ATTRACTIONS

Besparrnak Mountains is a peaceful national preserve is an excellent place for bird-watchers, hikers, nature-lovers and photographers.

Not far from the archeological site is the beautiful beach of Altinkum with its many guest houses. Akbuk is another holiday resort in the region with nice beach hotels.

Virgin Mary, Ephesus, Izmir

While shopping in the Kaleici Casisi look for souvenirs of copper, jewelry, towels and silk blouses. You can choose among Camlik, Incilipinar or Gokpinar Parks for relaxation, a picnic, or simply a walk in the shade of pine trees. The fresh water springs and thermal baths attract many visitors.

Mugla has beautiful resorts, comfortable hotels and motels, cozy guest houses, impressive ruins of past civilizations and magnificent landscapes offer vacationers plenty to choose from.

Not far from Bodrum, you can swim in absolutely clear, tideless, warm seas. Underwater divers will want to explore the numerous reefs, caves and majestic rock formations. Charming boutiques offer kilims, carpets, sandals and embroidery as well as original fashions in soft cotton. The evenings in Bodrum are for sitting idly in one of the many restaurants, dining on fresh seafood and other Aegean specialties.

Thermal Pool, Pamukkale

Turgutreis, Gumusluk and Yalikavak, all with excellent beaches, lie on the western side of the peninsula and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. Along Gokova Peninsula, you can take a yacht tour or hire a boat from Bodrum for tour of the gulf lasting from two days to a week.

Marmaris is one of the most attractive maritime parklands, ideal for water sports and sailing. It makes an excellent starting point for the "Blue Voyage" tour of the Aegean coastline. In May, the Marmaris Yacht Charter Show provides all opportunity to meet the yacht captains and crews. Energetic entertainment at a lively bar or dancing until dawn at a sophisticated disco can end a perfect day. There are many good buys in Marmaris boutiques, colorful bazaars and markets. You can find excellent leather and suede goods, copper and brassware, jewelry and objects carved of onyx.

Swimmers should not miss Ataturk Park, to the east of Marmaris, where a shallow beach, extending to the bay leads to safe waters. The clear sea is warm enough for swimming from early May until late September. Marmaris also has horseback riding and tennis centers for the sports enthusiast.

Along the Datca Peninsula, campers have many perfect settings to choose from and the less adventurous can stay in one of the many comfortable holiday villages. Around the marina bars, cafes and a wide selection of shops keep the tourist from getting bored.

Yacht Races, Bodrum - Mugla

As you travel out of Datca, either by road or by boat, you will find unspoilt bays and golden sandy beaches. At Ekincik, a delightful yacht mooring, you can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this area. Only a half hour's drive from Dalaman Airport, Sarigerme has wonderful sandy beaches, and a pleasant holiday village discreetly situated in a pine forest. The Dalaman River is the best for rafting, the best time for rafting being from May to October.

Swimmers head for the popular Calis Beach, four kilometers west of town, or to Sovalye Island, opposite the harbor, which blazes with flowers in the spring. Hisaronu, in the mountains, has very nice hotels. Explore the bay and the beautiful Blue Lagoon (Olu Deniz) where the calm, crystal clear water is ideal for swimming and other water sports. For those seeking accommodations or other facilities, Belcegiz beach is recommended. Intoxicating scenery surrounds the beach and shady park at Kidirak.

Sponges in Bodrum, Mugla

Beyond the idyllic beach, a forest, waterfalls and a valley filled with hundreds of varieties of butterflies await the explorer.A cool refuge on hot summer days, Saklikent is a favorite picnic spot, with rustic restaurants serving delectable fresh trout.

Pinara, 49 km south of Fethiye, is another ancient mountain city ideal for hiking where visitors can see the remains of a theater, agora, rock tomb, and baths.