PLACES TO VISIT
SELCUK
Close by and overshadowed by its famous, ancient neighbour Ephesus, this small town has a lot to offer. Apart from the museum itself which houses many of the best finds from Ephesus, there is a beautiful 14th century mosque and St Johns Basilica.
Ruins of hamams and libraries from different centuries can be found all over the town and storks nest on the top of many ancient columns. This is a good place to shop for carpets and kilims and many places offer as good a selection as Istanbul but don't forget to bargain.
Don't miss a look at the station full of old world charm and The House of the Virgin Mary just out of the town. The huge market in the central square on Saturday is good for people watching and sells excellent local produce, from food to local crafts.
Generally Selcuk hotels use Selcuk traditional houses for accomodation hotels services. So when you came to Selcuk, you can find a chance to stay in different atmosphere and see real Turkish lifestyle.
TIRE
Tire is a bustling market town and worth visiting on a Tuesday when they have their weekly market. It's particularly good for its wide range of merchandise from wooden spoons to handmade saddles and donkey harnesses made of goats hair. Wander around the market streets at your leisure and look out for the old caravansaray (an ealy form of guesthouse) behind many old doors. There is a very interesting workshop making felt carpets in many original patterns called Cemil Con.
On the roads leading into Tire, gypsies sell beautiful reed baskets in all shapes and sizes. There is an amusing rural life museum which provides ten minutes entertainment although most of the displays have not been changed for years or even dusted for that matter!
KUSADASI
A lively holiday resort - if you miss clubbing or mainstream tourism this is the place to go. The harbour has many restaurants and cafes and all major banks and shops can be found here.
TRAIN MUSEUM
If you like trains go to the world famous Camlik steam train museum, as a bonus the restaurant here is very good. There is also a ceramic shop branch of hand made tiles and objects for sale here.
OTHER ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES
The Aegean area was once a powerful area of the Ancient World, and many sites can be explored from Sirince including Magnesia, Priene and Miletus in a long morning or afternoon.
Magnesia on the Meander
Magnesia was at an important location commercially and strategically in the triangle of Priene, Ephesus and Talles. Although it lay within Ionia, it was not accepted into the Ionian League. During its existence, Magnesia was subject first to the Lydians, then to the Persians. The territory around it was extremely fertile, and it was renowned for its figs and wines. Excavation began in the 1890’s and was resumed in 1984. Magnesia is often almost completely empty of tourists, so you can really get the chance to explore this ancient city away from the crowds.
Priene
Priene is smaller and only had about 5,000 inhabitants. It was once on the sea, and the city was constructed in terraces, rising from sea level to approximately 400 feet. Like the more politically powerful city of Ephesus, the river bed silted up and the city found itself further and further removed from the sea.
Miletus
22 km from Priene lie the remains of Miletus. Once again, the city was a port before the Meander river silted up, strangling the economy and forcing its citizens to look elsewhere for opportunities. Here you can explore the large theatre and the remains of temples, markets and houses.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Selcuk market - you can find everything here, fresh fruit and vegetables, spices and nuts, clothes, shoes, bedlinen and leather goods are all available in this huge Saturday market
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Shop for a felt rug - wonderfully soft and thick with bold, unusual patterns - you will find them on the floors of our houses and you can shop for them in Tire
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The Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - only one column remains
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Watch the storks nesting all around Selcuk
