The
Coast East of Antalya / The Coast of
Light
Wide,
fertile plains parallel the endless sandy
beaches east of Antalya until you come to
Alanya. Abundant modern tourist facilities
and well- preserved historical sites give
you several options for a day's activities.
An important city of ancient Pamphylian,
Perge (18 km from Antalya) was originally
settled by the Hittites around 1500 B.C.
St. Paul preached some of his first sermons
here.
Swimmers and sunbathers alike enjoy Belek,
a modern luxurious holiday
center and golfer's paradise, 40 km from
Antalya. The National Golf Club located
in Belek features a wide variety of water
sports as well as a championship 18-hole
golf course and 9 hole academy course. Visitors
may sample some of Turkey's finest cuisine
and enjoy open air discos for evening entertainment.
Although
the Manavgat Waterfalls are not high, milky
white, foaming water rushes powerfully over
the rocks. Next to the waterfalls shady
tea gardens and restaurants make the falls
a pleasant, cool resting spot, especially
welcome after a day of sightseeing. You
can take a delightful boat trip up the Manavgat
river to explore this lovely area further.
A photogenic Seljuk bridge crosses the Kopru
river from the road to Aspendos. The road
continues past the Aspendos Jewellery Center
to the Aspendos Theatre -the best-preserved
theatre of antiquity, with seating for 15,000.
Still used today, the theatre's galleries,
stage decorations and acoustics all testify
to the architects success. Nearby stand
the remains of a basilica, agora and one
of the largest aqueducts in Anatolia.
And if you have ever wondered how gold dust
becomes a fine piece of art or how precious
stones are engraved, be sure to visit the
Aspendos Jewellery Center, where jewellery
making can be observed at every stage in
the large workshop.
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