Mehira's Jewels Bellydance with Diana Mehira

From next Summer  (2010) I hope to be running Bellydance holidays to Dalyan Turkey along with Jameela who owns a costume shop and teaches there. I am travelling to Dalyan this November to sort out dates, details etc so will up date the site with full info on my return. Until then here is some information about Dalyan to tantalise your dance tastebuds....

Pictured (left) is the view from the radio tower on the mountain overlooking Dalyan Delta, the beach is called 'turtle beach' as it is the nesting place of the loggerhead turtle and is therefore an area of conservation.  Dalyan itself is a small town a little way up the delta alongside the river. The beach is easily got to by boat through the reed beds, which takes you to the far end of the beach on the pic. Or you can get by bus, which takes you to the closer end. This end is my favourite. The sea is fairly shallow for quite a way, getting no higher then chest height a good 10 mtrs or so out from the shore.

Dalyan itself is a very pretty town and quite quiet, there are a number of restaurants along the river front and the main high street, and a few good bars..( My favourite is the M and M Rock Bar...) Dalyan has I think 2 night clubs, but they are not obviously placed, generally entry to clubs is free, but drinks are more expensive inside. Dalyan is more known for its peace and tranquility and beautiful surroundings, it does not have any of the kind of shows or bars that you may find in the larger more touristy resorts of Marmaris or Bodrum. Although the bars are lively and friendly.  (pictured left me and Mufit at the M and M Rock Bar).

Dalyan has many shops selling locally made jewellery, shoes, linen and also the usual tourist shops selling T-shirts, bags, leather goods, carpets, etc. Although small the high street has plenty of shops to look in, and there is a market every Saturday which is well worth a visit. If markets are your thing you can also get either a boat across the lake once a week to Koyceiz Market, or a bus to the larger town of Fethiye on a Tuesday.

If you like ancient historical sites Dalyan has these a plenty, it is home to the amazing Lycian 'Rock Tombs', carved into the rock overlooking the river. Also across the other side of the river, is the ancient city of Caunos (Kaunos in Turkish). This is well worth a visit, it is reached by boat from Dalyan- either row boat (someone rows you dont worry!), or by tour on a larger boat. Once the other side of the river there is a walk of approx 20mins which in full sun can be hard going, so make sure you either go at cooler times of the day or ensure you take longsleeved clothes and a hat, and bottle of water! Just as the road turns you reach Kaunos, entry this year was 8lira (round about £4). It is beautiful, covers a much larger area than you would imagine considering it is not really advertised much. Much of it is Roman ruins, with an ampitheatre, Acopolis and Temples to various Gods, some of it is older still, some of it is slightly later. It use to be a port. It is an incredibly peaceful place, abundant with local flora and fauna, and wildlife- if you do not like snakes maybe give it a miss..

As well as the beach and ancient sites, you can take a number of tours from Dalyan- boat trips to Koyceiz lake, there are two different mud bath/thermal water sites- Sultaniye across the lake and the closer site most used by tourists just called 'The Mud Baths'. You can also take a 'Jeep Safari' around the local area, or a boat trip to 'Ickincik' caves, or the 12 Islands boat tour. Go on early morning 'Turtle or bird watching' trips. As well as the Loggerhead turtle, there are freshwater turtles living in the river that are amazing to see. There is one restaurant along the river front where every morning around 10.30am they put scraps of meat into the river for the turtles, and they do come..last time I was there in August we saw 5... (river turtle pictured right). They are quite big,some of them 2 foot at least). Dalyan is an amazing place to view wildlife, so far I have seen numerous Owls, turtles from small to huge, river to sea, snakes- river and land! Lizards, locusts, geckos, praying mantis, stalks, herons, hedgehogs, and tortoises. All wild, and of course there are cats, dogs, chickens and goats galore, and the odd random cow...

There are many hotels in Dalyan, but the only tour operators that go there from Uk are- Thomas Cook, Thomson, Jewel in the Crown and Holidays4U.

Hotels I have stayed at are The Keskin- a lovely hotel about a 10-15min walk from the town centre, (left). 3 pools (2 in low season) and lovely spacious grounds, good size rooms. Beautiful surroundings.

The Metin Hotel- which is right in the centre of town, has a great view from the brekfast balcony, does not have the outside space of the Keskin but is very convenient location if you want to be in the heart of things. (Pictured Right is view from one side of brekfast terrace).

Both of these hotels have apartments also, but are mainly bed and brekfast. If you want self catering, The Sahin Hotel and Aparts is nice, quite a small pool but friendly staff and nice apartments. Also about a 15min walk from the centre. Close to the centre just behind The Metin are the Ozalp Hotel and Apartments. These are good for families as they have some large apartments, decorated in typical Turkish style. Friendly staff and has nice hotel bar/restaruant. Dalyan has many hotels, Pensions, Apartments and Villas, these are just the 3 I have stayed in myself.