REGIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT IZMIR

Izmir is the unofficial capital of the Turkish Aegean area, 210 mi/338 km southeast of Istanbul. It is the third largest city in Turkey. It features one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Visit the bazaar, the Kemeralti, Sadirvan and Hisar mosques, the archaeological museum, the Agora (marketplace) and Kadifekale. The Culture Park is a fairground. Day trips from Izmir include historical sites at Didyma, Asklepion and Priene. Izmir is also an ideal base for visiting the historic towns of Alasehir, Akhisar, Bergama, Denizli, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Sardes and Selcuk.