Set in the heart of the Çukurova (Cilician) Plain, Turkey's fourth largest city Adana has a history that goes back as far as the 7th millennium BC.
While history buffs can enjoy exploring the ruins of ancient cities, nature-lovers find repose breathing the cool, clean air on the slopes and plateaus of the Taurus Mountains.
Adana is one of those rare cities that have remained important throughout history.
Eighteen civilizations have ruled the city with each leaving their imprint, whether a building, monument or inscription, as if trying to make their dominion eternal over the region.
The ancient city of Misis is located on the banks of the Ceyhan River on the highway between Adana and Ceyhan.
The nine-arch Misis Bridge across the Ceyhan River was built in the 4th century AD during the Roman Era and the Misis Mosaics Museum houses mosaics found in local excavations.
The ancient city of Anazarbus (Anavarza), included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, became the capital of Cilicia in 408.
It is an open-air museum, showcasing a superb triumphal arch, fortress, columns and two mosaic-paved pools.
Visitors can also see the historical structures at the city centre that shed further light on history.
The 310m-long Taşköprü (Stone Bridge) built by Hadrian and repaired by Justinian spans the Seyhan River which bisects the town; only 14 of the bridge's original 21 arches still stand.
As the largest mosque in Turkey, Sabancı Mosque's classical appearance belies its recent construction; it is an indispensable image of Adana that is featured on innumerable postcards.
In the north of the city, at the Seyhan Dam and Lake, are shady walks, quaint tea gardens and restaurants set in cool spots where you can escape the heat.
At sunset, look back toward the city to the peaceful, winding ruby river lined with twinkling lights.
After a day of sightseeing you can enjoy an Adana kebab, a sensational spicy kebab made of ground meat, as tasting local beverages like shalgam, a drink made from dark turnips, and shıra, a type of grape juice.
The region's classical cuisine will delight the palate of the most discriminating gourmet.
