Recent excavations at Tepekule Hill near Bayraklı have shown that the Izmir region has been inhabited since around 3000 BC. The city's original name was "Smyrna," meaning "place of the holy mother."

The small town of Akköy is located in the heart of the Meander Delta nature reserve on the Dilek Yarimadasi peninsula in the Izmir area, about 5 km from the ancient city of Miletus.

As a port town, İzmir has always been strategically important for trade between Anatolia and other Aegean cities. Not surprisingly, the region of Kemeralti on Izmir's shore is a bustling business centre.

Not far from Kusadasi and another highlight of a trip to Turkey could be a visit to the town of Sirince near Selcuk for every tourist.

A very big town with the welcoming atmosphere of a village. We stayed out of town in a suburb called Buca in the apartment of our Turkish friend's mother. Everybody was very friendly and we experienced the genuine Turkish way of life, with mealtimes especially being a real family occasion.

Visiting the excavations of the Hellenistic - Roman city of Ephesus between Izmir and Kusadasi, which we visited several times during our travels, is always a special experience.

The archaeological museum is located in the cultural park of the city of Izmir, where finds from the western Anatolian, Ionian cities and the surrounding area can be seen, even if you prefer to visit the original sites, a worthwhile alternative.

Seferihisar is a small town on the coast of the Aegean region. The town is located on the southeastern coast of the Cesme peninsula, which is the largest peninsula in the Aegean with a coastline of around 1695 km.

Turkey is one of the countries with the largest areas of floodplains and wetlands in Europe and the Middle East. These wetlands have a great influence and importance for wildlife as well as for the local economy.

Cesmealti, which is about 35 kilometres from Izmir, has become a lively, natural centre of tourism.

Pergamon was famous in ancient times primarily for its extraordinarily extensive library. Today in Pergamon (today's name: Bergama) you can still visit the Acropolis (the castle hill), the former city and the Asklepieion.

Ortakent is located at the crossing of all the village roads. That's why it is one of the most important centres of the Bodrum Peninsular.

About 16 km southwest of the centre of Bodrum and somewhat hidden by two mountains, lies the small town of Karaincir with its approximately 500-meter-wide fine sandy beach, which is one of the best in the region,

The former metropolis Ephesus was located in a valley between two mountain ridges, whose slopes today are still without firming forests because of the once densely constructions, so the ridges are still in motion.

Every year there is a well known event near Selcuk / Izmir when the camel fighting championships take place. There is a two-day carnival in the town during which many male camels fight for trophies, money and the honour of being the best in the competition. 

The cute Aegean town of Urla is located about 38 km west of the city center of Izmir and stretches about 11 km parallel to the main road towards Izmir.

It was a quick decision during our stay in Izmir to take a day off for visiting to the new opened İzmir Wildlife Park.

The Agora in the Namazgah district of İzmir dates back to Roman times (2nd century AD) and was built by Hippodamos near the centre, an impressive three stories high, according to the Roman city plan.

Bodrum peninsula is situated on the west coast of Turkey. The city of Bodrum lies on the south coast of the peninsula. The sea around is strewn with islands. 

Gümbet stretches to the west of Bodrum and there is just a distance of about 3 kilometres between the centre of Bodrum and Gümbet. The region developed rapidly and became an alternative entertainment centre to Bodrum.