GETTING ABOUT THE TURKISH LYCIAN COAST

Travelling from the villas to the many attractions around the area is easy and fairly relaxing. Hiring a car or mini-bus is recommended and is fairly cheap and allows you complete freedom. Contrary to the perceived views of driving in Turkey it is pretty safe, traffic density is low and driving attitudes are peaceful and fairly predictable, albeit that there is frequent use of the horn.

Alternatively there is a very efficient Dolmus minibus service which covers all the local area at low prices. Above the Dolmus level are inter-city bus services which use modern air-conditioned coaches, again at low prices. Also if you book local boat tours or visits to out of town attractions, many of the operators will pick you up and return you to the villa. An easy and pleasant way to reach Fethiye from the villa is to drive to Calis and then use the water taxis (5TL and every half hour) for a relaxing 30 minute trip with great views of Fethiye Bay.

RECOMMENDED AREAS TO VISIT    

The Fethiye area for boat trips around the bay, either during the day or to see the sunset, which are good value at around £10 including a meal. Alternatively you can rent a boat exclusively for your party at the Calis water taxi depot. Do visit the renowned Tuesday Market and also the Turkish Baths in Fethiye Old Town to pamper yourself with a bath at 20TL and a massage at 15TL. While near Calis the kids will enjoy a visit to Sultan's Aquapark and to Ege Karting and you also have a 5km beach and many restaurants. Check Map of Fethiye

Go to the Olu Deniz area for the beaches at the Blue Lagoon and for the many restaurants -maybe try paragliding off nearby Babadag mountain. Regular boats run from Olu Deniz beach to Butterfly Valley which is filled with butterflies in mid-summer. Nearby Kaya Koy is a deserted village preserved after the population exchanges - just drive through Hisaronu and follow the signs.

Visit the Patara area and drive pass the Roman/Lycian ruins to reach a stunning 20km sandy beach. Later continue to Kalkan which is a picturesque town with many excellent restaurants. Nearby Saklikent Gorge has fabulous views, water rafting, mud baths and a good restaurant. Tlos Yakapark has a trout farm with an interesting restaurant and is close to Tlos and Xanthos.

Gocek is a 35 minute drive from the villas towards Dalaman Airport and is a beautiful town with a popular up-market marina. On the way stop at secluded Katranci Beach for beautiful views with a walkway joining two inlets and the basic facilities including a water slide.

For longer trips visit Rhodes on a day return hydrofoil ferry from Fethiye harbour for around £60. Also well worth seeing is Ephesus and Pamukkale on a two day bus tour for around £65 or just Pamukkale on a day trip for around £35. For mud baths and to watch Caretta Turtles take a day trip to Dalyan and also see the tombs at Kaunos and Iztuzu Beach all for around £20. If you are interested in fishing or bird watching look at the selection of lakes that we list.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS AND VEHICLE RENTAL

We have negotiated attractive rates with a local company, Real Tour, for both vehicle rental and for return transfers from Dalaman Airport. The vehicles are low mileage, well maintained and air-conditioned (with baby seats and GPS when required) and include full insurance without excess that covers three drivers. Our visitors have used different arrangements including being transferred and then having a rental vehicle delivered to the villa or picking up a rental vehicle at the airport and driving themselves to the villa. The latter is the cheapest method and the villas are easy to find using the provided driving directions which include the GPS co-ordinates.

LINK TO AMAZON TURKEY GUIDES & BOOKS