Izmir Travel Guide

Izmir is where you'll find one of the holiest place in the world.  Izmir houses the last home of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Modern, big and beatiful city with a lot of bars and disco in Alsancak, attractions in Konak, parks and mountain in Balcova

Very westernized.  Stay at the Hilton Hotel, Anemon Hotel or the Kaya Prestige.  These are all located in Alcasak, Izmir which you can arrive to by free shuttle from the Izmir Airport.  These are three of the few hotels where you will not face a language barrier.  There are a lot of things to see in Izmir, the most common are Ephesus and the Virgin Mary house.  It was historical and definately a must see.  As far as eating, any of the local kebap restarants are fine, but they serve a lot of the same entree's for every meal so if you get tired of these, there is a KFC on the Kordon and they also provide delivery if you call (0212)275-1463.  One pretty pricy, but great restarant is the elevator. Any local taxi driver can take you there.  It's a restarant that sit's on top of Izmir and while your eating, you can view the entire city. Although westernized as it may be, women should dress as conservative as possible and do not look any men directly in the eye if your alone or  they may follow you home.  In hours of darkness do not walk by yourself.  This area has some human traficking problems and sometimes the locals confuse foreign women for this. Don't let this scare you away however, Turkey is a very interesting place.