There are lessons to be learned from time-lapse photography about the beauty of slow travel. Park yourself somewhere and stay awhile. Be still. Go for long exposure. Reconsider time, stretch it, condense it and watch its flow. Leave a place with a long time-lapse memory of it rather than a handful of sporadic snapshot seconds.

We’ve asked our local partners from all over the world for time-lapse footage that moves them. In these long-exposure windows to the world, you can see what slow travel and time-lapse cameras reveal – both the constants and flux of a place over time.

Three Suns – Tatlong Araw, Philippines

“The new Philippine tourism tagline ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ could be applied to our sunsets – ‘Sunsets are more fun in the Philippines’ – as almost all of the time-lapse videos on YouTube feature our amazing sunset skylines. The first section of this video features White Beach in Boracay, which is consistently voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The time lapse captures the relaxed pace of visitors to the island.”
~ Trudy Allen, the whl.travel local connection in Boracay, Philippines

Time Lapse in Barcelona, Spain

“This time-lapse montage of Barcelona covers both the major must-sees and hidden street scenes of Barcelona. It shows the flow of pedestrian traffic and the light that breathes itself into the city at nightfall. One detail that time lapse exposes is the way people pause in front of Barcelona’s greatest works of art.”
~ Christian Petzold, of www.bcn.travel, the whl.travel local connection in Barcelona, Spain

October in Luang Prabang, Laos

“It’s often said that Laos is 20-30 years behind the rest of Southeast Asia and that Luang Prabang is a place stuck in time. This time-lapse video captures the graceful timelessness of the UNESCO World Heritage town, the ebb and flow of the Mekong River and the stoic mountains that surround it.”
~ Cindy Fan of Teamworkz, the whl.travel local connection in Luang Prabang, Laos

Last 2011 Sunrise over Dingli, Malta

“In the Dingli Cliffs on the west coast of Malta, the quietness and peacefulness of the rural area is reflected perfectly in this lovely sunrise. Outside the busy commercial centres like Valletta and St. Julian’s, life in the rural parts of Malta (like Dingli) runs at a slower pace. The slow, deliberate rhythm of the locals creates a sense of contentedness and harmony.”
~ Marco Attard of EC Meetings, the whl.travel local connection in Malta

Time Lapse of Phnom Penh City, Cambodia

“As the video creator describes, ‘Phnom Penh is a city moving into the 21st century at an astonishing rate…. Where the west had decades for society to progress in parallel with technology, Cambodian people are trying to squeeze that progression into just a few years. This video represents the pace at which this city is changing.’

Even when slowed down, through the video you’ll experience how chaotic Phnom Penh is. Watch for the scenes of traffic at night and from the back of a tuk-tuk. It’ll give you a taste of how exciting driving through the city is.”
~ Cindy Fan of Teamworkz, the whl.travel local connection in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Karuskose of Soomaa, Estonia

“This is Soomaa, Estonia, during the ‘Fifth Season’ of April, as captured over the course of an entire month from a webcam at our base camp at Karuskose.”
~ Aivar Ruukel, a Gunyah local partner in Soomaa, Estonia

Time Lapse in Hanoi, Vietnam

This is a fascinating portrayal of traffic and street life in Hanoi, Vietnam. “Slow travel is all about local immersion, and there is no better way to immerse yourself than buying or renting a motorbike and getting out there with the locals on the streets of Hanoi.”
~ Luke Ford, CEO of Gunyah, in Hanoi, Vietnam

Corcovado – Time Lapse in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“Here is a slow-moving capture of the Christ the Redeemer monument in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This video does a good job demonstrating why this world-famous icon has been named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.”
~ Luiz Renato Malcher, the whl.travel local connection in Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Dusk-to-Dawn Time Lapse in Bangkok, Thailand

“Bangkok is where East truly meets West, where modern order collides with creative chaos and where, with help from the tropical heat, tradition melts in with the new. The city can only be described as an experience.

There’s an unapologetic exuberance to Bangkok – which is why it can be overwhelming, even for someone who has travelled there before. That’s why these time-lapsed videos are so mesmerising. The city is seemingly unpredictable, but slow it down and you’ll see how Bangkok rhythmically pulses with life and energy, how it moves to its own steady heartbeat.”
~ Cindy Fan of Teamworkz, the whl.travel local connection in Bangkok, Thailand

Time Lapse on Apparition Hill, Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina

“I like this video because it reflects the true highlight of Medjugorje: the pilgrimage to our Shrine of Peace. It shows the feelings of peace of oneness with God while climbing the hills. As you are stepping up the path, you see extraordinary white clouds drawn against the totally blue sky; you feel as if you are not alone. You could sit there for hours. You feel loved and not forgotten, and everything that makes you feel small seems to vanish.”
~ Zana R-Bilal, the whl.travel local partner in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Time Lapse in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

“Here are two different sunset city-scapes in time lapse from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Although the city of Kota Kinabalu moves with the fast pace of modernity, you can find sleepy towns, villages, and coasts that are lost in time just outside the urban area.”
~ Jessica Peters, the whl.travel local partner in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Beira-Mar Time Lapse, Florianópolis, Brazil

“This video reflects a new phase that Florianópolis is going through. Just about three decades ago, although it was already the capital city of Santa Catarina State, Floripa was just an island with bucolic fishing villages sprinkled on the different beaches. Fortunately the island still preserves this aspect of itself, but the city centre of the island is now very cosmopolitan. It matches the rhythm of any major Brazilian capital city. My favourite part of the video is how the beauty of the nature, the ocean, the small boats and the mountains combine with the rush and chaos of the city center.”
~ Renata Asprino, the whl.travel local connection in Florianópolis, Brazil

Time Lapse in Kathmandu, Nepal

“This video was shot locally by a friend and former colleague, Rishikesh. He has won awards like ‘The Best Creative Youth’ at the Crity Awards, Nepal‘s most prestigious award ceremony in the field of advertisement, in 2010. Rishi was a key member of our whl.travel Nepal team until about March 2010.”
~ Navin M. Shrestha, the whl.travel local partner in Nepal

Sunset Time Lapse, Solomon Islands

“A brief and elegant capture of a sunset in Ghizo, Solomon Islands.”
~ Kerrie Kennedy, the whl.travel local connection in Solomon Islands

Istanbul, Turkey, in 7000 Frames

“I liked this piece’s romantic pictures of old Stamboul, but what this video fails to capture is the notion of living in Istanbul! The city has over 16 million inhabitants, which don’t make enough of an appearance here. You have to come and spend some time in the city to feel the reality of that size and pace.”
~ Gerardo Oude Hergelink, Istanbul, Turkey

Cambodian Sun over Siem Reap

“I can’t think of many places that inspire more of a sense of awe than Angkor Wat at sunrise, which is why ‘sunrise at Angkor Wat’ comes up high up on many travellers’ lists of things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia. There’s a special moment just before the sun breaks and the sky vividly displays the colours of dawn, gradually changing from pitch black through various shades of red, orange, pink and purple.”
~ Thomas Holdo Hansen, the whl.travel local connection in Siam Reap, Cambodia

On Turkey’s pristine south coast, nestled between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, the city of Antalya has long been a favourite holiday destination. Dubbed the new Turkish Riviera, the flanking seaboard offers a rich blend of things to see and do in Antalyaand environs, from exploring Roman ruins to hiking or kayaking deep canyons.

Hadrian's Gate in Antalya, Turkey, is widely believed to have symbolised Roman triumph in the region. Photo courtesy of Unlimited Holidays

With 630 metres of dazzling oceanfront, Antalya has earned its title as the gem of the Turkish coast and welcomes nearly one third of all visitors to the country each year. The appeal of the harbour town is easy to see, not least because Antalya weather is pleasant all year round, with guaranteed sun throughout the summer, and because the white-sand beaches are kept clean and boast numerous local operators who manage water sports opportunities such as diving, snorkelling and kayaking.

In and around Antalya, Turkey, are underwater archeological sites, ancient caves, old temples and Xanthos (pictured here), which is mentioned in Homer's Iliad and a World Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Unlimited Holidays

In addition to Antalya’s seaside attractions, outdoor enthusiasts will delight in hinterland hiking, white water rafting in Korpulu Canyon and relaxing by the magnificent Duden or Kursunlu waterfalls. Antalya is also the starting point for hiking the famous Lycian Way, the longest trekking route in Turkey.

In town, any tour of Antalya is bound to explore the city’s numerous World Heritage sites. The old city of Kaleiçi is a must-see as it contains much of the city’s archaeological heritage. Other nearby sites include ancient ruins such as Perge and Aspendos and Termessos, the latter a city once so well defended that even Alexander the Great could not conquer it.

Also not to be missed is Hadrian’s Gate, the old ornamental archway that marks the town entrance. All of the the area’s impressive historical heritage is fully explained at the Antalya Archeological Museum, which regularly receives high marks from travellers.

Unlimited Holidays, the whl.travel local connection in Antalya and also the Green Path Transfers local partner is a class-A tourism company (the highest rank in Turkey) helmed by Mehmet Yildiz and devoted to preserving this beloved region of their country by offering local connections to hotels that aspire to protect the natural beauty of the city as well as its cultural heritage.

“whl.travel will help us show everyone that Antalya has more than just sea, sun and beaches,” Yildiz says. “It has history, culture and friendly local people too.”

For more information about visiting Antalya, be sure to contact Unlimited Holidays. The Antalya airport, transfer service to which is managed by Unlimited Holidays, is well positioned to connect travellers to other top destinations in Turkey, such as Istanbul and Cappadocia.

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MESAJIN TÜRKÇESİ / IN TURKISH:

Türkiye’nin bozulmamış güney sahilinde, Toros Dağları ve Akdeniz arasında bulunan, uzun yıllardan beri favori bir tatil merkezi olan harikalar diyarı Antalya, whl.travel’ın en yeni destinasyonudur. Türk Rivierası olarak da bilinen kıyı şehri Antalya ve çevresi ile Antik Roma kalıntılarından, doğa yürüyüşlerine, derin kanyonlarda kayaking’e kadar bir çok görülmesi gereken yerler, aktivite ve dogal güzelliklersunar.

Days in Antalya, Turkey, are quiet as locals and tourists head outdoors into the year-round pleasant weather. Outdoor activities in this Mediterranean port include horseback riding, kite surfing, snorkelling, diving and sea cruises. Photo courtesy of Unlimited Holidays

630 kilometrelik göz alıcı sahil şeridi ile Antalya, ülkenin bir yılda elde ettiği turizm gelirinin yaklaşık 3’te birini kazandırdığı için Türkiye sahillerinin incisi ve turizmin baskenti olarak bilinir. Bu liman şehrinin çekiciliği, yaz boyunca eksik olmayan güneşi ile Antalya ikliminin tüm yıl boyunca ılıman olmasının yanısıra bununla birlikte beyaz kum sahilleri temiz tutulduğu için, snorkel ve tüplü dalış ve kayaking gibi su sporları düzenleyen birçok yerli operatörü kendine çekmektedir.

No visit to Turkey is complete without indulging in a Turkish hammam, or bath, an enduring local tradition. Both modern and traditional hammams can be found in Antalya in most luxury hotels or in the town centre. Photo courtesy of Unlimited Holidays

Antalya’nın deniz kıyısı çekiciliklerinin yanı sıra, outdoor meraklıları doğa yürüşlerinden, Köprülü Kanyon’da rafting yapmaktan, ve görkemli Düden ya da Kurşunlu şelalelerinde serinlemekten büyük keyif alacaktırlar. Ayrıca Antalya Turkiye’nin en uzun yürüyüs yolu olarakta bilinen Likya Yolu’nun başlangıç noktasıdır.

Herhangi bir Antalya turu ile şehrin birçok dünya mirası örenyeri ve mesire alanları keşfedilebilir. Eski şehir olarak da bilinen Kaleiçi, şehrin arkeolojik geçmişi ile ilgili birçok görülmesi gereken eser barındırdığı için kesinlikle görülmesi gerekir. Civardaki diğer antik yerleşimler arasında Perge, Aspendos ve daha uzakta bulunan; zamanında çok iyi savunulmuş, Büyük İskender’in bile ele geçiremediği Termessos yer alır.

Ayrıca şehrin girişini gösteren süslü, revaklı Hadrian Kapısı’nın da kesinlikle görülmesi gerekir. Tüm bölgenin etkileyici tarihsel geçmişi, ziyaretçilerinin de sürekli beğenisini toplayan Antalya Arkeoloji Müzesi’nde detaylı birşekilde açıklanmaktadır.

whl.travel’ın yerel bağlantısı ve Green Path Transfer’in yerel partneri olan Unlimited Holidays, Mehmet Yıldız tarafından işletilmektedir ve şehrin doğal yapısının yanında kültürel mirasını da korumaya azami özen gösteren oteller ve yerel bağlantılar sunan, ülkesinin bu nacizane bölgesini korumaya adamış, A-grubu (Türkiye’deki en üst sınıf) seyahat acentasıdır.

“whl.travel Antalya’nın sadece deniz, güneş ve kumdan ibaret olmadığını bunun yanısıra zengin tarihinin, kültürünün ve misafirperver halkınında oldugınu herkese göstermemizde bize yardımcı olacaktır,” diyor Bay. Yıldız.

Antalya’ya seyahatiniz hakkında daha fazla bilgi almak için lütfen Unlimited Holidays ile irtibata geçiniz. Antalya havalimanı transfer hizmetleri Unlimited Holidays tarafından sağlanmaktadır ve misafirlerinin İstanbul ve Kapadokya gibi diğer önemli turizm merkezlerine ulaşımı için çok uygun bir konumda bulunmaktadır.

There can be so much stress wrapped up in the simple act of catching a taxi. Book ahead with Green Path Transfers and you have peace of mind, in part because your travel is 100% carbon offset. This taxi waits near the Greek Parliament in Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Salonica84

Triptrotting is all about connecting travellers with locals and then providing both with authentic experiences and opportunities to make new friends. I was the lucky gal chosen from among 300 others as the Ultimate Triptrotter and spent several weeks in Europe putting the Triptrotting network of travellers and hosts to the test.

Well, my Ultimate Triptrotting Adventures featured a lot of hopping from city to city, which meant a lot of time spent on planes and in airports. And I mean a lot of time: the start of my journey featured a period in which, thanks to Mother Nature (snow is nice, but not when it traps you in New Zealand), I barely set foot outside of an airport for five days.

Luckily for me, the WHL Group, with a little help from The Travel Word, stepped in and offered me the use of their innovative service known as Green Path Transfers, a global network of local eco-friendly airport transfer partners and ground transportation operators that transformed airport-city travel into something I anticipated rather than dreaded.

With ground transportation no longer a worry, in Istanbul, Yolanda met up with Salih, her Urban Adventures guide eager to share his love of his city and knowledge about Turkish life, including his his favourite Baklava cafe. Photo courtesy of Triptrotting

Much More Than a Transfer

Green Path Transfers was so much more than an airport transfer to me. As a traveller on a budget, I am used to taking the cheapest option to get into the city. This usually means one of three things:

1) scamming a friend into picking me up and hoping that they’ll still be there even if my flight is delayed
2) waiting around for a shuttle that will eventually take me to some inconvenient part of the city, or
3) scouring the airport for some form of public transportation, which then loops around and around suburbs for ages before ending up anywhere remotely close to civilization.

‘Splurging’ means getting a taxi, and it is only done as a last resort in the wee hours of the morning or when no other public transportation is available. Even that is usually not all that pleasant of an experience, as I can’t help wondering if the cab is actually a real cab, and if the driver is taking advantage of my clear unfamiliarity with the city by driving me around in circles.

A Taste of Something Different

Green Path Transfers was different: a global network of door-to-door ground transportation operators that provide a friendly face and reliable service at competitive costs, all while being green (using low-emissions vehicles and/or 100% carbon offsets).

Is the journey the way there or the destination? It's both, especially when the transport is simplified by Green Path Transfers and the goal is Athens, Greece, site of the world-famous Parthenon, sitting atop the Acropolis. Photo courtesy of Triptrotting

I was amazed at the ease with which I could get from the airport to my Triptrotting hosts! There was unfailingly someone at the airport to greet me, grab my bags and offer up both big smiles and lots of tips for ways to enjoy their cities. The drivers took great pride not only in their jobs, their cities and in maintaining high standards of service, but, as an added bonus, in knowing that they were doing right by the planet.

Especially to those of us concerned about how much carbon gets pumped into the atmosphere as a result of flights, Green Path Transfers promises some peace of mind. After all, Green Path Transfers is not just ‘green’ in name only. It aims to work with operators who use vehicles that are hybrids, run off biofuel, or whatever it takes to ensure reduced carbon emissions. As a further guarantee that the transfer is completely carbon neutral, Green Path Transfers offsets on any unavoidable emissions.

Now that I have had the good fortune of Green Path Transfer in Istanbul and in Athens, I can never go back to my old ways of long hours hauling luggage around on outdated and sketchy public transportation. Here’s to Green Path Transfers, where the grass truly is greener on the other side!

Turtles are curious creatures that have walked (and swum) this earth since the time of the dinosaurs. Little is known about this migratory animal that often will swim thousands of miles across oceans to return to the very beaches where they were born to lay their eggs. This green turtle was photographed in Seychelles, an image courtesy of Flickr/whl.travel

Saving the marine turtle just may be one of the few things the international community can agree on these days. This seafaring migratory creature doesn’t know anything of borders, fishing routes or beach resorts properties. Unfortunately, though, these are the very factors threatening the sea turtle with extinction; finding ways to help them hasn’t been easy.

Despite being the subject of much inquiry, marine turtles have proven to be elusive subjects, creatures that date back to the age of dinosaurs, spend most of their time at sea and swim thousands of miles each year. In fact, female turtles only come to shore in the summer months to lay two to four batches of eggs. Each one digs a nest about 40-centimetres deep and lays 80-100 soft-shelled eggs. The mother turtle then leaves the nest and, after two months of incubation, the hatchlings emerge and make their way by the light of the moon to the sea. A lot can go wrong in this delicate process, which explains why, on average, 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survives.

Threats to Turtle Survival

There are seven species of sea turtles, only two of which are prominent in the Mediterranean – loggerhead and green turtles, although there have been occasional leatherback sightings as well. No one knows for sure how large the turtle populations once were in the Mediterranean, but in the 1950s and 1960s, turtle soup was considered a delicacy and the green turtle female population was notably weakened to fewer than 500 individuals. In the last 100 years, human factors in the region have continued to threaten these species to the point of endangerment.

Most turtles are caught as they push up the beach to lay their eggs. Many are killed and large numbers of their eggs harvested for food. Laws now outlaw such practices, but turtle populations have yet really to reinforce their numbers. Part of the reason for this is turtles are just as vulnerable at sea as they have been on land, as many sea turtles are routinely caught in long fishing nets and lines and are either drowned or, when released, prone to die of the injuries sustained in the nets.

Perhaps most devastating of all is the boom in beach developments along the Mediterranean coast and islands. Each turtle will only lay her eggs on the same beach where she was born. This means that if a beach is lost to a resort or seaside restaurant, an entire colony of turtles can be wiped out.

Turtles are at their most vulnerable when laying their eggs. The number of human-caused obstacles that occur at this delicate time are innumerable, from bright hotel lights and over-trodden beaches to trash, large fishing nets and beach development. This green turtle was seen in Sandakan, Malaysia, photo courtesy of Flickr/whl.travel

The Benefits of Turtle Tourism

In the face of all these challenges, marine turtles persevere. The most populous loggerhead and green nesting grounds in the region are in Kefalonia, Greece, with other prominent sites in North Cyprus and Dalyan, Turkey. On the nearby Arabian Peninsula, one beach in Oman hosts 15,000 green turtle nests each year, the largest nesting site in the region.

Thankfully, in recent years, several of these key nesting sites have taken a different approach to tourism. Local tourism providers have realised – some faster than others – that keeping turtles around isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for business too. By offering turtle-safe viewing areas and organised volunteer activities, such as beach cleanups – or ‘turtle rescues’ from traditional shallow nets – animal-curious tourists learn about local turtles and how to protect them. It’s a self-fulfilling circle that provides education for tourists and locals alike while giving the turtles what they need to survive.

Turtle Security in Action

When in the Mediterranean, if you want to see turtles or volunteer for a local organisation, there are several places from which to choose. In the Middle East, the most prominent one is Ras Al Jinz in Oman, home to 15,000 green turtle nests, the largest concentration In the region.The community of Ras Al Jinz has embraced the turtle phenomenon and, thanks to the centrally located Scientific Research Center and the cooperation of many hotels in Ras Al Jinz, the beach as maintained as a nesting site and the turtles are well cared for.

For example, the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve hotel has minimal lighting in order to not disturb the nesting turtles at night. The nearby Turtle Beach Resort is great base from which to explore the surrounding wildlife; it offers turtle, bird and dolphin watching, along with snorkelling and diving trips. You can even stay adjacent to the Ras Al Jinz Scientific Research Center at the Carapace Lodge, which is ideally situated for early-morning and late-night turtle sightings far from the other accommodation. There are also many tours in Oman that combines visits to the Wahiba sands with experiences at the Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve.

Right in the Mediterranean basin, the three main loggerhead- and green-turtle viewing sites are in Kefalonia, Greece; North Cyprus; and Dalyan, Turkey. On the island of Kefalonia, Mounda Beach is the most famous nesting site for loggerhead turtles. Fears of overdevelopment and burgeoning tourism have seen the establishment of associations like the Katelios Group, an assembly of locals who began working together in 1994 to help conserve the turtle population and natural wildlife.

Turtles are natural seafaring creatures that can measure up to 51 inches (130 centimetres) in length and weigh 660 pounds (300 kilograms). They are the earth's oldest living reptiles. Known for their shy defensive mechanisms, turtles actually have some of the best night vision in the animal kingdom. This loggerhead turtle was is off the coast of Turkey near Kas. Photo courtesy of Flickr/whltravel

In North Cyprus, tour operator Kaleidoskop Turizm often sends turtle-seeking guests to the Marine Turtle Conservation Project, which cooperates with post-graduate students to research the effect of fisheries on turtle populations. Turtle watching in North Cyprus can be arranged through a variety of tours, though viewing through a conservation project is usually most beneficial to the turtles as they have closely monitored nesting times, migration patterns and feeding habits.

Dalyan, Turkey, is one of the most famous examples of successful turtle conservation in the Mediterranean. In 1986, Izutuzu Beach (now known as ‘Turtle Beach’) was slated for a large luxury-hotel development. However, because the beach is one of the key nesting grounds of the loggerhead turtle, international condemnation, helmed by David Bellamy himself, successfully reversed the decision and now the beach is a protected site. Wooden stakes mark nesting sites and visitors are encouraged to be careful where they walk, as the sand could get packed down and make digging a nest more difficult. Izutuzu Beach was named the world’s best beach in 1995 and is regarded as a hallmark of successful conservation. Many beach hotels in Dalyan are located near the site, but the part of the beach housing nests is closed during incubation and hatching periods.

Beach Rules to Follow

Many beaches are still unprotected in the Mediterranean and Middle East, where turtles are facing an uphill battle. But all is not lost. For tourists, following a few simple guidelines is essential and could mean the difference between extinction and survival.

So the next time you’re on a turtle’s beach, be sure to:

1. Pick up your trash. Like sea birds, turtles can become strangled in plastic rings and bags.
2. Only place umbrellas or other fixtures in wet sand. Turtles nest in dry sand and driving stakes into it could damage the nests.
3. Not walk on the beach at night. Hatchlings use the light from the stars and moon to guide their path to the sea. Loud noises or lights will frighten nesting turtles and confuse hatchlings.
4. Not touch or move turtle hatchlings going toward the ocean. This imprints on the turtle during a key period in the first few hours of their life. Also, they develop and use key muscle groups in their walk to the ocean. If you want to help, stay out of the way and clear any obstructions, like sandcastles or trash.
5. Not camp or drive on the beach. This packs down the sand and makes digging a nest difficult.
6. Make sure your hotel has a ‘low light’ policy as bright lights from large developments or beach-front hostels are one of the primary deterrents for nesting turtles.

You can learn more about turtle conservation in Europe and other parts of the world through the Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Kalkan is a beautiful and sophisticated bougainvillea-covered harbour town set in the heart of the Lycian coastal region of southern Turkey. The Taurus Mountains provide a stunning backdrop, whilst the views across the bay are remarkable. Photo courtesy of Unlimited Holidays

In keeping with that, Unlimited Holidays, a young tour operator based in Kalkan, in the southern Mediterranean region of Turkey, has signed on as a local partner of the Green Path Transfers global network of local eco-friendly airport transfer partners and ground transportation operators. This business decision has placed Unlimited Holidays at the forefront of efforts to commit to greener, more environmentally responsible transport options.

Just one area of activity amongst many others, Unlimited Holidays runs transfers services between the Dalaman and Antalya airports and destinations in Kalkan, Kaş and Fethiye.

Preserving Environmental Resources

For Unlimited Holidays, which launched its operations in 2010, the partnership with Green Path Transfers builds on a commitment to preserve the natural environment and the communities in which it operates.

Since his start more than a decade ago as a professional tour guide in Antalya, Kalkan and Kaş, Mehmet Yildiz, founder and manager of Unlimited Holidays, has always been thinking about responsible travel initiatives in Turkey. According to Yildiz, his interests and the company’s participation in the green transfers industry stem from his commitment to preserving his country’s environment in a balanced fashion that takes into account the economic gains from tourism.

The city of Fethiye (Telmessos) rests easy on a broad Mediterranean bay boasting some of Turkey's best beaches and yachting. Unlimited Holidays provides easy transfers from nearby Dalaman Airport. Photo courtesy of Unlimited Holidays

“Every small and big company has to take care of the environment,” he said. “We have studied this business and l am earning my living in this business, but if it’s so developed and so polluted, who will come to this kind of country in future? I want to attract more people who care for nature and the locals around. It’s not only for us, it’s for the animals, trees, etc. That’s why we are a partner in Green Path Transfers.”

In its turn, “Green Path Transfers looks forward to our future success in Turkey through our partnership with Unlimited Holidays,” commented Adrian Cordiner, the company’s CEO.

Delivering Sustainable Solutions

As an official Green Path Transfers partner, Unlimited Holidays has vowed to reduce its carbon emissions. The company’s current vehicle fleet consists of three-passenger diesel-powered cars and 14-passenger vans run on ‘euro-diesel’, a type of low-sulphur fuel that produces lower emissions than regular diesel fuel.

This VW Caravelle is one of Unlimited Holidays' low-carbon-emissions vehicles used in and around Kalkan, Turkey. The vehicle transports up to seven passengers and runs on Eurodiesel 95. Unlimited Holidays looks forward to moving toward a no-emissions fleet of vehicles in coming years. Photo courtesy Unlimited Holidays

Further to this, the company intends to switch from diesel fuels to low-emission liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for its vehicles. Later on, the company even intends to build an entire fleet of low- and zero-emission cars. “I can promise to use the lowest carbon emissions vehicles for the cars l’ll buy in the future,” Yildiz said.

At the moment, one of the main constraints to going green is the high taxes associated with hybrid vehicles in Turkey. Yildiz is nevertheless confident that with the new government’s stated intention to support hybrid-vehicle use, things will change. “They’ll reduce taxes on hybrid cars,” he said, “but l think it will take at least five more years for companies to start using zero-carbon emissions vehicles.”

Unlimited Holidays’ deep respect for the local environment is reflected in more than just the company’s stance on green transport. Yildiz and his team also use non-toxic, chemical-free cleaning agents and commute to work on mopeds or electrical bicycles.

The staff at Green Path Transfers partner Unlimited Holidays always welcomes visitors and inquiries on transfers, tours and the best sights and places to visit in Kalkan and Antalya, Turkey. Photo courtesy of Unlimited Holidays

Exploring Local Sights

In addition to airport transfers, Unlimited Holidays provides travellers with a range of services, including guided sightseeing, adventure and luxury tours; hotel and villa reservations; and car hires. The regional focus is Kalkan, Kaş and Fethiye, including attractions like the sunken city of Kekova, Fethiye Market and even a lazy but luxurious day at sea via private yacht.

For ecotourists and travellers in search of their next adventure, Yildiz has a list of must-see sights in Turkey. Among his top picks are Kalkan, listed as one of the most romantic European escapes  by the British newspaper The Independent; Kaş, a diving resort and site of the oldest known shipwreck in the world; Patara Beach, a long, beautiful beach and a protected habitat for the Caretta turtles who lay their eggs there; and last but not least, the Taurus Mountains, home to the tallest natural-grown cedar forests in the world.

To learn more about Green Path Transfers and how to be part of carbon-neutral travel arrangements that emphasise green technology in a growing number of destinations around the globe, visit www.GreenPathTransfers.com.

Long long ago, most tribal groups were nomadic due to a lack of stable food supplies. These ancient itinerant practices exist to this today, especially in places like Kyrgyzstan, in Central Asia, where 'yurts' or transportable houses are still in use, like those seen below near Tash-Rabat. Photo courtesy of Dostuck-Trekking

To the well-intentioned traveler, though, ‘green’ labels can be a bit vague, a tinted title that has been taken to mean a host of things, not all of them positive. Faced with growing concerns about ‘greenwashing’ and tongue-twisting turns of phrase like ‘sustainable eco nature adventures,’ the average person is left wondering what a green leaf means on hotel pamphlets.

Similarly, tips for ‘green living’ can be found in most magazines nowadays, but not always with clear objectives. Does not washing your towels really make that much of a difference? Is switching off your lights really going to save the planet? What makes green hotels truly ‘green’?

To answer that, we first need to look at what it means to be sustainable.

How Do Things Look Today?

These days, green initiatives are usually taken to mean those where the practice either has a positive or neutral (anything except negative) effect on the natural environment. But while the protection of natural resources is a vital preoccupation, sustainability means a lot more than saving our planet’s trees.

Local and indigenous communities across the planet often suffer in the shadow of hard-impact mass-market tourism. While the proceeds from tourism may, generally speaking, bring in capital and sometimes even increase peace and stability, local people are sometimes hard pressed to see the benefits. The lion’s share of profits are shipped abroad to foreign stakeholders while local people are even frequently overlooked as staff, tour guides or regional experts. Those that do succeed in pushing through any obstacles are usually then not given the opportunity to rise to positions of higher-level (managerial or supervisory) responsibility, roles reserved for foreign nationals.

A favourite activity of many Solomon Islands visitors is a fishing trip guided by local people. With them, one can experience a way of life long forgotten in the modern word. Photo by Kerry Kennedy, courtesy of Flickr/whl.travel

With some bitterness, local people see their cultures bought and sold in front of them, often returned in with no resemblance to the centuries-old traditions that drew in tourists in the first place.

What Is Sustainability?

To me, sustainability is synonymous with responsible economic and social development, even as it is applied to tourism. Clearly there is no catch-all phrase able to determine whether the place in which you are staying deserves the title of being ‘green,’ but sustainability can certainly be measured in terms of an accommodation’s or tour’s effect on the health of the environment, energy consumption, the promotion of local culture and heritage, the distribution of profits, labour force vitality and even the quality and nature of building materials.

The list doesn’t stop there, especially since the notion of sustainability is one that evolves as quickly as new technologies and the circumstances through which they are brought to light.

Nevertheless I’ve tried to compile some basics to help add to a discussion about the definition of sustainable tourism. It is important to remember that each destination is unique and has different sustainability requirements. The following chart should therefore be looked at as a review of general trends in sustainable travel and ecotourism, not as a checklist.

Ecotourism Destinations

With these factors in mind, the question becomes: where to go? The following are some places that have made important strides toward sustainability and cultural immersion without compromising on comfort. Of course, travelling is all about forging your own path outside your daily routine, so always still keep make sure that your choice of accommodation fits your needs as well as those of the host country.

Green in the City
* Near Amsterdam, the Ilma Yoga House is located inside the Gaasperplas Nature Reserve just 20 minutes from the city centre by bicycle. On site you can enjoy host Ilma’s massage and yoga studios. She donates 10 percent of all her proceeds to charity.

* Located in the heart of Buenos Aires, the Eco Pampa Hostel was the city’s first ecologically friendly hostel, a model for others to follow. The managers have paid careful attention to keeping things green, from installing a rainwater tank, low-energy electrical appliances, solar panels and heating, and an organic rooftop garden to using recycled materials in the decoration of all the rooms.

Many city hostels and hotels are embracing the idea of emissions-free travel, whether it be by bicycle, foot, cart or even local animals. Amsterdam is one of the finest examples of this, where bicycles can be found for use at most accommodations. Photo courtesy of the European Centre for Eco Agro Tourism

Local Houses
* What better way to find out what it’s like to live as a nomad than actually to live like one? In Kyrgyzstan, a yurt stay is an increasingly popular way to see the vast undeveloped countryside. Because the camps move with the nomads and essentially leave no trace behind, it’s hard to imagine a way of making less impact.

* Transport yourself to 5th-century Turkey by staying deep inside the surreal cave-and-tunnel systems of the stony Cappadocian countryside. Cave hotels offer unique accommodations repurposed from ancient lodgings designed to support lifestyle without continuous access to water or outside trade. Today’s self-cooling hotel rooms, like those of the Yunak Evleri Cave Hotel, are surprisingly luxurious and full of light thanks to the innovative design of the early Turks.

* Village homestays are an increasingly popular way to directly finance traditional communities instead of parading them as tourist attractions. By living side by side with villagers in, tourists can actually take part in the perfect ecotourism model: natural materials and fibres are used for nearly every edifice and tool, water is sourced from nearby rivers and streams, and opportunities exist for fishing and hunting with locals. The Solomon Islands have some superb village stays, many of which were established in the late 1980s, when the practice boomed.

Luxury Ecolodges
* Run by a local naturalist (who discovered a new species of bird), the Hobatere Lodge in northern Namibia has leased the land around it from a local conservancy that encourages indigenous people and animals to live freely on and directly benefit from the land. Ongoing lodge projects range from the Kunene Lion Project and the Namibian Elephant and Giraffe Trust to the study of the black mongoose. Local Namibians make up 100 percent of the staff, and 80 percent of them have been working there for 10 years or more. A private generator powers the lodge and there’s a garden of indigenous plants used by the restaurant.

Many luxury ecolodges are built straight into wildlife conservancies as a way to help support efforts by local foundations and the people living off the land. Places like the Hobatere Lodge in Namibia work alongside the Kunene Lion Project, among others, to track and monitor local lion populations. Photo by Debbie Rowles, courtesy of Flickr/whl.travel

* Featured in the New York Times as the next hot ecolodge destination in Koh Kong, Cambodia, the 4 Rivers Floating Ecolodge is so remote that you need a private canoe to get there. Designed to immerse its guests in the surrounding wilderness at the convergence of four rivers, this destination proves that sustainability does not have to be at the expense of luxury.

* There’s nothing quite like the romance of the Arabian Desert, conjuring up images of starry nights, languid camels, warm campfires, embroidered throw rugs and the call of the Bedouin in the morning. At the famed Desert Nights Camp in Oman’s Wahiba Sands, guests are given the full experience of the ancient practice of the famed desert traders, all with minimal impact on the environment.

Community Projects
In Thailand, it’s easy to visit monasteries but few places allow lay people to live alongside monks and learn their practices. The 10-day silent retreat at the Suan Mokkh International Dhamma Hermitage gives outsiders a chance to experience monastic life. Expect to forsake all material pleasure, eat vegetarian food only twice a day, attend meditation and yoga classes, and maintain complete silence. The retreat is free, but participants must be committed to all aspects of the program.

Further Study
For more information about ecotourism, environmental tourism and how to go green, check out some of the links below.
* The International Ecotourism Society
* Tree Hugger
* Earth Summit

We’ve searched our worldwide network for destinations with the top five natural baths and hot springs that are well worth the journey. Some of these pools have attracted powerful patrons, from ancient royalty to modern celebrities, but all of them are unique natural phenomena caused by geothermal activity just beneath the surface of the earth or natural endowments of salt and minerals.

Travellers from far and wide are attracted to the mud bath in Dalyan, Turkey. The naturally cleansing mud treatment is rinsed off in showers and clearwater hot springs. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Rev Stan

Mud Baths of Dalyan, Turkey

On the Mediterranean coast of western Turkey, the quiet town of Dalyan is set in an environmentally protected area of great natural beauty. Myth has it that Cleopatra herself would travel to Dalyan, and in more recent times the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Jack Nicholson, David Bowie and Prince Felipe de Carlos of Spain have made a point to stop here. What attracts them to this small town? It must be the glorious natural mud baths of Dalyan.

Visitors will smell the mud and pools before they see them as they contain sodium chloride, hydrogen, sulfur, bromide and fluoride; they are also naturally radioactive. The mud may smell and feel strange at first. Under the Mediterranean sun, it dries on your skin and you can feel it cracking if you move or smile. But once you rinse off, your skin is left feeling fresh, tight and exfoliated.

The mud bath is complemented by pools attached to two clear hot springs in which the temperature of the water fluctuates between 30°C and 38°C, and the pH is about 6.5. Two of the pools are located indoors in a traditional dome-topped building used alternately by men and women. The largest pool is outdoors, where men and women can bathe at the same time.

Sonja Grau, the whl.travel local connection and a travel professional in Dalyan, loves the mud baths. “I’ve been going there for over 10 years. I actually go to the hot springs to treat my rheumatic pains. It really helps. After two weeks I feel so much better and the best part is I can take that feeling with me back home and it last for about two more months.”

Safaga, Egypt, is known as the "healing zone" because its waters have high salt concentrations with beneficial therapeutic effects for bathers. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/MatthiasKabel

Healing Salt Waters of Safaga, Egypt

Sometimes all the natural elements conspire to create an environment that is perfect for the rejuvenation of human health. This ideal combination of sun, sea and sand has come together in Safaga, Egypt, to boost the immune system; reduce conditions like rheumatism, muscle tension and psoriasis; and relieve fatigue and stress.

The healing waters of Safaga have a salt concentration that is 35% higher than that of most other seas due to the extraordinary number of corals native to the area. Bathing in this added salinity helps blood circulation, and the chemical composition of the water is therapeutic in many ways, so much so that the area is locally referred to as the “healing zone.”

The type of therapy enjoyed in Safaga is called climatotherapy and many local spas and resorts in the area have capitalised on the unique blend of rich minerals and healing waters. Spas offer other forms of treatments too, like pearl baths, hydrotherapy, underwater massage and water treatments, while specific remedies are geared to the alleviation of common ailments. In addition to the skin-soothing sea, the local black sand contains the added uranium, thorium and potassium 40 that is said to originate from volcanic craters under the Red Sea and help with therapeutic care for arthritis, skin inflammations and joint edema.

This pollution-free port city is an easy trip outside of Cairo and a popular weekend vacation destination for local Egyptians and foreigners alike.

The hot springs in Santorini, Greece, are volcano-heated. The best hot springs are on Nea Kameni and Palaia Kamen, tiny uninhabited islands. Photo by Mega Travel Advisor

Volcanic Hot Springs of Santorini, Greece

A volcano gave birth to the picturesque Santorini archipelago off the coast of mainland Greece in the area that, as legend has it, was the location of lost Atlantis. Here the surface waters have curative properties and, since the volcano hasn’t seen any real action since 1950, swimmers can relax and indulge directly in the warm waters heated by its core or roll around in a pleasant mud bath.

Geologists believe that the water around the islands has more highly concentrated levels of iron and manganese, and that the waters closer to the active core have high levels of sulphur dioxide; all these lovely minerals are known to do wonders for the skin and help with rheumatism, arthritis and other aches. The mud under the water is especially laced with sulphur, so lather up to get a treatment you would pay top dollar for in a spa.

The uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni and Palaia Kameni are the most popular among hot-spring bathers. There are easily organised Santorini springs tours that cart visitors around the islands and, in some areas where the water is shallow, encourage guests to dive right off the traditional Greek boat and swim out to the springs. After a sweat-drenching hike to the volcano’s summit for a view of the complete rim, a refreshing dip in these therapeutic springs and a breathtaking Santorini sunset is the perfect way to close the day!

A highlight of every Salar de Uyuni tour in Bolivia is the early-morning visit to the Laguna Polques hot springs. Here, steam rises from the spring's surface into the chilly dawn air. Photo courtesy of Flickr/einalem

High Altitude Hot Springs of Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

A visit to the surreal landscapes of the Salar de Uyuni is part of even the most basic Bolivia itineraries. Multi-day tours meander from a train graveyard to the endless white expanses of the great salt flats, then to lagunas full of pink flamingos, and finally a geyser basin full of hot springs.

The hot springs are best enjoyed in the early morning, when the sharp cold of the high-altitude nights hasn’t released its grip. At Salar de Chalviri, the Laguna Polques hot springs are one favourite. Don’t forget your swimsuit and several layers of clothes for afterward; Uyuni is basically a high-desert climate where temperatures reach extremes.

The geothermal activity under the surface of Uyuni creates all sorts of wonders for travellers to explore. Sol de Manana is a cluster of boiling mud pools where geyser pressures spurt up to three metres. Extinct volcanoes, such as the Nevado Sajama and the Licancabur Volcano, rise along the horizon. At the foot of the Licancabur Volcano is Laguna Verde, a green lake coloured by arsenic, lead, copper and other heavy metals.

The thermal building of Hotel des Thermes is set adjacent to the hot-water Lake Ranomafana in Antsirabe, Madagascar. The baths inside are a well-kept local secret. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Bernard Gagnon

Thermal Baths of Antsirabe, Madagascar

After venturing out to observe lost lemur species and Madagascar’s outstanding biological diversity, head to the central city of Antsirabe to relax in one of its many medicinal hot springs. There are a handful of springs in and around Antsirabe. One can even buy ‘Visy gasy’, bottled therapeutic water.

Some of the recommended thermal pools are found next to Lac (lake) Ranomafana (hot water) in the Ranomafana National Park; the pools are the perfect temperature and one can also get a massage or go for night swims in the complex.

Within Antsirabe, guests staying in the Hotel de Thermes can take advantage of an on-site thermal bath that comes out at a toasty 52°C at a depth of 22 metres, but reaches just the right temperature at the surface. There is also a naturally heated indoor swimming pool. Many of these springs have been in use since the 19th century, when Norwegian missionaries came and named Antsirabe, which means “the place of much salt”.

Cappadocia's rich history, which dates back to the 6th century, can be experienced today in a unique type of accommodation: the cave hotel. Photo courtesy of Melekler Evi Cave Hotel (www.cappadocia.travel)

Unknowing Pioneer

In 1990, when Mr. Suha Ersoz first opened the Esbelli Evi Cave Boutique Hotel in the Cappadocian town of Ürgüp, he unknowingly became a local pioneer of sustainable tourism. He began with an abandoned 5th-century cave that had all but collapsed. He then put the surviving pieces of wood, gathered stones and rock hewn from the interior of the cave as material into the hands of workers hired from the same town in order to keep the restoration local.

Months later when the Esbelli Evi Cave Boutique Hotel opened its doors, its immediate success spawned the copycat creation of other cave hotels based on the same model.

Now there are more than 400 cave hotels in Cappadocia, ranging from family-run three-room troglodyte guesthouses to lavish 50-room underground resorts. The cave-hotel industry in Cappadocia has become a unique selling point in this region of Turkey.

Such have been the thoughts of Zafer Yazici and Fuyo Ichikawa of Lirita Tours, the whl.travel local connection in Cappadocia. For seven years the company has dedicated itself to working with locals to preserve a traditional way of life in ancient Cappadocia. Yazici and Ichikawa have worked tirelessly to make Cappadocia one of the most sustainable tourist destinations in Turkey.

Unusual volcanic rock formations like these fairy chimneys are one major drawing card of Cappadocia, Turkey. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Zafer YAZICI (www.cappadocia.travel)

Exploring Cappadocia’s Nature and Culture

During any stay in the 5th- and 6th-century caves of Cappadocia, the unusual natural surroundings are certain to contribute to an appealing sense of dislocation, of being isolated in another time (it served as a set for the first Star Wars film). Dotted with ‘fairy chimneys’, the moonlike landscape has inspired artists, travellers, philosophers and historians since as far back as the days of Herodotus. For a bird’s-eye view of the extraordinary geography, hot-air balloon trips are a truly special experience.

To get a little deeper, highly recommended by Yazici and Ichikawa is a trip to the hidden side of Cappadocia, perhaps best exemplified by the Songali Valley. Far less touristed than the famous Göreme or Zelve valleys, Songali remains much as it once did centuries ago. Travellers who choose to explore the area at their own pace can really get off the beaten path. In addition, from Songali, a dazzling maze of gorges unfolds where visitors can discover ancient churches and dovecotes (buildings designed to house doves).

The flamingos at Sultan Saziligi in Cappadocia, Turkey, help constitute one of the largest concentrations of avian wildlife in the world. Photo courtesy of Zafer YAZICI (www.cappadocia.travel)

Also not to be missed is the Sultan Sazlığı, one of the largest bird sanctuaries in Turkey. This famous natural reserve is home to about 250 types of birds (compared to 450 species in all of continental Europe) and more than 20,000 flamingos. Day trips from Cappadocia can be organised to view the avian abundance by canoe.

Of course, no visit to Cappadocia would be complete without a sampling of the local cuisine. As always, there are many restaurants from which to choose, but Yazici and Ichikawa recommend watching for where the locals are eating. “Some restaurants may not look so fancy from outside, but they have good food,” says Zafer. “I would recommend going to the small restaurants used by locals since the taste is better and the prices are cheaper.”

A woman from Soganli village displays her handmade doll to visitors in Cappadocia, Turkey. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Zafer YAZICI (www.cappadocia.travel)

Sustaining Local Life

What makes Cappadocia so unique is certainly its show-stopping scenery, well-preserved churches and caves, antiquated villages and mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine. Today, the region’s commitment is to preserving all of this, especially through efforts like those of Yazici and Ichikawa, the whl.travel local connection, who actively promote local communities and local guides.

“There are of course sightseeing spots you cannot miss,” explains Yazici, “but local tours are really run in a local way. Selected restaurants are more like family restaurants and typical Cappadocian handcrafts artisans, like carpet weavers, stone carvers or potters, are visited on these tours.

“Travellers can also get on local buses and drive to villages to get away from the mass-tourism sites. Depending on the harvest season, you can see how villagers work in the fields collecting potatoes, grapes, apricots and other products that have made Cappadocia famous. Even in the touristy villages, you need only enter one of the back streets to find kids playing where there are no shops and women sit in front of their homes and chat.”

Yazici and Ichikawa believe that both tourists and locals should benefit from a mutual exchange and relationship that will stall the destructive reach of developers and preserve all that Cappadocia has to offer.

“The biggest advantage of visiting Cappadocia is that it is not a mass- tourism destination,” says Zafer. “We have to keep it this way.”

In 1984, a team from the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) discovered the remains of a 3,400-year-old Bronze-Age boat, the oldest wreck yet unearthed. In 2006, the 360 Derece (Degree) Research Group, in collaboration with the INA, produced an exact replica of the original ancient boat, which was then sailed to the Chicken Bay dive site close to Kaş and deliberately sunk.

The wreck, which has begun the slow but steady process of being reclaimed by the ocean, is now home to a wide variety of marine life and provides an incomparable experience for divers – there is simply no other location like this in the world! The cool silence of the ocean depths coupled with the ancient lines and curves of this sturdy craft give the impression of stepping back in time.

A tour of the site is an excellent way to spend several hours, before resurfacing into the bright, warm sunshine and heading back to shore to recharge your batteries with an evening meal as the sun slips below the waves.

The lake is located in Turkey’s Muğla province and, thanks to its unique characteristics, is the central element of the Köyceğiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area. The land around it is home to the endemic liquidamber trees, the endangered otter (Lutra Lutra) and the endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta Caretta). The Yuvarlakçay and Namnam rivers bring in cold, karstic waters that are vital to the citrus and pomegranate production process for which the region is known.

Since early 2010, locals from the area have developed a reputation as being environmentally conscious and tough. They have succeeded in stopping a hydro-electric powerplant project on the Yuvarlakçay river which they believe will destroy their well-being along with the area’s fragile ecosystem. They have mounted a continuous protest and been blocking camp at the river source ever since.

To the 14,000 people that live in the area, water is precious. The owner of the land shown in this photo was possibly there at the protest, shouting “Hands off my water, my land, my life.”

“Of course,” everybody seeing the picture below will exclaim, “locals water their plants and trees from a tap during a drought.” But think about  all the years – now some 20 years ago – when they had no water supply systems in their houses and still tended to have trees and flowers in their yards.

Twenty or 30 years ago people grew only local trees, like St. Johns Bread, olive, almond, oleander, tamarind, cypresses and fir trees. Ever since houses were connected to municipal water systems, however, new trees and flowers have been added to decorate houses, pergolas and gardens. Of the new sorts, the most popular is bougainvillea. Another very popular tree is the Indian acacia. Now in all resorts and villages of Mediterranean Turkey, a rich vegetation can be admired in almost all streets and gardens.

But how are botanical things managing when the people of the area are not watering their plants? Well, the subtropics have a subtle system of almost invisible hydration. During the nighttime, when a new equilibrium is reached between the air above the sea and the air over land, the wind drops almost completely. But the vaporisation of seawater continues and moisture fills the air.  This results in everything on the land being covered by a sprinkling of dew drops. These are still a little salty, which means the local trees have had to adapt to this condition. One of them, the tamarind, actually absorbs moisture from the air in such quantities that in the evening it starts “crying,” dropping its surplus water. During the daytime, dew that has not been absorbed by the trees evaporates.

Why do I call this dew system “sustainable hydration”? First, because without human intervention, the adopted plants of the region manage to survive even during the period of  nine months without rainfall. Second, plants that manage to survive are stronger and far more thick-set in appearance than the ones that grew up in an abundance of water during our “modern times.”

Darron Raw (@swazitravel) – the whl.travel local connection in Swaziland
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Elsie C. Orabona (@UbatubaTravel) – the whl.travel local connection in Ubatuba, Brazil
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Kate (Ward) Webb (@rscmalawi) – the whl.travel local connection in Malawi
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Neil Lyon (@lyontours) – the whl.travel local connection in Port Elizabeth and Addo National Park, South Africa
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Nicola Swann, (@TheFarHorizons) – former whl.travel local partner in Uganda
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Rajendra Sapkota (@WHLNepal) – the whl.travel local connection in Kathmandu and Pokhara, Nepal
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Sonja Grau (@kaunostours) – the whl.travel local connection in Dalyan, Turkey
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Thomas Holdo Hansen (@whlcambodia) – the whl.travel local connection in Siem Reap, Cambodia
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Tomaz Martinek (@travelslovenia) – former whl.travel local partner in Slovenia

Willie Ki (@borneoecotours) – the whl.travel local connection in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, Malaysia

All of these #whltravel tweeps, plus those presented on Make Travel Fair and all the rest, can be found on the WHL Group Twitter list.

Kayaköy Village was abandoned after the 1923 population exchange between Greek Muslims and Turkish (Greek) Orthodox Christians. The village was never re-inhabited and is now a museum. (Photo courtesy of John Hogue)

Ghost Town

Louis de Bernières, famed author of the novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which catapulted the Greek island of Kefalonia into superstardom, has also worked his magic on the village of Kayaköy, not far from Kaş, on Turkey’s Lycian coast.

Kayaköy – or Kaya Village as it is also known – was inhabited by Greek nationals until 1923, when, following the Turkish War of Independence, , there was a population exchange between the Greek Orthodox citizens of Turkey and the Muslim citizens of Greece. Kayaköy, now still abandoned and preserved as a museum, is used as the setting of de Bernières’s 2004 novel, Birds Without Wings, sometimes described as a Turkish War and Peace.

Kayaköy is now a popular stop-off with tourists en route to the nearby town of Fethiye.

Walk Like a Lycian

The 500-kilometre Lycian Way stretches from Fethiye to the ancient city of Antalya and is one of the big draws of a trip to the south. Waymarked in 1999, the footpath snakes around dramatic coastline and mountain terrain, using a network of ancient roads, shepherd’s paths and forest tracks. It was voted one of the world’s top ten walks by the UK’s Sunday Times newspaper.

Numerous ruins, temples, castles, ports and local villages are dotted along the Lycian Way, guaranteeing sightseeing distractions are plentiful. A popular undertaking with hikers during the cooler spring and autumn months, the Lycian Way is also attractive to outdoor adventurers pursuing activities such as canyoning, yachting and scuba diving.

Just a 30-minute boat ride from Kas, the Greek island of Meis makes for a great day trip. The harbour area is charming and a real highlight of any visit, with a warren of alleys and houses behind the pretty waterfront shops and restaurants. (Photo courtesy of John Hogue)

Island Idyll

Another popular destination in the region is Meis (‘Kastellorizo’ in Greek), just six kilometres off the coast of Kaş. This Dodecanese Greek island is an easy day trip from the Turkish mainland.

Movie buffs may be interested to learn that Meis served as the setting for the Oscar-winning Italian movie Mediterraneo, which follows the exploits of a group of Italian soldiers marooned on a Greek island after their vessel is sunk in World War II.

Troubled World War II vessels aside, boats are the most reliable means of making the crossings to the island. One fitness-focussed alternative approach, however, is the yearly swim and canoe race.

Water sports mavens know that diving is particularly popular in the area and there are many dive sites in the waters off Kaş and Meis. Dives can be arranged to suit all levels of expertise, but experienced underwater explorers can take advantage of some great wreck and deep dive opportunities. There’s even an option to explore the remains of an Italian WWII plane 60 metres down!

The crystal-clear water and almost daily sunshine mean that deep diving is very popular in and around Kas and there are also plenty of great WWII wrecks to explore. whl.travel's local connection in the area can arrange dives or courses to suit all abilities. (Photo courtesy of John Hogue)

Homage to Homer

No review of this part of the world is complete without a mention of Homer’s masterpiece, The Odyssey. The ancient town of Olympos, located in a valley 90 kilometres southwest of Antalya, probably takes its name from nearby Mount Olympos. According to Homer’s epic, it is from here that the god Poseidon looked out to sea and witnessed the storm that shipwrecked Odysseus’s boat as he sailed from Calypso’s island.

In the modern era, back in 1997, the town played host to a dramatic recreation of The Odyssey. The lavish small-screen adaptation boasted a bevy of big-name actors including Isabella Rossellini and Christopher Lee!

A very popular area with tourists keen savour centuries of fascinating Greek and Roman culture and history, it’s also a hit with adrenaline junkies who can try their hand at canyoning, mountain biking, rock climbing and sea kayaking in the surrounding Olympos-Bey Mountains National Park (Olimpos-Beydağları Milli Parkı).

Cappadocia became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 in recognition of its cultural and historical heritage. While plenty of other sites are also memorable for the presence of cave homes, Cappadocia is unique in Turkey – and the rest of the World – for the sheer number of such dwellings. Literally thousands of manmade caves pepper the rock walls of the area’s valleys. As many as 1,000 are of early Christian cave churches and there are around 200 subterranean settlements that provided shelter to up to 10,000 people.

Like the caves pictured above, most of those in the Erdemli Valley are empty, the remainder being used by locals as storage and stables for their food and animals. That said, while the upper caves may not look in accessible, they are connected to lower ones and can be visited via vertical and horizontal tunnels.

The caves in the Erdemli Valley are not so known as well as the others caves in Cappadocia. If you ask 100 people in Cappadocia, only one may know about Erdemli Valley. Even people in the tourism trade may not know about them. I know about them because I went there under the guidance of the museum director.

People started to carve the soft volcanic rocks about 5,000 years ago for many purposes and some continue to do so to this day. Almost every aspect of domestic life, including food storage, pigeon houses, stables, wineries, churches and shelters, had to be carved by hand. The caves stretch from about 100 meters underground to about 100 meters above at the top of rock hills.

Cappadocia used to be one of the foremost religious, historical and cultural areas of the Anatolia region. The rich combination of these factors and the unique natural surroundings has turned Cappadocia into an important tourist area of Turkey. Cappadocia is probably the country’s most famous destination for independent travellers.

Today, the caves are used for different purposes. Many of the old caves have been turned into museums, restaurants, bars, cave hotels, souvenir shops or wineries, and can be experienced as part of an exhaustive tour of the area. They continue fulfil their centuries-old purpose by bringing life and activity to Cappadocia.

For more about Cappadocia, read A Hidden Side of Turkey’s Cappadocia: How to Go Where Others Don’t and Cappadocia Unearthed: The Handicrafts Renaissance in Avanos, Turkey.

A view of Galata from Istanbul's busy Eminou port, close to Galata Bridge, where the Hidden Istanbul Urban Adventures tour finishes. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Kıvanç Niş

The City

Istanbul’s dynamic history owes something to both Asia and Europe; it was the final destination for passengers aboard the illustrious Orient Express and also served as a capital during both the Roman and Ottoman Empires, when it was known as Constantinople. Today, though, against an impressive background of grandiose historical architecture, modern art and fashion also flourish.

A residential street in Sultanahmet, where travellers on Home Cooked Istanbul Urban Adventures may pause to visit with a local family and savour traditional Turkish food. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Ivan Mlinaric

This contrast is brought to life on a guided tour of Old and New Istanbul – more than just a sightseeing visit, you delve right into back streets and hidden cafes, where you can sip traditional Turkish coffee while having your fortune told. One of your first stops is an area called Beyoğlu. Locals say that you haven’t seen the true Istanbul until you’ve been here – a hip neighbourhood with the latest in Turkish fashion and trendy restaurants, art galleries and nightclubs. You also visit the historic İstiklâl Caddesi (Independence Avenue), a popular pedestrian boulevard and key reason why Istanbul is sometimes referred to as the Paris of the East.

The Food

After you’ve found out what your future holds, we suggest you grab a bite to eat. What better way is there to encounter the gastronomy of a foreign city than to eat with a local family? With Urban Adventures’ Home Cooked Istanbul Tour, your guide will stroll with you from your hotel through the streets of Sultanahmet to the home of a local family. The Turkish people are known for their warm-heartedness and hospitality, two qualities will have the chance to experience firsthand. After all, did you know that a stranger at one’s doorstep is considered ‘God’s guest’ for at least three days? Over dinner, you delight in traditional Turkish dishes like lamb kebabs and pilav (a flavourful rice dish). You might be able to identify the mixed origins of Turkish cuisine, a modern version of Ottoman cooking, which has its roots in the exotic marriage of Central Asian, Balkan and Middle Eastern food traditions. Fruit, vegetables and meat combine to make warm-weather dishes all the more fulfilling and light during a sizzling summer, while hearty soups are often served as the main course during winter.

Secret Sights

Typical of any large city, especially the largest one in Turkey, are the treasures hidden around almost every corner. That’s why Urban Adventures offers a four-hour tour through Hidden Istanbul. Your expert guide will show you where to find the best coffee, taste an authentic Turkish delight and navigate the bustling Spice Market. Shopaholics rest assured: did you know that the world’s first mall originated in Istanbul? The Grand Bazaar is exactly what the name suggests – nearly 4,000 shops with an astounding array of goods for sale.

A view over the domes of the Blue Mosque out to the Bosphorus as it bisects Istanbul. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Sev!

Although the impression left behind by Istanbul’s unique geography, history, architecture and gastronomy will be an enduring one, once you reach home, you will certainly also want to return to Istanbul and refresh each memory. Turks gave the Dutch their first tulips and you can expect the same degree of warmth when you travel there too. We promise: you won’t be disappointed.