Since the founding of the republic in 1923 as the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, Turkey has been secular and Kemalist in orientation. The country's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, initiated a modernization of Turkey through social and legal reforms modelled on various European nation states.
The current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been at the helm of the country since 2003. Since around 2012, he has led the country in an increasingly authoritarian manner. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press in particular are considered to be severely restricted. The currency and debt crisis triggered by its economic policies as well as high inflation have continued since 2018, which makes Turkey quite attractive from a tourist perspective.
The culture of today's Turkey is a fusion of the ancient Turkish nomadic culture of Central Asia and Siberia, the Greco-Roman era, the culture in the Ottoman Empire with its Byzantine, Persian, Arabic, Caucasian, Armenian and Kurdish influences, as well as the strong European direction since the founding of the Republic Ataturk. The cultural centre of the country is the metropolis of Istanbul.
With the political changes, the content of Turkish literature also changed. Early representatives include Fakir Baykurt, Sabahattin Ali, Sait Faik Abasıyanık and Yaşar Kemal, who put ordinary people at the centre of their work. With the turn to describing living conditions, social and political criticism of the state is inevitable. The state reacts with censorship and political violence. Authors like Nâzım Hikmet, Yaşar Kemal and Aziz Nesin spend many years in Turkish prisons because of the persecution of their publications. Kemal therefore referred to the prison as a “school of Turkish literature”.
Turkish cuisine has also influenced Greek and the rest of the Balkan cuisine - including etymology. For example, tzaziki comes from the Turkish cacık, and Ćevapčići comes from kabapcik. Yogurt also comes from Turkish Yoğurt. Doner kebab is made from beef, veal or poultry. In Turkey, but also in other countries, the kebab is also served on a plate.
Oymapinar Dam, located approximately 18 kilometers from downtown Manavgat, is the third largest dam in Turkey and is now used as a recreational destination for locals and guests, too.
Side’s ruins outside Selimiye are best reached by using the parking area by the Roman theatre, which is the minimum you should visit. The theatre was erected in the 2nd century BC on top of a former Greek theatre.
The ancient Seleukeia City which is also known as Lybre, even it is not proved is located in the borders of Bucakşeyhler (Şıhlar) village, which is 12 km away and north-westward, towards the Taurus Mountains, from Manavgat center.
Selge as being an old mountainous city in the vicinity of Köprüçay, about 35 km north of Serik and on the southern slopes of the Taurus Mountains, is reached by following the 14 km stabilized road with sharp bends after the Köprülü Canyon National Park. It is supposed that Selge was built by Kalishes.
The former classsical Greek Theatre of Side was changed and more seats (cavea) were added during Roman period in shape of a bend, a bit bigger than a semicircle, around the circular floor (orchestra) and the stage, where the play was performed.
It is often possible to come across amusement rides named “Jeep safari” on board Jeeps in the tourism centers along the Riviera coast.
Once again it was time for a hike. Our dear friend and hiking guide Ömer had invited us to another excursion through the coastal Taurus Mountains near Manavgat high above the Oymarpinar dam.
The source of the Dim River is about 35 miles from Alanya on the southern side of the Taurus Mountains, about 150 miles away from Konya.
This antique town, in Turkish Kücük Ayasofya, you reach by taking road 07-30 north after 21 km along the main road from Alanya. The road goes to Güzelbağ (26 km).
About 20 miles away from Alanya centre, Avsallar is the quickest growing small town in the area with, about 9.000 inhabitants at the moment.
Turkey is in one of the first positions in the ranking of countries of owning the most caves and waterways below the surface. The number of caves in Turkey is calculated to be more then 40.000.
Incekum is a pretty holiday resort on the southern coast of Turkey, about 120 km north of Antalya International Airport and 30 km west of Alanya. Most of the big hotels situated in the town offer free pick-up services from the airport.
Iotape is one of the easiest reachable ancient towns in the surrounding of Alanya. About 33 kilometers away from the town, Iotape today is being split into two parts because of the main road leading from Alanya to Gazipaşa.
Konaklı is a today rapidly growing former village about 8 miles from the centre of Alanya. It is an independent town which comes under the jurisdiction of the local authority of Alanya.
The antique town of Laertes is 25 km from Alanya at an altitude of around 800 metres with steep slopes to the east, west and south and bordering the foot of 1649 metres high mountain Cebel Ires to the north.
Follow the highway in the direction of Mersin and, after about 10 miles, you will reach Mahmutlar, an independent but quickly growing small town belonging to the council of Alanya.
More interesting is the antique town Naula in the middle of Mahmutlar. On the coast road from Alanya turn north (sign) by a cemetery in the eastern part of Mahmutlar.
From once being a small village near Alanya, this fertile green area of 12.5 square kilometres has developed into an outstanding town offering a huge variety of possibilities.
This caravanserai is on the main road 15 km west of Alanya and it is the first overnight accommodation before Alara Han on the route to Antalya. Today it is used as a restaurant and for Turkish evenings, and normally the interior is closed except on special occasions.
You have made the right decision. A wonderful country and real hospitality awaits the visitor. The versatility and huge variety of leisure activities will make your stay in the Mediterranean an adventure.