NMC Alanya | Makelaar, Property, Villa, Vastgoed, Real Estate

Alanya[IMG:373:R:120]

An important aspect of living abroad is without any doubt the other culture, the other environment, the other atmosphere. But how can we describe the atmosphere in Alanya? What may you expect from living in Alanya?

Paradis? Paradise? Paradijs?

[IMG:494:L:180]We're not going to talk about the Greek, Romans nor the Lykians. Neither will we discuss Alladin Keykubat or Cleopatra. And we're definitely not going into detail about Seldjuks nor Ottomans. Alanya's history can be found on dozens of websites and is contradicted on even more sites. Let one thing be for sure: Alanya isn't a trivial piece of land, but it has been the cherished paradise for lots of nations and civilisations. A city with dignity, which you sense on every spot of her surface. The inhabitants of Alanya are proud of their city. Not in the least the local mayor. He's the responsible one for a whole list of improvements, introduced under his policy. For the one and only reason as to make Alanya prettier, more attractive and more practical: streets have been straightened, footpaths and boulevards constructed, houses freshened up and the number of leisure facilities enlarged. Stricter rules for the hotel, restaurant and catering industry, and also for the countless little travel agencies which are now only allowed to perform their activities behind closed doors… The times where they tried to sell you an excursion or a rental car every 5 minutes, belong hereby to the past.

Burası Türkiye! This is Turkey.

Alanya is alive and in progress, but without touching a few holy cows: “There's always a tomorrow”, freely translated as “Trial of Patience” is stuck in the local mentality. Every stressed European experiences some trouble with this way of living: the heart rate must come down, the adrenaline level has to be adapted, and the severe looks changed for a smile. But once you've reached this level, you'll notice the wonder of the ability of living without pressure. This stressless atmosphere is found in all Mediterranean countries, but because Turkey is a bridge between east and west -geographically as well as culturally- it has something peculiar. A lightly oriental touch, even though Turkey -and its coastal regions in particular- has undergone many western European influences. This explains why Alanya lets you want for nothing. The satellite dish on your roof tracks all your favourite programs, the major wholesale trade chain Metro/Makro is present here in Alanya, and compared to many cities of the world, the numerous confectioners, restaurants, bars and pubs yield to no one in service and quality. Service is still written with a big “S”. “Nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?” or “How can I help you?” is one of the most asked questions… Quite a difference in comparison to the “modern” “western” mentality![IMG:496:R:120]

You shouldn't forget that YOU are the foreigner here, but still you are accepted immediately. Here we speak about “our” British, “our” Irish… Over centuries, different cultures have left their traces here, so that our inhabitants have broadened their view on the “foreigner” much more than in other cities. Another example of this: a city counsel for foreigners; unique of it's kind. Nowhere else in Turkey, the rights of the immigrant are supported that strongly as here in Alanya. You are welcomed as a friend and you go as a family member. The Turkish word “Abi” (big brother) or “Amca” (uncle) isn't restricted to relatives only. Every time you visit Turkey, you will enlarge the number of your family members. Where can you start family planning? In fact everywhere: on the beach, at the bar, in the little mini-markets, even at the gas stations you'll notice that time flies faster than elsewhere.

Relaxing and pampering

[IMG:497:L:120]Turkey -and Alanya as well- is first of all a paradise when you consider pampering. A beloved spot for this: the hairdresser! In between the spoiling treatment of washing-tea-cutting-tea-blow drying-tea-massage-tea you'll notice there is no harm in asking… So don't be surprised when you're being asked: „How much do you earn?” Here it is as normal as: “How are you?”

Or try the smell of apple tobacco and the art of smoking a water pipe in one of the “nargile”-cafes. Bent over a game of backgammon “Tavla”, you'll notice that your blood pressure comes down, you will widen your mind and after a few sips of Rakı even the Turkish language reveals its secrets much easier.

If you really want to relax completely, you should try the Turkish bath “Hamam”, where it seems as if your body is torn apart first and then put back together. After a sweat-scrub-chafe- and mould treatment, your skin is as clean as never before and you feel reborn.[IMG:498:R:180]

Of course, you can also start regenerating in the floods of the Dimçay River. Lying at a table on a raft, floating on the cool water in Mother Nature's lap, makes it easy to enjoy a lovely meal and to forget about the summer heat.

For sure, the inner man has to be fed as well. Numerous taverns, bars and pubs offer you the widest range of dishes and the abundance of restaurants has such a great offer that nobody leaves unsatisfied. Turkish kitchen is very elaborate and mostly very surprising. From dirt-cheap till a ruined wallet: everything is possible. And you don't have to run to the most exquisite restaurant to find the best kitchen. E.g. the seventh best restaurant of Turkey you'll find here in a beautiful Ottoman house.

Or do you prefer having a drink after the movies? In the brand new Damlataş Shopping Centre, we find since 2004: a modern Aqua Park, a luxurious cinema, and for a “one for the road” we have a few trendy bistros that offer live music which makes your heart beat faster…

Medical treatment

[IMG:500:L:45]If at the very beginning, the European stomach can't deal immediately with the oriental kitchen, then we have 3 reliable high-tech private hospitals here. They are more modern and better equipped than most European hospitals, they don't have waiting lists and the perfect multilingual staff brightens up your darkest days. Medical tourism is getting more important as well!

Transport

[IMG:501:R:100]Once you get the system of public transport, nothing is difficult anymore. On the 3 main streets of Alanya the city bus passes every 10 minutes. To reach the surrounding municipalities, you head for the central dolmuş station and for the individual traveller Alanya is full of yellow taxis. From the big bus station “Otogar” you can get yourself the cheapest bus tickets to explore every corner of Turkey. Dozens of bus companies offer great service for little money. For your comfort we also have the world leading rent-a-car companies represented in the city centre as well as rent-a-bike stores, but don't forget that 4 wheels still have priority over 2…

In Alanya you have got a lot of possibilities for recreation. Until a few years ago, it seemed as if Alanya died every year at the end of the tourist season. The city sort of literally folded up the pavement and went to hibernate. Luckily, those days are over, and Alanya doesn't yield to Antalya in recreational possibilities anymore. Every sport has its own club by now. Even fitness with professional multilingual accompaniment is almost taken for granted. Every year big international sport manifestations are organised in the city centre: bicycle races, triathlon, marathon… And on the beach, the international beach soccer and beach volleyball tournaments are the climaxes that cause all the hotels to be fully booked again every year. Also dance courses are very popular. The famous “Zeybek-“ dance course is one of the easiest ways to integrate and to expand your circle of friends. But also for a round of snooker or billiards, darts or bowling, you'll find all the possibilities. If you're looking for more relaxation with less effort, then we have two cinema complexes showing you the latest movies, and if afterwards you're planning to set out, you can't miss our harbour area where every kind of music is represented.