ABOUT BODRUM

Bodrum a town of white houses hung with flowers rising tier on tier against a green hill overlooking a dazzling blue bay quarded by the great medieval castle built by the Knights of Rhodes.
Bodrum has an incredibly rich past. Its position in or near so many of the great civilisations and events of ancient history also makes Halikarnassos - Ancient name of Bodrum - an important centre.
Bodrum is one of the most beautiful cosmopolitan and sophisticated holiday resort in Turkey. At any time of the day and night, there is always something going on here.

Bodrum is a charming and fascinating little port,270 km. south of Izmir, on the Aegean coast of
Turkey. The inhabitants of Bodrum are around 30.000 and earn their living by fishing, boat-building,
agriculture, weaving (the village Mumcular is famous for
its carpets, kilims and other weavings) and tourism, which has become the most important industry in the last few years.
In recent times Bodrum has become not only a tourist center but also a visiting place for famous Turkish and foreign artists and also an art center, which is a source of inspiration.
The heart of the town is around the harbor, where shops, bars and restaurants jostle together in the narrow streets under the shadow of the St. Peter Castle. The main artery is Cumhurriyet Caddesi (Republic Street), much better known as bar street.
This street is a pedestrianized showcase of what the town has to offer. Skilled artisans can make you a pair of snugly fitting leather sandals in the traditional Aegean style, while small boutiques offer stylish creations inspired by local designs and fabrics.Shopping tips: mainstream Turkish Fashions (Gallery Emelce) are well represented to, with clothes designed for hot summer living . The souvenir shops sell attractive onyx, copper and brass ware, along with toy camels, and Gold harem slippers. Cafes and restaurants offer a cosmopolitan choice.To accompany your meal, try the light aniseed flavored national drink Raki or locally produced wine. After sundown, Bodrum lights up with flashing neon and laser shows to pulsating throb of the latest dance music. It's party time all over the town.

ABOUT DALAMAN

Dalaman is an area of natural beauty. It is located between the sea and mountains and benefits from its proximity to many areas of interest both historical and geographic interest (e.g. Dalyan mud baths, ancient tombs etc). Dalaman is rapidy becoming an area of destination rather than just a stop over on the way to some other resort town. Recent investments to Airport, road ways and the continuous development of the area is making it more accessable. Over - development and exploitation of the area is stopped by the protection afforded to the rare loggerhead turtles that frequent the river and beach. This should ensure that Dalaman continues to develop in harmony with its surrounding environment and retain its natural beauty.

Dalaman is now rapidly becoming an investment area for many Europeans purchasing property for investment in Turkey. This seems due to many factors including the town being designated a main touristic area from now on: plans for new marinas and a golf course are underway.

Dalaman town itself has many shops, resturants, bars and tea gardens and is growing quickly due to the investment in the area.  Dalaman has its own huge natural beach, although not overly commercial 'yet' it is still pleasant and hosts lots of wildlife.

The town is ideally situated for lots of resort areas but perfect if you prefer a quieter place to base yourself.  There is also a tunnel underway to connect the town of Gocek and Dalaman, reducing the journey to only 5 or 10 minutes drive.

If you are in the area, make sure you visit the Dalyan (Köycegiz). You enjoy the Kaunos acheologist  site and  see the carved tombs in the Limestone mountain while crusing along the Dalyan river when you reach the shore, walk on  Iztuzu Beach. The area is world's 6th most famous beach, it is 6 km long and enjoy the sea turtles (caretta-carrettas). The beach is a sactuary for sea turtles.

ABOUT DALYAN

Dalyan: The tiny town of Dalyan in the province of Mugla on the South-Western Mediterranean is set in the centre of a broad delta whose natural beauty is completely unspoilt. This is one of the surviving corners of paradise, an area of outstanding natural beauty and historic interest.

The Dalyan Channel, through which water circulates between the Mediterranean and Köycegiz Lake slowly meanders, forming a network of small lakes and waterways through reed beds rising to between 3 and 5 metres in height. (The journey through this natural labyrinth is romantic and mysterious) With its mixture of fresh and salt water, these wetlands have become home to vast numbers of fish and other water life, as well as the birds of many species which feed on them. Dividing the sea from the delta is the Iztuzu sandbar stretching for 5km east from the mouth of the channel.

With its fine crystal sand, shallow turquoise sea and abundant sunshine, Iztuzu beach is the ideal seaside spot, perfect for swimming for 7 months of the year. It is this beach to which the endangered Mediterranean turtle Caretta Caretta has returned year after year to lay its eggs since time immemorial.

The Sultanye Thermal Baths: The Sultaniye Thermal Baths are to the Southwest of Köycegiz lake. The water here at 40 Celsius is second to none. The water at these baths was first used in Caunon times, then by the Byzantines, who rebuilt the accommodations. The ruins of the buildings from the period are submerged beneath the waters of the lake. It is not unusual to see the Turkish elderly make pilgrimages to the baths due to the water’s curative properties in case of neuralgia, rheumatism and skin disorders of the liver, spleen and bowels.

The Mud Baths: "Beauty Mud" which not only cleanses and tones the skin but is said to remedy rheumatism and has anti-ageing properties. After allowing the mud to dry, it can be removed in a natural clear water sulphur pool, at temperatures of around 40 Celsius. This leaves you refreshed and relaxed.

Caunos: The ancient city of Caunos stands midway along the channel facing Dalyan. Settlement here is believed to date from 3000 BC by Caunos, the son of Miletos and it later grew into a major port on the border between Lycia and Caria. Sprawling over a broad sloping site overlooking the sea and the delta, the principal monuments to be seen in Caunos are the Acropolis surrounded by city walls, a theatre, four temples, an agora, stoa, nymphain, baths, palestra, churches and a cistern.

The imposing Lycian rock tombs with their facades curved into the form of temples were the last resting place of the kings of Caunos. The city had two harbours, one for military use and the other for merchants. Inscriptions discovered on the nymphain have been found to cite customs regulations and have thrown valuable light on the economic life of the city.

ABOUT TURUNC

The resort has recently undergone some changes, purely cosmetic, and is focusing on becoming more user friendly to tourists.  It is a small village resort, full of good restaurants / bars, adequate shopping, and full of friendly locals who will look after you like a long lost friend.  The hospitality and genuine warmth of the locals is second to none!  Many lasting friendships have been formed in Turunc amongst tourists and locals alike.

If you are looking for serious clubbing, wall to wall disco’s etc., be prepared to be disappointed – Turunc has none of these – thankfully. Icemeler and Marmaris are the place for that sort of entertainment.

There are enough bars / restaurants in the resort to visit and sample the delights of Turkish and International cuisine without ever having to return to the same restaurant more than once during your stay.

Over the past couple of years, Turunc has become popular with Brits and others, wanting to live there.  This has meant a lot of development has happened, in a short period - with the usual associated problems.  Property /Land prices have risen sharply and the Estate Agents have moved in to the village!  Thankfully, because of its size, it won't become too over developed like places in Spain have.  It has changed the "village atmosphere" slightly - but it still retains it's charm and tranquility compared to other developed resorts

Turunc can be enjoyed by all - it has plenty to offer most people/families - but remember, it is not for those who are looking for wall to wall entertainment - this is a chill out place first and last - if you cant chill - look for somewhere else!