Gocek Kekova Gocek
From the yachting hotspot of Gocek cruise south east to Oludeniz, a beautiful lagoon with sandy beach surrounded by soaring pine covered mountains, and Gemiler, a small island with Byzantine ruins and mosaics. Further on visit the charming town of Kalkan with picturesque Ottoman architecture and bougainvillaea climbing everywhere, great for people watching and drinks in a rooftop bar. From here you can travel overland to visit famous Patara beach, where seven miles of unspoilt sand and dunes are protected as a breeding ground for the Loggerhead turtle and the ancient Patara ruins are a short stoll away. Also in this area are the sites of Xanthos and Letoon. Around Kekova Island there are many bays and inlets to explore including atmospheric Simena with its medieval castle, sarcophagi, and spectacular views. Over the years the locals have built their houses up against Roman walls and incorporated ancient marble blocks into their present dwellings. The Taurus mountain range is the backdrop for the pretty coastal town of Kas, sleepy by day and buzzing at night. A steep cobbled street leads to the square with an ancient sarcophagus perched in its centre. Kas is an excellent place to shop for Turkish carpets and traditional Turkish jewellery. Other stops before returning to Gocek include Yesilkoy, a small bay fringed by steep olive groves, where the water is an incredible shade of aquamarine and wonderful for swimming, and Tersane, the largest island in the Bay of Fethiye, where Byzantine ruins scatter the shore.
