What to see in Turkey
Whilst almost 2.5 millions Britons will travel to Turkey this year, with its Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea coastlines, much of this diversely fascinating country remains undiscovered, providing a tranquil paradise for the ‘off the beaten track’ traveller. Take a look at three of the Turkey’s lesser known places of paradise.
Faralya and Butterfly Valley, Fethiye, Mugla
With its cascading waterfalls, luxuriant landscapes of pine tree forests and rocky mountains, with delicate butterflies fluttering by, the village of Faralya, which stands on top of Butterfly Valley is a serene spot of sublime beauty. Known to its relatively few visitors as Paradise Village, Faralya, nestled on the Mediterranean coastline to the south west of Turkey, is a unique and stunning place to visit, blessed with unusual and stunning wildlife and nature. In boasting such diverse landscapes, Faralya and Butterfly Valley has a lot to offer for adventure lovers, particularly hikers and trekkers who thrive from exploring the rock-strewn paths.
Olympos
Approximately 90 kilometres to the south west of the city of Antalya, lies the forested valley of the Bey Mountains Coastal National Park. Amongst the grapevines, pine trees and rocky paths, the ancient ruins of the city of Olympos can be found, providing historical contemplation amidst an area of transcendent splendour and solitude. An acropolis, bathhouse, theatre and necropolis are among the remains of Olympos, a once important port town, which adjoins a four kilometre stretch of stunning coastline. Because of its extraordinary historical associations and ‘precarious’ landscape, Olympos, in recent years, has become a backpacker’s and adventure enthusiast’s utopia, but still remains untouched by the ‘masses’.
Kekova
The island of Kekova is situated on the one of the most attractive parts of Turkish coastline to the west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Beneath the turquoise waters with gently lap the shores of this pretty and unspoilt island rest the ancient ruins of the sunken city of Lycian. Although day trips by boat to Kekova from Kas are popular, the island remains relatively undiscovered. Like with many less well known spots Turkey has to offer, Kekova combines natural beauty with fascinating historical relics.