armaris is perhaps the most European of the Turkish resorts, although a venture into the maze of narrow streets which make up the Old Quarter soon reveals a very Turkish atmosphere. Old men sit in the shade playing backgammon just yards from the more sophisticated bars of the seafront, the market area is thronged with local life.

Sandwiching the Old Ouarter are to one side Netsel Marina, home to smart quayside restaurants, an open-air amphitheatre cinema, and a marina housing majestic yachts. To the other is the newer district of the resort where many of our featured properties are situated. Marmaris is lively and bustles well into the small hours with bars and smart discos.

The ford-like Bay of Marmaris is hemmed in by rolling pine-covered hills which sweep around to form a stunning and dramatic backdrop to the resorts. Lined with a double row of majestic palms, the seafront at Marmaris is edged with a long sand-&-shingle beach, with its new traffic-free promenade stretching from the marina all the way round the bay to Icmeler. It has a sophisticated 'Riviera' feel to it, vaguely reminiscent of Nice. The newer resort of Icmeler has blossomed into a delightful resort in its own right with a very individual charm. Its superb beach is now flanked by lush gardens leading to impressive hotels.

nce considered part of Marmaris, Icmeler has blossomed into one of the most cosmopolitan and well-planned resorts in Turkey, offering a superb range for the holiday maker. The main focal point is the fantastic beach which contrasts sharply with the dramatic backdrop of lush, green mountains rising behind the resort.

The relaxing atmosphere soon takes over its visitors and days will be spent sunbathing, pursuing watersports, exploring Marmaris or taking boat trips around the bays, seeking out deserted beaches.

For evenings out, you are spoilt for choice. Icmeler offers its own wide range of restaurants, bars and discos, or you can visit Marmaris where the nights are even livelier.

Originally accessible only by sea, the road from Marmaris to Icmeler has been extended over the mountains to take you through pine forests and stretches of wild flowers - descending on the mountain road into Turunc is dramatic and spectacular.

Foothills smooth into a small coastal plain fringed by a fine 500m long sand-&-shingle beach, lapped by the clearest of blue seas at the entrance to Marmaris Bay.
Turunc is relatively small, so getting to know the place and its friendly locals is soon accomplished, leaving you time to soak up the atmosphere, sun and splendour of this stunning resort.

riginally accessible only by sea, the road from Marmaris to Icmeler has been extended over the mountains to take you through pine forests and stretches of wild flowers - descending on the mountain road into Turunc is dramatic and spectacular. Foothills  smooth into a small coastal plain fringed by a fine 500m long sand-&-shingle beach, lapped by the clearest of blue seas at the entrance to Marmaris Bay.

Turunc is relatively small, so getting to know the place and its friendly locals is soon accomplished, leaving you time to soak up the atmosphere, sun and splendour of this stunning resort.

During the long, hot days many yachts drop anchor to let their passengers explore the bay, swim the clear waters and savour good quality seafood dishes in the local restaurants; but as evening saunters in and visiting yachts slip their moorings to return to Marmaris, the village comes to life with its many bars, some often open till quite late, alternatively amble to a beachside restaurant and the consequent culinary indulgence.

You probably won't want to stray far from Turunc, but if the desire to see cosmopolitan Marmaris takes you a 45-minute boat crossing will get you there and a full programme of excursions is available from our resort staff.

odrum and Gumbet have long been two of the hottest spots in the eastern Mediterranean; bustling and cosmopolitan, with an unrivalled choice of shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Away from these two centres, you'll find a number of smaller, quieter resorts such as Turgutreis, Yalikavak and Bitez, each with its own Turkish character and a beautiful sandy beach.

All the resorts of the Bodrum Peninsula are connected to Bodrum and Gumbet by regular and inexpensive dolmus services, which are often the best way to see the stunning scenery and dramatic volcanic landscapes that are to be found around every twist and turn in the road.

Cascading down the hillside to the water's edge, Bodrum's narrow streets and picturesque mass of sugar-cube, whitewashed houses make it one of the prettiest resorts on the Aegean. If Bodrum's daylight hours are vivacious, then the tvvilight hours are positively vibrant with a dazzling choice of nightlife including the Halikarnas with its laser lights reflecting in the rippling water below. There are no beaches here (you need to go to Gumbet or else where), but the easy-going, almost hedonistic appeal ensures its popularity.

he breathtaking natural beauty of Olu Deniz has made it probably the most famous beach in Turkey. A long crescent-shaped swathe of coarse white sand & shingle beach sweeps around the bay and forms a spit of sand to separate the open sea from the crystal-clear, cobalt blue waters of the lagoon.

The lagoon area has not surprisingly been designated a National Park,and charges a small entrance fee to visitors. The majority of tourist accomodation and facilities is located in the valley behind the main Belcekiz Beach, access to which is free.

The resort of Olu Deniz offers all the essential ingredients for a fantastic holiday including a good selection of lively restaurants and bars. Meanwhile, 4 kms away from the beach, on a high plateau, you'll find the developing resort of Hisaronu, not so long ago a sleepy village, but now a busy and lively holiday resort in its own right. The cooler temperatures of the mountains here welcome your return from long hot days on the beach, and offer a well-earned rest before you embark on an evening of hedonistle delight.

ou first see Selimiye in the distance with rocks coming up from the sea and its two little bays. Selimiye was formerly a Greek village named Losta. Before that, it had been under the sovereignty of the Byzantine Empire. There is a castle high on the mountains which remains from that time. The other two castles are from the Greek reign. Like the other villages, the population of Selimiye consists of Yoriiks, most of who are fishermen or work on almond production. Nowadays most of the income of the village is earned from yacht tourism. You can travel the surrounding islands on boat, available for hire. Especially the island of Kameriye is famous with its coast and remains of its monastery.

ou can get to the village of Söğüt either from Bozburun or the village of Bayır. Söğüt is on the edge and in a remote area of the Bozburun Peninsula. This is why it has so far has managed to avoid the tourist traffic.

Despite this the market of the village is quite lively. The villagers are aware of tourism and are trying to be helpful and are interested.

One kilometre to the south west of Söğüt, a bit past the school building, there is the remains of the ancient settlement of Thyssanos. There have been no excavations conducted here. The remains consist of a few walls, traces of foundations and the wall on the back of the hill.

The village of Söğüt is inland from the sea. The gate opening to the sea from the village is the Saranda Cove. You can get to Saranda, three kilometres away, by following a dirt road. On your way to Saranda you have a stunning view. You will see the whole of the cove and the green Sömbaki Gulf. In the distance the big island you see is Sömbeki (Simi) Island, a part of Greece. Give yourself enough time to take in this view, especially at sunset.

rom Dalyan, following the road that takes you to the İztuzu coast and the Dalyanağzı beach facilities, if one turns just one kilometre before the beach and heads towards the hills you will sees the Türk Telecom Radar Tower and then Aşı Cove. Most of the road, which winds through pine trees and heads towards the top of the mountain, is paved. At each corner the beauty of the Dalyan delta is spread under your feet. The road heading towards the radar tower is gravel. When you reach the top of the hill an incredible view awaits you. On one side is the delta, channels, the coast and the city of Dalyan, up further the Köyceğiz region and even further are the Sandras Mountains, while to the west beautiful coves meet up with high slopes, and little further on is the coast of Sarıgerme and Babaada. Those who continue further can reach the Aşı Cove, which is much loved by Blue Cruise travellers. At these coves picnicking and swimming in off the beaten track areas is possible.

hile you travel to Köyceğiz, located on the edge of Lake Köyceğiz, via the Muğla-Fethiye road it is as if you are destined to get to a waterside town but somewhere inland. And then all of a sudden you see the lake in front of you and are surprised. The population of the town and its surrounding region does not even add up to ten thousand but it has a rich historical heritage.

If you want to see it all: the sea, the beautiful sand beaches, a very beautiful lake, natural and historical riches the address you are destined for is Köyceğiz.
Köyceğiz in history

Settlement in this beautiful region began thousands of years ago. The first traces of civilisation go back to 3,400 BC. This was followed by settlement of this territory by the İskits, Assyrians, Ionians, Dorians, Persians, Greeks, Seluecids, Romans, Menteşeoğulları and Ottomans. The ancient city of Kaunos, situated in the edge of the lake, was one of the most important port cities at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas around1000 BC. The modern day Köyceğiz began life during the Ottoman era.