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Bay
resembles a calm lake and offers ideal mooring for
yachts. Ancient Marmaris, Physkos, was an
important stage on the Anatolia-Rhodes-Egypt trade
route. In the 16th century, Süleyman the
Magnificent had a citadel built on a hill just
behind the harbor; today,its remains house the
Marmaris Museum. Pine forests cover the mountains
which surround Marmaris; on shore a white line of
sand and rock separates green from blue. The beach
areas sparkle, and provide visitors with a perfect
opportunity to dive, snorkel and swim in relaxing
conditions. Yachts and boats decorate the coast of
this lovely tourist center where thousands
converge to enjoy a fun-filled, self-indulgent
holiday. Those who surf and water-ski will thrill
at the conditions in Marmaris. Energetic
entertainment at a lively bar, or dancing until
dawn at a sophisticated discotheque can end an
ideal 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, jewelry, and objects carved of onyx.
Turkish carpets, textiles and embroidery make good
handcrafted souvenirs, and the locally produced
pine-scented honey called cam bali is superb. The
Marmaris Netsel Marina, one of the largest and
best-equipped marinas in Turkey, and the Marmaris
Albatros Marina, one of the best for wintering and
maintaining yachts, make Marmaris an excellent
starting point for the Blue Voyage tour of the
Aegean Coast. In May, the Marmaris Yacht Charter
Show provides an opportunity to meet the captains
and their crews. With plenty of provisions aboard,
you set sail in the craft of your choice and
languidly explore the spectacular beauty of
southern Turkey.
At Ekincik, a delightful yacht-mooring, you can
enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this area and the
friendly hospitality of its people. Delikli Island
lies right off the coast, southeast of Ekincik.
Yachtsmen enjoy a change of pace when they anchor
at the island and take a smaller craft excursion
into the Dalyan Delta. The Delta, with a long,
golden, sandy beach at its mouth, is a nature-conservation
area, and a refuge for sea turtles (Caretta
carefta) and blue crabs. At a bend in the river,
high on the cliff face above the fascinating
ancient harbor-city of Caunos, magnificent tombs
were carved into the rock. From Delikli Island,
sailing southeast, you arrive at Sarigerme with
its pleasant holiday complexes, nestled in cozy
pine forests. Yachtsmen will want to anchor at
Baba Island, across from the pristine sandy
beaches. The Gulf of Göcek, with the friendly Club
Marina set in a beautiful pine forest, is one of
the Mediterranean's best sailing spots. Dotted
with islands and indented with many coves, its
land and seascapes are irresistible. The ruins of
Arymaxa, an ancient city at the southern tip of
the gulf, lie at the edge of the azure waters.
Opposite on Tersane Island, stand Byzantine ruins,
including those of the ancient shipyards. From the
Gulf of Göcek sail on into Fethiye.
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