***Free transfer on bookings of 10 days or more. *** Villa Bliss is a beautiful, modern, 3-bedroom, detached villa which sleeps 6, which has had a lot of update and TLC. 2 minutes walk from the beautiful town of Dalyan in Turkey, far enough away from the evening buzz of the restaurants and bars so you can have a chilled out drink in the evening around the pool or on the large balcony overlooking the pool and also a good nights sleep. The villa has a large oval pool shared by just two other villa’s and has the best location on the complex with its large balcony overlooking the pool and a large sun terrace for sun loungers. Unlimited, high speed WiFi. Hairdryers in all 3 bedrooms. The Villa has all home from home benefits. To ensure your holiday is as enjoyable and smooth running as possible we now include free Private return airport transfers from Dalaman airport. Our private drivers will have keys to the property and ensure you arrive safely and with all the information you need for a wonderful holiday. Notes on accommodation: Villa air-conditioned throughout. Decorated and furnished to a very high standard. Very safe complex. This is a no smoking Villa. Outside: Large oval swimming pool (10m x 6m) shared with only two other villas, large pool area with sun loungers, shaded seating area with large table & chairs, brick built barbecue with brand new outdoor furniture. In the summer months the pool lights are on a timer so it is lovely to sit out and enjoy a glass of wine around the pool area or on the balcony of an evening. Utility Room: Downstairs toilet which houses washing machine, ironing board, iron and hoover. Cleaning / Towels / Linen / Maid service: All bed linen, plenty of hand and bath towels supplied (including beach towels) and changed for new guests, towels re-newed each season. Property cleaned and bedding changed for each arrival, extra mid stay cleaning can be arranged, payable by client. DALYAN Dalyan is exquisitely nestled between the pine-clad mountains, fertile lowlands, lagoons, river and shallow, turquoise sea. It is the nearest town to one of the most beautiful beaches in the World. In 2008, Iztuzu Beach won “The most beautiful open space in Europe” by The Times. Due to the conservational plight to protect the beach (where the endangered Giant Loggerhead sea turtles lay their eggs), this natural paradise has been saved from overdevelopment. The 3-mile beach, with its fine soft sand, is part of a Special Environmental Protection Area and was the first area of land in Turkey to gain this status. Prince Phillip (as president of the World Wildlife Fund) made a request to the Turkish Prime Minister to halt the building of a hotel complex at the beach following advice from keen environmentalists (including David Bellamy and June Haimoff). The nature reserve was granted protection not only for the turtles and natural beauty of the beach, but also because of the archaeological and geological importance of this 461km2. The Giant Loggerhead turtles (Caretta Caretta) have laid their eggs on this beach for 90 million years (the turtles always return to lay their eggs on the beach where they were born). Between the 1st May and 1st October the female turtles come up onto the sand during the night time and lay their eggs in clusters of about 100. After nearly 60 days the baby turtles hatch and crawl by moonlight down to the sea. Each year between 40,000 to 50,000 eggs are laid. The beach during these months is closed between 8pm and 8am. The blue-green Dalyan River (also known as the Calbis River) runs from Koycegiz Lake down to the sea and is also home to the Nile Turtle, which is also a protected species. Life in Dalyan revolves around the river, creating a sense of tranquillity that spreads throughout the town. Dalyan feels like the perfect location to rejuvenate and unwind. When relaxing at one of the many bars or restaurants on the riverbank you can see the occasional turtle come up for air - a splash of water louder than the rustle of the reeds or the background humming of the boats. Koycegiz freshwater lake, north of Dalyan is fed from the Namnam River and the Yuvarlakcay River (possibly an otter habitat). It is one of only seven coastal lakes in the world where the sea and lake water interconnects. The lake is 20-30 metres deep. South of the lake, at Sultaniye, (named after the sultans who came for health benefits) are many natural sulphurous hot springs (usually 40’C) which are rich in minerals, such as calcium, nitrates, sulphur, iron and potassium. There are also natural mud baths here and at Riza Cavus, further down the river. The mud baths were originally Roman baths and were then changed to the architectural style of the Ottomans and were used to cure a variety of ailments. They used to say that nobody that lived here could ever die and that is the meaning of the word Ölemez, the name of one of the local mountains. There are peloid mud baths in Dalyan town itself. The Ministry of Health have certified it as natural mud. It is considered good for muscular and skeletal disorders, gynaecological problems, psoriasis, acne and skin disorders. As the mud dries it detoxifies the skin and the natural minerals revitalize. It nourishes the skin by binding fluid in the skin layers. “Regular use of peloids cause wrinkles to disappear and prevents new wrinkles from appearing”! (Wikipedia). Gray mullet, sea bass, sea bream and perch breed in the lake and a series of complicated weirs have been built to catch the fish between Dalyan and the sea. Dalyan actually means “fishery”. Fish caught on the river have a unique taste because of the mixture of fresh and saltwater. Apart from fishing, Dalyan produces honey, olives, lemons, oranges, cotton and pomegranates. Pomegranate juice is very tasty! Candir, a small village further downriver to the sea, is the region’s main certified organic farming area. Surrounding the weirs and the river is a reed delta, a labyrinth of bulrushes, an ideal place for bird spotting. Over 150 different types of birds have been seen, including eagles, sparrow hawk, rock nuthatch, common kestrel, European roller, pelicans, crane, cormorant, great egret, little egret, blue rock thrush, jay and kingfishers. On the opposite side of the river to Dalyan, lies the ancient city of Kaunos. It was inhabited first by the Persians, then the Greeks and then the Romans. It dates back to approximately 1,000BC. There is an Acropolis on the hilltop, from which there are dazzling panoramic views. There is a theatre, which seated 5,000 people (Dalyan today has only 4,000 residents), Roman baths (which at the time were the largest in all Asia Minor), a port, temples and city walls to admire. Kaunos was an important port in antiquity and was strategically placed for both trade and defence. Recently, salt mines (48 salt platforms) have been discovered, so Kaunos in ancient times would have been famous for its salt production. On the cliffs of the river outside Kaunos are the rock tombs (dated 400-200BC). The tombs have been carved into the rock in the style of Ionian temples. The skill of the ancient workforce is considered a wonder by modern archaeologists who are still mystified as to exactly how these tombs were built. It is thought that the tombs were built high up on the cliff face because the higher you were buried, the closer your soul would be to God. Things to do, in and around Dalyan • Stroll along the quayside • Iztuzu Beach – with calm, child-friendly waters, sunshades and sunbeds to hire or you can wander on a little and find a space of your own • Riverboat trips to Iztuzu beach (west side) • Dolmus (local bus) to Iztuzu beach (east side) • Visit the sea turtle rehabilitation centre at the east side of Iztuzu beach • Boat trips to Koycegiz lake (swim in the lake and stop off at Sultaniye mud baths) • Peloid mud baths (don’t go in a white bikini!) 15TL • Turkish baths • Visit incredible Kaunos. Cross over the river by rowboat at the quayside for 5TL (return) and follow road for 20-30 minutes to the ancient site. Admission 10TL • Visit the 16th century mosque (not at prayer time or on their religious day, which is Friday). Men should wear trousers, not shorts and women should cover their arms, legs and hair. Take shoes off before entering and do not walk in front of anyone praying. • Cycle bike hire • Boat trips for the day (£10 (usually including lunch)) • 12-islands, Bacardi Bay and Ekencik Bay boat trips • Sea kayaking • Scuba diving (dive centres in Dalyan town). Dive with turtles, stingrays, there is a wreck to explore and a wall dive to 60m • Sea fishing (angling /crabbing and eat your catch!) • Sarigerme beach for water sports and scuba diving • Rafting – either professional route or beginners/children’s route on Dalaman River • Trekking • Jeep Safari in the Taurus Mountains (see rivers, waterfalls, canyons, settlements from ancient civilizations, views from Radar Hill) • Horse riding • Dalyan market (Saturday) • Koycegiz market (Monday) • Fethiye (town on the coast) – market Tuesday • Dalaman market (Thursday) • Ortaca bazaar (Friday) – nice textiles • Marmaris (town on the coast) • Mugla (city inland) • Tlos/Saklikent