Turkey: Antalya
Antalya is the heart of touristy Turkey, and therefore is best avoided. Still, there are some good attractions here – like the Old Town with a maze of streets, all leading to the old harbor with panoramic views. Hadrian’s Gate is an awesome three-arched marble gateway and dates to 132 AD, built by Emperor Hadrian himself. Next is the flutes minaret of Yivli Minare that is also stunning (albeit under renovation), built by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubad in early 13th century. On the waterfront, there is a 2nd century Roman fortress, aka Hidirlik Kalesi, protecting the harbor access. There are several other pretty mosques and monuments, but overall, the town is packed with tourists and is rather kitschy and feels like a wallet-trap.
