Izmir has a lot to offer, from cuisine to culture, and ideal conditions for windsurfing. Euromaxx reporter Sarah Hucal braved the board for the first time!

İzmir

The Izmir peninsula in Türkiye is showcased as a vibrant travel destination, beginning with the town of Alacati, known for its picturesque streets, historic stone houses, and traditional Turkish breakfasts. The area’s Greek heritage is evident in its architecture and shared culinary traditions, such as desserts made with mastic resin from nearby Chios.

Alacati’s consistent winds make it a global hotspot for windsurfing, attracting both beginners and international competitions. The journey continues to the Karaburun peninsula, where visitors can hike past the abandoned Greek village of Sazak, now a protected heritage site. The region offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural history, and outdoor activities.

Izmir peninsula — A coastal vacation paradise

Our first stop is the town of Alacati in the trendy resort area of Cesme. It's gotten more popular and expensive in the last 10 years, but there are still lots of quiet streets and very cute cafes. I definitely think it's worth a visit. I head to Bumba Breakfast Club to try a Turkish ritual, Kavalta, the classic Turkish breakfast. I can hardly believe my eyes. We have a variety of spreads, multiple cheeses, potatoes, olives. We're in an olive-producing region. I also ordered menemen, which is tomatoes, eggs, and peppers. One of my favorite Turkish dishes. Amazing. Everything. Alacati was a thriving agricultural hub in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Greek Orthodox population who lived here built these incredible stone houses, many of which have been turned into hotels, bars, and restaurants. The Greek Christians were forced to move largely due to the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne that mandated a population exchange between Turkey and Greece based on religion. It affected up to 2 million people, and it's a big part of this region's history that we'll continue to encounter. You can still find many things shared by both cultures, like desserts with mastic resin, grown on the neighboring Greek island of Chios. Everyone told me I have to try mastic pudding, which is called... Sakizli muhallebi. Sakizli muhallebi. May I have a piece, please? It has a kind of piney taste. I'm into it. The signs of Alacati's recent tourism boom are obvious. I wanted to check out part of what helped make it a tourism hotspot. Wind. The coast of Alacati is one of the most popular places in the world for windsurfing. Many international competitions are held here. At Alacati Surf Paradise Club, they have been teaching people windsurf for 30 years, including beginners like me. I have a surf instructor today. Do you think I have what it takes, Yusuf? I hope so. Me too. Let's go find out. So we started here in 1995, so it's been like 30 years. But it becomes popular around the beginning of 2000s because of the super flat and super shallow water. The people feel safe in here. And also it makes it super easy to learn it because of the flat water. And another important factor, the wind here is very consistent. I immediately start to regret my idea of windsurfing for the first time on camera. It's a lot to take in at once. But finally, I start to get the hang of it. I did it without falling. Thank you to Yusuf, who is a really awesome teacher, I have to say. Thank you very, very much. Now we're going even more off the beaten path to Turkey's peninsula, Karaburun. Karaburun is a real hidden gem, especially if you enjoy hiking like I do. One of the routes takes you past Sazak village, an abandoned Greek settlement. I was really curious to see this place, and it's true. It really feels like somewhere time has forgotten. The 80 or so buildings have stood empty for over a century. The government recently made it a protected heritage site and announced plans for renovation. But it doesn't look like that's gotten underway yet. For now, the smell of wild herbs, thyme and arugula The smell of wild herbs, thyme and oregano, fills the air. Nature has taken over. Well, that concludes our adventure on the Izmir Peninsula. I had an amazing time, I learned so much. And see you next time. Bye.

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