Destination: Turkish Riviera
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Dalyan Çayi River
If you’re traveling by gulet, you’ll have to ask the captain to arrange for one of the specially designed flat-bottomed boats to take you up the Dalyan Çayi River, which leads to Kaunos and the town of Dalyan. It’s a peaceful cruise through this expansive, mountainous region, whose cliffs hold hundreds of weathered Lycian tombs. Stop for lunch at one of the riverside restaurants, such as Safran, and take a dip at Iztuzu Beach.
Iztuzu Beach
The so-called turtle beach at the mouth of the Dalyan Çayi River is one of the region’s most famous beaches, as it’s a breeding ground for the enormous endangered loggerhead sea turtles. It’s also incredibly scenic: a long stretch of white sand dotted with umbrellas and loungers that can be rented for the day. In the mid-1980s, local groups prevented the building of a hotel in this fragile setting, and today the area is protected. The water is calm and shallow, making the beach a nice place for kids (avoid it during high season, though, because of crowds). The best way to reach Iztuzu is by boat on your way to Kaunos. There’s a small snack bar as well as changing facilities.
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