Saturday, 31 March 2012

Discovering the Rejuvenating Qualities of Akbuk

Akbuk is a picturesque little resort whose name means White Bay. This former fishing village is right on the edge of the Aegean Sea, and is surrounded by olive groves and mountain forests. It's the perfect place in which to have a relaxing holiday, and to completely escape from the hassle of everyday life. Lots of people are attracted to its laid-back lifestyle, and over the last few years is becoming an increasingly popular location for people looking to buy holiday homes.

As well as enjoying a relaxing lifestyle, people in Akbuk also benefit from having one of the healthiest climates in the country. This is because the air quality is very good, as it has an extremely high oxygen content and very low humidity, and this kind of atmosphere is perfect for anyone who has breathing problems, or who suffers from asthma. Luckily the unique nature of Akbuk has been recognised, and the area is subject to strict preservation orders. The beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness, and there's a very peaceful little harbour offering numerous boat trips in the summer months.

Although it is a quiet little resort, it has a number of very good shops offering everything you could possibly want, but if you need a wider choice then the larger resort of Altinkum is only a few minutes’ drive away. However it would be easy to spend all your time in Akbuk, as there's also a good choice of restaurants and bars dotted along the beachfront and harbour where you can sit and enjoy a drink and a good meal while watching the sun go down.

Things to do in and around Altinkum

Altinkum is a beautiful resort right on the Aegean coast, and is popular amongst families as it has three beautiful sandy beaches with waters that are relatively shallow for a long way out. Each of the beaches offers a good variety of watersports, and it's easy to spend all your days just sunbathing and relaxing, as there are plenty of bars and restaurants willing to serve drinks and snacks all day long.

But what happens if you get bored of spending all your time on the beach? This is when you'll be glad you chose Altinkum, as its perfectly located to explore this interesting area.

There are a number of great places to see nearby, including Pamakkule which is renowned for being one of the natural wonders of the world. This unique geological phenomenon was formed more than 14,000 years ago by carbonate mineral deposits, and the area is well known for its hot springs that are reputed to have therapeutic qualities.

Ephesus is a beautifully preserved ancient city which dates back to the 12th century BC. It used to be an important religious and trading centre, and St Paul is said to have lived here for two years. The Temple of Apollo is incredibly famous, and is very close to Altinkum. This ancient site is well worth seeing even if you aren't particularly keen on history.

Altinkum is a great place to have a Turkish bath, and the experience is extremely relaxing and cleansing. One of the nicest things about going on holiday is experiencing new cuisine, and there are a number of good restaurants in Altinkum that offer traditional Turkish food. Not surprisingly seafood is a speciality, and is always beautifully fresh.

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Akbuk Is the Place to Go for a Peaceful and Relaxing Holiday

Akbuk is situated in a beautiful part of Turkey, and is a small and relaxing resort which used to be a fishing village. Although peaceful, it's not remote as it's just a few minutes’ drive from Altinkum, and is conveniently close to both Bodrum and Izmir international airports.

It's popular with Turkish people seeking a quiet retreat from the big cities, and many who holiday in the resort year after year eventually choose to retire here. This might make it sound very sleepy, but there is still plenty to see and do which would keep the average holidaymaker occupied for a couple of weeks or more.

There are lots of gorgeous beaches which are perfect for a few days hard sunbathing, or there are boat trips available from the local marina. However the area is well known for its numerous historical sites such as the Temple of Apollo which is only a short distance away.

It's a must see for everyone who visits the area, even for those who aren't particularly interested in history as it's quite spectacular. There is also a good waterpark at Altinkum, or a much larger one at the resort of Kusadasi, which is only 73 km away.

For an authentic Turkish experience, first-time visitors should definitely make time to go to a Turkish bath, an experience which is both relaxing and invigorating. Back in Akbuk, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to explore in the evenings, many of whom offer authentic Turkish food, although there is still plenty of more familiar food available for the less adventurous

Choosing Altinkum Just about Guarantees You a Great Holiday

If you are looking for a great place to holiday, or are even thinking about buying a holiday home in Turkey, then Altinkum is definitely worth investigating. It's located in a gorgeous part of the country, right on the Aegean coast, and is surrounded by spectacular scenery.

In spite of this it's very easy to reach, as it's just 110 km away from Bodrum, and just 200 km from Izmir, both of which have international airports that are well served with charter flights from the UK. Altinkum is also just 73 km away from Kusadasi, which is one of the most important tourist resorts in Turkey, and is well worth at least a day trip. It's also a good place to visit if you have children, as it is home to one of the largest water parks in Europe.

However you can have a great holiday without ever leaving Altinkum. This family friendly resort has three gorgeous beaches, and in fact its name means "Golden Sand," and with shallow waters these beaches are perfect for young children who are just learning to swim.

There's plenty going on at the beach, as there are numerous bars and restaurants nearby, so it's easy to get a cold drink or a snack without taking too much time off from sunbathing. If you want to do something slightly more active then there are plenty of water sports to try, including windsurfing, banana boat rides and jet skis, or if you simply want to potter about then you can always rent a pedalo.

With plenty of shops and restaurants, and friendly people, it's easy to see the charms of Altinkum, and if you get talking to other tourists you'll frequently find they have come here before, which is always a great recommendation.

Affordable Homes in Cayman Brac Nearly Completed

Eight affordable homes being built for the Sister Island Affordable Housing Development Corporate are nearly completed. The eight contracts were awarded last December to construct four homes on the site in West End, while another four homes are currently being built at a location in the Watering Place.

All eight are around 75% completed, and they should be completely finished by the end of April. In spite of the high-speed construction, the homes have been built to a high standard, with sizes ranging between one and four bedrooms. The homes come with full kitchens and include all the appliances, but there is no central air conditioning. However they have been built so central air conditioning can be added at a later date.

These houses are seen as being an investment into the community, as they not only provide homes for working families, but have also created jobs within the local workforce. Eligibility for the homes is based on household income, employment, personal references and residency.

Cayman Brac is located to the north-east of Grand Cayman, and is only around 12 miles long and 1 mile wide, and its most prominent feature is The Bluff, which is a large limestone outcrop which rises along the length of the island, reaching 140 feet high at the eastern end. The island is named after this feature as Brac is the Gaelic name for bluff. It's perhaps best known as providing the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Most tourists visit the island to explore the many caves, and it's also great for scuba divers as there are plenty of wrecks just off shore.

São Vicente Is All about Music, Culture and Art

São Vicente is a Cape Verdean island which is very much about music, culture, and art, and is where many of Cape Verde’s musicians and writers have grown up. It's the perfect island for anyone looking for a cultural experience, and the town of Mindelo is a delight. It's easy to see British influences in the architecture and monuments which date back to colonial times, and the town has a lively nightlife with numerous pubs, nightclubs and restaurants.

São Vicente is also a great choice for keen windsurfers, and some people think Sao Pedro is one of the best beaches for speed windsurfing. If you want to go swimming then Baia das Gatas in the north of the island is ideal as it is a natural lagoon. As always the beaches on this island are absolutely beautiful, as they are on all the islands in Cape Verde. São Vicente has two major festivals, one of which is a beach music Festival which is held during the full moon in August, while the second festival is held in mid-February, and is Brazilian influenced.

São Vicente is close to the beautiful island of Santo Antao, which is the greenest island in this archipelago. This is quite remarkable as Cape Verde is known for being extremely dry and arid. The island is just an hour’s ferry crossing away, and is popular with hikers as there are plenty of rugged mountains and green valleys to explore, and the ferry departs every day from Mindelo, which gives visitors plenty of time to explore the island before heading back to São Vicente in the afternoon.