Turkey: Alanya
Alanya is often associated with a beach resort packed with European or Russians to the bream. But the town has deep historical roots and plenty of interesting attractions beyond the fat-drunk-Russians-in-Speedos-covered beaches. The city’s strategic location at the the tip of a peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean made it an important stronghold and fortress throughout history – including Ptolemaic, Seleucid, Roman. Byzantine, Seljuk, and the Ottoman empires. The massive castle sits on top of the hill above the town and its fortification can be seen sprawling in all direction like spider arms. Below the castle, at the harbor, is the Red Tower, built in 1226 and the symbol of the city. The views from the top are truly stupendous, especially at sunset.
