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Side has a great selection of Excursions. They are not provided by Appolo Holidays however here is a taste of what there is on offer from local companies. Further information will be provided in the apartments and can be booked locally. If you require any help at any stage please contact us for advise. |
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Antalya
Ca. 60km west of Side you find Antalya, one of Turkeys most beautiful cities which is a major tourist centre. The historical centre of the city, known as Kaleici, is now a major tourist attraction. The original Roman harbour is considered to be one of the loveliest marinas in Turkey and is a great place to sit and enjoy a lunch time beer. The old city walls, lit up at night, give an atmosphere of timelessness and serenity and must not be missed. Behind the city loom the Taurus mountains and towards the East rise a dramatic expanse of cliffs with waterfalls tumbling down to the sea. Antalya has a great variety of restaurants, bars and a good selection of furniture and home leisure shops. Antalya is the main international airport in Southern Turkey.
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Aspendos
30km east of Side is Aspendos, an amphitheatre that rivals any other single construction on the Turkish coast. Built in the 2nd century and seating 15000 people, the theatre is still only 95% complete. The theatre has amazing acoustics and during the summer months concerts are held here - listening to an opera or a musical in such an ancient setting is an evening not to be missed.
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Perge
Perge is situated 18km from Antalya and was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 B.C. St. Paul preached his first sermons here and it is still an important historical city of ancient Pamphylia. Most of today's Perge belongs to the Roman Period, and anyone interested in history will love to explore the long colonnaded street, once paved with marble and lined with shops, as well as the agora, the stadium, the public baths and the amphitheatre. Try to avoid this tour in the middle of the day in peak summer due to the heat. |
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Taurus Mountains and white water rafting
Only a 30 minute drive from Side, towards Beskonak, you reach the spectacular scenery of the Taurus Mountains. You must see the great Köprülü Canyon and join in an experience never to be forgotten - rafting down the white rapids through the astoundingly beautiful canyon. Truly a day out for the adventurous and an experience you will never forget.
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Termessos
The plateau behind Antalya is as studded with the remains of old cities as are the shores of the Mediterranean. One of the most remarkable of these inland sites is Termessos, high in the mountains above Antalya with even higher peaks around it and with a distant view of the coastline. The defences of the city so daunted Alexander the Great in 333BC that he passed it by, it is not hard to understand why, with the steep winding roads on the approach to the city. At its' peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC, Termessos boasted as many as 150,000 inhabitants and many of the buildings date back to this time. Of all the ruins, the most impressive by far is the theatre which is hewn out of the rock and offers spectacular views as far as Antalya. |
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Manavgat Waterfalls and river boat tours
Just a 10 minute drive from Side is the town of Manavgat where you can practise your haggling skills to pick up some great bargains in the markets on Mondays and Thursdays. Also from here you can take boat trips along the emerald green waters of the Manavgat river to the stunning Manavgat waterfalls or to the sea. Cruising along the river, under the blue skies, with views over the wide open countryside, and tops of the mountains....a day out not to be missed.
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Aquapark
Only 1 hour from Side is one of the largest Aquaparks in the area. This is a great day out for the whole family with a vast choice of pools and water slides to discover and enjoy. To make the day even more memorable, see the dolphin and sealion show, and why not take the opportunity to swim with the dolphins.
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Selukia and the Oymapinar Dam
Follow the road inland from Manavgat and you come to the steep winding road up to the ruins of the ancient city of Seleukia. Set high up on the top of a hill, with spectacular views over the coast. Spend half a day exploring the footsteps of your ancestors.
After Seleukia, follow the road to visit the hydro-electric dam that produces the electricity for the region. The 2nd largest dam in Turkey took 20 years to build and 85 men died during the construction. From its top, there are amazing views of the lake on one side and the valley on the other. These two sites are off the normal tourist trail but are well worth a visit for a memorable day out.
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Side, located between the beautiful beachfront and the foothills of the Köprülü Canyon National Park is perfectly located to offer a great variety of sports. During the summer season the beaches offer all kinds of activities, such as volleyball, tennis, wind surfing, para-sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, and banana boat. Diving activities have recently become more popular with professional centres in the resort running PADI certification courses. |
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Beach and river fishing have been popular sports for a long time. Several Horse riding Centers, which cater to the very young are located around the resort and in the local (5kms) scenic pine forest, picnic areas of Sorgun and Titreyen Gol.
Jeep Safari Routes, available from Side to Beskonak take you on a twisting drive up into the beautiful 14km long Köprülü Canyon National Park where the view at every turn is more spectacular than the last.
For the real Mountain Tracker and Climber, the Beydag mountain range has peaks from 600-3086 meters, offering a wide variety of climbing opportunities. Climbs to the important peaks of Tekedorugu, Bakirli Dag can be completed in one day. Quad Bike and Racing Safari is a new sport here, but catching on with professional centres set up in Manavgat and also in the National Park, Beskonak, (approx 50 Km away) Side offers great opportunities for rafting. An exciting, different day out, which gives you the opportunity to race the rapids whilst at the same time viewing the breathtaking cedar forests of the Köprülü Canyon national Park. Finally, only a 1-2 hr drive away you can find good skiing at Saklikent, meaning 'The Hidden City'. Only 50km behind Antalya there is the possibility of skiing in the morning and then swimming in the warm Med waters in the afternoons of the spring months. The resort, set at 2550m has a short season between December and April and, although not extensive, it offers two T-bar lifts and two ski runs. Accommodation in the resort is limited and often full at the weekends, but a midweek day trip will give you approximately 6hrs of skiing-depending on the road conditions.
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Golf
The most famous GOLF Area in Turkey, with six National courses is located only 40 km. from Side.
News:
Two New golfcourses (18 and 9 holes) are planned to be built adjacent to Side
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