Known as "Smyrna" in Greek, İzmir is one of the oldest centers of modern life.

Izmir is one of the oldest centers of modern life and trade in the world, with a history dating back approximately 8,500 years. Offering a generous blend of green and blue, the city boasts numerous ancient cities and a rich history, making it the most popular settlement in Western Anatolia since its first establishment.

To the west of Izmir lies the Çeşme Peninsula, with its beautiful and colorful sea, lively beaches, and healing thermal centers. To the south is Ephesus, one of the most famous cities of antiquity. This city, which you can't get enough of exploring, is definitely worth getting to know!

* Efes (Ephesus)

Located in the Selçuk district, the Ancient City of Ephesus (Ephesus) is the world's largest open-air museum and is also on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. This region has left its mark on all phases of the history of civilization. Ephesus, the cultural capital of the ancient age, is home to one of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis, as well as the house of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, and the tomb and church of John.

Walking around Ephesus, you'll feel like you've stepped into a time warp. Passing by structures that are thousands of years old, you may find it difficult to take your eyes off the cultural heritage that you admire. Wherever you turn, a centuries-old legacy of humanity will welcome you there…

* Pergamon

Bergama, a place with great historical and cultural impact, is the 999th city in the world, the 13th in Turkey, and the first city in Izmir to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is home to one of the seven churches in Anatolia mentioned in the Bible, and it boasts the steepest theater in the world.

The name Pergamon originates from the ancient name "Pergamon" and means 'castle'. Besides being a significant city with magnificent monuments and serving as the center of the kingdom with the same name in ancient times, it was also an important strategic location in the Middle Ages and played a crucial role during the Ottoman Empire.

During your visit to Bergama, we recommend seeing the Great Mosque, built by Yıldırım Beyazıt, which encompasses layers from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Moreover, Bergama offers exceptional examples of architecture from that era, including the Temple of Athena, the Altar of Zeus, the Temple of Dionysus, the Agora, and the Gymnasium, all waiting for you to explore.

* Çeşme / Alaçatı

“Agrillia”, “Alacaat”, “Alatsata” and finally “Alaçatı” from past to present…

Alaçatı is the most sought-after holiday destination in Çeşme, the most popular district of İzmir. Once a charming Aegean village, Alaçatı has now transformed into one of Turkey's most exclusive tourism centers. It remains an interesting and beautiful place to visit all year round, with its narrow streets, stone houses adorned with bay windows, authentic locations, and designer shops.

Alaçatı's cobblestone streets emit the fragrance of bougainvillea, and its historical stone houses showcase a perfect blend of white and indigo blue. Windmills, surfing-friendly coves, and comfortable hotels make it an ideal choice for a delightful holiday throughout the four seasons.

This area is also home to magnificent bays that you can explore during your Blue Cruises. Gulet charter is a popular holiday option among our guests who wish to experience a traditional blue cruise. Gulets, with their charming wooden structures, offer the opportunity to cruise the deep blue waters with various amenities and spacious living areas.

* Urla

Another must-visit place in Izmir is Urla (Klazomenai). With its art-filled atmosphere, boutique wineries, award-winning wines from international competitions, enchanting coves, and a 24-mile-long coastline, Urla is the Aegean's paradise and is often referred to as "Turkey's Tuscany."

Apart from its magnificent beaches, seaside restaurants, and natural beauty, a stroll along the Urla Vineyard Route will transport you to Italy's Tuscany. The "Urla Vineyard Route" is the road connecting all the wine producers in the region, located to the west of Izmir, south of Urla. Surrounded by vineyards on all sides, you can follow this route to visit various wineries, capture unique photographic moments, participate in tastings (some offering accommodations), and purchase your preferred products.

Regardless of the season, Urla welcomes visitors with stunning nature. The vineyards, spanning up to 550 acres, carefully cultivated grapes such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Narince, Kalecik Karası, Viognier, Grenache, and Mourvedre. Don't miss the opportunity to try the unique "Urla Karası," which can only be tasted here. As part of a joint project by Sabancı University and TÜBİTAK, it was discovered that the grapevine root in Urla is distinct, leading to the naming of this new grapevine as "Urla Karası." If you wish to try this premium wine and gift it to your loved ones, you can purchase it from the premium series.