The peninsula of Asia Minor, or Anatolia, which constitutes the main part of Turkey, is a historic land, which has been from the earliest times a centre of major commercial and immigration routes. It consists for the most part of a high plateau sloping towards the sea on three sides, its surface divided by mountains, which break up the country into many more or less isolated districts.

Turkey is bordered on the south by the Mediterranean Sea, on the north by the Black Sea and on the west by the Aegean Sea and has a coastline of some 8,300km. On the Aegean side, the fertile soil, warm sunshine and plentiful moisture produces an abundance of wheat, oats, barley as well as grapes, olives and figs for export. The coast of the Black Sea is much colder, an on account of the narrowness of the valleys there is comparatively little arable land, but so fertile is the soil that many fruits are grown, while the mountains abound in forests of walnut, fir, beech and other woods. The southern coast below the Taurus mountains is almost tropical in climate, and there olives, mulberries, pomegranates, figs, oranges and lemons are grown. There are large swamps and marshes and, in the centre of the country, salt lakes.

Over the past 15 years Turkey has become a major player in the tourism trade. With the opportunity to consider living abroad becoming more possible, Spain and Portugal have been lucrative markets for those choosing to retire in their vacation destinations. Property prices have skyrocketed with the increasing demand. New alternatives such as Romania and other Soviet Block countries are beginning to absorb some of the need for economical property ownership.

Turkey however has an extraordinary advantage, stemming from political, geographic and historical factors.

80 years of secular republic and 55 years of parliamentary democratic rule has provided the legal, economic social infrastructure that taking on such a role requires. The transportation, communication, banking and service industries are developed to european standards and foreign investments have penetrated to provide almost all brands and services available in Europe.

Geographically Turkey is surrounded on three sides by beaches and spectacular coastal mountain ranges. Vast areas are still unspoilt and building codes have kept coastal strips from turning into walls of high-rise concrete.

Historically Turkey is unsurpassed by any standard. It boasts the largest variety and oldest treasures of the ancient world. In the Bodrum region alone, within a two to three hour radius, one could visit over 15 ancient ruins, each more spectacular than the next.

In particular the town of Turgutreis situated at the tip of the Bodrum peninsula, has much to offer those in the market for property ownership abroad. With the recent addition off a 30 million dollar, 5 star marina, and its spectacular sunset overlooking the Greek island of Kos,Turgutreis has become one of the sought-after sites by both foreign and local investors.

Property prices are beginning to rise dramatically but still represent good value and offer great investement potential. Investing prior to the dramatic changes that the new marina will bring is strategically important.

The most striking feature which almost every visitor notices however, is the traditional hospitality and welcoming social atmosphere which embraces visitors from every country and culture. Crime rates are extremely low allowing families to feel secure and relaxed during their stay.

So, we welcome you to join the priviledged guests who live the pleasure of experiencing the turkish riviera.

The City of Mugla, covering an area which has the most famous of Turkey’s tourism centers within its boundaries, is more of a region that holidaymakers "pass through" while travelling to one of its famous towns. It is not fully known whether equating the concept of a holiday with the sea that makes rare places not on the coast locations little frequented by tourists. Certainly this is understandable but we would advise you to spare at least one day for Mugla. Those who base themselves in the centre of Mugla but who plan short trips to nearby destinations as well as visiting the city itself can expect a very full few days.

The City Tour

The city centre boasts many beautiful examples of civil architecture. First of all, park your car on one of the streets that lead to the central square where the Governor’s Office is located, walk for 100 meters and enter the Arasta (Historical Bazaar). The Arasta is as if it was frozen at the beginning of the 20th century, with its saddle-maker, shoe-maker, barber shop, hardware store, small businesses, small restaurants and a fountain at its centre. In the bazaar there are also shops that sell traditional souvenirs as well as the famous Mugla woven material. If you feel hungry, walk into any of the small worker’s restaurants. On their menu you would come across traditional local dishes such as eksili dos dolmasi (stuffed sour meat) and keskek (wheat boiled with minced meat), which are among the delicacies you must try. After your meal, you should go to Helvaci Tahsin and do not forget to try the local tahin helva (sweetmeat of sesame seeds and molasses) and the Citirmik (a local dessert). While you wander in the bazaar the old Clock Tower will catch your attention. Built in 1895 by the Russian master Fulvari, the tower still carries his signature and the clock on the tower is still working.

The most beautiful samples of the "Historical Mugla Houses" are in the old district of Saburhane, just above the power station that in turn is above the Arasta. The main religious structures in the city are the Kursunlu Camii (Mosque) (1493), the Pazar Yeri Mosque (1842), and the Sahidi Mosque in the centre. In the Seyh Bedrettin district there is the Seyh Camii, built by Seyh (Sheik) Bedrettin in (1565) with its minaret added in the early 19th century, and the Ulu Camii (the Great Mosque) which was built by the Mentese Bey (Emir of the Turkish tribal kingdom) Ibrahim in 1334 opposite of the electric station.

The Ottoman-built inns of Yarim Han, Yagcilar Han and the Konakalti are also worth seeing. The Yagcilar Han, which has been restored and is still in use, is a frequent stopping point for tourists. The 250 year old Konakalti Han is presently serving as the Konakalti Culture Centre. The Vakiflar Hamami (Turkish Bath), built by Ibrahim the Mentese Bey in 1334 as a part of the foundation to support the Ulu Mosque, after being restored has become a focal point for Mugla locals as well as domestic and foreign tourists.

It is actually not a good way to try to describe Bodrum with only words, it is one of the few places in Turkey that you definitely must see.

Homer describes Bodrum as "The land of eternal blue" and the words of another resident of Bodrum, Cevat Şakir, who said "The heavenly bliss of life in Bodrum is better than any eternal bliss that may await us" were not without foundation in reality. Throughout history of Bodrum, known as Halicarnassos in ancient times, has always been fought over and people have been unwilling to share its beauty with others.

Built on a peninsula formed by the meeting of the eastern and western harbors, Bodrum, with its narrow streets winding down to the sea, is famous for its castle, its world-renowned yachts, its shipyards and the dazzling white houses and tombs lining the shores of its two harbors.

Bodrum, has the all facilities to meet the expectations of tourists from all income levels, ranging from the rich yacht owners to the penny counting tourists who just want a reasonable room to make his vacation last all summer.

History
Bodrum has been the cradle of several civilizations. Down through the ages it has suffered from the countless invasions of those coming from the Aegean islands and has been important to all those powers wishing to dominate the Aegean.Halicarnassos(Bodrum) was an important city in the Caria civilization which was located between its much more powerful neighbors Lykia and Ionia. The region boasts such a greats as the historian Heredotus, history's first woman admiral Artemisia I, and the just-as-skilled Artemisia II as well as artists like Leachares and Shepas.

Bodrum experienced the dominance of various civilizations throughout the history such as Persians,Mecedonians,Roman Empire and Byzantines. Byzantines lost their power in Anatolian region after they were defeated by the Seljuk Ruler Alpaslan at Malazgirt in 1071. Rhodian knights had constructed the present Bodrum castle and established theirrule over the region. Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent on his military expedition to Rhodes conquered Bodrum together with Rhodes and added them to the territory of Ottoman Empire.

Climate
Summers are hot and dry while winters are mild and rainy.

Dalyan is one of the smallest and prettiest towns of Turkey. It contains a lot of history ad nice beaches although it is small.

A small village in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Dalyan is historic, unhurried and very hard to leave. Set on the south west corner of Turkey's Mediterranean coast, Dalyan is an unspoilt village surrounded by pine-clad hills, cotton fields and miles of untouched coastline. A traditional little fishing village nestling on the riverbank near Lake Köycegiz, it's close to the astonishing rock tombs carved out of the local cliffs 2,500 years ago.

The surrounding area is a green valley - a unique setting for a relaxing holiday to Turkey, and just made for exploring. So if you like to do far more than stretch out in the sun, Dalyan's rich tapestry of history, mystery, nature and wonder is for you. At just 25 km from Dalaman airport, transfer times are refreshingly short too.

Set inland on the banks of the Dalyan River, the village of Dalyan is a peaceful holiday backwater unspoilt by mass tourism. The romance of the place is heightened each morning as a fleet of gaily-painted boats chug off down the river carrying holidaymakers to the glorious sandy beaches at the mouth of the river delta. Starting from Dalyan Harbour the voyage through beds of bulrushes and pampas grass takes around 45 enjoyable minutes - the entire Delta is a protected National Conservation area and is home to over 100 species of birds along with no less than three varieties of turtle, including the Loggerhead Caretta Caretta.

A popular activity among tourists visiting Dalyan is to take a mud bath on the bank of the river. The mud supposedly contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium which are beneficial for the skin and overall health. There are also hot natural water springs a little distance away from Dalyan but also accessible by boat.

Dalyan itself lies inland, but there is a magnificent four kilometre long, white sand beach just around the corner from Dalyan harbour - take boat trips from here to get a great look at the picturesque coast. There are plenty of activities to keep you occupied including scuba diving, white water rafting and mountain biking. Take a little longer on the boat, and you'll reach gorgeous Iztuzu beach, whose fine white shelving sands make it ideal for sunbathing and swimming. It is also a conservation area and one of the last nesting grounds of the endangered loggerhead turtle. The best time to see them is at dawn from May to September. This charming beach rarely gets crowded, too, so it's picture-perfect in more ways than one.

The ancient rock tombs of the Kings have become another symbol of Dalyan after the famous Sea Turtles, Caretta Carettas. Although there are many rock tombs around the area, the most famous are those which look direct to the Dalyan town from the opposite side of the river. These tombs are the resting places of the Kings of Caunos. They are carved in the style of Lycian rock tombs.

The ruins of the ancient city of Caunos are close by and can by reached by boat or on foot. It was originally on the sea, but its harbour gradually silted up and felt into disuse. It has only been partially excavated but the remains are extensive and include a theatre dating from the 2nd century BC, Roman baths, temple of Apollo and agora or marketplace.