Considering a holiday in Turkey? At Villa Vali our services go much further than being a hotel holiday complex: we aim to ensure that you have every opportunity to explore Akyaka, the local area and the region.
Even though Akyaka is a wonderful place to just sit and do nothing, on occasions the urge may hit you to go explore further afield. .The personnel at Villa Vali will help you discover the hidden Akyaka and the magic of the Mugla region. Consider day trips found on :
Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias is one of the most stunning sites in Turkey. Aphrodisias covers probably a similar area to Ephesus, and has some wonderful buildings, including the fabulous stadium. Aphrodisias is very easy to access but note that there are few shaded areas en-route through the ruins. Arrive early before tour buses and you will share every building / structure with no more than a couple of other people.
Aphrodisias was a small ancient Greek city in the historic Caria cultural region of western Anatolia, Turkey. It is located near the modern village of Geyre, about 100 km west/inland from the coast of the Aegean Sea, and 230 km southeast of İzmir.
Aphrodisias is inland and surrounded by mountains. The flip side of the lack of tourism is the lack of investment in archaeology. Although some of the structures have been excavated / restored the vast majority are as they were – but this does let your imagination run wild and enables you to see many things that maybe otherwise you would miss if they had been rebuilt.There are plans to eventually turn Aphrodisias into a site to rival Ephesus – but although some work is taking place, under the auspices of the Universities of New York and Oxford, there is little sign of the major investment that would be needed to make this happen. Facilities are limited. There is a café as you enter the site, which is fine for drinks, but don’t plan on dining here. Here you can also find the only toilets.
The museum is also sited near the entrance. There are some great statues, and it does help to put the whole site in its historical context.
Behind the museum a depot is being dug out, with the eventual aim of turning this into a display area for the marble friezes from the Sebasteion.
There is an obvious path clockwise round the site. The first obvious site, off to your right, is the Sebasteion – a temple with what was obviously once multiple storeys, and fantastic friezes. What once appeared to be plans to ‘rebuild’ this now seem to be superseded by the idea of a separate display behind the museum.
The next major structure is the amphitheatre. This is very well preserved, including the stage and like most of these, it is easy to sit and imagine the shows that must have taken place, over 2000 years ago.
From here, walk down to the stage, and then ‘backstage’ through to the Tetrastoon (square / meeting place), much of the floor of which is still intact, and next to which is the theatre baths complex. This is fascinating to walk round, you can still see the ancient pipework, and much of the marble tiling, and can easily imagine it in its ancient glory, thronged with people.
From the theatre walk down and round, and enter through the Portico of Tiberius. It is well worth then walking along the edge of the agora by the columns, many still standing, noting the graffiti (ancient ‘board games’, the occasional Chi/Rho symbol) under your feet, and the interesting gargoyles, back to the other end where there is a beautiful pond.
Retrace your path through the agora, and enter the baths of Hadrian. If it is accessible, then this is really worth exploring, as under the floor is clearly visible the whole system that heated the baths, with original tiles stacked up still.
From the baths, follow the path round to the Bouleuterion / Council House / Bishop’s Palace. This has now reopened after extensive restoration, enabling you to fully appreciate the 1750 seat auditorium.
Climb to the top row of seats, exit through the back, and walk down to the Temple of Aphrodite. This interesting building has a long history – it started life as a pagan temple in the 1st Century BC, and 600 years later was turned into a Christian cathedral, which it remained for another 600 years.
From the temple, head off down the path to the stadium (some 200m away). Set well away from the main city, it is in wonderful condition, and, like the theatre, it is possible to sit here for hours and just imaging the ancient races that must have taken place. And you can probably do this in utter solitude.
From the stadium, walk back towards the city.
The last major site is the Tetrapylon, an original 2nd century gateway. This has been rebuilt fairly recently (boards near the structure tell the story of the reconstruction, and also of the archaeologist, buried nearby, who spent much of his life at Aphrodisias).
Villa Vali is a small family run holiday complex in the small Turkish village of Akyaka. The holiday complex consists of five properties and a choice of two, three and four bedroom villas, apartments and studios that share two swimming poolsand communal gardens and “al fresco” dining . The holiday homes offered by Villa Vali are fully furnished, spacious and well equipped.
The Villa Vali holiday homes are set in beautiful relaxing gardens and embrace views of the the sea, the magnificent Sakar Mountain plus citrus and olive groves. Villa Vali is ideally situated and is just a ten minute walk from a sandy beach, the quaint village of Akyaka and a selection of riverside restaurants.
Check out what Villa Vali has to offer:
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