DALYAN
If its history your after then why not visit Dalyan, there you will find the
ruins of ancient Caunos, the 20,000 seat Amphitheatre, Roman Baths, Acroppolis
and the ancient city walls. From many of the Dalyan hotels you can clearly see
the amazing rock tombs, carved in the face of the hills across the river, and
why not visit the famous mud baths and sulphur springs. Dalyan is a must for
nature lovers. The small fishing town of Dalyan is located within the wildlife
sanctuary of the Dalyan Delta, and home to no less that 152 varieties of birds,
and three types of turtles, including the protected loggerhead "Caretta Caretta"
sea turtle. As the river meets the sea, stretch out on Turtle Beach a stunning
6km stretch of beach, with excellent swimming and a protected loggerhead turte
population. Turtle Beach has excellent fine sand with sparkling clear water
which remains uncrowded. By day Dalyan has a selection of small shops and its
market day on Saturday. There is also a chemist, post office, supermarket and a
bank located in the town. Dalyan by night is very relaxed, there are a few
discos and numerous friendly cafes and bars. Most of the roads outside the
centre of Dalyan are unmade it is not a typical beach resort, there is much to
discover. You can also take daily excursions to Caunos, Sulphur Springs, Mud
Baths and Koycegiz Lake, and daily trips to Turtle Beach. Further afield are
Ephesus and Pammukale.
The transfer times to Dalyan from Dalaman Airport is approx 30 mins. Dalyan in
the province of Mugla on the South-Western Mediterranean coast, Turkey, whose
natural beauty is completely unspoilt. This is one of the surviving corners of
paradise, in an area of outstanding natural beauty and historic interest.
Places to visit in/ around Dalyan
Çamur Kaplıcası (The Mud Bath)
The locals call it "Gelgirme" and tourist resources advertise as "ten years
younger".
While many people do not believe in any scientific logic or health benefits of
the mud, it is really great fun for tourists playing in the mud, rubbing it on
their bodies and taking lots of pictures of this unique memory.
Sultaniye Kaplıcaları (Hot Springs)
Sultaniye Hot Springs has the highest radioactivity rate (98.3) in Turkey and
second highest in the world after Indonesian hot springs.
They believe this hot springs is good for back pain, rheumatism, sciatica,
nephritis, lumbago, depression and dermatological and gynecological problems.
Sultaniye Hot Springs is 20 km to Köyceğiz and 4 km to Dalyan.
Ekincik
Also known as Kürkçüler Village, Ekincik is a very special bay, a paradise
located between Marmaris and Dalyan.
Holiday victims escape from packed resorts to find some peace in Ekincik, an
inescapable stopover on the Blue Voyage yachting route. Ekincik is such a world-known
paradise that you may suddenly turn into celebrity spotting mood. Princess
Caroline, Prince Charles, media emperor Robert Maxwell, Rockfeller, Sting and
great actor Dustin Hoffman were among previous guests.
Karaçay Bay and Semisçe are two other favorite yachting spots in the
neighborhood. To the east of Ekincik Bay is a unique cape called "Delikli Burun"
(the cape hole), which has an opening at the middle slightly big enough for a
passing boat. With its pine covered top, this cape has a wonderful view for
divers.
Caretta Caretta
The cute sea turtle. Feeds on seashells, sea horses, algea, sponges and tiny
flora of the sea. Unsurprisingly, hospitable Dalyan is the most favorite
Mediterranean resort for the Caretta Caretta.
Average adult would be 90-115 cm tall, weigh 70-160 kg with a brown shell on the
back and orange belly. Digs a 40-60 cm nest and lays down an average of 80-100
eggs. She may try her chance again and dig more nests on the following nights.
This is such an astounding process that the turtle would burst into tears while
digging with her rear legs. The tears help protecting her eyes from the sand
also from dehydratio due to her tiresome efforts. This turtle pace hard work
takes hours.
The foxes are among the major predators of the turtle eggs. An instinctive
reflex leads the hatchlings to crawl down to the sparkling beach under the
moonlight. That's why 'lights out for the turtles' regime is applied on the
Iztuzu Beach, after it gets dark.
İztuzu Plajı / Iztuzu Beach
Resting at the skirts of the hills and protruding onto the entrance of Dalyan
Delta, the Iztuzu Beach is a 5400-meter bank of pure golden sand kissing the
crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean.
No constructions but some changing rooms are allowed on the beach. Sorry but no
beach fun after dark; the turtles might be disturbed. Dogs and other pets are
also not allowed on the beach; they may harm the turtle eggs. Watch the
signposts for turtle eggs and be sure not to sit on our put any beach equipment.
Iztuzu Beach is 12 km from Dalyan.
Dalyan
Dalyan is not by the sea, but very close, and has many lakes. The village is
located across a natural fresh water channel connecting Lake Köyceğiz to the
Mediterranean Sea through a 10 km labyrinth intensively inhabited with reeds.
Dalyan natural fresh water channel features rare acological characteristics such
as the dens and high reeds filtering the water, some 150 bird species nesting
among the reeds, endemic Liquid Amber Orientalis trees, sponge varieties,
hundreds of fresh water fish species, various butterflies and plants and the
endangered specie Caretta Caretta Tortoises which are under strict conservation.
There is no direct bus service to Dalyan. Take a bus to Fethiye, drop in Ortaca
and take a minibus to Dalyan.
Köyceğiz
Köyceğiz is a nice and quiet resort with its lovely houses - white painted walls
and red brick roofs - spread among orange and vegetable grows and beautiful
green gardens.
Köyceğiz shows a variety of landscape forms surrounding the tectonic lake. The
northeast and southeast of thisfresh water lake are plain, while other parts are
mountainous. The coastline is actually a natural arrow of approximately 4.5 km.
A narrow 10 km channel covered with reeds and airlink like a labyrinth connects
Lake Köyceğiz to the Mediterranean Sea. Kayaking canoeing, wind surfing, water
biking and rowing. The depth of the lake varies from 25 to 150 meters.
Köycegiz is 75 km from Mugla.
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