Lapped by crystalline waters shot with luminous shades of turquoise and aquamarine, Turkey's sun-blushed Aegean coast has to be one of the most blessed corners of the world. Inland, it's the same story with rocky escarpments, cloaked in sweet smelling pines, leading down silvery olive groves and centuries-old stone villages. But it's not just this stunning natural canvas that makes western Turkey such a hit with visitors - it's one of those rare destinations that is able to fulfil the needs of so many different visitors while preserving its customs and exotic feel. So, whether it's admiring the ruins of a forgotten Roman city, watching a veiled belly dancer shimmy before you, tasting the delights of a meze meal or grooving until five in the morning, this part of Turkey really does seem to have it all. Western Turkey brings together European and Middle Eastern elements like no other. Journey along the Aegean coastline and you'll bear witness to an amazing cultural melange - the crumbling remains of Greek and Roman temples stand side by side with the needle-like minarets of Islamic mosques. Geographically too, western Turkey is where East meets West - the waters of the Dardanelles are the traditional dividing line between Asia and Europe. Straddling two disparate continents, Turkey is both familiar and curious - providing countless opportunities for discovery and relaxation.
