Some hotels on the Turkish Aegean coast have their own beaches. This one, just north of Kuşadası, even has its own small bay. The surrounding rocks make a good windbreak, there's even a snack bar, and of course the view is wonderful. There is no extra charge for the sunsets which can be dramatic.
The beautiful Greek island of Samos (in Turkish Sisam) is tantalizingly near. In recent years it has become much easier to hop between Turkey and Greece by ferry, although it is not as cheap as domestic ferries. The daily ferry between Kuşadası and Samos costs around 35 Euros for a day return trip. The single fare is the same price. If you are coming over from Greece, you may also have to pay for a visa (depending on which passport you hold, see Tourist visas for Turkey). On the other hand, you may be able to make some savings in the duty free shops at the ports.
Prices used to be much cheaper in Turkey than in Greece, but now shops, cafes and restaurants in Turkish tourist resorts can be more expensive than in many European Union cities.
Samos is definitely worth a visit, even if you only have time to visit the main town of Vathi with its wonderful museum. If you come the other way, a trip to Ephesus alone is worth the ferry fare.
Whichever way you sail, the contrasts and similarities between life and culture in the two communities - which share over 400 years of common history - are fascinating. |
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