Known in Turkish
as " Beautiful Izmir", the city lies at the head of a
long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. The climate
is mild, and in the summer the constant and refreshing sea breezes
temper the sun's heat. Behind the palm-lined promenades and avenues
which follow the shoreline, the city, in horizontal terraces,
gently ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains. A cosmopolitan
and lively city, galleries, theaters and cultural events give
Izmir its special vibrancy. The original settlement was established
in the third millennium B.C. and represented the most advanced
culture in western Anatolia at that time. Over the years this
thriving city and the surrounding area had come under the suzerainty
of the Hittites, lonians, Lydians, Persians, Byzantines, Seljuks
and Ottomans.
Levent Marina provides an excellent place to begin a yachting adventure. Sailing in and around the beautiful Gulf of Izmir will prepare voyagers for the wonderful sites that lie ahead. At Urla Iskelesi, the small islands that dot the coast will certainly charm you. Beautiful beaches and excellent moorings with swimming, snorkeling and diving are all available in the area.
From Urla Iskelesi
sail on to the Karaburun Paninsula. At Karaburun, pleasant hotels,
tea gardens and fish restaurants sit between the beautiful mountain
backdrop and the clear, clean water. Voyage out of the Gulf of
Izmir around the Karaburun Peninsula to the Cesme Peninsula, a
spit of land lapped by the waters of the Aegean Sea. Cesme, meaning
'fountain', derives its name from the many sources of water found
in the area. A 14th-century Genoese fortress, restored and enlarged
by the Ottomans in the 16th century, dominates the small port
of Cesme. Around Cesme, the large Altin Yunus Setur Marina complex
and the berthing places of Ilica and Dalyan are all noted for
their safety. In town, the 16th-century caravanserai built by
Suleyman the Magnificent near the fortress, has been converted
into a hotel. Excellent shopping - the finest quality carpets,
leather goods, as well as souvenir items - is available. At night,
a lively, fun atmosphere pervades, especially in the restaurants,
cafes, bars and discos along the promenade. In July, Cesme's International
Song Contest attracts world famous performers who add glamour
and excitement to the town. The thermal baths in the area, along
with the natural springs found right off the coast and which mix
with the sea water in Ilica Bay, provide soothing relaxation.
Southeast of Cesme, beautiful bays offer splendid scenery and tranquil night moorings in complete safety from the winds and waves. Soon you will arrive at Sigacik, where a picturesque marina rests beneath fortifications that date from the Genoese period. From here, the antique site of Tees, noted for its Temple of Dionysus, the god of wine, is Conveniently close. It is also an excellent area in which to sample some of Turkey's superb wines.
The Kusadasi Gulf opens to the south and southeast with some of the most enticing beaches, bays and coves on the Aegean coast.
