Ayvalık, where health-giving olives grow in abundance, is ready to share its age-old traditions and vibrant cultural present with you.

Ayvalık is a county of Balıkesir Province in the Aegean Region of Turkey, and it is one of the country’s fast emerging but still largely untouched tourism destinations. The impressive geography is complemented by pine forests and olive orchards that grow in the region's fine, clean air. The island of Lesbos is right across the bay, and the Ayvalık Archipelago, consisting of 24 small islands, surrounds the town. The county is located on the Aegean Seaboard, with the sea to its west, Gömeç County on its northern border, Dikili County of the İzmir Province in the south, and Bergama County of the İzmir Province in the east.

The Ayvalık Houses

Ayvalık has the unique atmosphere of a historical city set amid remarkable natural beauty. The vestiges of 18th and 19th century life are still visible in the streets. The county’s fishing culture and other maritime activities, along with olive cultivation and olive oil pressing has deeply shaped not just the economy but the life of the area. Home and city life in Ayvalık carry the eternal feel of Mediterranean culture. The streets, the relation of the people to the sea, and the architecture bear the common soul of Italy, Spain and Greece. The doors and windows of houses are wide and high, and the internal and external spaces are arranged according to their correlation with the sea. The streets are laid perpendicular to the shoreline, and a grid created by streets that run parallel to the shoreline reflects continuity with the ancient cities of the region. The local volcanic ruff stone, quarried from the Sarımsaklı Peninsula and locally named as sarımsak stone, was used in the decorations of the front facade and is regarded as the characteristic feature of the Ayvalık Houses.

Architecture of Ayvalık is noted for the elements it has borrowed from the Ionic and Corinthian styles, such as columns, decorations, wall panels, windows, doorknobs, and bells. The ground floors of the houses feature a large entrance hall. The basements are used as shops or storage spaces where gigantic terracotta olive oil jars have a prominent position. Large cisterns were built under the ground floors to meet water demand during the dry season. Another characteristic feature of Ayvalık Houses is a massive beam made of the trunk of a cedar tree that carries the joists of the ground floor. While bearing the massive load of the house, the cedar beam also helps regulate humidity. The ceilings of the houses are decorated with paintings that reflect the particulars of the period in which they were painted.

About 1900 protected architectural structures adorn the neighbourhoods of Ayvalık, which wrapped up in the sea and the islands of the archipelago. This special destination is truly an open air museum.

The Devil’s Table (Şeytan Sofrası)

It is one of the best vantage points of Ayvalık. The hill, which is perched over the Çamlık Forestry Camp, is an old lava cone, and the hilltop, which is flat, resembles the traditional, low, round dining tables of the region. Some believe that an imprint on the rock, now covered with an iron cage, is the footprint of the Devil. The Devil’s Table has a panoramic view over the Ayvalık archipelago, looking down on sounds and coves covered with pine forests. To eat dinner at the hilltop restaurant and enjoy a long drink while watching the sunset is a privilege.

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It is impossible to imagine Ayvalık without its sanctuaries. Saatli Mosque (Hagios Ioannis Church), Çınarlı Mosque (Hagios Georgios Church), Hamidiye Mosque, Hayrettin Pasha Mosque (Kato Panagia Church), Küçükköy Central Mosque (Hagios Athanasios Church), Taxiarchis Church, Ayazma (Holy Water) Church, Hagios Triada (Holy Trinity) Church are just some them…

Feel the Nature

The beautiful nature of Ayvalık also provides the backdrop for activities such as trekkingbird watchingplant observationjeep safari and photo-safari. There are many travel agents who organize fully equipped tourist excursions and enjoyable alternative activities.

The beaches of Ayvalık offer visitors several ways to enjoy a holiday of sea, sun and sand. The most notable beach is the Sarımsaklı Beach, which is renowned for sands that do not stick to the body. Bamboo beach bars and coastal restaurants serving fresh juices and the local cuisine let visitors have a nice break from sea and sun.

Its 24 islands, 60 diving spots, year round diving options, and rich under water fauna and flora make Ayvalık a diver's paradise. The "red coral" that can be seen in 34 diving spots along the Ayvalık coast is enchanting: there's more of the stuff here than in the Red Sea itself! Divers prefer Ayvalık for its abundant coral reefs, crystal clear seawater, and a multitude of diving spots with different bottom characteristics.

With its optimal climate conditions and favourable wind and waves, Ayvalık is also a very popular destination for windsurfers and sailing enthusiasts. Professional trainers are on hand and organised activities are available, so that enthusiasts of all skill levels can enjoy the sports safely.

Enjoy the Ayvalık Cuisine

The Ayvalık Cuisine falls within the best traditions of the Aegean Cuisine, and the most valuable ingredient of the cuisine is olive oil. Fresh seafood, dishes prepared using locally grown herbs and vegetable dishes prepared with olive oil satisfy even the most demanding palates. The fried sprat (papalina) is a speciality of Ayvalık cuisine, while sea urchin is served during the winter season accompanied with a few drops of fresh squeezed lemon juice. The cheeses served at breakfast are also local specialities. Mihaliç (a salty and porous cheese with a strong flavour and a hard rind), sepet and lor cheeses are among them. One of the specialities of Ayvalık is Ayvalık Style Toast with cheese, spicy sausage, and mixed fillings served with delicious accompaniments in almost every cafe and teahouse. Special breads, cheese and vegetables enhance the taste. Local vegetables and fruits generally accompany dishes and are cooked in many different styles.

Symbol of peace and abundance, The Olive

Ayvalık is renowned for the hospitability of its people, for the tranquillity it affords and for the purity of its sea air. The region offers the produce of its soil to humanity to engender peace and promote health. Humanity first discovered the wondrous olive 8000 years ago, and since then olives have been a delicious and healthy part of the culinary arts.

According to the legend the prophet Noah, adrift in the Great Flood, sent out a white dove. The white dove returned to Noah’s Ark with an olive branch that heralded the end of the flood. Since then the white dove with an olive branch has been recognized as a symbol of peace. In the Christian cultures the olive is a symbol of good fortunes and peace, and when envoys come, they are presented with olive branches. The holy book of Muslims, the Holy Quran, refers to the olive tree as a sacred plant, and advised that dates, water and olives should be eaten to break the daily fast during Ramadan. Aegean civilisations and Romans only allow honourable and good men to cultivate olives, and take part in the growing and harvesting activities to honour the sacred olive plant.

Archaeological excavations at the Palace of Knossos seat of the King Minos, revealed ancient terracotta jars that were once filled with olive oil. Scholars note this as evidence of the olive oil trade, a big part of the economy of Crete in 2500 BC.

At present Ayvalık is the olive capital of the Aegean Region, with its orchards exceeding 2.5 million trees. These orchards add to the charms of the region, and put Ayvalık on the map for nature loving gourmets everywhere.

Information Text on the Use of Your Personal Data

This Consent and Information Document (“Information Document”) regulates terms and conditions for use of the data notified by Users of services (“Patients”) and/or gained from Patients during delivery of Oba Tourism Organization Adversiment  and Publishing Limited Company (“Medithrace”) with headquarter at Ertuğrul Mah. Orduevi Cad. No 2 Süleymanpaşa -  Tekirdağ pursuant to Personal Data Protection Law (Nr. 6698)  activities performed to deliver services, including “Free-of-charge Second Opinion and Health Counseling” (“Services”) at contract partner hospitals (“Hospitals”) with details written below.
 
How is your medical history and health information obtained?

Your personal health details are derived from “your medical reports, details about medications you take, epicrisis, imaging studies, imaging reports and pathology reports” that you submit us and they are shared with or disclosed to partner hospitals in Turkey and their relevant personnel in order to create your treatment plan.

Which data is processed?
 
This article lists the data that is regarded as personal data in Personal Data Protection Law (Nr. 6698) and processed by Medithrace for the services delivered to patients. Unless otherwise is stated, “Personal Data” and “Data with Specific Quality (Sensitive”) shall have following meanings pursuant to terms and conditions of this Information Document. 

Hospital collects following data that are notified by Patients. 
 
●    Identity - Address Details: Name surname, identity number, gender, date of birth, business or personal e-mail, phone number, home address or business address that are written on relevant forms,
●    Health Evaluation Details: Your medical history, medical reports, details of medications you take, epicrisis, imaging studies, imaging reports and pathology reports.
●    Extra data: Other health and/or personal information that is required for service delivery and not covered in above written data classes. 

Pursuant to Articles 3 and 7 of Personal Data Protection Law (Nr. 6698) and regulations to be issued by the Committee, personal data or sensitive data shall not cover the data that is anonymized by deleting your identity details in an irreversible manner and terms and conditions of this Information Document, hereby, shall not apply to such data. 

Why do we use your data?

Your data is shared with or disclosed to physicians, healthcare staff and other relevant hospital personnel to help our firm provide you with “free-of-charge second opinion” service that is rendered in relation with your probable treatment. Thus, they are used to have contract hospitals create a complete treatment plan and submit estimated cost.

Hospitals may process the personal data notified by the Patient and the new data derived by the Hospital from the personal data in order to help the Patient use the Services, deliver the Services, fulfill the intended use of the personal data specified in this Information Document, fulfill the liabilities arising out of the content of Services and meet any and all legal obligations.

In addition, the Hospital may process the personal data and disclose them to third parties without any need to consent of the Patient pursuant to Articles 5, 6 and 8 of Personal Data Protection Law (Nr. 6698) and/or in the presence of exemptions in the relevant legislation.

Allowed Disclosures
 
Medithrace shall be entitled to disclose the personal data notified by the Patient and the new data derived by the hospital from the personal data in order to render the Services, improve the patient experience, improve Services and achieve any one of the goals specified under the section “Why do we use your data?” of this Information Policy.

Your personal, clinical and genetic data collected pursuant to this Information Document, hereby, shall be processed in line with the provisions written in this document and the provisions and security measures dictated by relevant legislation of the country, where the data is stored and/or processed.

Your Right to Access Your Data and Your Correction Requests

 The patient shall have the following rights by applying to Medithrace;

●    Learning if the personal data is processed or how it is processed,
●    Requesting relevant information, if personal data is processed,
●    Learning the intent of processing personal data and whether they are used in line with the intention, 
●    Learning local and international third parties who are shared the personal data,
●    Requesting correction, if personal data is processes incompletely or incorrectly,
●    Requesting correction, deletion or disposal of the personal data in line with the provisions set by relevant legislation; requesting notification of the correction, deletion or disposal to third parties that are transferred the personal data,
●    Raising an objection to a negative outcome arising out of analyzing the data exclusively with automated systems,
●    Requesting compensation of loss and damage that arises out of illegal processing of personal data. 

The patient may post the request in writing to Ertuğrul Mah. Orduevi Cad. No: 2 Süleymanpaşa -  Tekirdağ or e-mail the request letter to info@medithrace.com. Medithrace shall issue and transfer the positive or negative response in writing or electronically pursuant to the above mentioned requests, provided the grounds of negative response are notified. The Patient undertakes that the details subject to this Information Policy are complete, correct and up-to-date and that they will be immediately updated in case of any change Medithrace shall assume no responsibility, if up-to-date information is not notified by the Patient.

Duration of Storage for Personal Data


Medithrace shall store the personal data notified by the Patient for the interval that the Services are actually delivered in order to fulfill liabilities set in this Information Policy, hereby, and arise out of the content of Services to help the Patient use the Services.

Our Measures and Commitments for Data Security

Pursuant to provisions set by relevant legislation or mentioned in this Information Policy, Medithrace commits to take necessary technical and administrative measures to ensure appropriate level of security in order to prevent illegal access to the personal data and/or illegal data processing.
Possible Changes in Information Policy
Medithrace shall be entitled to amend provisions of this Information Policy at any time, provided the amended policy is accessible at the Web Site, www.medithrace.com. The amendments made in the Information Policy by Medithrace shall be put into force immediately after the amended provisions are publicized.

By signing the declaration and consent document, I agree and state that I received the information and consent document, I read and understood the content and my personal data is processed, used and disclosed to third parties if necessary for my potential treatment.

LART