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YOUR DAILY DOSE OF SCIENCE 11

9. MARDIN prospered as a capital city sports, fantastic dining and sandy white beaches.
under the rule of the Seljuk buzzing nightlife. Located on Turkey’s
Dynasty. Today, attractive Mediterranean Coast in
buildings from that era Marmaris presents so the Antalya Province on
can still be admired such much to see and do that a small peninsula, Side
as the Alaeddin Mosque, visitors will be spoiled offers fantastic sightseeing,
which houses the tombs for choice. A walk along nightlife and outdoor
of several sultans. Another the cobblestone streets adventure.
popular example is the of the old quarter offers
Ince Minare Medrese, attractive architecture Side’s star attraction is an
now a museum displaying and a visit to the 16th excavated site of ancient
artifacts from the Seljuk century Castle of Suleyman Hellenistic and Roman
and Ottoman eras. the Magnificent. Various ruins that include the
Perched on a strategic boating tours take visitors remnants of a colossal
hilltop overlooking the Although in ruins, the Seljuk From swimming and sailing exploring around the amphitheater, an agora, a
plains of Mesopotamia Palace is also worth a visit. to mountain climbing, picturesque bays and Byzantine basilica, public
in southeastern Turkey. A modern day architectural sightseeing and family fun, neighboring villages. baths, marble columns
Mardin is the one of the attraction is the Seljuk Antalya offers something and various temples.
oldest settlements in the Tower, one of the tallest for everyone. Horse safaris canter The Roman baths are
region, and is best known skyscrapers in Turkey, through lush pine now restored to house a
for its cultural diversity featuring a revolving A walk around Kaleiçi, forests, orange groves, museum, which displays a
and Old City of sandstone restaurant at the top two the Old Quarter, offers a traditional villages and number of Roman statues
buildings that cascade floors. step back into the city’s around untouched bays and artifacts. Overlooking
down the hill. ancient past with views of and stunning waterfalls, the beach, the Temple of
In the 13th century, Konya the old city walls, Roman while jeep safaris present Apollo is a spectacular
Mardin’s Old City is easily was the home of the gates, maze-like streets off-the-beaten-track sight, especially at sunset.
toured by walking. The Persian theologian and Sufi and historic structures that adventures.
maze of meandering mystic, Rumi. His tomb, the include the Clock Tower Featuring narrow streets
streets leads visitors along Mausoleum of Rumi, with and beautiful, old churches, Marmaris also features and attractive gardens,
terraced houses and its neighboring Melvana mosques and temples. water parks for the whole the charming town of Side
popular sites like Deyrü’z- Museum, is a must-see site At the heart of the Old family and Turkish baths offers many restaurants
Zafaran Monastery, one of in Konya. Rumi’s followers Quarter is the Cumhuriyet for total pampering ranging from delis and
the oldest monasteries in founded the Mevlevi Order, Square, surrounded by and relaxation. If that is pizza shops to upscale
the world, and the Sultan which are also known as shops, cafes, Turkish baths not enough, there are a dining in a variety of
Isa Medresesi, a medieval the Whirling Dervishes due and street performers. number of day trips from cuisines. Just outside
monument that once to their famous religious Marmaris to outstanding of town, the Manavgat
served as an astronomical ceremonies in which they Antalya’s main beaches, destinations like Dalyan, River offers boat tours,
observatory. Zinciriye spin around and around on Konyaalti and Lara, Ephesus, Pamukkale and white water rafting and
Medresesi, a 14th century the left foot while wearing offer white sands, water Cleopatra Island. impressive waterfalls.
Islamic school, features white, billowing gowns. sports, resorts, bars and
beautiful courtyards and These ceremonies, also restaurants. Nearby the The nightlife scene in 4. BODRUM
art works. known as Sama, can be beaches are water parks, Marmaris is one of Turkey’s
observed weekly at the amusement parks and most exciting. There are
The Great Mosque, with Mevlana Cultural Centre. a zoo. Several museums hundreds of restaurants
its soaring minaret, is hard exhibit artifacts and relics featuring cuisines from
to miss. Although closed Konya also offers beautiful from the area, including all over the world from
to the public, the citadel green spaces and parks the award-winning Antalya fast food to fine dining.
presents fantastic photo such as Alaeddin Hill, in Museum. Bars and clubs are found
opportunities. Throughout the city center, and the throughout the city and
the Old City is a myriad Japanese Park with its 6. MARMARIS along the beaches. Not to
of shops selling the likes lovely pagodas, waterfalls be missed are the Turkish
of pottery, silverware, and ponds. Night Show venues, which
leather and traditional feature traditional Turkish
headdresses. Because Konya is one of food, mezes and belly
Turkey’s more conservative dancing.
8. KONYA cities, bars and nightclubs Located in the Mugla
are not as plentiful. 5. SIDE Povince in the southern
One of the oldest cities in However, some hotels and Aegean region of Turkey,
the world and best known cafes do offer alcoholic A major port in ancient Bodrum is the site of
for its remarkable Seljuk drinks. Pamphylia and occupied the ancient fortified city,
architecture and Whirling by Alexander the Great in Halicarnassus, which was
Dervishes, Konya is a large 7. ANTALYA 4th century BC, Side today once home to marble
city in Turkey’s Central One of Turkey’s most is a picturesque town of buildings, temples, statutes,
Anatolia Region. In the 12th Nestled along the beautiful popular seaside resorts, classic ruins and modern paved streets and the
and 13th centuries, Konya Turkish Riviera on the Marmaris is a picture- day resorts overlooking Mausoleum, one of the
Mediterranean coastline, perfect setting of pine-clad Seven Wonders of the
Antalya is a large, mountains, sandy white Ancient World.
vibrant city welcoming beaches, turquoise waters
tourists with numerous and historic architecture. After falling into ruins,
resorts, hotels, bars and Located along the Turkish the city remained a quiet
restaurants. Spectacular Riviera in southwest Turkey, fishing village until the
scenery frames the city this stunning cruise port 20th century when Turkish
with gorgeous beaches is a tourist paradise with intellectuals brought
and lush green mountains exceptional sightseeing popularity to it through
dotted with ancient ruins. opportunities, water their writings. Today,