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Twenty-five
kilometers to the south of Ankara on Konya road is Golbasi Lake, a popular
place to visit for its attractive scenery and fine lakeside restaurants.
Incek,
15
km southwest of Ankara,
is
a favorite resting area for
Ankara
residents with its lovely
fruit
trees, green areas and
picnic
sites.
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A
favorite place for picnics is Karagol Lake, 68 km north of the city
on the airport road; take the turn-off for the town of Cubuk.
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The
three dams around the city, Cubuk (15 km on the Cankiri Highway),
Kurtbogazi (50 km on the Istanbul Highway) and bayindir
(15
km on the Kirikkale Highway) are pleasant places to visit for swimming
and picnicking. There
are
also restaurants, and at bayindir, good camping facilities.
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Walkers
will delight in exploring the three main forests around Ankara. South of
the city on Kirsehir Highway (54 km), is the Beynam Forest; while to the
north, on Istanbul Highway (82 km), is the Kizilcahamam Soguksu National
Park and further, in the same direction (110 km), is the Camkoru Forest.
All are delightful retreats from the clamor of the city, and each provides
lovely places for picnics.
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Elmadag
Mountain (1855 meters), about 23 km from Ankara, can be seen from most
parts of the city. The first snowfall on the mountain heralds the start
of winter and the beginnig of skiingand winter sports at the pleasant resort-center
to be found here.
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HISTORICAL
SITES :
Those
with an interest in the history of the region will find a visit YassiHoyuk
( Gordion), 105 km from Ankara on the Eskisehir highway, and Gavurkalesi,
60 km from Ankara on the Haymana Highway near Derekoy, to be interesting
and easily made. Gordion Knot (the key to Asia), is today of interest for
the tumulus of King Midas of the Goldenn Touch and the famous legend about
the asses ears. The remains of the old city, still being exvcavated, can
be seen; and there is a small, pleasant museum. At Gavurkalesi are remains
of an openair Hittite temple, tomb and two reliefs of Hittite gods.
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THERMAL
BATHS :
In
the province of Ankara there are four thermal centers: Kizilcihamam Kaplica
(80 km), Haymana Kaplica (72 km), Ayas Kaplica (57 km), and Dutlu Kaplica
(85 km). All offer comfartable facilities in which to soak away one's cares.
The thermal baths have beneficial properties and are, of course, altogether
pleasurable.
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TRAVEL
:
To
reach Ankara is not difficult. Most countries have flights to the city's
Esenboga International Airport, and from this airport there are regular
flights to major cities in Turrkey. Ankara is the center of Turkey's excellent
and very extensive coach cities, and many major European cities. Turkish
railways offer a more leisurely mode of travel to a number of cities
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CLIMATE
:
The
climate is a typical continental one. The a summers are long and pleasantly
hot, with cool nights; there is little rainfall or humidity. The winters
are cold with some rain and snow.
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