As a port town, İzmir has always been strategically important for trade between Anatolia and other Aegean cities. Not surprisingly, the region of Kemeralti on Izmir's shore is a bustling business centre.

A very big town with the welcoming atmosphere of a village. We stayed out of town in a suburb called Buca in the apartment of our Turkish friend's mother. Everybody was very friendly and we experienced the genuine Turkish way of life, with mealtimes especially being a real family occasion.

Turkey is one of the countries with the largest areas of floodplains and wetlands in Europe and the Middle East. These wetlands have a great influence and importance for wildlife as well as for the local economy.

Pergamon was famous in ancient times primarily for its extraordinarily extensive library. Today in Pergamon (today's name: Bergama) you can still visit the Acropolis (the castle hill), the former city and the Asklepieion.

About 16 km southwest of the centre of Bodrum and somewhat hidden by two mountains, lies the small town of Karaincir with its approximately 500-meter-wide fine sandy beach, which is one of the best in the region,

The former metropolis Ephesus was located in a valley between two mountain ridges, whose slopes today are still without firming forests because of the once densely constructions, so the ridges are still in motion.

Every year there is a well known event near Selcuk / Izmir when the camel fighting championships take place. There is a two-day carnival in the town during which many male camels fight for trophies, money and the honour of being the best in the competition. 

It was a quick decision during our stay in Izmir to take a day off for visiting to the new opened İzmir Wildlife Park.

The Agora in the Namazgah district of İzmir dates back to Roman times (2nd century AD) and was built by Hippodamos near the centre, an impressive three stories high, according to the Roman city plan.

Bodrum peninsula is situated on the west coast of Turkey. The city of Bodrum lies on the south coast of the peninsula. The sea around is strewn with islands. 

Akyarlar, the village of fishermen and formerly of the notorious sponge divers with its traditional whitewashed houses, is located just 22 kilometres from Bodrum.

Turgutreis, a small town on the west coast of the Bodrum peninsula, is probably just known for its most famous inhabitant, the pirate and later admiral of the Ottoman fleet, Turgut Reis. The naming of the town is at least based on his person.

Midway along the north shore of the peninsula, Göltürkbükü nestles in a pretty bay surrounded by hills. The once separate fishing hamlets of Türkbükü and Gölköy came together a short time ago. It is 20 kilometres away from Bodrum on the northern side of peninsula and is a good spot for a quiet relaxing holiday.

On the north-eastern coastline along the Bodrum peninsula lies the small town of Torba, well hidden in a charming little bay that offers protection and is only 6 kilometers from the city center of Bodrum.

Gaziemir is a district of İzmir Province in the Aegean region of Turkey. It is one of the metropolitan districts of Greater İzmir and is situated to the south of central İzmir (Konak) on the road to the İzmir harbour,

The construction of Bodrum Castle was begun in 1406 by the Knights of Saint John. It was built on top of the old Turkish and Byzantine castles and given the name of Saint Peter. The construction of the castle continued until 1522.

Bodrum Museum is the biggest and most important archaeological underwater museum in the world and the only one in Turkey. A great majority of the relics on show consist of those raised during underwater excavations and those brought to the museum by sponge divers, now on display in the museum located in Bodrum Castle.

Bagla nestles 14 kilometres away from the city of Bodrum in one of the most beautiful coves on the southern peninsula. The dazzling cove to the west of Bağla Cape with its beautiful beaches is popular with boat tours and the region is an excellent place to camp.

This sleepy and outstanding hamlet nestles in a very beautiful bay and is one of the oldest settlements on the peninsula od Bodrum. The original Lelegian city of Myndos once stood southeast of here.

Turkey is the most important producer of bathing sponges. In May, the men of the villages around Bodrum set sail on their narrow boats along the western coast for five months to look for sponges.