A city known for its great sea, nature and sun, İzmir frequently attracts the interest of tourists; it is also a favorite of culture lovers because of the historic places in this province. These include the ancient city of Ephesus, the Basilica of St. John in Selçuk, the Temple of Artemis, İsabey Mosque and Seljuk Castle; Selçuk's Şirince Village is a place that everyone should see because of its peach orchards and magnificent architecture. The thermal springs in Kütahya, the ancient city of Aizanoi and the Phrygian Valley in the city center should also be seen. These historical sites offer a glimpse of ancient history to the people of the present time.
Boyoz: a primary element of breakfast
Boyoz, unique to İzmir's culinary culture, was brought to the city by Sephardic Jews migrating from Spain to Turkey in the late 15th century. This pastry is an indispensable part of breakfast for İzmir residents. Kumru sandwiches and söğüş, boiled meat that is served after it is cooled, are also unique foods from this city. It is possible to find söğüş on almost any street in İzmir.
Çeşme, a favorite destination for foreign visitors, is full of natural beauty and great restaurants to sit and enjoy the day. Seafood should be tried in this pretty town; visitors also should try mastic coffee and a host of other products containing mastic.
The old stone houses in Alaçatı, in the Çeşme area, and the town's great surfing will make your stay even more enjoyable. Visitors to Urla, a small town between İzmir and Çeşme, should try katmer, a layered pastry made with spinach and cheese. Those who want to have a peaceful vacation should go to Seferihisar and Urla.
It is possible to see treasure from the fabled Croesus in Uşak's Archeological Museum. The museum features priceless pieces from the treasure of this ancient king, who reigned in the region around the 7th century B.C. Uşak also has a lot to offer for gourmets and food lovers. Visitors should absolutely try the famous tarhana soup, döndürme -- a thin regional pastry --Arap aşı, keşkek, alacatene and other local dishes.
Cilveli coffee and sultan tea in Manisa
Manisa, a close neighbor to İzmir, is known for its healing mesir paste and kebab; its towns and districts also host a number of historical sites, including Kybele, Sobbing Rock (Niobe) Yeni Han, Rum Mehmet Pasha Bedesten, Manisa Castle and many others.
Manisa kebab is a symbol of the city; following a feast of kebab, you should try cilveli coffee in the Yeni Han near the Ayn-ı Ali Tomb. The ancient city of Sardes in Sart, Manisa-Salihli, is an important historical location. This capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, believed to have invented money, is known as a rich city in history.
Phrygian Valley awaits nature lovers
Thermal springs in Kütahya should be seen for a reinvigorating bathing experience. Kütahya also hosts a number of historical places including the Phrygian Valley in its city center. There are seven major thermal springs in the city, prompting many people to visit the city in search of healing. Enyal, four kilometers from Gediz, offers plenty of fresh air to its visitors. It is believed that the thermal springs in the town heal many diseases including skin ailments and kidney failure. The thermal facilities run by the local municipality also offer accommodation; guests in the hotels may enjoy the healing power of thermal water.
The ancient city of Aizanoi, located in Çavdarhisar, 57 kilometers from the city center, hosts rare remnants from the Byzantine era. The Zeus Temple, agora, bath, stadium, the first stock exchange in the world, a necropolis and many other artifacts excavated since work started in the early 1970s are now on display for history-lovers. The Phrygian Valley, located in a rocky area between Kütahya and Eskişehir, is like an exact copy of Cappadocia.
Rich cuisine of Kütahya
Kütahya, the city where famous Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi was born, presents a wealth of different dishes for food lovers. Kütahya cuisine includes miyane, oğma aşı, bulgur, yoğurtlu bulgur, tavuk çorbası, çene çarpan and many other dishes. Kütahya's local köfte is also a famous food; it differs from other köfte because it is served cold.
A spectacular sunset in Bodrum
Those who prefer Marmaris and Bodrum in Muğla may enjoy both spectacular natural beauty as well as delicious meals. Those who take the road through Gökova to Marmaris should have breakfast in Akçapınar village, following a nice road surrounded by eucalyptus trees. The historical Bodrum peninsula offers a number of delicious dishes in addition to its natural beauty. You should try the unique tastes of this great city; especially local foods made of olive oil and jams of all sorts. Fresh fish, octopus and shrimp will make your sunset repasts even more enjoyable.
Thermal facilities and ancient cities
Denizli, famous for its roosters, has a rich culture and history; this is a must-see location because of ancient cities including Hierapolis and Laodikeia, thermal water facilities and world-famous travertines. The Çardak Caravanserai welcomes visitors in Çardak on their way to the city from Afyon. Kaklık Inn, declared a protected area, is also known as the Pamukkale underground. The inn is a small copy of Pamukkale, but is under the ground. It is believed that the thermal water in the inn cures a number of diseases.
On your way to Denizli, you must see the ancient city of Laodikeia, six kilometers from Denizli's city center. Laodikeia, located on the highway connecting Afyon and Denizli, is the largest ancient city site in Turkey after Ephesus. Visitors should try local foods in Denizli including keşkek, Noah's pudding, stuffed eggplant, biber tatarı and tandır kebab.
Pamukkale
The Pamukkale travertines are actually what make Denizli most famous in the eyes of foreign visitors. Pamukkale also hosts the Hierapolis Archeological Museum, which requires half a day for a thorough and fulfilling visit. Plenty of time is needed to experience the taste of history offered by this museum. You will need to spend at least 10 days to experience the full effect of the healing powers of the pools in Pamukkale. This water is believed to make things beautiful.
The ancient city of Tripolis is found on a low hill between Yenicekent and the Menderes River in Buldan, a town 40 kilometers from Denizli. Honaz Mountain is believed to be the highest mountain of the Aegean region. The Southern Cascade, 70 kilometers from Denizli and 30 from Güney, is a top-priority protected area. Owing to its special water, calcareous steps have formed on the waterbed. Buldan, famous for its culture of weaving, is home to nearly 150 houses reflecting the unique Ottoman architectural style.
Aydın
Visitors to Aydın, a city of a number of great thinkers, architects and sculptors, should start their tour by seeing the ancient city of Tralleis. Those who want to have a sea excursion near Aydın should take a short break in Ortaklar, 30 kilometers away from the city center. Those who want to see Kuşadası after Aydın are recommended to see the steam-powered locomotive museum, the only one of its kind in Turkey. After the museum, travelers may continue on to Kuşadası, where tourism first started in Turkey, another 20 kilometers away.
With its sea, sun, bazaar, castle, discos, hotels and water parks, Kuşadası is a must-see place. Güzelçamlı national park is particularly recommended. You may want to take a short rest at the Zeus Inn, near the exit of the national park. Visitors may enjoy a number of bays along the 53-kilometer-long shore starting from Altınkum Beach and should end their day at the Apollon Temple. This is the third-largest ancient temple in the world and an exact replica of the Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
 Kütayha’s güveç  Pamukkale  Historic houses in Kütahya  İzmir’s coast |
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