Culture tours start for Brits in ancient city

ANTALYA

The tour starts in Side and ends in the ancient city of Xanthos. CİHAN photo

Cultural and archaeology tours have kicked off in Antalya’s Side district for British tourists. Tourists visit 22 ancient cities during the 12-day tour. The tour starts in Side and ends in the ancient city of Xanthos, which is located in Kaş’s Kınık area and under UNESCO protection.

British archaeologist Denise Allen said last year they brought 52,000 British tourists to the Antalya region for culture, history and an archaeology tour. She said their goal for 2014 was 65,000 tourists.

Allen said British tourists were curious about history and culture and Antalya was an open-air museum for them with nearly 300 large and small ancient cities. “We have stared the first tour of the new year in Side.
 
We visit the ancient cities of Perge, Termessos, Selge, Seleukeia, Tlos, Letoon, Olimpos, Myra, Xanthos, Side, the Temple of Apollo, Side Ancient Theater, Alanya Fortress, Patara building, Lycian rock tombs, Alaharan, and Aspendos Ancient Theater.”

Side is also popular with Russian tourists. Russian Mobaly Tourism and Travel Agency Director Natilda Baranov said Russian tourists chose the ancient city of Side as a pilot region to closely see Roman era artifacts. She said Russian tourists also participate in culture and archaeology tours in Side three days a week.