AKBUK

Akbuk is located in the centre of Turkey’s favourite coastline, 70km from Bodrum Airport, 65km from Kusadasi and 18km from Didim. The perfect location set in a beautiful natural environment by the sea, surrounded by protected forests and olive trees. Akbuk is also said to have the highest oxygen ratio and lowest humidity rate in Turkey.

Not only is there a rising trend for real estate in Akbuk, but this is becoming a popular tourist destination too. Already you can find restaurants, bars, holiday complexes, summer houses, villas, and hotels. Not to mention the beautiful harbour which boasts golden sands and clear blue water, the perfect welcome as you arrive in Akbuk.
You can visit the resort by local minibus (Dolmus). The service runs daily in and out of Altinkum and operates approx every 20 minutes.
Akbuk became a township in 1991 and is developing according to plan. Most of the infrastructure is complete, new buildings, clean roads, clean beaches and pedestrian walkways by the harbour.

Tour Operators have researched Akbuk, but it still remains relatively undiscovered compared to busier resorts such as Altinkum and Kusadasi. Tourism within Akbuk has also provided great opportunities for locals too. With the demand for boat trips around the coastline, local fisherman use their boats to provide daily boat trips for the holiday makers throughout the summer months.

Akbuk is an unspoilt resort with something to suit everyone. Whether it be water sports, a visit to the local chapel on the coastline or just lazy days by the sea, combined with the local hospitality and traditional cuisine, Akbuk will leave a lasting impression on all those who visit.

AKKOY

Akkoy is a small traditional Greek Style village, 20 minutes from Didim. The name of the village is derived from Turkish, as the local houses are made of local white stone and Akkoy meaning ‘white village’.

Before 1922 Akkoy was home to 4000 Greeks, bought there from regions of Crete and Peloponnesus. They were bought to Akkoy to compensate population decline due to disasters such as earthquake, cholera and malaria. As they were already experienced in growing tobacco they would also bring a new form of revenue to Akkoy. 50 -60 years later the majority of the inhabitants returned to their homeland, others resided in Akkoy, but eventually fled to Samos and other Greek Islands.

Apart from being the oldest village in the region, Akkoy also has the largest village library in Turkey and is also where the local Gendarma station is located.
Akkoy is also home to lots of wildlife including the Peregrine Falcon, kestrels, Pelicans and Flamingos. If you visit Akkoy between the months of May and June you can see the Peregrine Falcons on the roofs of the old Greek houses lining the streets in the village.

As the Government is bringing in new laws regarding the amount of tobacco you are allowed to grow, locals are looking at other possible forms of revenue. One new idea comes in the form of Strawberry farming. There is one you can visit at Trasburun, just outside Akkoy owned by Mr. Ali Olgun, he is not just a pioneer of Strawberries but also rears Ostrich on his farm!

Thursday is market day in Akkoy, where you can sample local cheese, village wine and traditional locally made Gozleme. The locals are very welcoming and hospitable but as this is a village and not a holiday resort, visitors to the village are advised to dress accordingly.

PAMUKKALE

Pamukkale, known by Turkish people to be the 8th wonder of the world, is located 19km from Denzili in the inner Aegean region of Turkey.

Pamukkale is an extraordinary natural wonder. Mineral rich waters rise from the ground at a temperature of 35 degrees celcius and cascade down the mountain from a height of 100 metres, forming a myriad of calcified pools, with an appearance of which resembles a frozen waterfall. Each terrace is totally unique in appearance, shape and size. Some have intriguing overhanging stalactite formations and some have warm thermal hydro pools.

Pamukkale translated means “Cotton Castle”, and when you visit this truly amazing phenomenon you will see why.

The hot springs are said to have healing properties and are recommended for people who are suffering from heart disease, circulatory problems, high blood pressure, nervous disorders and physical exhaustion.

According to scientists, if the water had always flowed at this rate, the terraces must have begun to form 14,000 years ago.
Combined with the breathtaking sights of the calcified terraces and the warm open air thermal pools to bathe in, Pamukkale is most definitely worth seeing whilst visiting Turkey.