Turkish Maldives: Lake Salda
In the south of the country, in the province of Budour, there is a comparable beauty with a tropical landscape - snow-white sand and transparent azure water. The lake is located two hours away to the north of Antalya and is surrounded by mountains and forest. Therefore, here is always 7-10 degrees cooler than on the coast, which is especially pleased with the summer heat. On the banks of the Selda every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists are resting annually, and while there are not many Russians among them. The lake is an environmental zone, the authorities are closely monitored for the environmental situation in the region, so perfect cleanliness reigns on the shores and in the waters. Lake of tectonic origin, in fact, is a fault in the mountain plate, and the sand is actually natural sediments of the hydromagnesite mineral.
Along the coast you can find natural mud baths than the guests are actively used: white mud with high magnesium content is useful for joints. The landscape unusual for Turkey made Lake Salda one of the most popular places for photo shoots, so among the astounding muds of holidaymakers, and it is a couple of newlywed couples in festive outfits or densely painted bloggers in bright swimsuits. But, despite the popularity of this place, the infrastructure around the lake is not very developed. There are no hotels and sanatoriums here, tourists are offered only the territory for camping, where you can stay with a tent for several days. Several cafes on the beach provide not good, but tasty dinner from lake fish and local vegetables. For a full vacation, Lake Salda, of course, not suitable, but as a place to learn to the weekend or for a long stop in the middle of the automotive travel - perfect.
Thermal resorts and sanatoriums: Dalaman, Yalova, Pamukkale
Wealthlessness of Turkey are poorly known to Russian tourists, but very popular among the local population. On the coast of the Aegean Sea, tourists who want to combine treatment with vacation at sea come to the city of Dalaman. Here mineral water and natural mud are treated with neuralgia, gastric and heart disease, relieve stress and chronic fatigue. You can stay in the sanatorium, but many prefer to live in the hotel with the "All Inclusive" system in the beach area, and for the procedures to go to sources on their own. Bathing prices in mineral pools, mud baths and wraps do not bite, so in the season it can be very crowded.
The resort of Yalova is located near Istanbul, in a natural dendrological park. Here there is both hotels with our own mineral springs and full-fledged medical clinics. In Yalov, they are sent to treat gynecological, renal and skin diseases, raise immunity and strengthen the nervous system. The climate is softer here than on the coast, the nature is fantastically beautiful, and everything has a long wellness walk under the canopy of the ancient trees.
Pamukkale, leaving tourists, the direction for excursions is also the location of several sanatoriums. Directly on the territory of the snow-white terrace is about 20 thermal sources. Experts will instruct which baths to visit to treat the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular, skin diseases. There is also a lot of mineral keys around Pamukkale with water of the most different composition. You can stay in the sanatorium near the source or come to rest for one day.
On the shore of the two seas: Oludeniz and Fethiye
The West Coast of Turkey is less popular among tourists than Antalya, Kemer or Side. In the Oludeniz region, mountainous terrain, so less than sandy beaches and the sea are much deeper, but there are many islets, small bays in rocks, yacht parots and diving locations. Owners of yachts from all over Turkey prefer to park them here. The Turks themselves come to relax in Fethiye large families and actively buy real estate there. There are almost no large hotels in the region with All Inclusive, so there is a completely different contingent of vacationers here. Family hotels are located in small villages, where tourists are fed products from their own gardens and with household farms, offer unassuming, but spiritual, practically home service.
This region is perfect for traveling by car, it can be rented at Dalaman Airport, drive all the coast to Antalya and fly home from there. During the trip, you can see the ancient ruins of the time of the Roman Empire, go hiking along the Lycian trail, tickle the nerves of a walk through an abandoned Ghost Village Kayaki. It is believed that it is here that the border between the Aegean and Mediterranean seas is held, so the sea is rich in the most different fish and seafood. Lovers of the sea gifts will appreciate the opportunity to be purchased in the small fish market and ask the hostess of the coastal tavern to prepare "prey" for a small fee. It is worth not to lay at the exit to the sea on the yacht: the routes suggest a visit to the tiny islands, inaccessible for hiking bays with waterfalls and sheer cliffs.
Photo source: unsplash.com/jordi Vich Navarro