By SailInTurkey Admin On February 3rd, 2017 in Explore Turkey, News & Events
We recommend mooring at My Marina, as a safe place to leave your yacht whilst on the trip. They have great facilities to their guests & the view from the restaurant is stunning.
You will benefit from an early morning start, before the heat of the day kicks in. You arrange a 1/2 day or full day trip on the Dalyan River. It starts with passing through the reed beds in a traditional Turkish boat, passing the Lycian Rock Tombs & visiting the ruins of ancient Kaunos.
Look out for Turtles that are a protected species on Iztuzu beach at the mouth of the river. View the Lycian tombs carved into the cliffs dating back to 400 BC. Enjoy a mud bath and a chance to do some souvenir shopping in the village of Dalyan.
Dating back till the 10th century BC Kaunos, was once an important sea port, It is now located about 8 km from the coast due to the formation of Iztuzu Beach and the silting of the former Bay of Dalyan, from approx. 200 BC onwards.
The Kaunos archaeological site contains the remains of this ancient city which has witnessed the rise and fall of several empires, cultures and civilisations over almost 3,000 years of history.
Carian was an important trading port, later conquered by the Persian Empire. The city was altered by the increasing influence of Hellenic culture in the region leading to many ancient Greek-era structures, you can find these ruins within the site.
Kaunos was incorporated into the Roman Empire and later was part of the Byzantine territories. With the Muslim invasions and later the rise of the Ottoman Empire, Kaunos was re-fortified and walls were constructed on the Acropolis.
Ancient writers attested the Malarial nature of Kaunos and it was this, along with earthquakes and the gradual silting of its harbour, which eventually led to the city’s abandonment.
Today, the ruins at Kaunos include a well preserved ampitheatre, which displays both Roman and Hellenistic features, a temple dedicated to Apollo, a Byzantine basilica and Roman baths as well as the spectacular rock tombs. Outside the archaeological site are situated the tombs are known as the Kings’ Tombs.
North-west of the main settlement are the 4th century BC city walls which stretch for 3km and have been very well preserved in places.
Excavations at the site are still continuing and may lead to further areas being opened to the public at a later date.
Lycian Rock TombsCarved into the side of a Turkish mountain are what look to be the entrances to countless temples. They are in fact the ornate facade of ancient Lycian tombs.
Lycians believed that the souls of their dead would be transported from the tombs to the afterworld by magic winged creatures. For this reason they often placed their honoured dead in geographically high places such as the cliffside. Round shaped altars decorated with inscriptions were sometimes placed near the tombs. These were used for offerings for the dead. In some of the tombs items such as tear collection bottles, jewellery, coins & ornaments have been found.
Dating back to the 4th century, many of the numerous entryways are adorned with tall Romanesque columns and intricate reliefs. The older tombs are often no more than unmarked holes dug into the rock. Inside tombs are spacious chambers cut into the rock with a simple monolith inside to display the body. The rooms are now empty from hundreds of years worth of looting.
Mud Baths at DalyanVisit the mud at Dalyan and look 10 years younger – that is what they say! It is claimed that regular mud therapy can help reduce lines & wrinkles. In addition the healing waters of the spring are said to help sciatica, rheumatism and stomach problems.
Once you have covered yourself in the mud you then wait for it to dry in the sun. The sulphur pool in which you clean yourself after your Mud Bath is also at a temperature of 40 degrees. There are showers to rinse.
Sail in Turkey is a UK registered Company totally owned and managed personally by ourselves, Mark Foster and Stephanie Williams.
Your holiday experience matters to us at Sail in Turkey. We have established strong partnerships with the best charter operators in Turkey, with whom we have had a trusted relationship for many years.
Our goal is to ensure you have an unforgettable yacht charter experience. We will assist you in finding the perfect yacht that suits your needs and desires. We maintain constant communication with the base staff to ensure all your requirements are met. On arrival at the base, you'll receive a warm welcome, and once you're on board, our experienced crew will provide a comprehensive boat briefing to ensure your safety and comfort throughout your charter.
Discover the beauty of Turkey, contact us today to start planning your dream getaway!
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