Izmir is ancient Smyrna, one of the 7 ancient cities claiming the right to be called Homer's homeland. A huge horseshoe covers a vast bay on the east coast of the Aegean Sea. This is the largest business center in the country and the venue of the prestigious International Izmir Fair.
Rebuilt after the giant fire of 1922, lively and cosmopolitan, it resembles a Mediterranean European resort rather than an eastern metropolis. Traces of his ancient past should be found on the agora of Smyrna, and the bright Turkish flavor should be found at the Kemeralta bazaar with many narrow streets and covered galleries. In addition, Izmir is a convenient starting point to the ruins of the legendary cities of Pergamon, Ephesus and Troy.