(CUL) DESTINATIONS TO DISCOVER IN TURKEY: THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION.

ANKARA, Jul 5, 2009 (TUR) -- Turkey is a country where people who want to spend their vacation can find different facilities and attractions. There are many holiday options in Turkey, which has hosted many civilizations throughout centuries. Mediterranean Region, on the south of Turkey, is the locomotive of sea, sand and sun tourism.

-ANTALYA-

City of Antalya, the "Turkish Riviera" in the Mediterranean is hosting more than 10 million local and foreign tourists, thanks to its archeological and natural beauties.

There are ancient cities, ports, tombs, picturesque bays and beaches, forests and museums on the 674-kilometer-long Antalya coast. Also, there are many plateaus in the inner parts of the Mediterranean Region for people who want to feel cool on hot summer days.

City of Antalya, itself, is a historical place where people can visit the historical sites around the castle including Kesik Minaret, the city walls, Hadrian's Wall, and restored old houses. People can also see the fjords in the city.

Also, Antalya is offering various night life alternatives, including discos, clubs, bars and cafes in Konyaalti Beach Park, Lara Beach Park, Sirinyali and Kaleici (old city).

For tourists who are interested in archeology, Antalya Museum, Perge, Aspendos, Side, Termessos ancient cities, and Karain Cave are places to see.

People who like sports can not only enjoy water sports, but also trekking, rock climbing and mountaineering around Antalya.

The Gidengelmez Mountains near Akseki town is a good place for people who like hunting, whereas Elmali town is rich of tumulus, mosque and tombs. Korkuteli town is a plateau used by residents of Antalya during hot summer days.

Alanya is another tourist town of Antalya with its beaches, historical attractions, modern hotel and accommodation facilities, fish restaurants, cafes and bars. Selcuklu (Seljuk) Castle, dating to 13th century, and Kizil Tower are worth seeing in this holiday resort town.

Damlatas Cave, Ethnography Museum, Fosforlu (phoshorescent) Cave, Kizlar (girls) Cave, Asiklar (lovers) Cave are also other tourist attractions in Alanya.

Also, Koru Beach in Antalya's Gazipasa town, with its natural swimming pools carved out by the sea with their own natural water circulation system, is perfect for children and new swimmers.

Situated in the west of Antalya, Kas town was an important settlement during the ancient civilization of Lycia. The town is also a place for diving, paragliding, canoing, yacht tours and trekking.

People can find the traces of first democratic parliament of the world in this town. The Patara Ancient City in Kas is preparing to host a meeting of parliament speakers in the world in coming years, with the initiative of Turkish Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan.

Kemer town is a holiday town preferred mostly by Russian tourists. People can climb on 2,365-meter Tahtali Mountain with a cable car in Kemer and enjoy the panoramic view. Also, tourists should see the Phaselis ancient city near Kemer.

Manavgat waterfall, Side ancient city and theater are also other tourist attractions in the vicinity of Antalya.

Also, Olympos and Rhadiopolis ancient cities are historical places that should be seen around Antalya's Kumluca town; whereas Limyra and Arykanda ancient cities are also attractive for tourists in orange-famous Antalya town of Finike.

Demre is world-famous for being the town where Santa Claus lived. Santa Claus Museum and Myra ancient city, and Kekova ancient city, that remained beneath the sea due to an earthquake, can be visited in and around this town.

Belek is a town which offers luxurious holiday options around Antalya.

-ADANA-

Adana province in the Mediterranean Region is known for his turnip juice and kebab. The archeology museum, ethnography museum, Ulu Mosque, historical clock tower are various tourist attractions in the city. People should not leave the city without tasting the kebabs and turnip juice.

Misis Bridge, Yilan Castle, Anavarza ancient city, Kastabala (Hierapolis) ancient city are some of the historical places to be visited around Adana.

-HATAY-

Hatay province is also a tourist attraction with its sea, plateaus, spa and faith tourism, as well as its kebabs, desserts, and rich cuisine.

Issos Ruins, plateaus on Mount Amanos, Sokullu Kulliye (including shops, Turkish baths, caravanserais, inns, masjids, madrasahs) are some of the cultural sites one can visit in Hatay.

Antakya town of Hatay has hosted the three religions and different civilizations, and Muslims, Christians, Armenians and Jews lived in peace, brotherhood and tolerance in this city. Therefore, one can find many mosques and churches and some other historical attractions in the town.

In the two-kilometer northeast of Antakya lies St. Pierre Church on the foot of Hac Mountain. The church is a pilgrim place for Christians and is believed to be the church where those who believed in Jesus Christ were given the name "Christian." Every year on June 29, St. Pierre Day is being celebrated in the church.

The Antakya Archeological Museum is known as the second museum in the world rich of mosaics, after the museum in Tunisia.

With its tantuni kebab and coast line, Mersin province is another holiday option in the Mediterranean. Anamur is a town of Mersin where people can see the caretta carettas. Aydincik is another town where the Kelenderis ancient port city is situated, and Silifki and Tasucu are the other towns one can enjoy the sun and the sea.

In Silifke, tourists can visit Hacipasa clock tower, Amphora museum, Tas bridge, Roman temple, Silifke castle, Heaven and Hell caves.

-TARSUS-

Tarsus is a Mediterranean town which is important for Christianity because St. Paul Church is situated in this town. One can also visit mosques and madrasahs, waterfalls.

-INNER MEDITERRANEAN-

The inner parts of the Mediterranean are also a tourist attraction. Isparta province, land of roses and lakes, also draws attention with Davraz Skiing Resort.

Egirdir, Kovada and Golcuk lakes can be visited in Isparta. Also, Hizir Bey Mosque, Kutlu Bey Mosque, Iplik Mosque, Firdevs Bey Mosque are some tourist attractions in the city.

Also, one should taste tandir kebab, and "Kabune", a rice meal with meat, in Isparta.

East Roman Church on Nis Island in Isparta's Egirdir town was reopened to worship with a ceremony in 2000 attended by Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew.

Tourists can also visit Apollonia Mordion ancient city and Zindan Cave in Isparta's Uluborlu town, which is also famous for its cherries.

Yalvac is another town of Isparta, which can be considered as important for the Christianity as a place visited by St. Paulos to spread Christianity. The Antiokheia ancient city, mentioned in the hearsay, is only one kilometer away from downtown Yalvac.

Also, Kanyon natural park is also another tourist attraction in Isparta, whereas Burdur is a tourism heaven with Hacilar, Sagalassos (ancient city), Kibrya (ancient city), Kremna (ancient city), Bubon, Incirhan and Susuzhan historical sites. Insuyu Cave, the first cave opened to tourism in Turkey, has nine lakes in it and is worth seeing.

One should not leave Burdur without visiting the museum, watching the sunset over the lake, and eating Burdur shish kebab.

Karanlik Canyon is also another place worth seeing in the vicinity of Burdur.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)