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Welcome to South West Turkey
South West Turkey is a marvelously varied region and there’s something here for everyone in one compact, easy to travel location. From the stunning shores, beaches and coves of Fethiye, Olu Deniz and Hisaronu up to the rugged natural beauty of the more elevated Uzumulu and Cadiana, this is an unspoilt and breathtaking place.
Take a stroll in the hills, canoe the rivers, brush up on your watersports in the sea or just take in the intoxicating sights, smells and tastes of the lively villages and towns. You’ll enjoy some of the best and most exciting Mediterranean cuisine you’ve ever had, all made from the freshest fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. Whatever you’re looking for in a holiday, South West Turkey has it. And it’s all waiting for you.
The Local Resorts:
Fethiye
A harbour town lapped by pristine turquoise seas and surrounded by huge mountains, which are snow capped for several months of the year. Fethiye is very much a working town and has a combination of traditional markets, fashionable boutiques and modern supermarkets and the proximity of many places of natural beauty make this a fascinating holiday location.
The easy pace of life and agreeable climate also make it a great place to live and Fethiye has become hometown to a number of British citizens, who have been welcomed into the community with typical Turkish friendliness. The majority of the local people speak some English and are prepared to take Pounds Sterling as a form of payment for most goods.
A combination of tourism, inward investment and government subsidy is propelling the area towards prosperity. The certainty that tomorrow will bring a sunny day gives a feeling of cheer and motivation to all who live and holiday here.
Along the waterfront you will find harbour restaurants or chill out bars. The fish market is a must, go to select your seafood from the fish counter and then choose one of the cafes to prepare it for you. Fethiye is, and has always been, a truly Mediterranean town with all charms and laid back nature of its locals. The Old Town (Paspatur) square has grown and expanded, with restaurants overshadowed by vine and ivy, bistros, bars and nightclubs. Outside dining in this area is a perfect place to relax, people watch and soak in the atmosphere and a great way to spend a relaxed evening.
Market Day: Tuesday & Farmers Market Friday
Hisaronu and Ovacik
About 9 km from Fethiye and 5 km from the famous resort beach of Oludeniz, these two popular villages nestle on a plateau below the steep slopes of Mount Babadag. The mountain climate is a little cooler than Fethiye and the villages benefit from refreshing breezes. There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes, and at night Hisaronu is vibrant and with bars and discos open into the small hours.
There are a wide selection of shops, cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and at night Hisaronu is vibrant and entertaining, with bars and nightclubs staying open well into the small hours. Ovacik has expanded in recent years and has a varied selection of bars and up and coming excellant eateries.
As well as traditional style Turkish cuisine served in a variety of Lokantas you’ll also find food from around the world, including Chinese, Indian and Italian, to cater to the tastes of the many international visitors.
Market Day: Monday
Calis Beach
One of the most popular resorts in the area just two and a half miles to the north of Fethiye town centre, Calis is laidback, tranquil simply perfect. The 4km stretch of sand and shingle beach with breezes from the open sea is ideal for anyone looking for a quiet holiday. A good choice of beachfront bars and cafes scattered along the charming, pedestrian promenade from where you can take the water taxi to Fethiye which is a lovely way to travel on a warm day.
Unspoilt Calis is ideal for soaking up the sun during the day and watching it set behind the islands in the evening. Calis is a popular tourist centres of the area and makes an ideal family holiday and as always the locals are friendly. Calis Beach is laidback, uncomplicated, tranquil and simply perfect for peaceful relaxation. Chinese, Italian and Indian food are all offered with excellent Turkish cuisine available, you will be sure to visit a favorite restaurant on more than one occasion.
To get to Fethiye town centre you can either take the water taxi, which winds its way along a reed lined canal leading into Fethiye Bay or jump on the local bus or ‘Dolmus’. This lovely resort is famous for its breathtaking sunsets, cooling breezes and natural beach - unspoilt and perfect for just soaking up the sun during the day and watching it sink behind the islands in the evening.
Market Day: Sunday
Oludeniz
Famed for its breathtaking beauty and declared a conservation area of natural beauty, Oludeniz has become one of Turkey’s most acclaimed resorts and has a very chilled cosmopolitan feel. Popular with visiting yachts the resort itself sits behind a vast crescent of sand and pebble beach, on the fringes of a much larger sheltered turquoise blue lagoon, with magnificent pine-clad hills as a backdrop.
A good selection of cafes, bars and shops can be found along the waterfront and narrow streets and, of course, there are plenty of water sport facilities on offer and in summer the sky above the lagoon is filled with paragliders soaring off the nearby mountains - a pursuit not for the faint hearted!
There is a great choice of restaurants with a strong international flavour, along with plenty of back street and waterfront Lokantas serving traditional Turkish cuisine. You will find a good selection of cafes, bars and shops along the waterfront and in the narrow streets that run back from the beach. Dine in 5 star hotel international cuisine restaurants or relax, soak up the sea views in the cafe eateries, chill on beanbags located on the beach and gaze at the evening stars whilst being served chilled drinks.
Uzumlu
Nestling below the ancient ruins of Cadianda, Uxumlu has managed to retain all the natural charm and character of a traditional Turkish village, it is surrounded by thick pine forests, mountain streams, poppy feilds and rugged hills. The climate is slightly cooler than that of Fethiye (just 15km away) and benefits from welcome refreshing mountain breezes in the hot summer months - a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the coastal resort towns and is only a fifteen minute drive away from Fethiye (a Dolmus service runs to and from Fethiye every 30 minutes).
If you desire traditional Turkish charm then this is the location to enjoy truly fresh food. Recently there have been more nad more restaurants popping up and local supermarkets. From the local Wine House to cafes and pide bars you are sure to be converted to Turkish cuisine. Stroll along the winding streets and see the vine covered houses where the local women still weave and make wine to this day - you will almost be sure to be offered a glass of this robust brew while browsing in the local shops!
Market Day: Friday
Practical Matters:
Safety Deposite Boxes
In this area we do boast a low crime rate; however, your valuables, currency and passports are your own responsibility. All properties are fitted with safes and our representative will inform you of their whereabouts, make sure your valubles are not left on balconies and terraces and around the pool areas.
Please be vigilant while you are occupying the property such as ensuring all windows, patio doors and entrance doors are secured. This also includes whilst you are around the pool area.
Money
Turkey’s currency Turkish Lira, symbol  with notes issued in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 and coins in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 Kurus (coins less than 1 are called Kurus). Travellers’ cheques are accepted in banks and exchange offices but a com - mission of 2 - 3% is levied . Always check the rate of exchange as more often than not you will get a better rate of exchange in resort.
Foreign currency in cash can be exchanged without commission being deducted. Euro cheques and credit cards are accepted. Changing money in banks takes time, but ATMs are common outside banks and this is the most efficient way of getting Turkish currency.
Telephones
Phone booths in the streets are many and easy to find or you can make calls from the local post office (PTT), where phone cards can also be bought.
Directory Assistance: dial 118 • International Operator: dial 115
International Dialling Codes from Turkey:
| UK |
+0044 |
|
Netherlands |
+0031 |
| Germany |
+0049 |
|
Spain |
+0034 |
| USA & Canada |
+001 |
|
Italy |
+0033 |
Post Office
Easily recognisable by a black-on-yellow logo, in resorts & larger towns the main PTT will stay open for phone calls until midnight.
The PTT opens 8am to 7 or 8pm. Closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays.
Electricity
It is very common in Turkey to have power cuts so don’t be alarmed if the electricity goes off! You can be assured that it will come back on within a short while.
Water
We advise you to drink bottled water. Tap water is not dirty, in fact it is very clean as it comes straight from the mountains, however it contains a very high mineral content and may give you an upset stomach.
Bottled water is available from all shops, bars and restaurants. For those who are travelling with babies and young children, washing bottles in boiled tap water is adequate.
Transportation:
Dolmus
A shared small bus where you pay according to the distance travelled and can get on or off anywhere along the route. This is the best means of transport to and from local villages.‘Dolmus’ buses are a great and inexpensive way to travel from resort to resort and can be identified as small white bus with advertising destination route. You may get on and off anywhere along the route, just pay the driver when getting on.
Taxis
If you require transport to local areas we will be happy to supply return transport from your rental accommodation. Please call or text 0090 5368 322 714 to book & a fare will be quoted upon booking.
Taxis are usually yellow, and can be hailed down from the pavement or from ranks in the centres. Fares are usually be metered, but agreeing on a price beforehand is common practice. Fares double between midnight and 6am.
Water Taxis
Water taxis travel to and fro between Fethiye to Calis and Chevalier Island. This regular service is provided daily during summer months on comfortable boats, which are very relaxing and enjoyable, not to mention great fun! You can take a water taxi from the Calis Bridge or from Fethiye Harbour, just behind Migros supermarket.
Health:
Doctors
Hopefully you won’t need a visit to a doctor during your holiday but should this be necessary doctors are on call 24hrs. Both Esnaf and Letoon are private hospitals in the area and provide excellent medical care and have a number of English speaking staff.
For those who might suffer from the odd mosquito bite or experience a ‘Turkish Tummy’ there are many excellant chemists in Calis, Fethiye, Uzumlu and Hisaronu, all of whom are English speaking and will be able to provide you with most medicines over the counter. There is always one chemist open 24hrs in case of emergency.
EmergencyCalls
Police 155
Jandarma (Army Police) 156
Fire 110
Medical Emergency 112
If you require any emergency assistance, we will be on call for 24 hours during your stay please call on 0090 5368 322 714 and we will endeavour to assist you at all times. A call out fee will be charged for this service.
Esnaf Hospital: 0252 616 6513 or 0252 612 1182
Letoon Hospital: 0252 646 9600 or 0252 646 5316
Turkey is not a member of the EU and EU visitors cannot obtain free medical treatment, so it is essential to have your insurance details with you.
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