[Do not return without seeing, eating and drinking (2)] The wonders of the Mediterranean shores

Mersin is home to both mosques and churches and has a provincial cemetery where people with different religious beliefs are buried, winning Mersin the title of “the city of tolerance.”

The Mersin Museum located in the Mersin Cultural Center, which has hosted from the Mersin State Opera and Ballet on its stages, sheds light on the history of the city. Although many historical artifacts are not displayed in the museum due to space restrictions, it is among the places frequently visited by tourists. Another popular attraction is the ancient Roman town of Soloi-Pompeiopolis located in Mersin's Mezitli district, where there are many columns that have survived to the present day from hundreds of years ago.

Many people go to the plateaus in Mersin, especially during the hot summer days. The village of Çağlarca, located 44 kilometers from the city center, attracts tourists with its waterfalls and trout pools. Kiwi production has increased in Çağlarca in recent years, and tourists can visit the village and pick kiwis directly from the trees.

Tarsus, a district located in eastern Mersin, has immense potential in terms of faith tourism. It is not only the birthplace of St. Paul, who was one Jesus' apostles, but also a center of Christian pilgrimage. St. Paul's well and home, a museum and the Church of St. Paul are all located in Tarsus. After Pope Benedict XVI decreed this past year to be "The Year of St. Paul," many events were organized in the city last month. Tarsus is not only an important religious center for Christians but also for Muslims. Makam-ı Serif Mosque and the tomb of the prophet Daniel are also among the most important places to visit in Tarsus.

The Ashabı Kehf cavern, which according to legend is the cave in which seven boys named Yemliha, Mekselina, Mislina, Mernuş, Dekarnuş, Sazenuş, Kafetaltayuş and their dog Kitmir hid to escape the oppression and injustice of Roman Emperor Decius in A.D. 250, is located in Mersin's Deler village. It is believed the boys and their dog slept in the cave, which is known as the “seven sleepers” cavern, for 309 years.

Silifke’s wonders

Located around 90 kilometers from Mersin is the town of Silifke, where tourists can visit the pits of heaven (cennet) and hell (cehennem) located near the coastline. It takes close to one hour to walk down the approximately 450 steps leading to the bottom of the pit called cennet. Those who walk up and down the trail can sit down and rest by enjoying a cup of foamy ayran, a drink made with water and yogurt, at one of the nearby restaurants. Places to visit around Silifke are the ancient city Uzuncaburç or Diocaesarea-Olba as it was known. Although the historical ambiance of this ancient city is as rich as the ancient city of Side in Antalya, it is not as popular as it suffers from a lack of good promotion. Known as the “Side” of Mersin, the ancient city features streets lined with ancient columns, a theater, Hellenistic monumental tombs, a ceremonial arch and a tower. For those who travel to the Silifke area, there is an exceptional seafood restaurant in Narlıkuyu about 20 kilometers from Silifke, and there are many fish restaurants in the area that serve fresh fish all day.

The town of Ören located in the district of Anamur is reached after passing through Aydıncık and Bozyazı and is home to another ancient city -- Anemurium. In addition to visiting the historical ruins, people can enjoy the view of the sea from the town.

Tantuni is a meat dish that visitors to Mersin must taste. It was introduced by an Arab who came to the city in the 19th century in search of employment. Everything from its meat to its bread must be carefully selected and prepared. Tantuni was initially made with lean meat, but over time people starting using fattier meat to offer a different taste. Those who prefer to try tantuni with lean meat can ask for it to be made with beefsteak. It is either served with a loaf of bread or wrapped in thin bread and cooked in a special way on iron plates. While the meat is cooked with tomatoes, green peppers, onions and different spices it is very important that one has it with ayran or şalgam, a natural drink made from carrots and turnips. To get the full taste of tantuni, ask to have it served in thin bread (açık ekmek).

After touring the city, visitors who would like to take a souvenir or a gift back home are recommended to buy a delight called cezerye, which is made from carrots, sugar, crackers, walnuts, pistachios and coconut flakes.

Alternatives for nature lovers

Due to its location, Isparta is a town that many people will pass through in their lifetime as it is on the road between the Mediterranean, Aegean and Central Anatolian region. It has been a settlement throughout history and is located in the Pisidia region. The first settlements in Isparta were in the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods.

Among the colonized cities that have survived to the present day are the ruins of Antiokheia in Yalvaç, Kremna in Çamlık, Komoma in Ürkütlü, Olbasa in Belenli and Parlais in Barla. Remains of these ancient cities can be found in almost any part of Isparta. The district of Eğirdir has Turkey's second largest freshwater lake, and Davras Mountain, which is also located in Isparta, has become one of the most popular ski resorts in recent years.

For those who love nature, there are the Kızıldağ and Kovada Lake National Parks, the Gölcük and Yazılı Canyon Nature Parks, and the Bayboğan forest area located in Eğirdir's Bayboğan district, where people can enjoy the view of the lake and find accommodation. It also well worth seeing the Köprüçayı and Yazılı canyons and the Ayazmana picnic area located in the city center, where there are many chestnut trees. Eğirdir attracts many tourists with its simple accommodation and restaurants that offer freshwater fish. Another popular place is Yalvaç, where the church in which St. Paul delivered his first sermon is located.

Different cultures and tastes

Hatay, a province located on the Mediterranean coast, is a place where people with different religious beliefs peacefully coexist. With its churches, museum, natural attractions and cuisine peculiar to the region, Hatay offers many choices for the tourist. The city has been host to many different civilizations and offers a variety of different dishes.

The Hatay Archaeological Museum is home to some of the finest mosaics in the world, allowing visitors an opportunity to embrace the history of the region. The street called Kurtuluş Caddesi is evidence that Muslims, Christians, Armenian and Jews can live together peacefully as there are several mosques, churches and synagogues located in close proximity to each other. Habib-i Neccar was built as a church during the Roman Empire and was later converted into a mosque. The graves of the first Christians are still located near the mosque -- a symbol of inter-religious dialogue in the city and a must-see attraction.

St. Pierre Church, located on the slopes of Habib-i Neccar Mountain, is the first Christian cave church and is 13 meters long, 9.5 meters wide and seven meters high. Located 30 kilometers from the city center in the Samandağ district is the impressive Titus-Vespasian Tunnel. A channel measuring almost 1,400 meters overall, was built during the reign of Roman Emperors Vespasian and Titus in the late first century A.D. by close to 1,000 prisoners and took 10 years. The closed part of the channel forming the tunnel measures 130 meters long and seven meters high and attracts attention for its rock-cut tombs.

The Amanos Mountains also offer alternative opportunities for a vacation. Visitors can walk along the trails in the Dörtyol district or spend a night on the plateaus. They can also see the six-antlered stag beetle, or lucanus cervus, which is popular in Japanese culture.

After a long and exhausting tour of the historical and natural attractions in the city, tourists can enjoy a cup of tea while viewing the beautiful waterfalls in the town of Harbiye, which used to be the center for the elite during the Roman Empire.

Hatay, a pioneer in gastronomic tourism, offers tourists the opportunity to observe its historical heritage, natural beauty and cultural richness. It also offers many different and delicious dishes from Turkish, French and Arab cuisine, ensuring both local and foreign tourists will find a meal that appeals to their taste.

Hummus, a popular local dish that Frank Marciano praised in his piece titled “A Food Trip to Antakya” can be found at İbrahim Ketremizgil's restaurant located on Saray Caddesi.

Tourists can also try out different meat dishes such as tepsi or kağıt kebab from butchers located in the shopping area of Uzun Carşı. There are kebabs made with beef, spice, parsley and garlic in stone ovens and are consumed with bread and not cutlery.

For those who would like to have some dessert, the most popular dessert is the Antakya künefe, which is made with shredded filo dough, unsalted cheese and sherbet. For those who'd like to buy a souvenir from Hatay, there are pure silk ties available at prices ranging from TL 20 to 100 in textile workshops in Harbiye.

Kahramanmaraş is the place for ice cream

Kahramanmaraş is the place to eat hand-churned ice cream. Karsambaç, a slush ice prepared with the snow from top of the Toros (Taurus) Mountains and fruit is served before Kahramanmaraş ice cream.

Kahramanmaraş is a place that nature lovers must visit. There are many plateaus in the district, most popularly Başkonuş, Tekir and Yavşan. These plateaus are home to different types of bugs, trees and flowers and are a great place to inhale fresh oxygen. The Döngel Cave and its impressive stalactites are also worth seeing.

Like most provinces in Turkey, Kahramanmaraş also has a rich food culture. One of its most popular culinary specialists is a sourish soup called ekşili alaa çorba which is both delicious and healthy. One should have lamb tandoori, diced lamb fried on an iron plate, or a grilled cutlet called kölbastı. There are also many different fish dishes that can be tried in Kahramanmaraş.

Visitors are recommended to take back home “shocked ice cream,” a Turkish delight filled with walnuts called mücevher sandığı or çerez tarhana.

Photos:

Hatay’s Habib-i Neccar Mosque. Antalya piyazı. Shish kebaps. Susurluk ayran. Arap kadayıfı. Uzuncaburç Ancient City, Silifke. A church bell in Hatay. Hatay’s historic structures. Hatay’s famous künefe. Mersin’s famous cezerye. Silifke’s pits of cennet and cehennem. A view of Anamur’s castle.