v      Official club name: The Friendship Force of Greater  Izmir

v      Closest major airport: Adnan Menderes (Izmir) 16 km south of Izmir

v      Cost of transportation between the airport and our city (based on 20 people): Ambassadors are met at the airport by bus and the cost is included in the fee decided on the exchange.

v      The maximum number of Ambassadors our club can host:  18 - 20 at the most

v      About the club: The Friendship Force of Izmir was chartered in 1993.   Our club was chosen to be the Club of the Year in 1999 at a conference held in Istanbul.  In 2000, Izmir FF Club held a Millenium exchange. We have only 44 members.  Member families really enjoy showing Turkish hospitality and their way of life. The club is very active with incoming exchanges- 2 each year - one in the spring and one in the fall. If we have the right number of participants we have an outgoing exchange once a year.   

v      About the region: The shores of the Aegean (629 square km) present one of the loveliest landscapes in Turkey.  The coastline is magnificent with crystal waters, beautiful beaches and olive groves.  There are a number of ancient cities in the region, which is the inheritance of 5,000 years of history and culture. Izmir:  The city, known as beautiful Izmir, lies on the shore of a large bay.  It has mild weather in winter and the terrible heat and humidity heat is tempered by constant and refreshing sea breezes in the summer.  Today it is the third largest city in Turkey.  The original city was established in the third millennium B.C. and at that time it had the most advanced culture in western Anatolia.  Izmir was known as Smyrna and was one of the important cities of the Ionian Federation.  The legendary Homer lived here in the "Velvet Fortress" situated on top of ancient Mt.Pagos, which dominates the city.  From this fortress there is a magnificent view of the city as well as the Gulf of Izmir.  The city clock tower, the symbol of Izmir, stands at Konak Square. Nearby, one will find the lively, narrow streets of the Kemeralti Bazaar where there is an infinite variety of antiques, jewelry and clothing as well as local produce.  In the Archeological and EthnographicMuseums, there is a marvelous collection of antiques dating from early Western Anatolian civilization.  Elegant KORDENBOYU, the long promenade, lined with cafés, restaurants, bars and shops is the ideal place to relax after a day of sightseeing. Places to Visit: Efes (Ephesus):  A visit to Ephesus is one of the highlights of any visit to Turkey.  The city is dedicated to the Goddess Artemis whose temple was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  During both the Hellenistic and Roman periods Ephesus was the most important port and cultural center of the eastern world.  The remains of the city are still spellbinding today. Virgin Mary's House: The place where the Virgin Mary spent her last days, she was brought there by Saint John after the death of Christ.  It is a pilgrimage place for Christians. The holy Christian shrine was sanctified by Pope Paul VI in 19. Balçova : Thermal Springs.  Known as the Agamemnon Springs in antiquity, this may have been the first hydrotherapy center of the ancient world. The temperature of the water is 63 degreesC. Pergamum:  Remains of this magnificent city  founded in the early 3rd century was the most powerful and extensive kingdom of Western Anatolia throughout the Hellenistic period.  Parchement is thought to be invented here.The Acropolis and the world's steepest amphitheatre with seatings for 16.000 people, the remains of Athena and Dionysus, the ruins of Asclepion named after the god of medicine Asclepios can all be viewed here.

v      About the exchanges: Upon arrival, we usually have a short welcome party and there is also a farewell party at the end of the week at a restaurant because our houses are not large enough for a big Group and we usually live in apartment flats with no gardens. The week begins by visiting the museums of the city and then a short visit to the Mayor And the Izmir Municipality.  The Ephesus Tour is an overnight event due to the heavy Program for the next two days.  A day at Pergamum and a relaxing day at the Hot Springs are the other programs.  A free day with the hosts can be used on the last Exchange day.  We always have everyone on the same bus to go to the tours every day. Ambassadors get together every morning and picked up from their houses and spend the Whole day together.  All meals during the day are eaten together and a wide range of Turkish cuisine is offered to our ambassadors. When the time comes to say goodbye there is always a drop of tear on everyone's eyes.

 17 June 2009