Turkish delight
If you can bring yourself to leave, Letoonia is very close to some wonderful sights and there are a number of excursions. We took two day trips, the first being a 12-island boat trip on Letoonia’s private yacht. The yacht accommodates 12 people comfortably and sets out at 10am to visit nearby islands, stopping for swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear bays along the way. The trip is great value at €25 per head, including food and drinks.
We took another day trip by car to visit Saklikent, the blue lagoon and Tlos. First stop, the gorge of Saklikent, the largest canyon in Turkey and one of the largest in the world. You can walk through the freezing waters of the gorge and experience first-hand the magnificent water-sculpted limestone canyon walls. Remember to dress appropriately – you will get wet and it is surprisingly cold. Plastic shoes can be rented for walking through the gorge.
We then visited the spectacular Tlos, the city where mythological hero Bellerophon lived with his winged flying horse Pegasus. The oldest city in the Lycian region, Tlos dates to before 2000BC. On its slope are several sarcophagi and rock-cut tombs cut into the face of the hill. The influence of many cultures has resulted in an interesting collage of spectacular structures which are enchanting to walk around.
The attraction closest to Fethiye is the blue lagoon of Olu Deniz (meaning, rather grimly, Sea of the Dead). This stunning bay nestled below Mount Baba, is the place to paraglide. The beach is renowned as one of the most beautiful in Turkey, which isn’t surprising. The water is crystal clear which makes it ideal for a variety of water sports, and a very safe place for children to swim. There is a small entrance fee of 5tl (about €2) to enter the lagoon.
Fethiye itself is worth a visit, to buy a wide range of local produce, goods and souvenirs. The coloured glass lamps and Turkish Delight were our souvenir high points. And believe me, you will want to bring a little piece of Turkey home with you.
FETHIYE TRAVEL FACTS
GETTING THERE
Dalaman airport is the closest, with charter flights daily from 39 UK airports; charterflights.co.uk, tel: 0044-2087140010. Flights start from £195. British Airways (tel: 0044-844493 0787) also flies daily to Dalaman.
STAYING THERE
Club Hotel Letoonia and Letoonia Golf Resort are open from April 1st to November 10th. A week all-inclusive at the club and hotel, based on two adults sharing, costs from £812 in April/May (under 12s, add £203), and from £1,484 in July/August (under 12s, add £371), with prices decreasing in September/October. Children under two , free; letooniaresorts.com, tel: 0090-2424440280.
At the golf resort (30 minutes from Antalya airport; charter flights and British Airways fly daily), stay a week, full board for two adults, from £1,284 in July/August (under 12s from £228) and from £1,174 in September/October (under 12s from £206). thomson.co.uk, tel: 0044-8712314691.
