Hiking
The Lycian Way
The Lycian Way, the brainchild of UK native Kate Clow, is Turkey's first long distance walk, borne of a love of the land and a desire to create a sustainable, historical legacy. With a sketch pad, a compass and a handful of barely adequate maps in hand, Kate set out in mid 1990's to establish, clear and mark a continuous trail from Fethiye to Antalya, taking in the region's most interesting and often remote villages and historic sites.
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In the Footsteps of St. Paul
Deep in the Taurus Mountains of Turkey's Mediterranean coast, along ancient Roman roads and shepherds' tracks, live the ghosts of St. Paul and his followers.
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SCUBA Diving
Scuba diving takes advantage of the unseen history offshore, from ancient shipwrecks to misfortunate WWII airplanes, kayaking brings you right down to sea level and within groping distance of those sunken sarcophagi. Diving outfitters occupy just about every principle town along the coastline. Most major resorts will have their own concessions right on the beach, concentrated in high traffic areas like Kusadasi, Marmaris and along the Antalya coastline.
Keep in mind that Turkish law requires that all divers be accompanied by a certified Turkish professional (to ensure that visitors don't walk off with the country's underwater archaeological patrimony).
Below are a number of outfitters I've checked out and found to be excellent.
Located in Fethiye, Bodrum, Oludeniz, Antalya and Marmaris: European Diving Center, www.europeandiving.co.uk, Tel. 252/614-9771
Bodrum: Aegean Pro Diving, www.aegeanprodive.com, Tel. 0252/316-0737
Kalkan and Kas: Bougainville Travel , www.bougainville-turkey.com, Tel. 242/836-3142
Antalya: Yunus Diving, www.yunusdiving.com, Tel. 242/238-4486
Paddling
Turkey's geography combines (melting) snow-capped peaks, chiseled gorges, meandering rivers and turquoise bays to create a network of waterways that would make any paddler smile. So where to go?
White water rafting enthusiasts should head to the Köprülü Canyon or Manavgat River, in the region of Antalya, in the early weeks of Spring, when the Taurus Mountains begin to disgorge much of their winter stash. The Dalaman River on the Southwestern Mediterranean coast outside of Marmaris offers another good ride.
Kayaking is an optimum way to not only see, but experience the offshore landscape. Most beach resorts and beach concessions rent out kayaks on an hourly basis. But these short excursions just whet the appetite for something bigger and better. Paddling around the Gulf of Kekova, located east of Kas, offers one of the best ways to experience one of the Turkish Med's true gems.
Canoeing, similar to kayaking, is an easy and accessible activity in coastal areas. In addition, canoe tours are popular along the marshy rivers of Patara and in Köycegiz Lake above Dalyan. Many of the outfitters running white water rafting trips also do canoe trips as well.
To hook up with a tour operator, contact one of the outfitters below. Medraft is the major player for river trips in Turkey, tours to the Northeast and Central Turkey (Cappadocia), in addition to their activities on the Mediterranean. I can personally vouch for Bougainville Travel in Kas, having paddled my way across Kekova Bay courtesy of one of their boats.
Medraft Turizm, Portakal Cicegi Bulv., Hüseyin Küzü Apr. 14/3, Antalya, ([tel] 0242/248-0083), www.medraft.com
Bougainville Travel, Cükürbagli Cad., Kas, Tel. 0242/836-3737, www.bougainville-turkey.com
Kaunos Tours, Dalyan Center, [tel] 0252/284-2816; www.kaunostours.com
Alesta Yachting and Travel Agency, Fethiye, ([tel] 0252/614-1861), www.alestayachting.com
Horseback Riding
Trailing along the sometimes marshy and often sandy seaside lowlands of Patara ensures that your shoes at least stay dry, and personally, I think a day spent immobile on a hot sandy beach is a waste of good scenery. Horseback riding trips are organized by most travel agents in the area; you can either consult the reception of your hotel to make arrangements at least a day in advance, or contact Kalamus Travel for information before you go (Tel. 242/844-3342; www.kalkanturkey.com).
In Cappadocia, you can head out for a few hours, or load up the saddlebags and set out for camping and village stays of up to two weeks. Akhal Teke Riding Center (www.akhal-tekehorsecenter.com) runs hourly, daily, overnight and weekly treks.
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