Out & About ....
This area was home to the Lycian people (6th Century BC) whose rock tombs and amphitheatres can be seen in Kaunos near Dalyan, at Tlos, Xanthos, Pinara, Letoon, Patara and Myra. Daidala's rock tombs can be seen around Inlice.
Lycian settlement at Pinara
The Greek, Byzantine and Roman empires all left their traces on the region which was also at one time colonised by the Rhodians. Greek influence is particularly strong to the South in the area of Kalkan and Kas and indeed the Greek island of Kastelorizo (Meis) is situated right in the bay at Kas and is easily accessible.
The break up of the Ottoman Empire and the growth of Balkan nationalism and indeed Turkish nationalism resulted in ethnic tensions and after the 1924 Treaty of Lausanne a large population exchange programme resulted in all occidental Christians being deported to Greece and all Muslims to Turkey. Today you can visit the former Greek settlement of Levissi, now a ghost village: Kayakoy just outside Olu Deniz near Fethiye. Some Greek families are now slowly returning to live in this area.
Although the local tourist office is best equipped to provide details of places to visit, opening hours and ticket prices, here are some indicators.
Within easy reach is the town of Fethiye and Olu Deniz famous for its blue lagoon and night life is a 45 minute drive from the villa. Also accessible is the abandoned ghost town of Kayakoy outside Olu Deniz.
Romantic Lake Koygegis is just an hour by car as is the Lycian hill top settlement of Tlos in the opposite direction. The famous Gorges of Saklikent can easily be done as a full day trip combined with Tlos where many enjoy a trout lunch at the Yakapark restaurant. Similarly the sandy beach at Sarigerme beyond Dalaman can be easily visited.
If you only wish to do one day trip during your entire stay, I would recommend Dalyan because you have the scenic river, the boats, the temples at historic Kaunos and the Turtle Beach as well as an option to try out the mudbaths or scout for turtles in some of the backwaters. You can reach Dalyan from the house within 50 minutes.
How far you travel is ultimately a matter of personal choice. I would make Patara Beach the furthest point for a comfortable day trip with enough time to enjoy say 3 hours on the sand or visiting the nearby Lycian amphitheatre. There are some excellent eateries in the village itself serving a variety of savoury or sweet pancakes ! Alternatively, if there is a hydrofoil service operating from Fethiye, you could just squeeze in a day trip to the Greek island of Rhodes / Rodos. Always check with the local tourist board for details.
If you are travelling to Myra or Kastellorizo you would want to overnight in Kas, as it is quite a trek.
Although Rhodes can be done in a full day trip if the hydrofoil is operating from Fethiye, when the service runs from Marmaris, you would have to overnight on the island. Rhodes castle is beautiful lit up at night, the streets are very atmospheric.
Gocek The nearby quaint resort of Gocek serves the international yachting community. Boutiques and souvenir shops rub shoulders with supermarkets, a post office, banks, butchers, greengrocers, car rental firms, bars and restaurants.
Gateway to the famous 12 Islands, you can charter a gullet to take you to nearby Yassica Island or the many islets of the bay. A leisurely day of sailing and swimming combined with a light meal on board a gullet makes for a great day out. Gocek is particularly charming illuminated at night and is recommended for seafood dinners. There is a 24 hour First Aid Clinic at Gocek.
Fethiye The main resort town for the area offers wider opportunities for shopping and for booking excursions to surrounding places of interest including splendid Lycian settlements such as Tlos or Pinara - both very atmospheric with their mountain backdrops, the fabulous gorges of Saklikent, the world famous sandy beach of Patara (the longest in Turkey) and day trips to Dalyan River and historic Kaunos.
Fethiye offers a wide range of restaurants, cinemas, good jewellery shops, a Turkish Bath and a pleasing waterfront. Visit the local fish and vegetable enclosed market. You can visit the tomb of Amyntas (4th Century BC) . There are many pedestrianised shopping malls. Boat trips are also available from Fethiye. Here you can take a Hydrofoil to the Greek island of Rhodes (journey time one and a half hours). Alternatively travel over the nearby mountain range to Olu Deniz Resort famous for a whole range of water sports activities and paragliding as well as the photogenic Blue Lagoon.
On the way back from Fethiye stop off at the Katrance beauty spot and enjoy the spectacular island views. You will only be 10 minutes from home !
Dalyan Well worth a visit, the photogenic riverside village of Dalyan is gateway to the Lycian settlement of Kaunos and a boat trip away from the famous Izutzu Turtle Beach. The covered market at Dalyan is also worth exploring.
