I like places with big pasts.
Few places on this earth have a bigger past than Izmir.
Originally called Smyrna, this is one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back more than 8,500 years.
Today, it’s also Turkey’s third-largest city and a popular resort destination among Europeans. The population doubles come summertime.
This summer, Lief and I number among those making our way to these shores.
There are many reasons to seek out this historically important spot. Top of Lief and my can’t-wait-to-see list are the ruins of ancient Ephesus.
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What a place this city must have been in its day. The Roman emperor was here, and Roman soldiers came on holiday. Anthony and Cleopatra honeymooned in this chic metropolis with a population of 250,000 at the time.
Lief and I honeymooned here, too, 26 years ago.
We’re returning now to retrace some of the first steps we took together.
We also have a business agenda.
Since that first visit more than two-and-a-half decades ago, Turkey has been on our favorites list.
Now it’s smack dab at the center of our radar once again.
Turkey is a country where the modern and the traditional are juxtaposed, at once familiar and excitingly different.
This country is also vast, stretching from the turquoise and azure waters of the Aegean and the Mediterranean across pine-covered mountains on to rolling plains that mark the beginning of the great Eurasian Steppe then over lush green mountains to the Black Sea.
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Along thousands of miles of coastline you find sleek resorts and modern medical facilities just yards from monumental remains of ancient Greece and Rome.
Our plan has us touching down in Izmir, renting a car, then heading south to Ephesus then on to Antalya Province on the country’s southwestern coast.
Ultimate destination: Kas.
This colorful harbor town stands out for its atmospheric historic center of cobblestoned streets, open-air markets, and stone buildings draped in bougainvillea. Thanks to these attractions and the ever-present sea, Kas is a hub for tourists. The good news is that it remains authentically Turkish.
Thinking bigger picture, not only Kas but this entire coast offers staggeringly beautiful landscapes, mesmerizing ocean vistas, rich culture, healthy local cuisine, and ancient history, all steeped in friendly Turkish hospitality.
The region boasts the best weather in the country, with more than 300 days of sunshine annually and mild temperatures year-round.
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To put things in even greater perspective, note that Turkey is a major medical tourism destination, especially for people from the U.K. and other West European countries, speaking to the high quality of private medical care on offer.
Unlike across most of Europe, Turkey’s population is young and growing. The country is investor-friendly, making it easy for foreigners to take a position, especially in real estate… though some property ownership restrictions can apply in very low-density areas and when purchasing large tracts of land.
It’s easy to establish residency in Turkey, including through a property investment, which can even qualify you for citizenship.
This is a country with a lot to offer. And we believe it’s at a turning point.
Our contact on the ground has invited us to come see for ourselves. We’ll be meeting up with Alper in Kas.
Watch for my live reports from Turkey’s Turquoise Coast later this week…
Until next time,
Kathleen Peddicord
Founding Publisher, Overseas Opportunity Letter
