Villa vacation nr Dalaman, Turkey

Reviewed 19 Jan 2012 by Ken Davies

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Many excursions are available from the shores of Lake Koycegiz down to the coast via the ancient ruins of Kaunos and the mudbaths, past Dalyan to Turtle Beach. This trip is a must as you really see the beauty of the area and the changing landscape as you head towards the Aegean sea. We chose to hire a boat to ourselves (with the help of Bulent) and enjoyed a wonderful day with the skipper and our cross-dressing, belly dancing cook and were able to choose where we went and when. Another superb trip took us into the mountains to eat at a restaurant literally built over the river where it was cool and lush. As with everywhere we went the food was excellent and relaxing on the cushions listening to the river rush below you whilst eating was a most romantic experience.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

The town of Koycegiz is an unspoilt Turkish town with little evidence of tourism - the main square still functions as the town centre with local cafes and shops around rather than cheap souvenir stalls. Little English is spoken so most communication is by smiles and gestures but everyone is welcoming and helpful without being pushy. Bulent's English is perfect however so you won't be completely in the dark! The villa is just a couple of hundred yards from the centre and also from the lake front so buying fresh produce for meals was a pleasant stroll either through the streets or along the lakeside each morning. The villa itself is large and very comfortable, the shared pool is a good size and is cleaned every day. There are ample sunbeds around the pool. As it is positioned in a residential street there is very little noise to spoil your day's around the pool, however it is worth remembering that the locals (and possibly anyone in the opposite villa) won't appreciate a rowdy
vacation group creating noise in their midst either. The lake front is a very short stroll away and has a lively promenade with several bar/restaurants along it all serving alcohol and local food. Eating
out is inexpensive and you won't be rushed. You could sit all day on the lake front taking in the views, playing backgammon on a borrowed board sipping Turkish tea and watching the boats ply their trade. We even saw a turtle lazily cruise past our table.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

The villas are owned by Bulent and his family, some of whom still live next door. If you need a lift anywhere the chances are one of his brothers will be your driver with the great advantage that they don't charge a lot (and you'll know how much before you leave), they'll divert to show you interesting things on the way, such as the local fig sellers (delicious, but effective!) and they won't rush you. The bars, cafes and shops are all run by local people - no large international vacation companies here - so everything you spend goes into the local economy.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Our vacation was idyllic. The sheer beauty of the area, the friendliness of everyone and the unhurried pace of life gives you no choice other than to relax and forget work. If you want to be more active then there are plenty of choices around about and Bulent will always offer advice and be able to help arrange anything for you. The villa and pool were spacious, well maintained and very well equipped - we even had a juicer to make fresh orange juice bought from the many roadside vendors sitting amongst their orange groves. If it's relaxation you crave or a quiet base away from the more rowdy vacation element, this is perfect. If you want all-day English breakfasts and pulsating rhythms at night then you need to go somewhere else.