Antalya

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While in Antalya, we spent a few days at Konyaalti Beach and then five days in Kaleici. Konyaalti is sort of like Miami Beach whereas Kaleici is a Turkish Villiage dating back to 150 BC. In Konyaalti, we stayed at the Hillside Su, which felt like a movie set from a Nip-Tuck episode. Everything at the Hillside Su is colored in white and the food is very good. But while in Turkey, we decided to do as the Turkish do. So after two days we moved to a gorgeous old mansion in Kaleici that had been converted into a hotel called the Marina Residence. There were several great other properties in Kaleici such as Dugan Hotel and Aspen Hotel which would have suited us just as well, but we got a better price at the Marina Residence.

As far as food goes in Antalya, the restaurants all seem to serve from the same menu. There is no proper Italian Restaurant, Thai Restaurant, Greek Restaurant, Indian Restaurant, etc. Every restaurant serves Turkish food, but they all try to provide a few international dishes that are never as good as a specialized restaurant. Our best meal came from the kitchen of the Marina Residence and Hillside Su wasn't far behind. Third best was served by the Restaurant overlooking Hidrilik Tower.

The sand in Konyaalti Beach is not sand but rock. The only sand we found was a 20 foot strip of sand at a beach 50 meters east of the Harbor in Kaleici.

The people of Turkey are warn and friendly and we felt safe wherever we were, day and night. You will find traditional Turkish music at night in Kaleici. Just walk around after about 10 PM and the sound will guide you to the fun. Do eat a night time meal at the Kings Restaurant. It is one alleyway to the right of the Highlander in the Harbor. It was an all authentic experience with live music.

Antalya
"In 150 BC Attalos II, king of Pergamon, founded the city of Attalia (present day Antalya) to base his powerful naval fleet. Later Antalya became part of the Roman Republic in 133 BC when King Attalos III of Pergamum willed his kingdom to Rome at his death and the city grew and prospered in the Ancient Roman period. Christianity started to spread in the region after 2nd century. Antalya was visited by Paul of Tarsus, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 14:25-26), (wherein Antalya is referred to as Attalia). St. Paul and St. Barnabas went to Antalya and sailed from there to Antioch after preaching in Pisidia and Pamphylia. The city later became a naval base for the Christian Crusades against the Muslims in the Levant and in Cyprus. It was a major city in the Byzantine Empire. At the time of the ascension of John II Comnenus (1118) it was an isolated outpost against the Turks, accessible only by sea.. The following year, with the aid of his commander-in-chief John Axuch, John II drove the Turks from the land routes to Antalya and recconected the city with the rest of the empire." See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antalya

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Photos

Kaleici Harbor Beach
It is 50 meters east of the harbor behind a big wall. You get there through a restaurant called Meralli?

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The Yivli Minare, the symbol of the city. 1211 AD

Cheap Retirement?
Here you go. $15.00 per night. There are a bunch of these to choose from.

Hadrian's Gate
Roman Empire 131 AD

Attalos II
Attalos lived in 220 BC and gave Antalya to Rome upon his death. The Turks took Antalya in 1209.

Comments

[Jen Deming]

I'm jealous
Holy crap I want your life!!! Well, no, I like mine, but I am so happy for you two!! Awesome places!! xoxo, Jen