Lycian coast (east): Yacht charter bases

Fethiye: Looking over the bay and town. The town centre is to the right

This popular tourist town is something of a contrast to the many one restaurant bays in the area. As well as the obligatory souvenir shops, you’ll also find local artists and cartoonists who set up their stalls on the front near the town centre. To sooth your aching muscles, there’s also a Turkish bath.

Culture vultures will find plenty of evidence of the ancient settlement of Telmessos, including tombs cut in to the cliffs overlooking the town and a scattering of other remains around the area.

Most of the modern town was flattened in an earthquake in 1958 so it isn’t the prettiest of places, though spared the high rise developments common in most countries. However the narrow streets and alleys of the centre are interesting to explore.

Fethiye: The tomb of Amyntas from the 4th century BC looks out over Fethiye Bay

Fethiye offers all the facilities you would expect including mini markets, bakeries, butchers, banks with ATM’s, chemists, chandlers, a laundry and a post office. There are a number of restaurants to chose from, and snack bars for those in more of a hurry.

Saklikent: Enjoy the cool airs. There are many tours from Fethiye from April to September

There are a number of travel agents offering jeep safaris, car hire and trips to places like the Saklikent Gorge. (Flotilla clients taking the trip to the carpet factory will often visit Saklikent Gorge en route).

The Gorge is one of the deepest in the world and offers some superb walks as well as more energetic activities such as rafting. There’s also a restaurant serving fresh trout from the adjacent farm.

So whether you’re looking for something to eat, souvenirs for home or just passing a few hours, there’s plenty to see and do in this pleasing holiday town.

From Dalaman Airport to Fethiye

Fethiye is about 45 miles (70km) from Dalaman Airport. From the airport you’ve a couple of ways to reach Fethiye:

1. By Taxi – the rank is right outside the arrivals hall. Fares are regulated, in theory, but I suggest you agree the fare in advance. There’s a large board near the rank giving the standard fares, or you can check them on the airport website. The current fare (March 2014) is 80 TL, about £23, about the same as the fare to Gocek, though it’s twice the distance.
2. By Airport Shuttle Bus  – this leaves from the Domestic Terminal; if you’ve come in to the International Terminal, exit the arrivals hall and turn left. It’s about a 200m walk. The buses, run by Havas, are infrequent – only three or four a day. The fare is 10TL. Check the times on www.havas.net. The bus terminates at the main bus station, which is about a mile and a half from Ece Saray Marina so you’ll probably want to get a cab.
3. By Public Bus – no public services run from the airport, so you’ll have to take a taxi to Dalaman bus station, on the north side of Dalaman town, about 5 miles from the airport. From there you can get bus direct to Fethiye. From fethiye bus station follow the directions above.

The usual two alternatives are available – you can book a private transfer online, or there are a couple of car hire companies at the airport. Many yacht suppliers can also arrange private transfers.

Write up to follow, meantime, here are some pictures:

Fethiye: Panorama pt 5, the marina, looking towards the entrance

Fethiye: The marina is a short walk from the town centre

Once a small village of no importance, Gocek is now a major hub for sailors thanks to it’s proximity to Dalaman airport, 25 minutes drive away.

It’s still small, but has a good selection of mini markets around the square and along the main street. Restaurants and bars fill the tree lined esplanade, but you can also find banks with ATM’s, a bakery, a butcher, a Post Office, doctors and dental services, and chandlers. There’s even a Turkish Bath in Club Marina.

Gocek: Port Gocek marina, with the town quay (Belediye Marina) and village behind

Of course there are plenty of souvenir shops too, with a number of pricey boutiques amongst the more traditional carpet and jewellery stores.

Assorted travel agents offer trips in land if you fancy say a jeep safari or white water rafting. Car hire is also available for those that prefer to make their own plans – driving in Turkey isn’t as bad as you might have heard though it pays to drive defensively.

Gocek has retained its village feel though now offering facilities more akin to a town. Though there aren’t many tourist attractions beyond the shops, its a good place to while away a few hours, and an excellent place to provision up for your trip, of stock up with souvenirs before you return home.

From Dalaman Airport to Gocek

Most people come to Gocek via Dalaman Airport, about 20 miles (35km) away. From the airport you’ve a couple of ways to reach Marmaris:

1. By Taxi – the rank is right outside the arrivals hall. Fares are regulated, in theory, but you might want to agree the price before you set off, if only so the driver knows that you know! There’s a large board near the rank giving the standard fares, or you can check them on the airport website. The current fare (March 2014) is 80 TL, about £23.
2. By Public Bus – no public services run from the airport, so you’ll have to take a taxi to Dalaman bus station, on the north side of Dalaman town, about 5 miles from the airport. From there you can get bus direct to Gocek, though it will usually drop you on the main road, about 15 minutes walk from town. All in all it’s a lot of trouble to save probably less than £10 for a single traveller, even less if there are more of you.

The usual two alternatives are available – you can book a private transfer online, or there are a couple of car hire companies at the airport. Many yacht suppliers can also arrange private transfers and one or two include them for free with your yacht booking.