Dalaman Escape - More Then Just Your Average Holiday
If you are considering a trip to Dalaman in Turkey this year but want a little more then your standard break, then you might be surprised by what this traditional family destination has to offer.
Despite being known for its package holidays, breaking away from the usual routine on this part of the Turquoise Coast is much simpler then you would imagine with plenty of activities to keep even the most restless occupied.
While the Dalaman Airport buses, taxis and Dalaman Airport transfers offer an adequate way of getting you to your final destination, if you really want to experience everything this amazing area has to offer then you need to organise a Dalaman Airport Car Hire first.
Once you have your transport sorted, there's a virtual plethora of life-affirming and body-reviving experiences waiting to be had.
Nestled in the charming village of Sultaniye, just a short drive away, are the thermal spas which offer the ultimate in natural pampering.
With water that steadily bubbles between 32-42C, these soothing, mineral-suffused waters are not only used as an aid to relaxation but have real therapeutic benefit and are frequently used to treat complaints such as rheumatism, eczema and blood disorders.
Even closer to home are the Turkish Baths in Ortaca.
This is THE place to visit if you want skin like a baby's bottom.
Here you get to luxuriate in the fabulous warm water, have your skin gently scrubbed down by a skilled member of staff and a massage with natural olive soap, before leaving like a new person.
At completely the other end of the activity scale, are those experiences guaranteed to get the heart thumping, so if lying around being made a fuss of has got too much, then it might just be time for a spot of white water rafting on the Dalaman River.
Look forward to a safari up the mountain, as well as some adrenalin pumping action on the rapids and if you've got the stomach for it, a chilled out barbecue afterwards as a well earned reward.
For something equally as energetic but slightly-less death-defying, there's always horse riding, trekking or mountain biking in Dalaman, with several companies offering organised tours of the region or even scuba-diving in Marmaris further up the coast.
Culture vultures among you will be drawn to the ancient city of Kaunos, once part of the Kingdom of Rhodes, where remnants of its once great majesty overlook Lake Sülüklü.
These include the ruins of a temple, Byzantine church, beautiful columns and fountains, Lycian tombs cut into the cliff faces, a theatre and Roman bath.
Nearby Iztuzu Beach, is where the endangered species of loggerhead sea turtles can be found.
There are also ruins of architectural significance to be viewed in Kyra, Lissia and Lydia.
If you are more of a shop-til-you-drop kind of person, then the Dalaman region will not disappoint there either.
Markets are abundant and one of the largest and best takes place every Monday in Koycegiz.
Fethiye also offers a vibrant bazaar on a Tuesday, but the town is a wonderful place to spend a leisurely day window shopping throughout the week and if you love a bargain, you'll find that haggling is an absolute must here.
Last but not least, if you are completely worn out after your hiking, riding, rafting, biking, shopping extravaganza, then it might be time to head to the mud baths of Dalyan.
The sulphur-rich baths are said to ease away aches and pains and potentially wipe years away, offering the perfect end to a perfect holiday.
Despite being known for its package holidays, breaking away from the usual routine on this part of the Turquoise Coast is much simpler then you would imagine with plenty of activities to keep even the most restless occupied.
While the Dalaman Airport buses, taxis and Dalaman Airport transfers offer an adequate way of getting you to your final destination, if you really want to experience everything this amazing area has to offer then you need to organise a Dalaman Airport Car Hire first.
Once you have your transport sorted, there's a virtual plethora of life-affirming and body-reviving experiences waiting to be had.
Nestled in the charming village of Sultaniye, just a short drive away, are the thermal spas which offer the ultimate in natural pampering.
With water that steadily bubbles between 32-42C, these soothing, mineral-suffused waters are not only used as an aid to relaxation but have real therapeutic benefit and are frequently used to treat complaints such as rheumatism, eczema and blood disorders.
Even closer to home are the Turkish Baths in Ortaca.
This is THE place to visit if you want skin like a baby's bottom.
Here you get to luxuriate in the fabulous warm water, have your skin gently scrubbed down by a skilled member of staff and a massage with natural olive soap, before leaving like a new person.
At completely the other end of the activity scale, are those experiences guaranteed to get the heart thumping, so if lying around being made a fuss of has got too much, then it might just be time for a spot of white water rafting on the Dalaman River.
Look forward to a safari up the mountain, as well as some adrenalin pumping action on the rapids and if you've got the stomach for it, a chilled out barbecue afterwards as a well earned reward.
For something equally as energetic but slightly-less death-defying, there's always horse riding, trekking or mountain biking in Dalaman, with several companies offering organised tours of the region or even scuba-diving in Marmaris further up the coast.
Culture vultures among you will be drawn to the ancient city of Kaunos, once part of the Kingdom of Rhodes, where remnants of its once great majesty overlook Lake Sülüklü.
These include the ruins of a temple, Byzantine church, beautiful columns and fountains, Lycian tombs cut into the cliff faces, a theatre and Roman bath.
Nearby Iztuzu Beach, is where the endangered species of loggerhead sea turtles can be found.
There are also ruins of architectural significance to be viewed in Kyra, Lissia and Lydia.
If you are more of a shop-til-you-drop kind of person, then the Dalaman region will not disappoint there either.
Markets are abundant and one of the largest and best takes place every Monday in Koycegiz.
Fethiye also offers a vibrant bazaar on a Tuesday, but the town is a wonderful place to spend a leisurely day window shopping throughout the week and if you love a bargain, you'll find that haggling is an absolute must here.
Last but not least, if you are completely worn out after your hiking, riding, rafting, biking, shopping extravaganza, then it might be time to head to the mud baths of Dalyan.
The sulphur-rich baths are said to ease away aches and pains and potentially wipe years away, offering the perfect end to a perfect holiday.