9/12/2007 - DAILY EXCURSIONS ! What could be more appealing than dreamlike l

DAILY EXCURSIONS

What could be more appealing than dreamlike landscapes, grandiose mountains and the magnificent colors of the sea and plants? Then contrast the lively holiday life with the quiet of ancient ruins and you have a perfect vacation. Near Antalya are many things to see and do; below are some suggestions for day trips: You can walk behind the cascade, a thrilling experience  at the upper Duden Waterfalls, 14km Northeast of Antalya. On the way to Lara Beach, The Lower Duden Waterfalls and Nilufer Lake plunge straight into the sea. The nearby rest area offers an excellent view of the falls; the view is even more spectacular from the sea. Kursunlu Waterfalls and Nilufer Lake, both 18km from Antalya, are two more places of superb natural beauty. The sandy Lara Beach lies about 12km to the east closer to Antalya, but to the west the long, pebbled Konyaalti Beach offers a view of the breathtaking mountain range. A little further the Bey Daglari (Olympos), National Park and Topcam Beach provide more splendid vistas. Sican is a lovely nature island. There are camping grounds at the North end of the park should you decide to linger amid the natural beauty. For a panoramic view of the area drive to the holiday complex and revolving restaurants on top of Tunektepe Hill. Saklikent, 50km from Antalya, is an ideal winter sport resort on the northern slopes of Bakirli Mountain at an altitude of 1750 to I900 meters. In March and April you can ski in the morning eat a delicious lunch of fresh fish at Antalya's marina and sunbathe, swim or windsurf in the afternoon. The wildlife – deer & mountain goat – in Duzlercami Park north of Antalya are under a conservation program . One the way you can stop at the astonishing 115 meter deep Guver Canyon. On the eastern - side of Can Mountain 30km from Antalya, the Karain Cave, which dates from the Paleolithic Age (50,000 BC), is the site of the oldest settlement in Turkey A single entrance, lit by the morning sun, opens onto three large interconnecting chambers. Although the little museum at the entrance displays some of the finds, most of the artifacts are housed in various museums throughout Turkey. The ruins of the city of Termessos, set inside Gulluk Mount, a national park north- west of Antalya, is perched on a 1,050-meter high plateau on the west face of Gulluk Mountain (Solymos). A wild and splendid landscape surrounds the monumental traces of this city. (A nature and wildlife museum is to be found at the park entrance.)

BURDUR

Renowned for its unspoiled landscape, flora and fauna, the Goller Bolgesi (Lake District) lies in a mountainous area 150km north of Antalya. Burdur is known throughout Turkey for its beautiful lakes, as well as for its carpets and kilims. The city preserves excellent examples of Ottoman regional architecture, in particular the Tasoda, Kocaoda (also known as Celikbas), and Misirlilar Konaks, or mansions. Dating back to the 17th century, both the interior and exterior decorations reveal much of the Ottoman aesthetic, (Open weekdays except Monday). The Burdur Archaeological Museum houses some very important artifacts from around the region. (Open weekdays except Monday) Burdur Lake, with nice beaches for swimming, is a superb location for water sports. A climb to the top of Susamlik Hill gives you a panoramic view over the city and lake. The Insuyu Cave, 10km south on the road to Antalya, is 597 meters long, with nine distinct pools, and chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites. A hundred kilometres southwest of Burdur, in Golhisar (Cibyra), are ruins, mostly from Roman times, of an important ancient northern Lycian city with a stadium, lower and upper agora, theater, necropolis and large aqueducts. Also in the region, trapped in the mountains 1,050 meters above sea level, is beautiful Lake Salda, an ideal location for relaxation and cooling off on the sandy beaches or in the lake side cafes, hotels and restaurants. Between Burdur and Isparta, near the town of Aglasun, is the ancient site of Sagalassos, a Pisidian city with ruins from Roman times including a monumental entrance gate, colonnaded street, agora, temple and magnificent theater.

ISPARTA

Isparta, high in the Taurus Mountains, is a city of lakes with lovely coastal areas overgrown in the spring and summer. with an exuberance of wild flowers. In the city you should stop at the Ulu Mosque built in 1417 by the Seljuks. The Bedesten, or covered bazaar, dates from 1561. The great Ottoman architect Sinan built Firdevs Pasa Mosque in the 16th century. Be sure to see the 14th-century Isparta Castle. Rose gardens that produce rose oil for the cosmetic industry surround the city and fill it with their sweet scent. Other souvenirs include a thickly piled Isparta carpet. In the nearby hills, the districts of Kirazlidere and Sidre are popular with visitors who want to relax and enjoy the view. South of Isparta, Golcuk Lake, encircled by aromatic pine forests, rests at an impressive 1405 meters above sea level.

EGRIDIR

Egirdir, at the southern end of Lake Egirdir, is set in idyllic natural surroundings. Among the man-made monuments, Egirdir Castle built by the Lydian King Croesus shows the additions and renovations of the Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks. The Seljuk Kemerli Minare has felt the changes of the modern world today it stands in the middle of a road. At lake side restaurants you can sample white bass, the local specialty. A boardwalk connects the shore to Egirdir island where weavers erect their looms and work outside their houses. On the western side of the lake, up in the hills, Barla's guesthouses provide a wonderful opportunity for relaxation.
 
YALVAÇ

Kovada National Park, 30km south of Lake Egirdir, surrounds Kovada Lake, a pristine and cool mountain getaway Northeast of Isparta, Yalvac stands near the ancient city of Pisidian Antioch. St. Paul and St. Barnabas in 46 AD visited this area. Among the ruins be sure to see St. Paul's Basilica, the aqueducts, Augustus' Temple, the theater and public baths as you walk along the city's marble streets. The Archaeological Museum in Yalvac itself displays several important regional artifacts. Tourists will find not only leather clothing, but many interesting traditional souvenirs made of animal hide. East of Yalvac atop Karakuyu Hill, is the sanctuary of the Moon God, (called Men), and the view from it is breathtaking. Giant cedar trees grow in Kizildag National Park, south of Yalvac, amid one of Turkey's most splendid landscapes. You'll discover every corner of Antalya with us.