03- Bc Cografya Arşivi: Turkey

How to get to high speed train in Eskisehir?

Eskisehir has strong high speed train connections and train station can be accessed by tram from all important attraction points of city.

Two lines of Eskisehir’s award-winning tram system (Estram), SSK-Osmangazi and SSK-Otogar, is passing through Espark. Each lines has a frequency of 13 minutes and trams run from early morning to late night (Click for tram timetable).

Otogar (Main Bus Station)

Get on Otogar-SSK tram, get off at Espark stop, walk 400 mt.

High Speed Lines of Turkey – The Complete Guide

Osmangazi University

Get on Osmangazi-SSK tram, get off at Espark stop, walk 400 mt.

There’s also a bus service between station and Osmangazi University, number 27 (black). But frequency is very low (Click for timetable)

Anadolu University

Get on Otogar-SSK tram in Otogar direction. There are two stops: Anadolu University and Eczacilik. 4 stops after Eczacilik and 2 stops after Anadolu University, you’ll reach Espark stop. Walk 400 mt from there.

Odunpazari Old Houses

You can reach to Ataturk Lisesi stop easily from Odunpazari Old Houses, Eskisehir’s one of the most famous attraction points (200 mt from Malhatun Square). Get on Otogar-SSK tram in SSK direction, get off at Espark stop, walk 400 mt.

City Center (Carsi)

Carsi (bazaar) area becomes the center for entartainment and cultural activities of Eskisehir, especially after Porsuk river had been rehabilitated. Get on one of the two tram lines, Otogar-SSK or Osmangazi-SSK in SSK direction. Get off after 2 stops, at Espark stop, and walk 400 mt.

Eskisehir Stadium

Eskisehir stadium will soon be replaced with a bigger one out of the city. Ones who follow the last games can get on Osmangazi-SSK tram in SSK direction from the Stadium stop, get off at Espark and walk 400 mt.

Original page: https://railturkey.org/2016/09/05/how-to-get-to-high-speed-train-in-eskisehir/

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Domestic Airlines in Turkey

Although Turkish Airlines is Turkey’s best-known airline, there are many other airlines that can accommodate your domestic travel needs. While Turkish Airlines currently operates 251 airplanes, Turkey’s other top airlines have another 177 planes in the sky. More airlines means more options for customers, who can find amazing deals on domestic flight prices.

While traveling through Turkey, you can explore historical cities, relaxing beaches, luxurious resorts, ancient ruins, and idyllic villages. Spanning 1700 kilometers from east to west, Turkey is a vast country with lots to explore.

Turkey domestic flight search — **Turkey flight search**

Istanbul is an excellent first introduction to Turkish culture and a convenient home base.

But to truly experience what this region has to offer, you’ll want to venture farther out to the beach town of Antalya, the underground city of Derinuyu, the hot springs of Pamukkale, and beyond. Traveling through Turkey by car is not only time consuming, but it also can hold you back from exploring the many amazing countries that Turkey shares a border with.

With nearly a dozen domestic airlines operating in Turkey every day, many travelers become overwhelmed with options. At Save 70, we’re committed to simplifying your search with ourFlights Comparison Tool. In this article, we lay out the very best options for you to take the hassle out of travel planning and help you feel more confident about the adventures that lie ahead of you. By simply hopping on a quick flight, you can easily explore the stunning cities of Ankara, Mardin, Cappadocia, Istanbul, and everywhere in between.

	Turkish Airlines
Brief Description	Founded in 1933, Turkish Airlines is the country’s national airline, flying to more than 40 domestic and 200 international locations.
Fleet	242 passenger and 9 cargo airplanes
Main Routes	Izmir, Colombo, Munich, New York
Main Airports	Atatürk International Airport (main hub), Esenboğa International Airport, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Adnan Menderes Airport
Review	Ample legroom, tasty sandwiches, and friendly flight attendants.
Expert Tip	Free baggage allowance is 2 pieces and maximum dimension of each piece is 158 cm in Business, Comfort and Economy classes. Snack box or sandwich and nonalcoholic beverages served on domestic flights.
Contact Details	Phone: 800-874-8874 or +90 212 444 0 849; Web:www.turkishairlines.com

	AnadoluJet
Brief Description	Founded in 2008, AnadoluJet operates mainly domestic flights on behalf and as a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines.
Fleet	25 passenger airplanes
Main Routes	Tokat, Uşak, Isparta, Çanakkale, Ankara, London
Main Airports	Esenboğa International Airport, Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Review	Low cost, small snacks on short flights, informative and friendly crew.
Expert Tip	Free luggage allowance is 15 kg for Economy Class passengers. Online baggage tracker available.
Contact Details	Phone: +90-212-4442538; Web: http://www.anadolujet.com

	Sun Express
Brief Description	Sun Express is a Turkish/German airline that offers affordable domestic and international flights between Turkey, Germany, and other major European cities.
Fleet	64 passenger airplanes
Main Routes	Istanbul, Izmir, Bodrum, Analya, Dalaman, various cities in Germany
Main Airports	Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Review	Cheaper prices and more direct routes than some other airlines.
Expert Tip	aggage allowance of 20kg included in ticket price for flights to Hurghada, Sharm el Sheik, Marsa Alam, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman.
Contact Details	Phone:Phone: +90 212 444 0 797; Web:http://www.sunexpress.com

	Pegasus
Brief Description	This private, well-established airline extended its flight network up to 76 locations, and currently has 45 abroad and 31 domestic flight locations in 30 countries
Fleet	47 passenger airplanes
Main Routes	Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Dubai, London, Paris, Athens
Main Airports	Atatürk International Airport, Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Review	Good for domestic flights if you’re using major airports like Istanbul or Antalya.
Expert Tip	Pegasus operates nonstop flights mid-day between İzmir (ADB) and Kayseri (ASR) three days per week (typically Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday), connecting the Aegean region (and Ephesus) with Cappadocia.
Contact Details	Phone: + 90-850-2500737; Web: http://www.flypgs.com

	Onur Air
Brief Description	This large private airline flies to more than 12 Turkish cities along with 80 international destinations in 20 countries.
Fleet	23 passenger airplanes
Main Routes	Adana, Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman, Diyarbakir, Erzurum, Gaziantep, Izmir, Malatya, Samsun, Trabzon
Main Airports	Atatürk International Airport
Review	No frills airline that is best when traveling between major airports. No complimentary meals served, but there’s a snack trolley on board.
Expert Tip	The free baggage right is 15 kg for the domestic flights. For excess baggage, a fee of TL 3 per kg will be collected for the domestic flights.
Contact Details	Phone: +90-212-6632300 Web: http://onurair.com.tr

	Atlas Jet
Brief Description	Atlas Jet was established as a charter airline in 2001, but began to offer commercial passenger flights in 2004.
Fleet	18 passenger airplanes
Main Routes	Istanbul, Bodrum, kayseri, Erbil, London Northern Cyrpus, Northern Iraq, Tehran
Main Airports	Atatürk International Airport
Review	Clean and new planes, wide and comfortable seats, and accommodating staff.
Expert Tip	Excess baggage fee is 3.00 TL per kg for domestic flights. Articles over 75 kg (165 lbs) of weight per seat are not accepted as cabin baggage.
Contact Details	Phone: +90-212-6632000; Web: http://www.atlasjet.com

As you can see, Turkey’s domestic airline industry offers lots of frequent and affordable flights around the country. We’ve summarized the most common customer reviews for you here, and you can read more at SkyTrax Air Travel Rating & Reviews and Trip Advisor. Get excited, because you’re one step closer to experiencing the journey of a lifetime!

Did you find anything missing or incorrect on this page? Please share it with us via online contact form. Thank you!

Turkey flight search

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How to Get to High Speed Train in Ankara?

There are several public transport alternatives to access to Ankara Train Station where both high speed trains and main line trains depart/arrive.

From/To Ankara Esenboga Airport

Distance is about 29 km. By taxi, it costs 75 TL (€ 25)*

Public Bus : Bus no 442-3. Departures every 20 minutes.

Route and Timetable of Bus No: 442-3

Havas (Airport Shuttle) : Calls at Havas Terminal, 700 mt away from Ankara Main Train Station. Departs from airport 25 minutes after every landing.

Havas Timetable

From/To Ankara Main Bus Station (ASTI)

Distance is about 5 km. By taxi, it costs 15 TL (€ 5)*

Ankaray : Closest station of Ankaray Light Metro is Tandogan, 800mt to Ankara Main Train Station by walk. Walking through underpass may be hard in rainy days. There’ll be a direct connection to Maltepe Station after High Speed Train Station is completed. It’s under construction next to Main Train Station.

Public Bus : Bus no 442-3. Departures every 20 minutes.

Route and Timetable of Bus No: 442-3

From/To Points in City Center

Distance to Kizilay, city center of Ankara is 3 km. By taxi, it costs 10 TL (€ 4)*

Metro : Closest station of M1 Metro, giving service between Kizilay and Batikent, is Ulus, 750 mt to Ankara Main Train Station by walk.

Suburban Train : Ankara suburban trains are calling at Ankara Main Train Station. Suburban trains are giving service between Sincan ve Kayas, every 5-20 minutes.

Public Bus : There are many public buses calling at Ankara Main Train Station.

Route Maps and Timetables of Public Buses Calling at Ankara Main Train Station

* As of 08.12.2015, calculated by taksiyle.com

http://railturkey.org/2015/12/16/how-to-get-to-high-speed-train-in-ankara/

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Cheap Holiday Packages to Turkey

One of the tourist spots that has been said to be best-maintained is Turkey. The country boasts its magnificent sceneries which would definitely give you an experience you'll definitely not forget. From the sunshine, the scent and breeze of the sea, the fantastic Mediterranean food, and of course the historical view of the magnificent Asia Minor. In this kind of place. Definitely it is one great place to avail cheap holiday packages.

A Turkish holiday connotes a lot of fun and enjoyment. The place is the rendezvous of people who wants to have a break. People from different cultures like Europeans and Asians flock into this place, availing cheap holiday packages, to enjoy and relax. History will explain of what have had happened in Turkey, the destruction due to some events, now have been one of the attractions of this country. The fact cannot be denied that the culture and customs of Turkey has been also one of the tourists' attraction.

You can definitely enjoy a lot of activities, at a cheap holiday package. Yes, you have read it right, cheap holiday package. Most of the tourist contact some travel agencies to have a blast of vacation in Turkey. Enjoying ones vacation in a yacht in the cool sea of the place and be fascinated with the fantastic view of the coastal villages and some historical sites. Take into account that you could enjoy all these by cheap holiday package.

Most of the cheap holiday packages to Turkey really offers special seasonal and festive discounts, definitely the cheapest destination for most tourists, since it is possible to bargain the holidays here. A bargain deal would comprise the cheap airfare and low-cost hotel accommodation. These are non-classed but clean hotels, inexpensive inns and hostels that are definitely for you to have fun and relax. If you a group the best to avail are those holiday villa or a flat.

Luxury accommodations are offered by the five-star international hotel chains which also include various amenity packages and discounts. Turkish Airlines operates international flights to almost all the cities in Europe, New York and other parts of Asia. The fares are very affordable and reasonable, far beyond to compared to the other international airlines.

Availing cheap holiday packages are of course a lot of fun. It is enjoying at a lower cost possible. It is but wise to know certain things on where you could actually find cheap vacations by not risking the fun of having a vacation.

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Jake has arrived !!

Current location: Jake's Birthplace Antalya Turkey

Visit our New Blog for more details.

View More Photos

We'll keep you posted on boat activities, and our sailing trip reflections here!!

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BOB Threatens Season 6

Current Location: Billabong's Location

Our Location: Chris + KT

We've been pretty lucky with good 'ol Mother Nature during our five year trip. Sure, we've been hammered both at anchor and at sea, but I can count the really scary moments on both my hands. Not a bad percentage considering we've been out for 1885 days.

We usually play it rather safe, avoiding cyclone seasons, watching the weather before passages, but Mother Nature is the boss out here and sometimes you simply get caught out. Once we entered the Western Indian ocean, we had to be careful of Named Storms/Winds. In the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden these winds usually created sand storms that covered the boat in red mud and created huge steep seas. We got caught in a Belat (a sand/dust storm) on the trip from Oman to Yemen, it wasn't pretty. These systems have been tracked for thousands of years, carry Arab names by fishermen they effect, and are even part of the Coptic calendar (including a special calendar of Gales).

The Meltemi

The Mistral

These storms don't end in the eastern Med, there are named winds throughout the Mediterranean - including the Etesian/Meltemi that effects the Aegean Sea (Greece/Turkey), the Mistral, and the Sirocco. You really have no understanding of these storms until you've been through one. We've had southern gales in Finike that brought sand from Africa, 380 miles across the Mediterranean. It covered our decks with red dust/muds... 380 miles.. how is there any sand still left in the desert? While we've been home, our friends in Marmaris experienced 76 Knots and the marina we almost left Billabong in was badly damaged (check out the video).

BOB

I know it doesn't sound very Arabic but BOB has been tracked even longer; longer than recorded history in fact. The timing is relatively well understood (around the end of June), but we can't be sure when exactly it will arrive. Will it come in the darkness of night, the early morning hours, or during the day with full light? Do we stay in Finike and ride it out in a known location or do we attempt the run to Marmaris and risk getting caught out? We arrive back in Turkey in April, but we have to paint the bottom and get everything prepared. We could really go for it and try to make it to Malta before BOB arrives... Decisions, decisions.

The good news is we've had plenty of warning and even started preparing Billabong before we left to come home. We've removed all the non-essential gear and are reading up and strategizing on how to prepare. Like all things in our cruising life preparation is the key, but we've been told that no matter how much we prepare, BOB will cause HUGE upheaval on board Billabong.

Despite all the work.. we are ecstatically awaiting Billabong's newest crew member (ie. Baby On Board .. BOB). How will it effect our season? You'll have to tune in to find out.. this one is fully in Mother Nature's hands.

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The Things We Miss

Current Location: Finike, Turkey
Current Position: 36 17.63 N 30 08.98 E (View Map of Location)
Next Destination: Hanging here for the winter

We are just two weeks from stepping foot back into the US-of-A! It's been three years since we last visited home ... five weeks out of five years is all that we've spent in the States. Yes, we are due for a long visit home.

We are often asked "What do you miss most" - usually with the caveat, "besides friends and family". We have posted some thoughts on the matter on our SailBillabong FAQ page, but we thought it would be fun to expand on that a bit.

Food seems to be a big on our list:

Pork
This is one of those you always want what you can't have items. Since mid January we have been in Muslim countries ... our only "problem" with this is the lack of pork. It's strange because we don't eat a lot of pork normally, but not having the option there seems to get the taste buds going! Specifically we miss BACON! Oh my, all the things I could do with a package of bacon ... especially with all the fresh tomatoes and lettuce in the markets - just screaming to made into BLTs. My mouth waters just thinking of the smell wafting up from the frying pan. Yes, bacon will be top on the list.

In and Out Burger
All I can think is "In and Out, In and Out, that's what a hamburger is all about" (add in some nice jingly tunes)! Grilled onions, toasted bun, melted cheese - and heck we better throw in a chocolate shake since it has been so long!

Cheddar Cheese
Now, I'm not talking any kind of cheddar, no sir, I want some sharp, sharp, really flavorful stuff - none of that mild or fake crap!

Arby's
Okay, I should be embarrassed that this is even on my list, but yes, I'm craving an Arby's Beef and Cheddar (hold the special sauce). Oh that neon squeeze cheese dripping off the sides - and some curly fries to boot. I should point out that Chris wants no part in my Beef and Cheddar - the thought, as he puts it, "is making me gag".

Ice Cream
Again, we have specific requirements. First we'd love some Ben and Jerry's. Picking a flavor is going to be tough, so we might have to go for multiple samples! The really hard thing is that they actually have B&J's here in Turkey, but at 12 bucks a tub it's just a big tease. The other ice cream we're both craving is some real vanilla bean ice cream - I'm talking quality stuff, where you can see the black bean bits throughout the ice cream.

Sushi Bar
No doubt we've eaten tons of sushi while cruising - thanks to Chris' ever improving fishing skills. And not to complain, but it's all been Tuna (which I love, and I'm sure you're not feeling sorry for me!). I wouldn't mind just a bit of variety. I can easily imagine myself sitting in our favorite Sushi restaurant in Ventura (I Love Sushi) and ordering one of everything. Prawns, salmon, tuna, scallops ... oh yum!

Well, that's a good starter list on the foods - we'll have to be careful not to gain 100 pounds! So far there are two shops on our list:
Trader Joe's (okay a food shop, so maybe it should be under foods) and Fry's Electronics. It's not that we need or want anything from Fry's, but it's such a HUGE store that we'd just like to get lost in it for a few hours and see where technology is going these days.

Finally there are some "ease of life" things that I miss (probably more so than Chris): washing machine, dishwasher, and English (as in the language).
I think the first two go without explanation - who doesn't want a washing machine and dishwasher??? As for English - first I'll say that I think it's pathetic I only speak one language - and yes, I should work on that. In every country we both try to pick up the language, but it's hard, especially if we are moving a lot. Turkish seems to be an especially difficult language for us, and though I'm trying I don't seem to be making much headway. There are times when I miss being in a country where English is the primary language. It just makes life easier when you can read labels, street signs, and instructions. Things can be accomplished faster when you don't have to play charades every time you are trying to communicate! It will be nice to understand everyone around me for a change!

I am sure this list will double or triple in size before we board our flight home - it's fun sitting around right now talking about all the things we are looking forward to. And, just so for the record, yes, the number one thing we miss is friends and family!

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Ancient Cities and Flaming Mountains

Current Location: Finike, Turkey
Current Position: 36 17.63 N 30 08.98 E
Next Destination: Hanging here for the winter

On the same day we learned The Truth about Santa Claus, we also visited the ancient Roman city of Myra, Mount Chimaera, and Olympus.

The Myra/Demre area is a fertile agricultural area thanks to the good soil brought down by the mountain rivers. Prior to the tourism boom the local economy was very dependent on agriculture. Today you'll find the locals growing pomegranates and citrus trees as well as large quantities of fruits and vegetables in green houses. The ancient Lycians didn't want to take up the precious land with burying of the dead, so instead wealthy Lycians had stonemasons carve tombs for them from the limestone walls of the mountains. Today the tombs have all been broken into and robbed, but they are still an impressive sight. And at the base of these rock-cut tombs stand the remains of an ancient Roman theatre. If you're a history buff you can get more information about the Myra/Demre area on Wikipedia.

It was then a couple of hours driving away from the coast, up into the mountains to get to Mount Chimaera. But before venturing to climb up the fiery mountain we stopped for lunch at a trout farm. We were served endless amounts of hot pide bread with dips and cheeses, followed by seasonal salads, and finished with fresh trout baked whole in a clay dish over a fire. Ahh, I'm drooling just thinking back!

In Greek Mythology the Chimera is a three-animal beast with the head of a lion, tale of a serpent, and goat in the middle, who breathes fire and was thought to be indestructible. Then along came the hero Bellerophan who was sent by the King of Lycia to kill the chimera (the king was trying, in a round about way, to kill Bellerophan). As it turns out Bellerophan succeeded in slaying the beast thanks to the winged horse, Pegasus, who flew Bellerophon high above the chimera, away from its fiery breath, and shot the creature full of arrows until it died.

Some, however, say that the chimera was not a beast but rather refers to the mountain, as Mount Chimaera "was on fire here, had lions and goats there, and was full of snakes over there". And since it was Bellerophon who made this habitable, he is therefore said to have "killed Chimaera"

Mount Chimaera (called in Turkish Yanartaş (flaming rock)) consists of nearly two dozen vents in the ground. The vents emit burning methane, which in ancient times sailors could navigate by.

Not far from Mount Chimaera lies the the ancient city of Olympus. This was quite a site, with ruins upon ruins to walk among. The city was founded during the Hellenistic period. According to Homer, it was from these mountains that the god Poseidon saw Odysseus sailing from Calypso's island and called up a huge storm that wrecked Odysseus on the island of Nausicaa.

One interesting tid-bit we learned from our guide was that the top of a fisherman's sarcophagus was shaped like the keel of a boat so that in the afterlife the inhabitant could flip the lid over and survive as a fisherman in the underworld (see the photo in the slideshow below for example).

As you can see it was a fantastic day, full of history & mythology. We look forward to our next Turkey adventure.

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The Truth about Santa Claus

Current Location: Finike, Turkey
Current Position: 36 17.63 N 30 08.98 E
Next Destination: Hanging here for the winter

With Christmas just around the corner I thought it was time for the truth to be known. First, Santa Claus is real - and he's from Turkey. Now, I grew up thinking good 'ol Saint Nick was from the North Pole. This jolly ol' guy wore thick red suits to stay warm and his cheeks were always rosy from the chill (or maybe the spiced hot chocolate). So imagine my surprise when I learned that all these years I had been lied to ... Santa Claus isn't from the North Pole, no sir, he's from right here in Turkey, about an hour drive from Finike - in the town of Myra (today known also as Demre)!

We had the pleasure of visiting Saint Nicholas' Church in Demre / Myra a few weeks ago. Unfortunately it was closed for the end of Ramadan (Muslim holiday), but we did get a chance to wander around the area and learn about the history of Santa Claus.

It all starts with Saint Nicholas - a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra. There are a couple of versions of how the gift-giving began but they are all centered around giving to others and helping the less fortunate. The story we heard (from our well informed guide) was that it started with Nicholas helping three impoverished daughters - providing them with dowries so that they could marry and not be sold into slavery or prostitution. As our guide tells it the first two daughters he helped by placing bags of gold through an open window (in the summer), but when it came time to help the third daughter it was winter so the window was closed. Nicholas therefore climbed up the roof and dropped the bag down the chimney, where, it so happens, the daughter's stockings were hanging to dry, and wouldn't you know it, the bag of gold fell right into the stocking!

Throughout his life Saint Nicholas was known for trying to help others and inspire good virtue. As legends of his unselfishness spread, the accounts of his deeds blended with regional folklore and eventually he was transformed into an almost mystical being who was known for rewarding the good and punishing the bad. He also became a patron saint to many children, orphans, and sailors who prayed for his compassion, guidance, and protection. His death (December 6th) was marked by an annual feast. On the eve before, children would set out food (for St Nicholas), straw (for the horses), and schnapps (for his attendants). The next morning, assuming they were "good" children, they would find their gifts replaced with sweets and toys.

From there Santa Claus, as we know him today, developed from many religious, cultural, and even commercial influences. Americans have the Dutch immigrants of the 1600's to thank for Santa Claus, originally introduced as Sinterklaas (meaning Saint Nicholas).

So why then does Santa Claus live in the North Pole? I mean where would you rather live - Turkey or some freezing, uninhabited, middle of nowhere place like the North Pole? And what about that red suit, the flying reindeer, and such? Most of these details come from creative writers and some commercialization. It starts around 1808 with the American author Washington Irving who wrote of an old St Nick riding over treetops in a horse drawn wagon, dropping gifts down chimneys. Irving also described Santa as a jolly Dutchman smoking a long stemmed pipe and wearing baggy breaches. In 1822 Dr Clement Clarke Moore, in "The Night Before Christmas", substituted eight reindeer and a sleigh for Irving's horse and Wagon - giving St Nick a more arctic background. Moore also gave Santa his broad face and round belly. Then in 1863, when Thomas Nast illustrated Moore's book of children's poems, he depicted a softer Santa dressed in red. In additional it was Nast that gave Santa a home - the North Pole. And finally we can thank artist Haddon Sundblom and Coca-Cola (in 1931) for adding the final touches to Santa's modern image. Sundblom's billboards for Coca-Cola featured a portly, jolly, grandfatherly-type Santa with rosy cheeks and a twinkle in his eye.

The terrific thing about Santa Claus is that he incorporates so many beleifs and traditions from around the world. And even though much of Santa may have come from the imaginations of writers, artists, and advertisers, the underlying truth of Santa is hard not to appreciate. Who doesn't like a man that represents goodness and kindness and attempts to help those around him in need? So from Billabong we wish you all a Happy St Nicholas Day!

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The Lycian Way

Current Location: Finike, Turkey
Current Position: 36 17.63 N 30 08.98 E
Next Destination: Hanging here for the winter

The Lycian Way is the first waymarked long distance footpath in Turkey. It stretches from Fethiye to Antalya, through the Teke Peninsula (historically known as Lycia). The Lycian Way is not only scenic (traveling along the coastline as well as high into the cliffs through largely uninhabited areas), but it also offers an opportunity to see the lingering of ancient civilizations. Swimming. Views. Nature. History. The Lycian Way has it all and was, in fact, named one of the Sunday Times World’s Ten Best Walks.

Given that the Lycian Way comes right through Finike, how could we not walk at least part of this trail? The entire trail is more than 500km and can take weeks to complete. We, along with four friends, decided it would be a grand idea to do a day hike, hopefully making it from Finike to Belos and back. Of course, since we notoriously tend to end up doing things the hard way, the area of the trail we would be walking is deemed one of the most difficult!!!

At least twice we had looked for the start of the walk in Finike, and while we now thought we had a pretty good idea where it was (based on the book "The Lycian Way", and Google Earth), the last thing we wanted was to start our hike out "lost". So, odd as it may sound, we took a taxi to the trail. Much of the trail in the Finike area has been bulldozed into somewhat of a rocky tractor road; one can still get onto the original trail in places (walking more in the forest then the cleared rocky road). We started in the forest, and opted to climb up to the road when we lost site of the waymarks. Luckily it was early morning and no longer summer, because it didn’t take long before the steep incline had us all sweating, and huffing and puffing.

The great thing for us, all cruisers, about this part of the hike was that although the incline was difficult it brought us into the mountains, and eventually along the ridgeline. I hadn’t realized just how much I missed the mountains – it was great to get away from the sea for a few hours.

The first 4 km brought us up to about 650 meters. Along the way we came across a large herd of beautiful goats and a shepherd. We also came upon a field of ancient walls and Lycian tombs.

Another hour and half or so brought us to the ridgeline and magnificent views looking out over the town of Demre with views of Kekova Island in the background. We stopped for lunch, enjoying the peace and quiet and terrific scenery, before heading up, along the ridge, to Belos.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather. The sun was out and not a cloud in the sky, yet the air was cool enough to not wear us out. We’d thought that we’d be dealing with a lot of wind – especially in Belos, which is about 910 meters above sea level, but it was still as could be. Belos is an ancient town littered with ruins and huge sarcophagi. Rooms and walls still stand complete, and everything seemed even more spectacular with the views of Kekova as the backdrop. We spent a leisurely amount of time walking around the ancient town, guessing as to what might have been what and trying to imagine life thousands of years ago. What we especially were in awe of was how they managed to live so high in the mountains – here we had only walked a portion of the trail, with light packs, and were feeling our exhaustion – these people had moved, carrying everything they owned, old and young, and not wearing fancy hiking boots! It was a perfect spot for protection, with stonewalls to protect them and the long distance from the sea to discourage pirates.

It was very cool to have Belos to our own. The ruins of Myra and Demre, which we had visited a few weeks earlier, were brilliant, but there is something to be said for the quiet solitude in walking amongst the ancient city, undisturbed by the masses.

On the way back we had planned on a little side trek to Dinek, but the markings weren’t clear to us, and knowing we still had a long walk back to Finike ahead we didn’t want to wonder "aimlessly" … maybe another day!

I seem to never give downhill trekking the credit it is due. The entire way up all I could think was "at least coming back will be downhill". But it doesn’t take long, especially on steep terrain with loose stones that are uncomfortable to walk on, before I began to wonder if going up wasn’t better! People think that cruising keeps us in shape, but in truth we live pretty sedentary lives – maybe not compared to the average land-lubber American, but in terms of tackling a mountainous 20-24 km day hike, we are in sad shape! It seemed that the last bit of the return trip just kept going and going and going. But at last we were back in Finike – where our first stop was the beer garden just outside the marina!

It was a fantastic day, well worth the effort and the soreness that followed over the next few days. We are hopefully that we can do another section of the Lycian Way next spring when we start cruising again … maybe we ought to start exercising now!

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