Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Turkey Related Subjects => Places to Visit => Topic started by: IanK on April 06, 2014, 14:23:29 PM
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Hi all,
Just thinking about a trip (by car) up to Ephesus and a stop off somewhere on the way back. Lake Bafa looks interesting - just a few miles inland from Didim.
Has anyone been there - if so any recommendations?
Thanks
Ian
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Lake Bafa is very attractive. However, my main memory of the place was coming upon a road tunnel that had no advance warnings. I was in a rental car which I didn't intend to drive at night and hadn't bothered to find the light switches which meant oncoming traffic couldn't see me. But much worse was the fact I was wearing densely dark prescription sunglasses. I couldn't see with them off and I couldn't see with them on. I slowed down as much as I dared with cars catching up from behind and ran the nearside tyres right up against the kerb and thus, bumping along, felt my way to the far end. Finally we emerged into daylight, found a place to pull off the road and I spent the next 10 minutes walking up and down the shoreline until my heart beat returned to normal. Apart from that, the lake was very pleasant.
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You're every car hire company's dream driver.
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I suppose now you'll want me to stop giving your name as financial guarantor for my hire cars?
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Well, as this is your idea of "a couple of minor scratches, yes.
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t301/KayaKoyuWalker/20130521_194552-1.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/KayaKoyuWalker/media/20130521_194552-1.jpg.html)
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It was like that when I rented it Guv, honest.
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We'll save you this one for your next trip. (http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t301/KayaKoyuWalker/Funnies/TexasLimo.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/KayaKoyuWalker/media/Funnies/TexasLimo.jpg.html)
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We went to lake bafa recently, road, lake and two restaurants. It was a bit of a letdown to be honest. Lake Isparta, now that's a lake !
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Yep, I'd go for the Isparta area too. It's known as the Turkish Lake District. Lake Beyşehir, Lake Eğirdir, and Lake Burdur are the largest lakes.
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If you are returning to Calis via Aydin and want something to eat you might stop at Çine which has the reputation of having the best kebabs in Turkey (I love the way every place in Turkey is famous for one special thing). Leaving Çine heading south you pass a row of about seven kebab restaurants on your right hand side.
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I love the way every place in Turkey is famous for one special thing
Hisaronu was famous for Egg and Chips and an Efes for £5.
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Thanks all,
Sounds like its worth a look on the way back but maybe not an overnight stop.
Anyone any other recommendations for a place worthy of a few hours and overnight on the route back.
Isparta sounds interesting but doesn't look to be on the way back from Ephesus - so maybe a separate trip over there.
Thanks again.
Ian
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Yep, I'd go for the Isparta area too. It's known as the Turkish Lake District. Lake Beyşehir, Lake Eğirdir, and Lake Burdur are the largest lakes.
Yep the Isparta area gets my vote too. Not sure if it is out of your way though.
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Thanks all,
Sounds like its worth a look on the way back but maybe not an overnight stop.
Anyone any other recommendations for a place worthy of a few hours and overnight on the route back.
Isparta sounds interesting but doesn't look to be on the way back from Ephesus - so maybe a separate trip over there.
Thanks again.
Ian
Ian,
I would suggest you take a right turn and head down the Bodrum peninsula and head for Yali Kavak, it's a lovely place, alternatively, just in the armpit of the Bodrum peninsular is Akyaka, it's again fab. But please be aware, I'm telling you about these great places but it must remain our secret.
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just in the armpit of the Bodrum peninsular is Akyaka,
In the Bodrum armpit? It is 80 miles away at the head of the Gulf of Gokova - unless you're thinking about a different Akyaka than the one I know.
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No, Colwyn, you're thinking about a different one than the one I know
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Here's mine. Show me yours!
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a138/ColwynJones/Ak16_zps681c9b47.jpg)
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Here ya go
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I think you are both talking about the same place ;D
I remember it as the place you pass on the way to Mugla from Fethiye (d400 / d550 junction) as you start to climb up and over the mountains and they have more sellers selling little wooden ornate donkeys at the side of the road than I have ever seen anywhere else - but maybe that's a third Akyaka ;D
On a serious note the coast road from Akyaka through Oren and on to Bodrum looks impressive - and so much shorter than going over the mountains - has anyone done that journey?
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Yes, I did the journey from Akyaka to Oren many years ago when it was an unmade road - indeed scarcely a road at all,I've seen more navigable dry river beds. It was a nightmare and I tell the story here, (starting at the bottom of the page) - http://www.calis-beach.co.uk/forum/turkish_tales/turkish_tales_387.50.html (http://www.calis-beach.co.uk/forum/turkish_tales/turkish_tales_387.50.html)
However, the road has now been tarmacked and is a splendid route. Much of the road runs through forest along the cliff edge overlooking the Gulf of Gokova which runs for 80 miles from Akyake to the Bodrum Peninsula - see Rimms'map (sorry, couldn't resist) and it has splendid views. You turn inland just before you come to the very pleasant little bay of Akbuk and on to Oren.
P.S. Although the route may be shorter it is a slow, scenic route rather than a main highway and will likely take quite a bit longer.
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Thanks for that - excellent - it sounds just our sort of journey.
We went to Bodrum on the bus last year for a weeks holiday and would consider doing it by car along the route you describe as a Spring or early Autumn trip (when hire prices are cheaper) and you also feel far from the maddening crowd :-)
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Guys,
the Bodrum peninsula and armpit it is then.
Rimms, don't worry, I'll keep it a secret, just you, me and the other 10,000 forum members know about it now.
Ian
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I used to pretend to be worried about keeping it secret but since, I guess, 80/85% of holiday visitors to Akyaka are Turkish it is a bit hard to keep the news from them!
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Try and make time to either have breakfast or dinner in one of the restaurants along the Azmak river in Akyaka, or maybe both! The restaurants are famous as being fish restaurants but many serve meat also. Akyaka definitely closer to Marmaris than to Bodrum, travel wise, but years away from both in terms of foreign tourism. Hotels and BBs here but very busy during the Turkish summer holiday season, especially at weekends. The beach at Akyaka is also very busy at weekends as many people from the surrounding local areas visit there, so better to go mid week. visit to Cinar beach worth while, a short distance from the town, 10 minutes in a taxi or around a 30 minute walk. Some hotels in Akyaka are open all year, so can stop off there also in the winter, though not much else open then. season here seems to be mid/ end of may to end of September.
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Forgot to say............ there are 2 ways to get into Akyaka from the main road. From the Fethiye direction, when you reach the lights and roundabout for the turn off for Marmaris, you have 2 choices, either go up the hill towards Mugla and take the turning on the left to Akyaka, this is signed, then take the second left hand turn which will take you into the lower part of the town and the beach, OR, which is prettier route, turn left at this roundabout. then at the end of the road, turn left and you will soon be following alongside the Azmak river. Along here are also some small Lycian rock tombs, on the right hand side by the road. They are very small compared to those at Dalyan and Fethiye but at street level.
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God this has been a long day! meant take RIGHT at the roundabout for the prettier route! Just as well I am not employed doing google maps...........or any others!