This stretch of the Southern Turkish Mediterranean coastline is known as the Turkish Riviera and stretches from Fethiye in the west through to the Syrian coastline in the east. With beautiful sandy beaches, picturesque towns, and remote villages this area is not to be missed.

Curving around a wide bay, Fethiye is a bustling, friendly market town overlooked by pine-forested mountains and many yachts and gulets - the traditional Turkish wooden sailing boats - moor along the waterfront promenade, which is dotted with waterside cafes and several excellent seafood restaurants - without doubt one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline anywhere in the Mediterranean.The area from Fethiye to Kemer is known as Lycia and has Turkey's most dramatic scenery with mountains falling away into crystal clear seas. Summer temperatures average 30-40°C with a Winter average of 15°C.

To the west of Fethiye town centre is Karagoz, a quiet suburb where luxury villas and apartments overlook the new marina. Blessed with a well-protected bay and an extensive hinterland of flat, agriculturally productive land it is no wonder Fethiye has had a long history. Originally known as Telmessos, it has been around for at least 2,500 years. A vibrant modern town has rapidly developed, helped over the last 20 years by the tourist industry. A breed apart from many other Turkish resorts, tourism remains just another string to its bow. It is also a market town, administrative centre and exporter of chromium ore sourced from local mines. Away from the water, the bazaar district is a colourful grid of cobbled streets lined with shops stocking locally produced handicrafts such as silver jewellery, leather bags and beautiful hand-woven carpets. It's also home to the town's oldest Turkish Baths, where you enjoy a steamy soak and a relaxing massage. Within easy reach of Dalaman International Airport, Fethiye also has excellent public transport with minibus and boat services from the centre of town to the various suburbs. There are also regular bus services to local beaches, such as Oludeniz, as well as the fascinating historical sites of the Xanthos Valley. For supermarket shopping you might like to go into Fethiye with Migros is on the outskirts of town and Gima in the town centre. The town's private hospital is one of the best in the region with the latest equipment and many English-speaking staff.

In the opposite direction the resort area of Calis is the beach resort closest to Fethiye, with a wide range of shops, bars and restaurants run along the seafront promenade, with picturesque beachfront and wonderful views back across the Bay to Fethiye. Extending over 4km the beach is mainly shingle and is lapped by turquoise seas. There is a constant sea breeze so its coolness on warmer days suggests this as the ideal place to visit. Choose to have a drink at one of the seafront bars and watch the sun setting over the islands in the evening. On Sundays visit the local market, where you can buy holiday souvenirs, local grown produce and "designer" clothing. Fethiye can be reached by Dolmus (local bus) or by more leisurely and scenic route in one of the many water taxis.