A guide to the cities and archaeological sites of Turkey's Aegean coast, from earliest times through the Byzantine and Ottoman periods and up to the present day. Included are the famous sites of Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus, as well as Miletus, Priene, Didyma and Aphrodisias in the Meander valley; the hot springs of Pamukkale and the modern cities of İzmir (ancient Smyrna) and Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus, site of the famous Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World).

The first full treatment of all the Greek Aegean islands in a single volume by Blue Guides. Meticulously researched and lovingly written, this book contains a wealth of detail on all aspects of these popular destinations: early history and archaeology, Classical and Byzantine art and architecture, Venetian and Ottoman monuments, and present-day concerns such as where to eat, which beaches to visit, and how to get from island to island.

Two Amazon customers pointed out that this guide did not have an active (hyperlinked) table of contents. That problem has now been corrected. The active table of contents has been placed at the end of the book. Click on any item in the table of contents and it will take you to that reference in the text. Another customer noted that there were not pictures in the book. That was true in an early version but the current edition has many, many color images throughout. "If, like me, you are a bit tired of the ethnocentric social commentary that seems to come with certain well known guidebooks then you could do worse than try this one. Simple to use, well written and accurate, I found it invaluable and couldn't fault any of its recommendations nor descriptions." -- Yurt (Amazon reviewer). Turkey is so diverse it could almost be described as a continent rather than a country. The Aegean coastal area is one of the most beautiful anywhere. This is the main focus of this guide, though it also contains an extensive introduction to the country as a whole, including history, cultural information and abundant practical details about traveling in Turkey. Driving down the coast from north to south, travelers first encounter Pergamon, one of the greatest cities in the Hellenistic world and a center of culture, medicine and commerce. At Sardis, the ancient capital of the Lydians, you can hunt for traces of the gold that was reputed to flow down the Pactalos River. South of Izmiris, Ephesus, one of the world’s most lauded historical treasures.The vast Roman city captured the imagination of many an ancient woman. No doubt she would have dreamed of visiting the city where the men were powerful and the stores were lavish. The magnetism of Ephesus still attracts a huge crowd. Farther along the coast are the ancient cities of Priene, Miletos and Didyma, and inland are the milky terraces of Pamukkale. Turkey's location straddles Asia and Europe. The three great Empires that ruled the country for thousands of years left a legacy of enchanting cultures and more ancient sites than even Italy or Greece can boast. Covered in detail are where to stay, where to eat, shopping, sightseeing and adventures, both cultural and physical from walking in the footsteps of St. Paul to joining in the local festivals, from yoga and Turkish baths to art classes and cooking courses. This guide combines in-depth text information with color maps & photos on almost every page. Existing guides are largely text-only or mostly graphics and lacking the practical details travelers need. The guide totals 163 pages.

Full of insider information, this is the book that official tour guides in Turkey rely on. The most visited areas along the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines are covered in extensive detail. This highly acclaimed Blue Guide also provides more information on central and eastern Turkey than any other guide and unrivaled coverage of Turkey's wonderful artistic heritage.

The Turkish Riviera, known as the Turquoise Coast, is home to stunning mountain scenery, rich myths, and folklore, and more than six hundred miles of impeccable shoreline along the warm Aegean and Mediterranean seas. Featuring two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the ruins of the Mausoleum of Maussollos and the Temple of Artemis, this stretch of coast is a destination apart, so much so that Mark Antony was said to have chosen it as the most spectacular wedding gift for Cleopatra. Through the lens of Oliver Pilcher, this blue voyage beckons readers with wanderlust to set sail and enjoy the dazzling sapphire shades of the coast’s dreamy yacht life. Anecdotes from lovers of the region include Mica Ertegun, Tommy Hilfiger, Chiara Ferragni, and Mert Alas, who spent summers boating on these storied waters.