Antalya, Turkey

Set along the scenic Turkish Riviera, Alanya is a resort town on the central Mediterranean coast with long stretches of powdery beaches, the most famous of which is named for the Egyptian queen who reputedly swam there. The white sands of Cleopatra Beach slope gently down into crystal blue waters where you could easily spend an entire day, although there is much more to Alanya than its shoreline. The ancient walls of Alanya Castle stretch for miles along a high promontory offering exceptional views of the modern city of Alanya below. Just on the other side of those walls, step back in time to explore Alanya's Old Town and an open-air museum. On the harbor side of town, additional historical remnants survive, including the famous Red Tower and Seljuk Shipyard – extensions of the Alanya Castle fortifications that date back to the 13th century.