A city that was once just a gateway to the Turkish Riviera in the eyes of travellers, Antalya has now become an extremely popular tourist destination. In recent times, millions of tourists spend their holidays in Antalya and this has brought a good amount of revenue to the government. The history of this city dates back to the times of Attalid dynasty that ruled the region around 200 BC. Over the years, it fell under the rule of different powers ranging from Romans to the Ottoman Empire. Today, it is the biggest international resort city of Turkey and has received significant funding from the government for promoting tourism.
The climate of this city is of the hot-summer Mediterranean type, characterised by mild winters and dry summers. It enjoys nearly 300 days of sunshine, which means ample opportunities for tourists to indulge in sunbathing and some excellent outdoor activities. Summer months can be uncomfortably hot for tourists who are not accustomed to such weather. Winter from January to March is quite rainy with moderate to heavy rainfall. You can plan your holidays to Antalya between September and mid-December, as not many tourists visit around this time and can fetch some attractive off-season discounts as well.
Antalya offers an array of historic attractions for its visitors. Among them is the Old Town, also known as 'Kaleici'. During your holidays in Antalya, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll on its cobblestone streets that have some whitewashed red-roofed mansions from the Ottoman era lined up on both the sides. You would also be delighted to visit the Old Harbour, which is a beautiful place full of elegant cafes, boutiques, and traditional markets. If you wish to explore the Turkish history, a visit to Antalya Museum is highly recommended. Aspendos is also a fascinating historical attraction, as it is home to an excellently preserved Roman theatre.
The greatest aspect of Antalya holidays all inclusive packages is that they give you the chance to taste the city's delicious food. It mostly comprises of fresh fish caught from the sea and a variety of grilled meat. You can energise your body with a sumptuous treat of the traditional Turkish breakfast that includes organic eggs, pastries, and freshly brewed tea. Upon visiting any of the seafood restaurants, you can have a meal consisting of salted bonito or shrimp. When you are in Antalya during summers, a delightful treat of ice cream can make your day. At some places, they serve ice cream prepared from goat's milk with a variety of additions, such as almonds, pistachio, melons, cherry and caramel.
Martin Wynn
