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Ephesus is the best preserved classical city in the Mediterranean, and perhaps the best place in the world to get a feeling for what life was like in Greek and Roman times. Things to see include the marble-paved Arcadian Way, 25,000 seater arena, Library of Celsius, ruins of the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the Agora (marketplace) and numerous temples, fountains and houses (including a brothel!). Ephesus is about two and a half hours away by car and can be combined with a trip to the nearby House of the Virgin Mary (where Mary is reputed to have spent the last years of her life) or to the delightful hillside village of Sirince (near Selcuk) with its wooden houses, vineyards and peach trees. Ephesus can get very hot in the summer, so an early start is recommended.
Pamukkale is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of Turkey. Often combined with a visit to Ephesus as an overnight trip, calcium-rich natural springs have formed an amazing landscape of white limestone cascades, stalactites and natural swimming pools. Nearby are the Roman ruins of Hierapolis.
Milas and its surrounds - about an hour away - are fascinating. The town has a colourful market on Tuesdays; there are also a number of Ottoman houses. A few miles to the north are the remains of Labranda - a Carian holy place. Labranda never grew any larger than a village, leaving todays ruins with an intimate atmosphere. Set high on a hill in pine trees above Milas, Labranda is well worth the bumpy ride required to get there. Just to the south of Milas are the clifftop ruins of the castle of Peçin Kale, another pleasant picnic place. This was the stronghold of a nomadic clan that ruled south-western Anatolia before the Ottomans.
  
The Aegean region inland from Bodrum is Turkeys most fertile area where cotton, tobacco, olives, cereals, vegetables, grapes, figs, oranges, tangerines and lemons are grown. As a result historical sites abound. Just north of the Bodrum Peninsula is the ancient Roman city of Iasos, famous locally for its olive groves and fresh local fish. Remains of numerous buildings - including an agora, theatre, aqueducts, cisterns and baths - can be seen. The beautiful 6th century BC Temple of Zeus at Euromos, north of Milas, is one of the best preserved temples in Turkey. Nearby Bafa Lake is very picturesque. Further north still lie the ancient hillside city of Priene, the theatre of Miletus and the marvellous Temple of Apollo at Didyma, famed almost on a par with Delphi for its prophetic powers.
Dalyan is another good excursion. The drive south over the mountains takes about two and a half hours. Break the journey at Akyaka - with its delightful riverside restaurants and wonderful beaches (worth a jaunt in itself). At Dalyan you can see the Lycian rock tombs, visit the ruins of ancient Caunos, sunbathe on Iztuzu beach (where the endangered Mediterranean turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs) and finish your day (if you have the energy!) with a visit to the mud baths
Ferries and hydrofoils sail from Bodrum (and Turgutreis in season) to the Greek island of Kos, the birthplace of Hippocrates. The Temple of Dionysus, the Asclepeion and the tree under which Hippocrates Oath was composed are just a few of the places to be seen. Relax after lunch on the beautiful sandy beach. You can also travel by ferry from Bodrum to Datcha. The Datcha peninsula is very scenic, and difficult to approach by land; you can take a taxi from the ferryport to the isolated and beautiful ruins of the Carian city of Knidos overlooking the sea.
Alternatively you can simply chill out at the villas and do nothing.........the choice is yours!
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