Sea Turtles are not Dalyan's only claim to fame. Besides the Caretta Carettas, the stone crypts of the Caunos Kings have made it famous. These ancient tombs of rock make an awe-inspiring sight as they stand dramatically watching over Dalyan from across the river. The tombs are designed much like Lycian crypts with storage spaces and false walls built into the rock so that valuables left there would survive plunderers. Sadly, this little feature could not do much against strong-willed thieves who managed to get to the treasures within. While some are simply designed there are others which are ornate, like temples.

These tombs have lasted hundreds of years and bear the marks of etchings by the ancient inhabitants of the area. Some carvings are placed at a remarkable 80 degree angle to the waters of the nearby sea and as you see these rocks from different vantage points in Dalyan, you will find yourself wondering how the locals from Kaunos managed to create such fine specimens in the absence of sophisticated equipment and tools.

At night the tombs look even more haunting, bathed in an orange light. The ancient rock structures built by the people of Caunos symbolised power and prosperity, something one can spot in different aspects of the structures even today.

No trip to Dalyan is complete without a boat ride. Tour the area in a hired boat and give in to the delights of Dalyan's natural splendour. As your guide negotiates the maze of the Delta you pass dramatic rock formations and see birds and fish in their natural habitat. Bird watchers arrive in Dalyan to spot unusual and little-seen species as well as more common but equally beautiful ones like the kingfisher.

The sea turtles of Dalyan lay their precious eggs on the sands of the Iztuzu beach and it isn't surprising that these wise old creatures have picked this particular spot. A well preserved and pristine beach, Iztuzu is nothing short of a wonder of nature. With the waters of the clear blue Mediterranean on one side and pure, fresh water running on the other side of its golden sands, the beach was once a harbour to the local people in Caunos and much salt and fish has been traded at this erstwhile customs post. The beach is preserved even today thanks to the ruling that prevents construction along the 5,400 metre length of Iztuzu. The only structures visible on this stretch are changing rooms for beach goers, with some sections even being marked as ‘no umbrella' zones. Dogs have also been banned here to keep the eggs of the Caretta Caretta safe.

Turtle Beach, as it is often called, is a strip of land just 200 metres wide but 7 km long, at the edge of the delta region. It is a good place to sunbathe or relax under hired sun shades. You have the choice between a freshwater swim in the river or a dip in the denser sea water.

On one end of the beach are hills and pine trees making the backdrop as scenic as the beach itself. You can explore the area by road. Take public transport to get here. You could also arrive by boat at the other end via the delta.

Tourists usually opt to arrive at the beach by boat, since the half hour trip from the harbour in Dalyan is scenic and even passes the legendary Lycian Rock Tombs on its way into the naturally formed canals. The ride is also a great time to spot birds, insects and other natural life.

Visiting this beach is the quickest and arguably the nicest way to take in all the wildlife and scenic beauty Dalyan has to offer. The boat ride adds to the charm of it all, so try doing that at least one way. The ponds that nestle between the beach and the mountains are pure magic, so plan to spend at least a day at this beach.

The loggerhead turtles head to Iztuzu every hatching season to dig holes into which they bury their unhatched eggs. Sadly, these lovely creatures are fast heading to extinction. The Caretta Carettas live for about 70 years and during this time they lay about 100 eggs every two to three years between the months of May and September. The destruction of eggs and the increasing demand for these turtles as gourmet cuisine in the Far East, Italy and France has put them on the endangered species list.

The administration and the people of Dalyan are doing their best to preserve the species and measures include closing the beach overnight from 8 pm to 8 am so that the breeding of the Caretta Carettas is not disturbed. This also improves the chances of survival of the young hatchlings as they make their way from the sand into the waters of their ocean homes.

As a visitor here you would do well to exercise some care when at the beach. Avoid digging holes or pushing umbrellas into the ground outside areas where it is permitted. Don't use any strong lights in the late evening as this will only confuse the young turtles as they try and make their journey from the sand to the sea. They are guided by the light of the moon's reflection on water, so artificial light can confuse them and lead them the wrong way.

If you're an animal lover and are making a trip here to see the Caretta Carettas, you may be disappointed. The turtles come here for just a few days of the year during the breeding season and their time spent ashore is usually much after regular tourist hours since they lay their eggs during the night or the wee hours of the morning. Since visitors are not permitted at night, it is highly unlikely you will see these turtles on your trip.

Dalyan's mud baths have always been popular and some say that Cleopatra herself would make the occasional trip to the region just to visit these baths. The baths have been a magnet for the rich and famous down the years and in recent times celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Jack Nicholson, David Bowie, Robert Maxwell and the Prince Felipe De Carlos of Spain have taken a dip on their visits here.

Why a mud bath?

Believers in the power of the mud say that the tightening effect of the drying mud is what makes the difference. Regular mud therapy can help deal with wrinkles while the healing waters of the spring are said to be the answer to sciatica, rheumatism and stomach problems.

Besides being a haven for nature lovers, Dalyan is also a place of healing. The Sultaniye Thermal Water draws people from around the globe today, just as it has since the Caunos people first discovered it. Its fame abroad can be traced back to the Byzantine era when they made it a ‘pit stop' on their journeys across Europe. The remains of the era can still be found underwater in the Lake of Köycegiz.

The sandy pine tree dotted coastal area of Sarigerme once went by the name of Physilis in ancient times. The old city is now covered by the sands of time. But with a heavenly coastline, calm seas and low tides, this is a place that is a must-see on every traveller's list.

Sarigerme is named for the stream called Saricay that separates the coastal regions from Osmaniye. This water body was once used by locals to transfer timber from the forests to the sea front. Interestingly, the locals had then even blocked up the end of the stream which would let out into the ocean, to prevent their precious timber from drifting away.

While you'll enjoy doing nothing but basking in the sun, you might want to consider a quick trip to the nearby Babaada Island while you're here.

For the active traveller and the adventure junkie, Dalyan can be a non-stop adrenaline rush! Start off gently with a boat ride along the reed-covered canals, move up the thrills a notch with jeep safaris and mountain biking and then give in to the rush of paragliding off the beautiful coast of Dalyan. Relaxation needn't be dull here either, so in your downtime plan a sea kayaking expedition into the crystal clear waters of the area or just dive in and snorkel to explore the fascinating jewel colours of the marine life in Dalyan.

If you like, you can even try the once in a lifetime experience of flying in a micro- ight over the deltaic region - spectacular views and perhaps some turtle spotting await the daredevil who opts for this ride.

Wind down each day with sunset on the shores of the Iztuzu beach, the gentle sound of waves lapping the shore and the refreshing ocean breeze in your hair.

Check with your hotel or a local tour operator if a barbeque dinner can be organised on the beach; nothing beats a chilled drink, some spicy grilled meats and great views as you unwind at this coastal paradise.