The Aegean Region
When you start driving down the coastline from the Dardanelles along
the aegean sea, regardless how far to go, calculate a few days more for
this journey.
The southest point of the aegean sea is 700 Km south from the
Dardanelles, near Marmaris where the aegean meets the meditereanien
sea,
You will be overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the region when you
see bays peninsulas, and golden beaches stretch the length of
coastline. But wait untill you pass izmir to the south and realize that
it gets with every mile that you drive even more and more beautifull.
This region was also the venue of countless mythological events. There
are remains of ancient cities including Troy, immortalized by Homer,
and Pergamum, the art and cultural center and capital of one of the
most powerful kingdoms at the time. 
The provinces in the Aegean coastal region are Canakale Balikesir, Aydin, Izmir, Mugla.
Situated in Edremit bay is Ayvalik, the meeting point of the sea, the therapeutic springs of Akcay.
To the south are countless resorts, then further south is Foca, famous is also, Sardis, the capital
of the wealthy Lydian king Croesus,
Located in a narrow bay, Izmir is a modern city and the third largest
in Turkey, as well as the major part on the Aegean. is a busy
commercial center. The peninsula of Cesme with its brilliant waters,
superb beaches and thermal springs, lies to the west of Izmir
. Among the most famous cities of the ancient world is Ephesus . A treasury of all the riches of Ionian culture, Ephesus had a reputation for philosophy and critical thinking. <
The Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as well as countless statues, theatres, libraries, markets and smaller temples were all architectural symbols of the city's fame. Further to the south is the ancient city of Priene, built according to a geometric plan designed by the great architect of Milet, Hippodamos.
Miletus
which is called today Milas was a great center of commerce and the
first stockmarket in the world was established here even options and
stocks where traded 2000 years ago here in Milas. The nearby Didim,
though not one of the ancient cities, is still famous for its
magnificent temple dedicated to Apollo.On the Izmir-Antalya road,
Aphrodisias (Geyre) was an important center for culture and art famous
for its training in sculpture. On the same road is the world-famous
Pamukkale, with its calcium-rich thermal waters flowing out of the
mountain which have, over centuries, created an extraordinary
geographical phenomenon of white marble terraces.
The ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis lie behind this.The best
known holiday resorts in this area are Bodrum,Didim, Kusadasi Marmaris,
Dalaman and Fethiye, and private boats can be chartered to explore the
bays of the south Aegean, immortalized in the book Mavi Yolculuk (Blue
Voyage). Bodrum (ancient Halikarnas) is the birthplace of the great
historian Heredotus. The mausoleum of King Mausolos was considered one
of the seven wonders of the ancient world.The booming Real estate
market in Bodrum has effected the scenary but there are still a lot of
protected lands and national parks on the Bodrum peninsula. Marmaris is
a lively resort with a modern marina surrounded by lush mountains and
crystal-clear waters,and further south is the bay of Olu deniz, famous
for water sports and paragliding, and the coastal town of Fethiye.
