The Aegean Riviera
When you start driving down the coastline of the Aegean Riviera, from the Dardanelles along
the Aegean sea, regardless how far to go, calculate a few days more for
this journey.
The most southern point of the Aegean sea is 700 Km south from the
Dardanelles, near fethiye where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean
sea.
You will be overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the region when you see bays peninsulas, and golden beaches stretch the length of coastline. But wait until you pass Izmir to the south and realize that it gets with every mile that you drive even more and more beautiful. This region was also the venue of countless mythological events. There are remains of ancient cities including Troy, immortalized by Homer. Pergamon on the main road from Canakkale down to izmir is the art and cultural center and capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms at the time.
The provinces in the Aegean coastal
region are Canakkale Balikesir, Aydin, Izmir, Mugla.
Situated in Edremit bay is Ayvalik, the meeting point of the sea, the
therapeutic springs of Akcay.
To the south are countless resorts, then further south is Foca, famous
is also, Sardis, the capital of the wealthy Lydian king Croesus.
Located in a narrow bay, Izmir is a modern city and the third largest in Turkey, as well as the major part on the Aegean. is a busy commercial center.
The peninsula of Cesme with its brilliant waters, superb beaches and thermal springs, lies to the west of Izmir.
Among the most famous cities of the ancient world is Ephesus.
A treasury of all the riches of Ionian culture, Ephesus had a reputation for philosophy and critical thinking, today it is visited by more than 1 million tourists every year.
Kusadasi Ephesus and Sirince
Ephesus is 18 km from kusadasi and 5 km to Selcuk, Ephesus is also with the Virgin Mary Church an important pilgrimage destination.If you like to spend a day in this region and see all the beauties than consider to stay at Sirince only 18 km from Selcuk.
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. Further to the south is the ancient city of Priene, built according to a geometric plan designed by the great architect of Milet, Hippodamos.
Miletus
which is called today Milas was a great center of commerce and the
first stock market in the world was established here even options and
stocks where traded 2000 years ago here in Milas.
Didim Altinkum and Akbuk
The holiday resort Didim with numerous middle class hotels and fantastic beaches, though not one of the ancient cities, is still famous for its magnificent temple dedicated to Apollo.
Didim has a magnificent beach and offers a good nightlife in its promenade district Altinkum, if you prefer a less busy place to stay look for Akbuk with good hotels and calm beaches.
On the Izmir-Antalya road,
Aphrodisias (Geyre) was an important center for culture and art famous
for its training in sculpture. On the same road is the world-famous
Pamukkale, with its calcium-rich thermal waters flowing out of the
mountain which have, over centuries, created an extraordinary
geographical phenomenon of white marble terraces.
The ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis lie behind this.The best
known holiday resorts in this area are Bodrum,Didim, Kusadasi Marmaris,
Dalaman and Fethiye, and private boats can be chartered to explore the
bays of the south Aegean, immortalized in the book Mavi Yolculuk (Blue
Voyage).
Bodrum and Fethiye
Bodrum
(ancient Halikarnas) is the birthplace of the great
historian Heredotus. The mausoleum of King Mausolos was considered one
of the seven wonders of the ancient world.The booming Real estate
market in Bodrum has effected the scenery but there are still a lot of
protected lands 
and national parks on the Bodrum peninsula.
Marmaris is a lively resort with a modern marina surrounded by lush mountains and crystal-clear waters,and further south is the bay of Olu deniz, famous for water sports and para gliding, and the coastal town of Fethiye with its most beautiful beaches in the world.
