Every part of Turkey is worth seeing thanks to its cultural richness, historical fabric and natural beauties, all of which captivate visitors. Its regions offer a wide variety of tourism options in terms of faith, its beautiful flatlands, hunting and health tourism, as well as the sea, sand and sun.
Turkey fascinates everyone with its cultural richness. Bringing together meals cooked using a diverse range of ingredients grown in the fertile lands of Anatolia, Turkish cuisine also offer flavors to suit every taste. The offerings available to visitors vary from region to region -- spices, cultural traditions, fresh fruits and vegetables and more. The culinary specialties available to visitors are surely a highlight of the experience of traveling through Turkey, no matter who the visitor.
The Mediterranean region, which is a meeting point of the green and the blue defined as the “sea, sand and sun,” has numerous features to offer visitors with its cultural and historical heritage. Apart from its natural beauties which are called “natural wonders,” the region is also awaiting for anyone who is interested in hunting, faith tourism or visiting the Mediterranean flatlands.
Moreover, we should not forget the rich cuisine of the region: the different types of kebabs in Adana, which is known as the nation's kebab capital; the Arap kadayıfı and tirmis in Antalya; tantuni and kerebiç in Mersin; kabune in Isparta; and hummus and künefe in Hatay are only few of great tastes visitors should try in the Mediterranean. Those who want to enjoy the sunset and see the ancient theater in Side; those who wonder about the point where rivers meet the sea in Manavgat; those who wish to visit the castle and dream about the past in historical places in Alanya; and those who want to stay in a boutique hotel in Kaleiçi prefer to spend their time in Antalya province.
Mersin, which has witnessed around 9,000 years of history, offers various alternatives to visitors with its 321-kilometer coast line, its popular dish tantuni, the food the city is famous for, and its regional culinary desserts, including the cezerye dessert.
“Its fragrance draws you in”
Those who visit Adana cannot leave before tasting kebabs prepared by expert hands in beautiful establishments, the succulent aromas of which are the first thing visitors to the city notice upon arrival. Even though there are dozens of kebab restaurants in the town, it is recommended that visitors try the Adana Kebabs at the Tarihi Kazancılar Çarşısı, an open-air market, which are accompanied by plentiful lettuce, cooked green peppers, tomatoes, spreads and salad, all in the nostalgic atmosphere of the market. People can wash down their kebab with a spicy or non-spicy glass of Şalgam.
For those who are affected by Adana's heat and want dessert after their kebab, a unique option is a dessert called bici bici. Generally sold by street vendors, the dessert is made of cornstarch, shaved ice, rosewater, and powdered sugar. This cold dessert is refreshing and delicious. On almost every corner in Adana there are vendors selling two foods: şırdan and mumbar. şırdan is the large intestine of lamb stuffed with pepper paste and rice, while mumbar is the small intestine, again stuffed with rice, along with lots of cumin and flaked red pepper.
When touring the city, a good place to visit is Adnan Menderes Boulevard, which is on the shore of the Seyhan Dam Lake. Visiting the area gives the feeling of being on the seashore. Continuing through the city, one can also see the Taşköprü (Stone Bridge), which is located at the narrowest point of the Seyhan River that runs through the city center. According to the writings of Evliya Çelebi, the bridge is 1,500 years old and during the time of Abbassid Caliph Al-Ma'mun there was a toll to cross it.
Antalya: The address for nature, history and unparalleled tastes
Antalya, which is sunny all year, is an area where millions of tourists, both Turkish and from abroad, choose to spend their vacations, enjoying some of the many attractions offered. The area is unique, not just to the Mediterranean, but also to the world and offers accommodation for people of all interests, from those who want to benefit from the hassle-free 5-star hotels with all-inclusive packages to those on a budget who show up with nothing but a backpack full of supplies.
Visitors can experience everything from sailing on luxury yachts to visiting villages full of greenery, in addition to the many natural beauties of the region. From Patara, the site of the world's first democratic parliament, to Kaş with its underwater riches, to the Father Christmas Museum in Demre and the ancient city of Myra, there are a plethora of sites to see in addition to water sports and other sea activities available to indulge in.
Antalya, a treasure chest for those interested in ancient civilizations, reveals to thousands of domestic and foreign visitors every year the remains of the rich civilizations it once hosted through sites such as the ancient cities of Termessos and Perge, the ancient Aspendos theater and the Side Aspendos Temple. Antalya is the perfect spot for those who would like to watch the sunset in Side, visit the ancient theater or catch a glimpse of the cold waters of the Manavgat falls meeting the Mediterranean. It is perfect for those who want to visit the Red Tower and its ancient naval yard and dream of the past in a historical setting, as well as for those who would like to stay at a boutique hotel inside the Kaleiçi area and enjoy the sea at Mermerli Beach, the oldest beach in town.
Those who visit Antalya for hunting or just to spend time in among nature on the vast flatlands surrounding the Toros Mountains usually prefer to visit Akseki, ıbradı, Korkuteli and Elmalı. Certainly, most visitors realize instantly that fully discovering this heaven on earth cannot possibly be done by visiting just once and return for many years at every opportunity.
Arap Kadayıfı with walnuts
In addition to its historical and natural beauty, Antalya is the ideal city for food lovers, with all sorts of budgets and tastes catered to. In its all-inclusive hotels one can find the fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood in abundance, while many restaurants and cafes scattered around town offer a range of alternatives. The city's two specialties are its own brand of "şiş köfte" (shish meatballs) and the Antalya "piyaz," a boiled-bean salad with tahini and vinegar spread generously on top, as well as a few eggs, tomatoes and onion slices. It is usually served with a garnish of parsley. These two dishes can be found in almost every restaurant in the city.
Another one of the unforgettable tastes of Antalya that can only be found here is the “Arap Kadayıfı,” a dessert made of dough mixed with cinnamon and then braised to perfection with walnuts and syrup. The dough is kneaded into crescent shaped dumplings, which are fried according to age-old traditions and then thrown into the warm syrup to make the Arap Kadayıfı, which complements the overall experience of the Antalya dinner table.
“Serpme börek,” another addictive Antalyan delicacy, can be found in the early morning hours inside the city's old shopping centers and its tiny stores. This pastry, filled with cheese or ground meat, is the ultimate Antalyan breakfast.
Another all-time favorite for food enthusiasts is the special “burnt ice cream,” made out of slightly burnt goat milk. This Antalyan specialty is one everyone must try before dying.
This is Burdur
Some may find the writing on a billboard facing the statue of Atatürk on the terrace of the Burdur Provincial Administration building, which reads, “It is here because this is Burdur; the best everything is found here,” to be quite boastful; however, the historical, cultural and natural beauty of the city is just waiting to be discovered.
In the city of Burdur -- where 70 percent of the city's population of 251,000 earns a living through livestock and farming -- archaeological finds have revealed that the city's history dates back to the Neolithic era. This is why the museum in Burdur, which hosts the remains of historic towns such as Sagalassos and Kremna, is important.
The Burdur Museum, which received the Special Award at the European Museum of the Year awards, hosts 59,000 artifacts. Burdur, which is a unique stop for tourists who have an interest in history, is also home to many attractions which are bound to appeal to nature lovers, such as the Burdur Lake, the Salda Lake in the town of Yeşilova, the Söbüce plateau, the Karanlık Canyon and the first cave opened up to tourism, the İnsuyu Cave.
For those who do not want to leave without tasting the regional dishes, they must taste the shish meatballs; stuffed grape leaves; “katmer” -- a layered pastry desert; meat börek (pastry); crushed walnut spread; and poppy and hemp helva, a dessert.
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