If you're after Autumn sunshine and warm seas in October this area of Turkey could be worth checking out. Although the coastline doesn't compare to the glories of Lycia you will find an excellent climate, some good beaches and far fewer nightclubs. Adana is not particularly inspiring but makes a good jumping off point for exploring. With a good scattering of interesting sites such as the island castle of Kizkalesi or the limestone caves of Heaven and Hell it's a good coast to tour and the occasional sortie inland into the mountains may also be rewarding. You're slightly more aware of the Oriental side of Turkey's nature here than nearer the Aegean, the food gets spicier and the urban centres slightly less comprehensively developed. If you make it as far East as Antakya, in the disputed Hatay region, the delights of Aleppo and Damascus aren't too far away across the Syrian border. Like a lot of Turkey, this coastline really rewards hiring a car and seeing what's out there.

Adana is the biggest city in the region and is fairly easy to get to by air. There's not much to look at in the city itself but it does offers access to a number of interesting sites, far less well known than their western counterparts.

Dilekkaya (100km from Adana) is a Roman and Byzantine city with the usual complement of theatre, aqueduct etc. Karatepe (a little bit further on) reminds us how much the Hittites got around and is unusual in that its sculptures are still there. Yakapinar with its Roman mosaics and the Armenian castle of Yilanlikale are also easy to get to from the city.

West of Adana, past Mersin but east of Silifke, you'll find a number of interesting places. Kizkalesi, the Maiden's Castle, is a 12th century Armenian construction accessible by boat or strong swimmers. It has good beaches nearby. Close by are the remarkable limestone caves of Heaven and Hell or Cennet Ce'hennem well worth a detour if you are travelling the coast road. Inland a little is the village of Uzuncaburc, nicely set off by its mountainous surroundings and usually deserted, it has a roman theater and other bits and pieces.

Alanya, just off the map to the left, is both an ancient Selcuk city and a busy beach resort. Its justifiably famous red brick fortress contains all kinds of interesting bits and pieces within its 150 towers. generally a fun place to spend some time, especially if beach access is important to you.

Ancient Antioch, now Antakya, sits in the disputed Hatay region of Turkey, close to the Syrian border. Remnants of the glory days still remain in the form of mosaics from the floors of the Roman houses. These, in conjunction with the old towns bazaar quarter make for a days diversion.