The Datca and Loryma Peninsulas and Gulf of Gokova

Turkey

Jutting out into the Aegean Sea like an extended index finger pointing at the Greek island of Kos, the long, rugged Datca Peninsula boasts some of the most unspoilt scenery along Turkey's southwest coast, and the charming little town that has given the peninsula its name offers the perfect conditions for guests seeking beautiful landscapes, good swimming beaches and a generous dose of local character. Datca stands on the southern shore of the peninsula, gazing back across the sea to the equally mountainous Loryma Peninsula, and to the Greek island of Symi.

Those simply seeking a relaxing seaside break will find that Datca is just large enough to be self-contained, yet small enough to retain a pleasantly laid-back pace. The harbour attracts its fair share of visiting gulets and yachts, so naturally there is a decent choice of pavement cafés and restaurants as well as a handful of low-key music bars for those who like to like to let the evenings linger a little longer. During the day, the main lure is the town's two beaches; Kumluk to the east and Taslik to the west, which are a mixture of coarse sand and pebbles. Just in from the western bay there is also a shallow lake fed by warm mineral springs - an appealing option for a swim especially in early season when the sea is still warming up.

Famed for its almonds and its honey, the countryside around Datca offers access to some excellent walking terrain, with nearby mountainsides covered in pine forests, oak, carob and citrus trees. Approximately 2 km from modern Datca, the crumbling village of Eskidatca ("Old Datca") is definitely worth a visit, with its romantic maze of cobbled alleyways. A little further afield, there are a number of hidden coves, which can be explored by car or on boat trips. The peninsula's most famous site stands right at its western tip, and is best visited by boat, as the road leading here is partially unsurfaced. Ancient Knidos was one of the most advanced and prosperous cities in Dorian times, although today the site's dramatic setting is arguably more impressive than the extent of the actual excavations. Sadly, the city's chief attraction, a large marble statue of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was destroyed by Byzantine Christians, who objected to the cult following inspired by the statue's overtly erotic nature.

To the south of the Datca peninsula, the shorter but equally intriguing Loryma peninsula boasts fragrant pine forests and sheltered bays so unspoilt that it is hard to believe that the busy town of Marmaris is just a short drive away. A couple of bays along from Marmaris, Turunc is a relaxed and welcoming beach esort ideal for families, whilst a little further along, Kumlubuk feels wonderfully remote and tranquil. On the western coast of the peninsula, the sleepy seaside village of Orhaniye has its own legend: the long, submerged sandbank out in the bay, known as "Maiden's Sand" is said to have been created by a local girl trying to escape either pirate attack or an arranged marriage, depending on which version you believe. Unfortunately, she ran out of sand halfway across the bay and chose to drown herself rather than to surrender. Today, Orhaniye's natural setting and restful atmosphere make it a place to escape to, rather than escape from.

To reach both the Datca and Loryma peninsulas from Dalaman Airport, you pass the small resort of Akyaka at the head of the beautiful Gulf of Gokova. Popular with Turkish holidaymakers, Akyaka is a very charming spot, its small hotels and private villas all designed in traditional local style, and largely concealed by the stately pine trees that cloak the hillsides rising steeply from the shores of the gulf.

Datca