Selcuk is a small town on the Agean Sea, and I picked it because it seemed to offer a good ratio between tourist attractions, local culture, sea-side relaxation and other adventures. Our hostel was simply amazing. I have never stayed anywhere so nice. It’s called Attila’s Getaway, and although it was a few minutes out of the center of the town, the location was perfect. The hostel backs up to a small mountain/hill, and they have an incredibly comfortable number of pillows surrounding the pool. The dinner and breakfasts they served where both tasty and huge portion sizes. I was just so impressed with what we got for something like $15 a night.
Our first day in Selcuk we took a little trip to a small bit of isolated beach. The bus dropped us off on the side of a mountain, and it took almost half an hour to hike down to the water. The hike was worth it though. The water was completely clear and the floor was covered in rocks (and unfortunately sea urchins as well) that we could see even when they were 10 feet below us.
The ancient ruined city of Ephesus is about 10 minutes from Selcuk. We spent a few hours walking through the old city listening to our handy audio guides. I always hate paying extra for it, but being a tourist is much more entertaining when you know what you’re looking at. I forget that Greece isn’t the only country with these ruins, and Ephesus is actually one of the largest ruined cities you can visit these days. The city was really cool, but the Temple of Artemis, apparently one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, was a massive disappointment. We
went out of our way to get there, as it isn’t attached to the larger part of Ephesus, and we got there and were sincerely convinced that we were in the wrong place. This formerly massive temple is now only represented by a column. Such a disappointment. We thought we were going to see a full-on temple. No such luck.
Kusadasi is a bigger port city about half an hour from Selcuk. We spent the day there somewhat by accident, but were happy to do it, as the beach and sea were awesome. All in all, I’ve never been in water as clear and salty as the Agean. The beach in Kusadasi was crowded, but the water was completely see-through and it was nice to spend the day relaxing in the sun and water. 
Almost from the moment I arrived in the Istanbul airport and saw an Arby’s, I fell in love with Turkey. The country really outdid itself at the bus station when I discovered Doritos, (oooh the random things you miss when you’re a Peace Corps volunteer.) but the beautiful sea and the Turkish food clinched the title for Turkey as one of my all-time favorite destinations by the end of my first day there. 
