Fethiye

One is at a loss for words to describe the beauty of Fethiye. If you are incurably addicted to exploring new horizons and are a lover of nature, this is the destination for you… What is it that makes these shores so delightfully indented with innumerable coves and the unbelievable beauty of nature. What makes it so alluring? Perhaps it is a bit of everything, who knows?

To wander through the bays of Fethiye is an adventure, exuberance, a spring of joy. While passing from one to another, the grandeur that spreads out before your eyes is enhanced by the silhouettes of tiny islands, which lead you astray.

Fethiye is located in South—West Mediterranean Turkey, connected to all other cities by three highways and reached very easily. Dalaman International Airport is as close as 60 km. to the town centre. During the tourist season one can find many flights from major European cities to Fethiye besides the domestic flights throughout the year by Turkish Airlines. Additionally Antalya Airport, three – hour drive to Fethiye, is another departure point.

Fethiye seaport with its sheltered natural structure is an important stop for yachtsmen. A new modern marina project is realised for a large number of yachts with all facilities on the other end at the bay.

The whole region excluding Fethiye and Esen lowlands is covered with high mountains forming the south western spurs of the Taurus Range. These mountains exceeding 2000 meters extend the coastline. On a sunny winter day it is a real pleasure to view the pines and snow decorated peaks intertwined with the blue sky. Besides the refreshing woody slopes with thyme, sage, laurel and pine trees the exceptional incense forest is another peculiarity of the Fethiye region.

Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and warm, wet winters prevails in the region temperatures are approximately 30°C in summers and usually not less than 12°C in winters. Seawater temperature is hardly below 17°C all year round.

In Fethiye, with its abundance and fertile land, agriculture is of major prominence. Therefore whilst in other holiday resorts it becomes quiet at end of the season, life in Fethiye flows on throughout the 12 months.

Fethiye is a lovely little town with everything you will need on your holiday, a market on Tuesday with around a 100 stalls, a fish market, and a harbour where you can take boat trips to the several island around Fethiye. There are ample restaurants in and around town the local restaurants offer excellent value.

Visit the local markets at Calis and Fethiye, and there is also lots to see if you like history including the Lost Village, The Tomb of Amyntas and Saklikent Gorge, which is 20km long and carved into the mountain side.

Take a boat tour to the local islands and Jeep safari.

Enjoy the natural beauty of the Blue Lagoon and Olu Deniz.

Fethiye is a natural harbour and as such has a magnificent coastline, which encompasses a marina, which has been recently developed and now attracts crafts from all over the Mediterranean. Fethiye has something for everyone in its compact old town centre from bars, shops and restaurants all contained within vine covered pedestrianised walkways.

Visit Kaya Koyu the ghost village where once over a thousand homes once existed, now you can see the ruins of many of them and there is a smattering of local pancake establishments etc. and why not try the local village wine.

Local boat trips are recommended especially the twelve-islands tour and these trips include a BBQ meal and cost only a few pounds. Tours to the famous trout farm (Yakapark), and the wonderous Saklikent Gorge are also highly recommended as good value for money tours and can be booked locally or taken privately by Taxi. Families may also try the Sultan's water park in nearby Calis, or Kumsal Bowling in Olu Deniz. For the more adventurous there is the Jeep Safari and the brave can do tandem paragliding from Babadag mountain flying from around 6500ft.

For those who want a lively night every night of the week there is Hisaronu which is 6 kilometres from Fethiye and can be reached via taxi, or dolmus very cheaply, (as with most places, beware of taxi prices at night and try to agree a fee up front before your journey.)

Finally for beach lovers there is Olu Deniz which boasts one of the best beaches on the Mediterranean, at just 8 kilometres away it is the next stop on the dolmus from Hisaronu. This is the home of the sublimely tranquil Blue Lagoon.

Fethiye has many daily boats which during the tourist season of April to October visit 5 islands (called the 12 island tour) The cost is approximately £10 per person from 10.30am until 6pm and includes a wonderful lunch. Teas and all drinks are served on boat at extra cost.

Activities include walking, fishing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, paragliding, sailing, cycling, horseriding, rafting, trekking, tennis and an aqua park (in season) are all available. The list is endless.

Further afield is the stunning resort of Gocek, Kalkan, Kas, Olu Deniz, Butterfly Valley, Uzumlu, Dalyan. The nearby ancient sites include Letoon, Xanthos, Patara, Pinara and Kaya village.

Dalyan (Iztuzu) boasts a wonderful long sandy beach, as does Patara - both famous for the loggerhead turtles and are protected beaches. Dalyon is on a river with daily boat trips to the beach, Kaunos, mud baths and Koycegiz lake.