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MARMARIS
Situated on a bay, backed by rugged pine-clad
mountains, Marmaris is one of the most attractive
maritime parklands, for all 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 boutiques, colorful bazaars
and markets. You can find excellent leather and suede
goods, copper and brassware, jewellery 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 lcmeler,
the hazy mountains of the interior slope down to sandy
beaches. Under blue skies, the clear sea is ideal for
all types of water sports. Many find this area so
irresistible that they stay longer than originally
planned. And there are some excellent accommodations
here, in which you can prolong your contact with
nature. As you drive down from the high mountains into
the village of Turunc, the scene opens out onto the
spectacular blue waters beyond the natural harbor. The
village itself is small and scattered around the bay
Most of the restaurants 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 Island, 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 boat. This voyage also offers an unforgettable
panoramic view of the mountain scenery across the bay
At the head of the gulf is the village of Gokova whose
houses seem to cascade down the Mountainside.
Restaurants built over bubbling, fresh water streams
that fall from the highlands create an unforgettable
setting. The towering pines and cooling breezes of
Gokova Park are often a welcome respite from the hot
sun.
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