Thriving Fethiye is an up-to-the-minute market town and port, it has its own original leisurely charm and it' s easily the best base tor visiting this area's abundant sites. Fethiye lies on a semicircular bay protected by a ring of twelve islands. There aren' t any beaches actualiy within Fethiye itself yet it is an excellent base for organised scuba diving. Boats leave the seafront each day bound for the bracelet of islands and dolmuses (minibuses for public transportation) provide a cheap ferrying service for dedicated sun-worshippers. Fethiye has a fine beach nearby at Calis, a 4 km. stretch of sand and shingle, which has now grown into a small resort. Like nearby Patara this is a nesting site tor turtles - so please observe any restricted areas. The other choice should be Oludeniz region with 2 km. strech of sand and pebble beach (Belcekiz) linked to a cobalt blue lagoon (Dead Sea), lying calm as a millpond in the heart of this area of outstanding the natural beauty deserved the most photographed part of Turkey. Throughout the region are numerous, historic stone pillar and carved rock tombs. Much the best the town has to offer is within the narrow streets criss-crossing a large covered market right at the heart of Fethiye. Here, it' s a shoppers paradise and there are many atmospheric, open-air restaurants and friendly bars. More restaurants cluster along the waterfront and there are a few night haunts to keep you active well into the early hours.