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We continue with our fascinating stories of travelling to Izmir. https://orient.tm/ru/post/75971/puteshestvie-v-izmir-ot-nochnogo-rejsa-do-utrennih-priklyuchenij (beginning).

Continued

Our black minibus with an orange PRESTIJ signs comfortably delivered us to the ANTMARE Hotel. On the website of the transport company, I learnt that renting a Mercedes Sprinter minibus (1-16 seats) from Izmir Airport to Cheshme district costs 4,750 Turkish liras (about $140). It also states that the distance of 88 kilometers is covered in 1 hour and 20 minutes (truly a sprinter!).

Before I talk about the cozy rooms at ANTMARE, the snow-white sheets and soft pillows, the amazing breakfast under the canopy of an ancient olive tree, the mesmerizing view from the balcony overlooking the emerald waters of the Aegean Sea, and the many other advantages that could be listed endlessly, I felt it was appropriate to quote the words of the hotel owner, Mr. Zafer Inan:

“This is the story of our adventure - starting with the definition of “from dream to reality”; I enjoyed every moment of the construction process, furnishing the 35 rooms.

Personally, involved in every tiny detail of the design, from selecting antique style wardrobes and beds to bed linen samples, and after completing each step in the process, I was overwhelmed with excitement at the ongoing story ... of our adventure.

When construction was finally complete and the hotel was ready to open its doors to guests, it was time to find a suitable name. Since the hotel was founded by the construction company Antyapi and was located near the sea, I decided to choose the name “Antmare”. I, Zafer Inan, as the manager of this project, sincerely believed in its success. Using my experience as a manager, I completed it and handed it over. Every square meter of this building held its own story. Leaving behind my dreams of a guest-filled hotel, in which I invested my love and efforts, I returned to Istanbul.

However, I could not cross out the experiences of my five years. The fresh air of Alacati, and a sky full of stars that you can't get enough of, and most importantly, the pattern of life, still dominated by village traditions, beckoned us back. After deciding to move to a simpler lifestyle, we said, “Alacati” once again and the whole family decided to operate Antmare and welcome you in our home...

At the same time, I express my endless gratitude to the generous members of the Antyapı family who have always supported me and made me feel special. May you always have the strength and determination to follow the call of your heart.

Every morning before sunrise, we bake a piece of memory into each loaf of our sourdough starter, using some of the original mother dough, and lovingly bake delicious cakes.

If you have finished reading our story, we believe that even you are already a part of it. Welcome to Antmare ... Love from the Antmare family, Zafer Inan.”

In the author's lines, you can feel how passionate he is about his brainchild and this marvelous place of Alacati. On the example of the history of this small hotel you can imagine with what love people built this village: coffee houses, restaurants, grocery stores, kilometers of hand-laid stone streets and many bridges, beautifully painted wooden tables and chairs... And all this was combined to create a unique holiday destination for millions of tourists.

So, let’s get back to our tour. We settled into our rooms. The internet was connected at the reception, with the login/password being the passport number/room number. My smartphone was connected instantly, but my computer was being finicky and wouldn’t catch the Wi-Fi, but there was a way out - I had a short (a little less than a meter) cable with me. I connected it myself, but to be sure, I called the reception. As it turned out, my “assistant” didn’t even know that rooms could connect to the Internet via cable. However, after confirming that the socket and plug matched, he began working on my old computer. After a few adjustments, the Internet was flying, and the all-knowing GOOGLE appeared on the screen.

In addition to free Wi-Fi, the amenities include a minibar and an LCD TV with satellite channels. The rooms have wooden floors and offer luxurious bedding.

Some rooms are designed with the bedroom in the attic and have a separate living area.

The hotel has a restaurant with an open-air terrace serving traditional Turkish breakfast and regional dishes.

There’s also a snack bar by the pool, which serves snacks. It offers elegant rooms with balconies and panoramic views, as well as an outdoor pool surrounded by a wooden deck with sun loungers.

Antmare Hotel is located 3 km from the center of Alacatı. Free parking is available for guests. Nearby activities include wine tasting, windsurfing, and hiking.

On hotel booking websites, the cost of a double room at this hotel for 7 days and 6 nights ranges from $1,000 to $1,200.

As part of our tour program, we have an excursion through the streets and boutiques of Alacatı in the afternoon.

Alacatı - is a picturesque corner of Turkey, located near Izmir, in the district of Cheshme. The first mentions of the region are found in documents from the 14th century. There it is referred to as “Agrilia”. In the past, Alacati was an important seaport and was famous for wine-making. The settlement received its current name during the Ottoman period and was predominantly inhabited by Greeks until the Balkan War.

This town, considered the pearl of the Aegean Sea, has become a popular holiday destination in recent years.

It is especially favored by those who want to escape the heat of the Mediterranean.

In winter, the population of Alacatı is just over eight thousand people, while in the summer 40-45 thousand people live here.

Thanks to the constant winds, Alacati attracts both local and international surfers all year round.

The town has been declared a historical monument, and the construction of buildings that do not conform to local architecture is prohibited. The local authorities have implemented a rule to build buildings no higher than two floors. As we noticed in all establishments, the furniture is exclusively made of wood or metal—there are no plastic tables or chairs, even those branded by Coca-Cola. Thanks to this, Alacatı preserve its unique atmosphere and historical appearance to this day.

Alacati is known for its historic windmills.

These mills are the symbol of Alacati and attract many tourists.

As our guide Banu told us, there were more than twenty windmills, but currently only four remain.

The hill where the windmills stand is called Alacati Yeldeğirmenleri Parki. The windmills were built 150 years ago and were used for grinding wheat and bulgur. They have been restored by the Cheshme Municipality and now serve as restaurants and cafes. The windmills were constructed in the 1850s. They are located on a hill, offering panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and magnificent sunsets.

Additionally, Banu mentioned that the region is rich in endemic plants. Alacatı is indeed renowned for its rich variety of endemic flora.

This region is known for its unique botanical features that create a unique atmosphere. Endemic plants, such as various species of sage and thyme, fill the air with their fragrances, especially in spring and summer. Alacati hosts an annual plant festival known as “Ot Festivali” or Herbal Festival. This festival was first organized in 2010 with the aim of reviving and preserving the cultural values of the region. During the festival, visitors can see and taste many local herbs and plants, both fresh and dried.

It is truly a unique event that attracts many tourists and nature lovers. There are also many different concerts with live music during the festival in Alacati. Various dishes are prepared using local herbs and flowers. Banu notes that dishes made with green peas are particularly popular.

Talking about food, we came across a café by the pavement with the quirky name of Erol Kumrucu. Those who are not familiar with the local cuisine of Izmir might think that Mr. Erol, the owner of the cafe, breeds pigeons (doves). However, it relates to the peculiarities of Turkish dish names, kumru, bayoz, gevrek, tulum and other exotic names. Izmir sandwich “kumru” got its name because of its shape resembling a pigeon. The bread for it is made with chickpea yeast and filled tulum cheese, green peppers and tomatoes. This cold sandwich has been part of the traditional Izmir breakfast for 150 years, served alongside boyoz and gevrek. In the 1950s, a hot version of kumru with sausages and salami was introduced, called “cheshme kumrusu”. This version is heartier and differs from the classic kumru.

Pulling the chairs closer to the wooden table, we began to examine the sandwich menu. As it turned out that Erol Bey offered Yengen Kumru, Çılgın Kumru, and even Psikopat Kumru. We decided not to take any risks and ordered the more adequate “pigeon”, that is the Yengen Kumru. The sandwich turned out to be very hearty; my friends ordered juices, lemonade, and coke, while I, staying true to tradition, paired our “pigeon” with Turkish ayran.

Yengen and Çilgin sandwiches cost 250 and 260 Turkish liras respectively, while the “psychopath pigeon” was noticeably more expensive, its price in the menu is listed as 450 Turkish liras, but it also included a double portion.

It was already evening in Alacati. We wandered on. Watching the carefree interaction of tourists leisurely sipping their coffee and tea, it seems that time has slowed down. The warm light of garlands and lanterns transforms the streets and pavements into a world of harmony and peace, leaving behind the day's noise and bustle.

It is the perfect time to stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere of this charming place.

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