Situated on a bay,
backed by rugged pine-clad mountains,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 an opportunity
to meet the yachts captains and crews. With plenty of provisions aboard
you set sail in the craft of your choice and languidly explore the
spectacular beauty of southern Turkey.
In Marmaris, sample
the typical Turkish cuisine in one of the marina restaurants and drink
raki, anisette, the traditional Turkish way, over ice and diluted with
water. Later stroll along the brightly lit and palm-lined promenade and
indulge yourself at one of the ice cream vendors. 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's boutiques, colorful
bazaars and markets. You can find excellent leather and suede goods,
copper and brassware, jewelery and objects carved of onyx. Turkish carpets,
textiles and embroidery make good handcrafted souvenirs, and the locally
produced pine-scented honey called cambali is superb.
Ancient Marmaris,
Physkos, was an important stage on the Anatolia-Rhodes-Egypt trade route.
In the 16th century Suleyman the magnificent had a citadel built on a hill,
the remains of which can still be seen today.
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.
This is one of the few places in the world where you can delight in the
heady aroma of the frankincense tree. Weekly ferry lines run between
Marmaris and Venice during the summer season.
Near Marmaris at
Icmeler, the hazy mountains of the interior slope down to sandy beaches.
Under blue skies, the clear see is ideal for all types of water sports.
Many find this area so irresistible that they stay longer than orginally
planned. And there are some excellent accomodations here, in which you can
prolong your contact with nature. As you drive down from the high
mountains in to the village of Turunc, the scene opens out onto the
spectacular blue waters beyond the natural habor. The village itself is
small and scattered around the bay. Most of the retaurants border the
beach. A few bars and restaurants farther back from the water's edge offer
fresh fish and superb views.
Kumlubuk, a
turquoise paradise, lies on the southern side of the bay. On the northern
side, above the water, stands the ancient Rhodian city of Amos. Loryma, at
the tip of the Bozburun Peninsula, where the ruins of the ancient harbor
and castle remain, can only be reached by boat. Natural quiet bays and
scattered islands punctuate the northern shore of the peninsula, ideal for
those who want to get away from it all.
Sedir islands in the Gulf of Gokova, is the ancient Cedrai. Its old city
walls, theater and temples can be visited by driving from Marmaris north
to Gelibolu Bay and then crossing by boath. This voyage also offers an
unforgettable panaromic view of the mountain scenery across the bay. At
the head of the gulf is the village of Gbkova whose houses seem to cascade
down the mountainsite. Restaurants built over bubbling,f resh water
streams that fall from the highlands create an unforgettable setting. The
towering pines and cooling breezes of Gokova Park are often a well come
respite from the hot sun.
