Turkey is considered one of the most ancient and beautiful countries. It is famous for its attractions. Most of them appeared in ancient times. Various myths and legends have been created about these periods.
General information
The beauty of Turkish attractions is fascinating. Entire cities, bridges, fortresses and houses leave no one indifferent. There are also many natural monuments. For example, hills, coasts, cliffs and more. Tourists celebrate their extraordinary beauty. Every year a lot of guests come here. It should be said that the cost of excursions in Turkey is quite affordable.
Two sides of relaxation
It is noteworthy that most often tourists do not know about the many attractions of Turkey. They stay in hotels, bask in the warm sun and swim in the sea. However, sometimes you can leave the beach and spend time watching local attractions and cultural monuments.
Excursion "Turkey: Demre Mira-Kekova"
Those who love legends and magical stories should definitely visit this country. For such guests, an excursion "Demre-Mira-Kekova" is organized. The tour involves a trip to the cities and sightseeing. Participants in the trip can visit where Santa Claus was born. Demre is famous for its touching historical architectural monument. This refers to the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Tourists will also be able to see the ancient city. It was destroyed during an earthquake. The city dates back to Lycian time. Inspection of houses and churches is supposed. Guests can visit the ancient fortress on Simen. Many are agitated by the views of the ancient Greek necropolis. It is a tomb that is located in a niche of a huge rock. Here gentlemen and their servants are buried.
Benefits
It is an ideal place for those interested in historical events. The tour "Demre-Mira-Kekova" (Turkey) is a tour of the country's unusual sights. You can buy it almost everywhere. For example, directly at the hotel. You can also book an excursion by visiting travel agencies. Their offices are located on many streets of the city.
Cost
There is an opinion that in street agencies for the Demre-Mira-Kekova tour the price is lower than in other companies. It is believed that this is due to the fact that accident insurance is not included in their price. In this situation, certain details should be taken into account. The cost of the voucher does not depend on the amount of insurance. It is already reflected in the travel package. Examination of the insured event is carried out when the guest was injured not on an excursion, but during an emergency. There is a fairly high level of competition. Firms and street agencies are constantly fighting for visitors. The price of the tour already includes a boat trip and entrance tickets to historical places. It is best to have money with you in case you want to buy icons and souvenirs. Guests will be offered a variety of religious attributes. Estimated tour price - $ 35.
Advantageous option
Very often there are situations when guests who have purchased a ticket to a hotel with a guide travel on the same bus with tourists who have booked an excursion at a street agency. Everyone can choose for themselves the most profitable option, since prices vary, and the conditions are almost the same.
Comfortable trip
For most vacationers, a tour of the cities of Demre, Mira, Kekova starts from Antalya or Alanya. In this case, the journey will last at least four hours. Tourists have to ride on a comfortable bus equipped with air conditioning. The path runs through a mountain serpentine. During the journey, tourists can admire the stunning views of the valleys that are located below. There is a lot of vegetation. Cliffs and mountains are nearby.
Precautionary measures
Not everyone has a well-developed vestibular apparatus. In this case, it is worth taking candy or chewing gum with you. Do not constantly look out the windows of the bus. However, it is very difficult. Unusual species attract the eye. It is impossible to look away from the azure sea and centuries-old cliffs.
Power Features
During the tour "Demre-Mira-Kekova" the bus will make several sanitary stops. Breakfast will be held in the first city. Guests can enjoy strong herbal tea that is not diluted with water. Before going on a boat trip, a lunch stop will be made. It is also planned to visit one of the restaurants in the world. Here guests will be offered delicious fish and chicken dishes with vegetable side dishes. Dessert is provided. It is served depending on the season, for example, it will be pieces of watermelon or other fruits. All drinks are provided for a fee. The exception is tea.
Ancient temple
Guests can visit St. Nicholas Church. At one time, he continued to preach Christianity, despite the fact that the Roman authorities forbade him to do this. In the church you can feel the spirit of that time. Here the sarcophagus is stored, in which the relics of the saint were originally located. Later they were transported to another place. There is a legend about this event. It says that when the sarcophagus was printed, it was full of peace. Since then, it is believed that he has miraculous power. The city of Peace has become a holy place. Pilgrims from all over the world come here to receive a blessing. With the help of the sarcophagus, many religious attributes are sanctified, for example, crosses and icons. This is a unique place. It is both a Christian and a Muslim shrine. In the church there have been many cases of miraculous healing of believers. Most of the frescoes are well preserved. Guests can take a close look at the altar and touch the sarcophagus. A small market is located very close to the temple. Here you can purchase various wood and silver products. They are all consecrated.
Historical information
St. Nicholas is commonly known as Santa Claus. He was born in Patara. Nikolai was a preacher of the city of Mira. Historical sources have preserved information that he showed extraordinary mercy in relation to the poor and children. So the prototype of Santa Claus appeared. Nicholas was considered the patron saint of children. The central city square is named after this saint. Here is a very funny monument. The whole space is lit by the sun's rays, camels are resting nearby, and in the center of the square is Santa Claus, dressed in a fur coat.
Ancient greek cemetery
A visit to the necropolis is also included in the tour program for the cities of Demre, Mira, Kekova. Photos taken during the trip will remind you of these amazing places. The entrances to the cemetery are located in a huge rock. They are decorated with columns. The tombs of the poor are located at the very bottom. At the foot of the cliff is an amphitheater. It was built for the burial of wealthy masters. In ancient times, it was believed that man continues to live in the afterlife. He needs to have fun and have his own home. On the first floor of the building the lord himself will settle, and on the second his servants will be housed. Currently, work is underway to restore the amphitheater.
Tour end
After lunch, a trip to the cities of Demre, Mira, Kekova ends with a boat trip. Guests will go to the bay above Simen. It is a city that was also destroyed by an earthquake during the Lycian era. The boat is equipped with a partially transparent bottom. When the engines are turned off, the excursion participants will be able to see the Lycian sarcophagus in depth. It represents the destroyed foundation of an ancient fortress. The fortification was located on the Kekova Peninsula. Here you can see the fragments of various utensils and ancient amphoras. Water has an unusual color. Through it, you can see the outlines of preserved houses and palaces, baths and other buildings. Views of the flooded city can impress everyone.
Additional Information
In the documentary "Odyssey," the unreal beauty of Kekova’s underwater world is sung. The sunken city inspired journalists to create a television report about him. The coast of the peninsula is replete with numerous fishing restaurants, which are always open for tourists. Here you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes. During the tour, guests will be asked to buy various icons with images of saints.
Currently, more and more incompetent guides are working here. They provide tour participants with false information. The fact is that some copies do not quite correspond to the original icons. It is not recommended to buy them if there is no confidence in the authenticity of the image.
The tour "Demre-Mira-Kekova" (the map shows that these places are located close to each other) lasts only one day. Departure from the hotel is carried out in the early morning, at about 5:00. Often the bus leaves from the travel agency or hotel where the tour was ordered. However, this information should be clarified with the operator in advance.
Most likely, guests will want to sleep on the road. Therefore, it is worth purchasing a special inflatable pillow under your head. The road ahead is quite long. It takes about four hours to drive from Antalya. It is better to stock up on dry rations at the hotel. You must have a large bottle of water with you.
Lunch, as a rule, is already included in the price of the tour. It includes a meat dish and a vegetable side dish. Drinks are provided for a fee. Moreover, their cost is quite high. For a half-liter bottle of water you will have to pay about two dollars. There are also higher rates.
The places that tourists will get to know for excursions are incredibly picturesque. Many will probably want to capture them. It is recommended that you take a camera or camcorder with care. All the trip participants will be accompanied by the scorching Turkish sun. Tourists will have the opportunity to swim in the sea during a long journey. For this reason, it is recommended to take a bathing suit on a trip.