Image by Dan Taylor.

Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline stretches from its border with Syria around to Europe and the border with Greece. There is a wide array of resorts to be enjoyed on a tour of Turkey along the Mediterranean, and few areas of the world have seen as much history as this region.

Asia Minor

The Mediterranean coast framed the South fringe of what was once known as Asia Minor. Archaeological discoveries such as the Karain cave near Antalya show that the area was occupied by humans right back in the Stone age before the beginnings of agriculture. Fertile, strategic and blessed with a large number of natural harbours, the coast became a magnet for ancient settlements from the Bronze age onwards. Today it is littered with the vestiges of these antique cities.

Locations with a Difference

Whenever people begin talking about their plans for Turkey tours, they find it difficult to pin down exactly where to begin when it comes to exploring this vast country. Frequently, a typical itinerary will include Istanbul, Ephesus and Cappadocia. Along the coastal areas, you can almost literally find an ancient site over every hill. The perfect way to explore these is on a cultural gulet cruise.

Ancient and Modern

Turkey is a country far more than the sum of its ancient cities and forgotten eras. Generally speaking, the largest towns are still relatively undeveloped in terms of large-scale tourism, and even the more popular resorts have managed to escape the mega-development that is evident in so many Mediterranean resorts in other countries. Fortunately in Turkey, there are still a great many coastal towns and villages that offer a wonderful glimpse