Back again in Turkey. Trip to the country between Europe and Asia

My second travel to Turkey

 

traveling to Smyrna

After stopovers in Bucharest and Istanbul finally landed in Izmir with the flight of low-cost Turkish FlyPegasus.
Maybe the low-cost were all so ...
We pick the car already booked from Italy and reach late Selcuk.

Ephesus e Pamukkale

Early morning start to visit the archaeological site of Ephesus, whose entrance is a few kilometers from Selcuk.
The site is well preserved and the Library of Celsus really beautiful. We chose to visit independently, assisted only by LonelyPlanet and this allows us to speed up! When the heat begins to become unbearable, we begin our journey with the destination Pamukkale.
The route is about 200km of highway in the state and the rest on well-maintained. Reach Pamukkale 13:30. The Venus hotel is very nice and comfortable with an unbeatable value for money. After a well deserved "siesta" afternoon we reach the entrance to the site of Pamukkale-Hierapolis. The entrance is only 24 hours and access North is a functional shuttle service (included but ends at 20:00!) And you can reach the center of the site.
The pools are a unique spectacle at dusk when groups of tourists have given way to silence, it becomes even more exceptional. The town of Pamukkale is nothing more than a group of homes grew at the foot of the hill, so we decide to eat at the hotel and make the most of an environment so cute.

On the road to Cappadocia

Even today, wake up early.
After a hearty Turkish breakfast at the hotel we go back in the car ready for the long journey of 700km that will lead us to the heart of Goreme in Cappadocia.
From here there are no highways, but only state in mostly single lane, not allowing large medium speed ... about 11 hours with a stop for lunch breaks and photo, but it is really worth. Nell'Anatolia diving, civilization and tourists seem to disappear and you experience only small villages in the boundless spaces and beautiful, except for the city of Aksaray and Konia. It seemed really to relive the atmosphere of the USA. Along the way stop for lunch in a family-run inn: no more English ... we communicated with gestures and yet we not only understood, but we ate very well and with only 7 euros in two. This people has been really wonderful. All. In their way of being and to ask us. Neveshir past few miles, he suddenly opens up before us Uchisar and Goreme Valley at sunset. Really exciting.
First night in Goreme. The calm, tranquility and magic of this city surround you completely. It seems to be the land of fairy tales.

Cappadocia

We begin the day with a visit to the Goreme Open Air Museum, the only place really crowded with tourists.
Really looking for churches in the rock frescoes.
Take the road to Urgup and we can say that the whole valley is an open-air museum. The famous fairy chimneys are almost everywhere, although in different shapes and colors together. Along the way, everywhere deserves a break. We go to Avanos and then continue with a visit to a caravanserai and beautiful city of subterranean Ozkonak. It is not known how to Derinkuyu, but makes it a good idea. In the afternoon soak Cavusin. Evening at Uchisar. Despite the period but dry and hot days and pleasant evenings are really chilly here!

Cappadocia

We dedicate the morning to walk in the valley where we are just white. Here the fairy chimneys are beautiful. Wonderful place. Go ahead and reach Urgup, where we visit the village and stop for lunch. We dedicate the whole afternoon to get lost on the thousands of roads that branch off the area and relax in every corner of this enchanted region has to offer.
Goreme evening with dinner in the famous DIBEK, highly recommended by Lonely; good but not exciting! Last night in Goreme.
I think this is another of those places that can be told but the emotions that can communicate only be experienced.

Traveling to the seaside..

With some sadness we leave the wonderful Cappadocia and we start over again for the usual 700km that separates us from Antalya, where we will stop for the night of August. It was not possible to reach in one day the first beach destination choice ... so we booked a turkish night in the paradise of fun.
It 'nice to discover this country through its streets and we really hit the high level reached by services such as gas stations, parking areas and public toilets even in remote areas. Arriving early afternoon in Antalya. We are greeted by a warm and resounding chaos that we had forgotten. After a rejuvenating rest in the pool we go out to explore the old part of town full of shops and restaurants. is cured, is full of tourism here but nothing I liked. Excluding the narrow streets of old town the rest is really a simpleton. Eastern Europe looks like a metropolis or a suburb sad. Beaches crowded and nothing special. I'm really happy to run tomorrow morning.

Finally in FETHIYE!

Poor road this morning separates us from our first beach destination. En route we stop at the famous beach of Patara and its ruins. Undoubtedly, 20km of white sand are beautiful to see, but the sea leaves a little to be desired. Is best described by what it is ....
Finally we come to Fethiye. The hotel chosen is the Club Turkuaz Garden is a small village where we were fine. Nice, clean, rich buffet dinner served on board the amazing pool. Few tourists and almost all Turks.
Afternoon to relax and explore the city with the first visit to Lycian tombs and castle. Evening shopping in the maze of alleyways of the old city. The heat of Antalya is forgotten and life here seems to run slower. Fethiye is very pretty, very green and with a promenade filled with characteristic small clubs.

The sea!

Eventually the sea!
Around Fethiye, located a few kilometers of beautiful coves, reached almost completely in the car. Are not crowded and frequented mostly by Turks.
Here the sea is really beautiful. Many are the little boats across the Gulf and reach the more inaccessible beaches. Total relaxation.

Fethiye - Cruise of the 12 islands

Directly to the hotel we booked an excursion today to the 12 islands. With only EUR 12 are taking to bring us back here at 9:00 to 19:00, lunch and boat trip included. There are many boats that leave every day with the same route but different stops, with some speakers in different languages. Ours is occupied only by Turks but we just leave the port for not repent of our choice. Throughout the day we were inspired by dance, music and impromptu belly dancing. We made eight stops for about 50 minutes on several islands, including the famous Cleopatra Bath. Not to be missed.

Oludeniz bay

Today last day in Fethiye we could not miss the bay of Oludeniz. A true paradise. The sand that divides the sea from the lagoon is equipped with all necessary facilities: restaurant, bar, showers and free opportunity to enjoy all water sports. Really nice but unfortunately, and of course I would say, busy. Hard to find a spot for your umbrella. So we decided to rent a pedal boat for the day!
The last evening in Fethiye, we remain in our hearts.

Again the sea...

Today we depart for the second destination of this holiday resort. I had heard of Cnidos so we decide to spend the last week in Datca peninsula. Along the way (only 200km this time!) We stop in Gocek, another village overlooking the bay. A little gem frequented mostly by the owners of luxurious yachts anchored in the small marina. Another break in Marmaris, leads to the Datca peninsula. For lunch we all 'Olive Garden Hotel, booked from Italy. We are not even in the village of Datca, but at 15Km from the village overlooking a small bay in the village of Mesudiye. The hotel, a small, family-run, is set among lush olive groves in the area. The family that runs it was really beautiful, even if only one of them spoke English ...
Let's get straight to the sea, which here is really wonderful.
And life flows slowly. Here there are very few tourists, most of them come here on a sailing boat. Stopping and going away. The first impression of stepping back in time and be finished in one of the few places left entirely as nature has intended.
Up to 24 stay here, spending their days at sea and visiting the numerous coves within easy reach along the coast road only. Ramadan began, the few local tourists are gone and we enjoy the sea and beautiful beaches completely alone or with occasional campeggiatiore. The small villages on the sea as Palamutbuku seem to have no idea what the delinquenaza and living in rhythm we completely forgotten. There are numerous tavernas on the sea (many tables are on the beach, lit only by candles!) Where you can make a meal of fish prices. The only tourist outpost is Datca, where we go for walks in the evening and the usual shopping. And 'here we have the only disappointment of the trip: driven by the lonely planet to eat XXX, labeled as the Maritime Museum and recommended for fish at unbeatable prices. Full reviews of posters of the Lonely and the like. It's actually a tavern uglier than many other service with nothing short of amazing compared to any other place in Turkey since ... about two hours to get to eat, not what was ordered and brought the fish was not a fish but a portion of a thread PALESE FROZEN. The bill even more absurd, about 60% more than any other place in Datca and around (can not verify the first, the menu is often the owner himself!). To our protests about food and treatment, we were treated quite badly and the owner has done nothing but say bad words in turkish (we do not know turkish, but some things are universal).
We also talked with locals, friendly and wonderful as I said, laughing at our story stressing that this place is for them rinomatamente TO AVOID. We laugh at ourselves .. and we enjoy the rest.
Not to miss is the site of Cnidos. Located on the tip of the peninsula is reached only by boat (we were the only car) and the ruins extend over a large area overlooking the two old Roman ports. Entering the site (6Euro per person) can spend the day in various bays and pristine desert .. dream.
It seems partridges, but after 6 days in these places without TV, newspapers, internet ... I feel regenerated.

Unfortunately we must come back home

Unfortunately we must come back home.
Returning again to pass in Izmir, Selcuk, where we visit the house of Mary, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims. And finally a quick visit to Izmir .. the city that is not comparable to Istanbul .. but has a different charm but equally valuable. The last walk to the bazaar before returning to the airport. Riconsegnamo car. Total 3100 km!
Do not forget a single one.