutes.
Previously, the resorts located near Izmir were relatively little known to the mass Russian tourist: basically, the Aegean coast was judged by Bodrum and tours to resorts with an arrival in Dalaman. Tour operators had programs in Izmir, but sporadically, and, as a rule, were lost in the mass of other proposals for Turkey. But this year it's a completely different matter. Izmir caused a wide response among tourists: flights are full. And for good reason – this region is unique.
The Izmir region is slightly cooler than Antalya, there is no such humid heat, the high season is shorter here: from June to September. The main resorts that are convenient to travel to from Izmir are Kusadasi, Didim, Alacati and Cesme.
In addition to the fact that there are wonderful hotels with European service, tourists are also attracted by the fact that it is convenient to travel from here to excursions to many historical monuments of antiquity, hard-to-reach for tourists vacationing in Antalya.
Vacationers here appreciate the very special flavor of resort towns and villages where you can…
… FEEL LIKE A FOREIGNER
Accustomed to traveling to Turkey as a dacha, Russians in resorts close to Izmir are in for a surprise: only 5% of the local population speaks Russian.
And this is a great opportunity to practice spoken English (it is well known here, it seems that everything, from cashiers in supermarkets, and boys handing out leaflets on the streets), and also to feel like a foreigner. The focus on European tourists (Great Britain, Germany) affects the level of service, which will undoubtedly appeal to the Russians.
This, in particular, means – no familiarity in circulation (“brother, come in”), no bias or intrusive “bazaar” marketing in the markets and city streets.
Kusadasi. Photo ATOR
GREECE IS CLOSER
Walking along the promenade in Kusadasi, you can see the coast of the Greek island of Samos. The close proximity to Greece is manifested here in many ways: from the appearance of local residents, often fair-haired and light-eyed, to the Greek historical heritage in the form of monuments of ancient architecture. Yes, and the city of Kusadasi itself in its modern form is a bit like the Greek Thessaloniki.
WHAT HOTELS IN KUSADASI AND DIDIMA
As part of the press tour, we managed to stay in three five-star hotels, two of which located in the resort of Kusadasi, and one in Didim. Hotels with different concepts: some are more suitable for couples, while others are good for families with children.
Food and drinks in all hotels are excellent. The food is tasty and satisfying, almost around the clock. A huge selection of desserts and fruits, there are dishes of both European and Turkish cuisines, dietary products, a children's table.
Kustur Club Holiday Village 5* (Kusadasi)
< p>The hotel is 4 km from Kusadasi city center and 70 km from Adnan Menderes Airport (Izmir). It is about an hour and a half from the airport to the hotel by bus.
Kustur Club Holiday Village is suitable for families with children and couples.
For connoisseurs of privacy and comfort, it is good that the rooms are located in one- and two-story cottages. There is daytime animation, a nightly disco, and 24-hour bars, but this will absolutely not disturb those who prefer to sleep at night.
Kustur Club Holiday Village. Photo by ATOR
The hotel has a truly huge area with its own beach across the road. You can get to the beach via a short underpass.
The beach of the Kustur Club Holiday Village. Photo by ATOR
The hotel's beach is marked with the Blue Flag, and it is really very beautiful and comfortable here.
The territory is planned very competently, even skillfully: with a 100% occupancy of the hotel, there were absolutely no crowds of tourists either in restaurants, or by the pools, or in bars, or on the beach.
The infrastructure of the hotel is also suitable for family tourists with children. On the territory there are several swimming pools, a fitness club, an open-air gym, a playground, slot machines for children and much more. There is also a petting zoo, peacocks and tame squirrels, which seem to understand Russian perfectly well.
Tour to Kustur Club Holiday Village for five nights for two with flights and all-inclusive meals costs from 106 631 r.
Hotel Venosa Beach Resort 5* (Didim)
Venosa Beach Resort. Photo ATOR
Venosa Beach Resort is an elegant hotel with a large beautiful area and a wonderful beach, located 5 km from the center of Didim, 80 km from Bodrum Airport and 140 km from Izmir Airport.
Also Suitable for both couples and families with children. There is good animation, several a-la-carte restaurants, free wi-fi, a SPA center, a fitness room, 3 outdoor pools and 1 indoor one. There is a small children's water park, playground.
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The hotel's beach is also Blue Flag. The beach and the sea are magnificent, and to feel it at 100%, you definitely need to swim early in the morning, ideally before dawn.
Squirrels were not seen here, but there are peacocks available, at least two individuals. Here is one of them.
A peacock living on the territory of the Venosa Beach Resort. Photo by ATOR
The male, a peacock with a luxurious tail about a meter long, alas, refused to pose.
Tour to Venosa Beach Resort for five nights for two with a flight and all-inclusive meals costs from 105,333 rubles.
Palm Wings Ephesus Hotel 5* (Kusadasi)
View from the window of the Palm Wings Ephesus Hotel. Photo by ATOR
Palm Wings Ephesus Hotel is 70 km from Izmir Airport and 85 km from Bodrum Airport.
This hotel is primarily for families with children. For the comfort of the kids, all the necessary conditions have been created here and, in addition, they will have a large international company. During our stay, a lot of families with small children rested here.
Feature: just great food. It is absolutely impossible to go hungry here. Late for the first breakfast, the second has already begun, late for lunch, you can have a snack at the snack bar by the pool. And at night you can have a snack if you want. However, early in the morning too.
The hotel has excellent animation, a water park, a tennis court, 2 restaurants, 6 bars, a disco, indoor and outdoor pools, a children's pool, Turkish bath, sauna, jacuzzi, massage, fitness , miniclub, TV room and much more.
A tour to Palm Wings Ephesus Hotel for five nights for two, with flights and all-inclusive meals, costs from 116,950 rubles.
WHAT TO SEE ON THE AEGEAN COAST?
If you have chosen Kusadasi for your vacation, you have a unique opportunity to drive to the ancient Greek city of Ephesus in just 15-30 minutes. By comparison, it takes about 4 hours to get to Ephesus from Bodrum.
From here you can also go to the Greek island of Samos, the Cesme peninsula, Pamukkale, etc.
ANTIQUE CITY OF EPHESUS
Ephesus. Photo by ATOR
How the expressions “money does not smell”, “go to the left”, what (or rather, to whom) the Nike logo owes its appearance, you will learn in Ephesus. And of course, how the life of the ancient Greek city-states was organized at the beginning of our era. This is very interesting, a separate material will be devoted to Ephesus. Don't miss it!
KUSADASI: VISIT GUVERJINADA FORTRESS AND CARAVAN SARAY
View from Guvercinada fortress on the sea. Photo by ATOR
Guverginada is a fortress on Pigeon Island, which later gave its name to the city of Kusadasi. Kuş means bird in Turkish, Ada means island.
Pigeon Island. Photo by ATOR
The first fortifications on Pigeon Island, which is now connected to the coast by an artificial embankment, were built by the Genoese in the 13th century in order to protect against pirates.
Guverdzhinada fortress was repeatedly rebuilt and reconstructed. Anyone can visit it, admission is free.
Guvercinada. Photo by ATOR
Another attraction of the city of Kusadasi is the caravanserai of Mehmet Pasha.
This is a small castle built in 1618 to protect merchants and their goods from robbers. A visit to the caravanserai is also free.
In the courtyard of the caravanserai. Photo by ATOR
A simple walk around the city of Kusadasi is also very interesting.
There is a bar street where you can drop by in the evening. The city, although somewhat reminiscent of the Greek Thessaloniki, at the same time is distinguished by its own, unique beauty and color.
CESHME AND ALACHATY: A ROUTE OF COLOR AND UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE
Mills are the symbol of Alacati. Photo by ATOR
The resort village of Alacati on the Cesme peninsula is known primarily among windsurfers. Both beginners and experienced windsurfers like it here. There are also many free public beaches in Alacati.
Alacati, a public beach. Photo by ATOR
Until 1922, Alacati was inhabited mainly by Greeks, and the Greek heritage is everywhere. The street with historical Greek buildings deserves special attention.
There are many cafes and restaurants here. Very pleasant, cozy, delicious food.
Alacati, cafe. Photo by ATOR
A riot of colors and unique architecture create an atmosphere of constant celebration in Alaçatı that you don't want to leave.
Alacati. Photo by ATOR
And so you need to stop in the middle of this splendor, sit down for a while in one of the cafes and drink a cup of Turkish coffee.
Turkish coffee. Photo by ATOR
Coffee costs 15 lira in most local cafes, and a glass of tea costs 4 lira. But they can just treat you with tea if you order something other than drinks.
You can explore Cheshme, Alacati and its surroundings on such a funny transport, taking this “probe” car, as someone from our group joked, for rent. And what? Maneuverable, mobile and not hot.
The Genoese fortress on the Cesme peninsula, built in the 16th century, is also worthy of admiration.
Genoese fortress, Cesme. Photo by ATOR
Entrance to the territory of the fortress is paid (40 lira), but it's worth it. There is a small archaeological museum in the fortress, where you can see antique chased coins, aromatic lamps, amphorae, weapons and much more.
Genoese fortress, Cesme, museum. Photo by ATOR
WALK ON THE YACHT AND TRIP TO THE AQUAPARK
The Aegean coast is famous for its bays. We visited three of them: Butterfly Bay, Cold and a bay called Black Water. The water in them is clear and clean, and swimming fills you with vigor.
Butterfly Bay. Photo by ATOR
While relaxing in Kusadasi, you should definitely visit the water park Adaland. Firstly, it is close here (for example, only a ten minute drive from the hotel Palm Wings Ephesus Hotel), and secondly, a trip to the water park will be remembered for a long time by both children and their parents.
Adaland Water Park. Photo by ATOR
There are a lot of both extreme slides and “calm” slides here. The choice is yours!
Entrance to the water park costs 24 euros for adults, 17 euros for children 4-9 years old, for kids under 3 years old – free of charge. For a fee, you can swim with dolphins.
IZMIR: CLOCK TOWER, PIGEONS AND HISTORIC ELEVATOR
If after check-out from the hotel and before departure you have a few hours and do not burden luggage (or there is where to attach it), be sure to take a walk in Izmir itself, the third most populous city in Turkey (about 3 million people). There is something to see here.
You can feed the pigeons on Konak Square, near the Izmir Clock Tower (1901, built in honor of the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul-Hamid II). Pigeon food is immediately sold by the locals for 15 liras per cup.
Near the Izmir clock tower. Photo by ATOR
And of course, the tower itself is worth seeing.
In front of it stands a mosque built in 1168.
Mosque, Izmir. Photo by ATOR
But the most interesting thing that we happened to see in Izmir a couple of hours of free time before departure is the Historical Elevator. It was built in 1907 to make it easier to get up from the coast to the Halilrıfat Pasha quarter, located on a hill.
Before the appearance of the elevator, residents climbed stairs into the quarter. And we're walking this path to feel what they should have felt. 169 steps separate the coast from the Halilrıfat Pasha quarter. This, frankly, requires stamina.
The top is taken. This is what the view looks like from the stairs down.
Staircase, view of the coast. Photo by ATOR
And here we are rewarded, from the observation deck of the Historical Elevator offers stunning views of the Gulf of Izmir and the coast. And the view seems to get better the more effort it takes to get up here.
View of Izmir from the observation deck of the Historic Elevator. Photo by ATOR
There is also a restaurant of the same name where you can drink coffee or refreshment.
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Back to We go down the coast in an elevator. It's really good to have him here.
Historical Elevator, Izmir. Photo by ATOR
Izmir is beautiful, but it's time to go home.
In the window of the porthole, small and large cities are inflorescences and blots of lights, strokes of fiery lines below in the darkness. They don't sleep there yet, and we can roughly imagine what kind of life flows there.
Find out, too! Travel to Izmir with ANEX Tour this summer!
Olga Tetereva