Taste a new take on Turkish food:
Travellers are invited to dive into unique flavours from street food, sold by local vendors in the beautiful and vibrant markets to a more traditional seafood dining experience at one of the many family-owned restaurants, known to locals as meyhanes on the Turkish Riviera. Visitors should sample peynirli börek, a traditional snack made from layer upon layer of flaky pastry and filled with fresh spinach or cheese, lokmasi, deep-fried dough balls doused in syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon, and biber dolmasi, locally sourced green peppers stuffed with various ingredients such as lamb, beef, rice and onions. For a vegetarian alternative, there is yaprak sarma, grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomato, mint and pepper and sautéed in olive oil. In between sampling delicious dishes, indulge in a traditional Turkish coffee made with extremely fine coffee beans.
Get divinely dirty:
For those wanting to relax whilst also indulging in the local traditions and cultures of the area the Dalyan Mud Baths and natural hot springs are the perfect spot. Natures very own spa is believed to have curing qualities that restore the body and mind to leave visitors feeling refreshed, relieving aches and pains and leaving your skin glowing – the perfect way to relax with family and friends. The Dalyan Mud Baths are accessible only by boat, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy the breath-taking scenery of the surrounding landscape as they glide through the reed beds in rustic wooden boats.
Take a dip with the Caretta Caretta:
The beaches in the region are renowned for their vast numbers of nesting Loggerhead turtles. The turtles are tranquil creatures that can be found swimming in the sea under the glow of the Turkish sun and are locally called Caretta Caretta. Visitors coming to the area in early summer will also have the opportunity to watch the turtle’s hatchlings dashing across the sand towards the ocean. Tag along with the turtles and let them take you to their top snorkelling spots by the shore.
Be a real culture vulture:
Visitors on the hunt for a culturally enriching escape will find an array of well-preserved archaeological sites on the Turkish Riviera which pay tribute to the cultural traditions and customs of the Persians, Athenians, Ottomans, Romans and Lycians who once inhabited the land. In the ancient city of Kaunos, which dates back to the ninth century BC, travellers can take a boat trip down the Dalyan River, through the reed beds, and observe the fascinating city perched on the hill top. From the river, the Lycian Rock Tombs are clearly visible, carved into the side of the limestone cliff side, their grandeur palpable even from a distance. At the Fethiye Museum decipher the trilingual stone, a three-faced artefact with writing in Greek, Aramaic, and Lycian, which was the key to understanding the Lycian language.
Enjoy a stay at the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa:
Located on a beautiful private beach and boasting sprawling views of the surrounding mountains, the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa is the ideal place to stay and enjoy all of the wonders that the Turkish Riviera has to offer. The resort combines ultra-contemporary luxury accommodation, such as two-floor suites with private terrace pools, with world-class amenities including 23 dining options serving cuisines and drinks from across the globe, an opulent spa with traditional Turkish baths, private gazebos with butler service, tennis courts and fitness centre, waterpark and ten swimming pools.
