Side

Side is located on the Mediterranean seaboard area roughly 75 kilometres from one of Turkey’s biggest cities’ Antalya. This exclusive shoreline holiday resort lies on a little, flat peninsula which is 300 meters broad and 800 meters long and is just crammed to the brim with archaeological wonders and enclosed on both edges by the deep, azure water of the Med.  At certain points along the major road that sprints through the centre and down to the quaint angling harbour, you can gaze between the structures and roads and glimpse the ocean on either side's.  Side was one time a significant financial town. With its large merchant fleet it swapped with the nations of the east and western Mediterranean and assisted as a dock for numerous components of inward Turkey.

Although the geographer Strabo puts his finger on 7th century B.C. as to the establishment of Side, which is assumed to be founded by the inhabitants of Kyme, a city located near present-day Izmir. The word "side" in the indigenous Anatolian language means "pomegranate", from which we may assume that the city's origins are much older than that. Though Side was Lydian in possession in the 6th century B.C., the Persians captured it in 546 and it remained in their hands until taken by Alexander the Great in 334. Following his death, it was ruled by the Ptolernies and then by the Seleucids. Although the kingdom of Pergamon founded Antalya in the 2nd century B.C. after a naval battle that took place off Side in order to gain control of Pamphylia (south-western Anatolia), Side never came under Pergamene rule. Side enjoyed its greatest period of prosperity in the 2nd century but by the end of that period, it fell under the control of pirates and was not delivered from their domination until the pirates were defeated in 72 B.C. Servilius Isauricus, a Roman consul, who also added Side to the Roman Empire.

Take your holidays in Side and you'll find yourself in the best of both worlds. Rather like Turkey itself, which stands at the point where two continents merge, this charming resort is at the meeting point of the ancient world and the modern. Holidays in Side really do give you a fascinating glimpse back to Roman times. The 5th century baths are unmissable and contain a very interesting museum, and there are any number of other ancient sights to wander around. The theatre which once held 17,000 people, the temples with their magnificent towering columns.

		Shopping: Side is becoming one of the most sought after property market, hence the town’s shopping centres and shops are being renovated and new developments are underway. The town centre already boasts a good number of retail shops selling variety of goods from textiles, furniture's to personal accessories. Supermarkets are well stocked; there are also banks and ATM points available. You can also find smaller stands near the beach where sunbathing essentials are available.
Activities: Side is one of those Turkish resorts that has it all, from ancient ruins through to pretty beaches offering plenty of sunbathing and water-sports, hence itspopularity with package tourists. Come summer the area is packed with hoards of people seeking a slice of the fun. Must-see attractions include the Aspendos, a theatre, which was built in 167 A.D. by architect Zeno, son of Theodorius. It contains 40 rows of marble banks built against a hilltop and used to accommodate 15,000 people in its heydays. This Hellenistic theatre was built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius and was dedicated  to the Gods. It was built by two brothers, as a gift to  the city, and till date it is extremely well preserved and  very much in use. Aspendos also has a 225m long  historical bridge that was built by an Anatolian emperor. This bridge has been recently restored and houses souvenir shops. Apart from these, Aspendos is  endowed with the remnants of a Basilica, Agora and one of the largest aqueducts (100 A.D.) in Anatolia. The  museum which is housed in the old Roman baths; and  also the Temples of Apollo and Athena, built in the second half of the second century A.D., these identical looking temples were dedicated to Athena (Side`s Goddess) and Apollo. Not too far, Manavgat waterfall is a cozy stop, with restaurantsand shops and attracts many tourists.
Restaurants: While in Bodrum, you must try out some local Turkish fare, which there is plenty of! You will also find the usual array of international restaurants, pizzerias and fast food eateries. The restaurants near the marina and the harbour serve some excellent seafood.
		Nightlife: The nightlife here is the liveliest in Turkey, Bodrum boasts Halikarnas - claimed to be the biggest open air night club in the world - together with a host of competing establishments stretched along the harbour front, including one that's based on an enormous catamaran that sets sail at 3am and returns around 5am.

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