Antalya Summer, sun, sand. Holiday bliss!

The city of Antalya is a worthwhile destination, particularly appealing to sports enthusiasts: in the spring, the ski slopes in Saklikent invite alpine athletes to elegant turns, while bathers can enjoy the waves in the Mediterranean at the same time of the year. In the summer months, intrepid guests at Konyallti beach can enjoy an amazing view of Antalya’s skyline when paragliding, and the nearby Taurus Mountains offer opportunities for trekking, hiking and horseback riding. In contrast, when browsing the boutiques of shopping centres or at the MarkAntalya mall, visitors can discover sought-after designer pieces.

Since the Hittites of early antiquity, Antalya has been a meeting point for the caravans from east and west. At that time, spices, carpets and valuable incense were brought here along the Silk Road. The harbour today still testifies to the thriving trade from distant countries. In the middle of the Kaleici, the old town, houses from the Ottoman, Byzantine and Seljuk periods crowd in a semi-circle around the harbour basin, and the menus of the numerous fish restaurants feature Anatalyan specialities. If visitors climb up the narrow winding streets, past the small artists’ workshops, they will reach Hadrian’s Gate.

Hadrian’s Gate was built in honour of the emperor’s visit in 130 AD and is the only remaining gateway of the ancient old town of Antalya. A clock tower, the symbol of Antalya, is built on the foundations of the city wall. Further on, you reach the Alaeddin Mosque, with its imposing minaret and a prayer house dating from the 14th century. In the neighbouring bazaar, spices and tobacco hookahs release their fragrance into the air. From the cafes and restaurants on the bluff, visitors can enjoy an impressive view of the mountains lining the bay of Antalya.

At the end of the promenade is the archaeological museum, exhibiting finds from the days of the Greeks, Romans and Ottomans. In the neighbouring Natural History room, discover fossils and hand tools from prehistory. For those looking for something a bit more lively, just two kilometres away you can venture into an aquarium with a tunnel under the water. At 131m long and 3m wide, it is the largest tunnel aquarium in the world. After a relaxing trip underwater, the Aktur Luna Park is a short distance from here with a roller coaster, carousels and attractions for children and adults.

For the return leg of the city tour, you are plunged into the nostalgia of the 60s when you take the tram back to the city centre; the tram is a gift from Antalya’s twin city of Nuremberg. Music enthusiasts are drawn to this city every year for the Antalya International Folk Music and Dance Festival and the Mediterranean International Music Festival in August and September. Other cultural highlights include the Golden Orange, a film festival with an international reputation.

A return flight to Antalya with SunExpress airline is a good choice for business. An economy class flight brings entrepreneurs in to Antalya Airport, which has good transport connections to the exhibition grounds. In the arrival and departure hall of the terminal, you will find TTNET operators and a wireless internet connection, while in the eight car rental offices there are cars in all price ranges.