Datca Peninsula & Dalyan Holidays

Between Marmaris and Fethiye on Turkey's south-west shores, Dalyan's a traditional fishing village with its own natural perfume thanks to citrus orchards and pine trees. The lively main street's got family-friendly restaurants as well as bass-thumping bars for party lovers. Test out the health benefits of a mud bath, or save yourself the shower and tour ancient ruins instead.

The loggerhead sea turtle breeding grounds on Iztuzu Beach are downright magical. Travel to the beach by boat, drifting between the reeds along the river delta on a journey that takes around 30 minutes from Dalyan. Time your visit right, and you might see the little cuties making their mad dash through the sand to the surf.

It's not all lazy days along the Turquoise Coast. Beach sports and bike rides are a dime a dozen here, and you can pack in historical sites for your culture fix. Take a trip to the spectacular ruins of Ancient Kaunos, including the grand resting places of past kings, which throw back to 400BC.