Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

A Great Escape to the Turkaegean Experience The western coast of Türkiye is where the Aegean Sea forms a lacelike shoreline framed by seemingly endless bays, creating a vibrant culture defi ned by barefoot luxury to be enjoyed in idyllic settings. Here is a quick look into the Turkaegean pleasures from beach getaways and isolated hillside retreats with so many options to inspire your next soulful escape. Butterfl y Valley-Muğla ADVERTISEMENT The Aegean coast of Türkiye is the coast of happiness for travelers in the know, with its 2,800-kilometer- long stretch of turquoise coves, pine-crested hills, olive and citrus groves, sleepy mountain villages with secluded hotels and villas, and sun- kissed coastal towns attracting a hip crowd with pulsating beach clubs and sumptuous resorts. Here, one can experience a very distinctive way of life replete with the provincial style encapsulated by some of Türkiye's most representative country houses, al fresco spaces, garden settings and seaside restaurants, as well as the more active aquatic culture well represented by the local surfi ng and yachting communities galore. Some of the most enigmatic stories about the glorious civilizations have taken place in the region. For centuries, the arts, philosophy and medicine have fl ourished here in these pioneering cities of antiquity. The region is home to fi ve UNESCO World Heritage sites (Ephesus, Pergamum, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale & Hierapolis, Troy). Some of the most wondrous monuments of human history were erected on this soil, including two of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus in Bodrum and the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. With a good balance of luxury and serene natural landscapes, and its charm, the coast of happiness will surely tick all the boxes with the myriad of unmatched experiences it can provide, whatever your travel personality may be. ÇEŞME PENINSULA: WHERE FUN MEETS LEISURE İzmir is the third largest city in Türkiye, also a favorite holiday destination for travellers, with its proximity to the pristine beach towns and resorts scattered about the Çeşme peninsula. After reserving one or two nights in İzmir's center to explore the area of the historic bazaar and the vibrant street culture, head to the destination of your choice in Çeşme's environs. If you are a fan of lovely countryside living and fi ne wines, Urla Wine Route is a feast for your senses with its stunning sights and sounds. Here, you will fi nd an enticing selection of boutique vineyards and chef-owned farm-to-table restaurants, where you could sit in citrus and olive groves to enjoy local fl avors. Alaçatı will satisfy windsurfi ng enthusiasts and night owls alike with its steady wind and beauty, and accompanying bars and restaurants. In and around the fashionable Alaçatı, you can stay in bougainvillea-clad stone houses with colourful shutters, jasmine-scented courtyards and head to the beach to surf the waves and feel the fresh sea breeze in your salty hair. Çeşme is also famous for its funky beach clubs catering to all tastes, where you can chill on a private stretch of sand to dance the day away with steady beats for the ears and a refreshing summer cocktail in hand. Not to Miss UNESCO World Heritage sites, Pergamum (Bergama) and Ephesus (Selçuk) are both an hour's drive from İzmir center for those wishing to see all the beauty and opulence once bestowed by the past civilizations of the Region. While you are in Selçuk, you might consider going inland to have a day trip to the picturesque town of Birgi, which has been selected as one of the Best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) due to its unspoiled traditional architecture, silk production and weaving. A mere 20 kilometers south of Selçuk lies the cruise port of Kuşadası, an old city with a well-preserved 14th – 16th century castle also the main hub of luxury cruise lines. Kuşadası can be your base to explore the cities of Miletus and Priene, both of which Hierapolis Ancient Theater-Denizli

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