Izmir is the third largest city of Turkey on the Aegean coast in Asia Minor. Its ancient name is Smyrna. Izmir has a population of around 2.6 million and is the second biggest port after Istanbul. Nowadays, Izmir is now a modern, developed, and commercial centre of Turkey. Izmir enjoys a relatively mild summer.

Izmir has a great number of attractions to offer, from the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museums, to the Izmir State Opera and Ballet and Izmir State Symphony Orchestra, to the many bars and clubs. The long attractive palm-fringed promenade, Birinci Kordon, which stretches to the Alsancak Ferry Terminal, is a popular site for going for walks. Other main attractions include Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi), Kizlaragasi Han Bazaar and Kadifekale (Velvet Fortress).