Food, Drink and Shopping 

Food and Drink 

Think of Turkish food and drink and what comes to mind? Chances are you'll come up with baklava, raki and Turkish Delight. But it's not all for the sweet of tooth. While sweets and sugary treats like baklava (layered pastry baked with fruit and nuts) are a favourite element of the Turkish diet, in actual fact savoury dishes dominate, and none more so than the kebab.

You may think you know all there is to know about this popular late-night bite, but trust us when we say that the humble British imitation is no substitute for the real thing. In Turkey, the meat is finely sliced and nestled between a pitta bread filled with fresh salad and sauce - a process the Turks have definitely mastered! Try the kofta kebab: giant meatballs smothered in tomato sauce and wrapped in a pitta bread.

If you're more of an indecisive type then eating mezes will help ease the decision-making process. Served like Spanish tapas, you get a variety of treats to sample, from meat-based options to those centred around vegetables or pastry. Pastries in themselves are a bit of a speciality and can come sweet (like baklava) or savoury (like borek).

Other products to look out for include fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, olives and fresh fish. Bread is an essential accompaniment to all meals. Try kilometresek and lavas bread: they come hot with loads of butter and cheese and are delicious.

For beverages in Turkey, raki is hard to beat. It's similar to Greek ouzo with an aniseed flavour. Made from ice, water, apples and fruit teas, raki is available pretty much everywhere. In the way of non-alcoholic tipples, there's çay, a very sweet, non-milky tea.

Shopping

For a spot of shopping, you can't beat the bazaars and markets. They not only give you the chance to buy some great local products, but also give you a real taste of Turkish life. Recommended purchases include ceramic plates, leatherwear, Turkish rugs and onyx, a coloured stone that is made into a variety of products. Pluck up the courage to haggle and you'll walk away with even better bargains!

Beaches

Want white sandy beaches with clear blue waters? Secluded coves? Pebbly inlets backed by lush countryside and rolling mountains? Then get yourself to Turkey! The sea not only looks amazing but is also warm and inviting, and the soft sand makes relaxing under the Turkish sunshine one of life's true pleasures.

Olu Deniz beach is the country's most famous stretch of sand, boasting the clearest of turquoise waters. Stretching for 3km and backed by pine forests, it's also one of Turkey's most photographed beaches. The name "Olu Deniz" translates as "Dead Sea", a reference to the absolute stillness of the water.

This stretch of coast is also home to secluded coves with pebbly inlets where you can relax in privacy, as if you were the only one in the world to have discovered Turkey's charm. Icmeler also benefits from a picturesque beach with golden sands and is well worth a visit if you are staying in nearby Marmaris.

Finally, loggerhead turtles come to nest come to nest in some areas here. These beaches are protected, leaving parts of the Lycean coastline as nature intended: completely untouched.  

Nightlife

The Lycian coast has its fair share of vibrant nightlife, with the resorts of Hisaronu and Marmaris stealing first prize for their array of bars and nightclubs. Come here to have fun and dance for all you're worth.

If you prefer to take things a little slower then take your pick from a number of chilled-out tavernas and restaurants, where you can enjoy the warm evenings out on the open air terrace. Add a local tipple and some good company and you have a perfect recipe for relaxation.