Kenya Beach Vacation – fun things to do on the eastern Africa coast

The beaches of Kenya are some of the world’s most alluring playgrounds. Besides the beauty and tranquility, they offer plenty of opportunities for water sports and other beach vacation activities. Or simply sun-bathing. One is not surprised then, that more than 50% of Kenya’s international standard hotels are based along the coast.

Some of the fun things to do while on your beach vacation on the Kenya coast are:

Dolphin-Watching
Since dolphins are frequent visitors off the Kenyan coastline, dolphin-spotting dhow trips are organized to the Kisite Marine Park. This is a full day trip with traditional lunch served either onboard or on Wasini Island. Snorkeling equipment is provided so that you can build up an appetite while exploring the coral gardens.

Dhow Trips
A dhow is a traditional sailing ship with over 1000 years history of plying the waters of the East Africa Coast. Built entirely from wood, they were traditionally used to transport spices, carpets, and other goods between Africa and India. Sightseeing, lunch or dinner is available with on-board entertainment in form of fire-eaters, limbo dancers, acrobats and more.

Dhows usually have wooden eyes carved into the front sides. It was believed that these eyes would protect the dhow from being marooned on reefs, and from the evil eye that could be placed by the enemies. Today, the tradition lives on, even though the superstitions have died out.

Visit to the Marine Parks
The beach towns of Mombasa, Malindi and Watamu all have marine parks and reserves are simply amazing in terms of diversity and beauty of the marine life they host. They pars and reserves are also very accessible. The Kiunga Marine National reserve provides a refuge for rare sea turtles and dugongs – mermaids. Trips from the hotels can be arranged to the animals and appreciate the conservation efforts being undertaken to save them from extinction.

Deep-sea fishing
Some of the best fishing off the African continent is found off the Kenyan coast, where many all-Africa records have been set. Kenyan waters are home to millions of billfish and contain the top sporting game-fish. Malindi is probably the best place in Africa for sailfish, while the Pemba channel is known for striped marlin, large yellow-fin tuna and sharks. All along the coast from Lamu in the north to Shimoni in the south, boats and equipment are available for hire.

Scuba Safari.
The Kenyan coral reef is home to some of the world’s most diverse marine life. Swim along the coral gardens and visit the marine life underwater. For wreck divers, MV Diana lies in around 35 meters of water just off Bamburi Beach in the north coast beach of Mombasa.

Various activities are also available along the entire coast, including windsurfing, water skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving. Surfing can be found off Lamu at Sheila beach, but beware of sharks, as there is no coral reef.

Most hotels will have an information desk where you can access information on how to book a motorhome and get your watersports and activities organized.

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Solomon Okila is the Editor and Senior Safari Consultant at African Voyages Tours and Travel. This is a tour operator and Safari Outfitter that specializes on African Travel and holidays. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.africanvoyages.com/tours/index.asp

Kenya Private Safari – How to Get Maximum Value From Your Private Tour

Going to Kenya on a private safari can be a very fulfilling travel experience. Though wildlife viewing is the main highlight in a safari, there is more to Kenyan travel than just seeing game.

A private tour lets you expand your safari vision to include all the personal elements that are your signature when traveling. You have the flexibility to set your own travel time and to choose the people you want to travel with.

It is not automatic that because you are going to Kenya on a private vacation, everything will be smooth. The outcome of your private tour will depend on how well you plan with your safari operator.

Of importance you must get a guarantee from your Kenya safari operator that once on the ground, he will not batch you up with other travelers. Joining convoys of buses on the same itinerary as yours takes away all sense of privacy.

Are there times that a private vacation is absolutely essential? Though you can take a private tour even for an ordinary Kenya travel, your special occasions such as honeymoon, birthdays, anniversaries and vacations with young children warrant privacy.

If you are birdwatcher or a nature photographer you will most likely benefit from the services of your safari guide when you are on a private vacation.

Grant it, you may not know everything about Kenya but with so many Kenya tour operators offering private safaris, it falls on you to approach your safari operator from a position of knowledge. Do your research thoroughly and be very clear to your tour operator about what you want included in your vacation.

While your safari operator will try to accommodate most of your requests, be prepared that with good reasons he may rule out some and give you alternatives.

Your private vacation to Kenya should have quality time in the selected areas that you will visit and it should also have enough time for relaxation. Make sure your itinerary is not too packed with many national reserves – this will make your safari hectic and with little time for relaxation.

Which are the best national parks for private tours? Masai Mara safaris wins the popularity content but you can get an excellent game viewing experience in any Kenyan national park. The catch is on how you and your tour operator plan depending on the number of days you have for safari. You may choose to stay North of Nairobi i.e. the Aberdares, Samburu and Laikipia or you could do the Southern national parks of Tsavo and Amboseli.

While there are various types of accommodations available on your Kenyan private safari, you maintain privacy and exclusivity if you opt for small tented camps and lodges especially those that are in private game reserves where the number of visitors is low. These are some of the best places to get personal and very professional service.

The experience of your safari guides will determine the success of your private tour in Kenya. The guide has to be competent in his subject, which really should be your main interest, and he should have a great inter-personal skill.

Get a guarantee from your Kenya safari operator that your guide is exclusively for you and he is available for all your activities and not just the 6.30 a.m and 4 p.m game drives.

What should you pay for your Kenyan private vacation? There is no right answer for this as price is a very relative term, as in the case of diet pill reviews. However, make your judgment based on the value items such as quality of accommodation, vehicles, professional guides and above all the reliability of the operator.

Now that you know how to plan a private safari in Kenya, hit the keyboard and plan your wildlife safari to suit you requirements.

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Anne Huysman is the co-owner of Ontdek Kenya, a Wildlife Safari operator with 13 years experience in private safaris. Her specialty is in guided walking tours, bird watching tours and responsible wildlife safaris away from mass tourism. For a free consultation on your Kenya private tour and for inspiring on-safari photos that give you a glimpse of the tours, please go to:
=> http://www.ontdek-kenya-safaris.com/private-safari.html

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The allure of Mombasa – Kenya’s all round tourist resort

Mombasa is a major sea gateway for the whole of eastern Africa. It is Kenya’s oldest town and the second largest metropolis, after the capital city, Nairobi. It is also the air gateway for those coming to enjoy the beaches along the Kenyan Coast. From Mombasa, you can enjoy Kenya’s magical wildlife safaris.

Mombasa has a long history dating back to 200 AD. There is an old harbor that is still visited by trading dhows bringing frankincense, Myrrh and marvelous Persian and Bokhara carpets for the Mombasa bazaars. A walk around the old town is a fascinating maze of narrow streets, overhanging balconies and mysterious doorways leading to dark interiors. History and culture of Mombasa A melting pot of diverse culture, once conquered by the Portuguese, Mombasa has seen many rulers and conquerors – the Arabs used Mombasa for the slave trade and the British used the town as a naval and trading post.

Fort Jesus, overlooking the entrance of the old port of Mombasa, was built by the Portuguese in 1593 to protect their trade route to India. An Italian architect, Jao Batisto Cairato, designed it; it was the ‘crown jewel’ of his career. Fort Jesus is today hailed as one of the best examples of 16th century military architecture. In 1962, the Fort opened its doors to the public as a museum and has since remained a popular attraction for foreign and local tourists, researchers and students.

Alongside Lamu town, Mombasa is the epitome of Swahili. Many buildings in residential areas, and part of the old town are still built in the original Swahili architectural form, with a blend of modern plans. Swahili houses are large and spacious, with intricate carvings in wood and plaster and lavish doorframes.

Beach Activities in Mombasa Besides swimming and simple sunbathing, you can undertake a wide variety of water sports and water activities while on vacation in Mombasa. These include scuba diving, snorkeling, dhow trips, deep-sea fishing and many others. The waters below teem with abundant marine life. In Mombasa, the sun shines all year round. The diversity of activity is simply unequaled.

Night life in Mombasa Nightlife in Mombasa is limited mainly to eating out while many of the nearby beach hotels feature discos, casinos and nightclubs. North and south of Mombasa Island are the most developed beach resorts with a wide choice of hotels that have nightlife activities.

National parks for wildlife viewing from Mombasa Because of Mombasa’s proximity to wildlife national parks and game reserves, visitors to Mombasa are able to enjoy safaris to so of Kenya’s wildlife areas. Day excursions to the parks and even short overnight safaris can be easily arranged from Mombasa – do not forget to bring your digital cameras to capture the memories.

Towards the south of Mombasa, there is The Shimba Hills national reserve and the adjoining Mwalugange Elephant sanctuary represent an environment of extraordinary diversity. Both are no more than 250 square kilometers and 36 square km respectively and yet together they form one East Africa’s most diverse plant and animal havens. It takes less than 1 hour to drive from any of the hotels in the north coast of Mombasa to Shimba Hills Lodge.

Apart from Shimba hills, and to the interior of the country, you find the Tsavo National park. This park is split into two sectors of East and West covering a total area of over 20,000 sq km. Tsavo was once famous for herds of over 60,000 elephants. Although these herds have since been depleted through drought and poaching, it is still possible to see large herds on the east side.

Over the west are the Mzima springs where Hippo and Crocodile can be seen from an underwater hide. Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is a small, private game sanctuary adjoining Tsavo and has a high concentration of wild animals. Driving from Mombasa to Tsavo East gate will take 2 hours at most.

Further inland from Mombasa, you find a little gem of a park – Amboseli – situated right at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Elephants abound in the lower forest and swamp areas. Cheetahs are found on the salt flats, Giraffe wander through the Doum palms while herds of Zebra and Wildebeest feed on the open plains. The snow-capped dome of the mountain provides the perfect backdrop to the peaceful grazing game, making this park a photographer’s paradise.

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Solomon Okila is the Editor and Senior Safari Consultant at African Voyages Tours and Travel. This is a tour operator and Safari Outfitter that specializes on African Travel and holidays. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http://www.africanvoyages.com/tours/index.asp

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A guide to Turkey holidays

Most UK holiday companies offer some sort of Turkish city, beach or sailing holiday, many targeting the coast between Alanya and Cesme or Istanbul. However, there are so many reasons to visit Turkey, which is situated at a point where Africa, Asia and Europe are the nearest to each other. There are many extraordinary holiday cities, resorts and magnificent landscapes and numerous regions to choose from including:

Aegean, Black Sea, Mediterranean, Turkish Riviera, Van Golu, South Eastern Anatolia, Marmara, Cappadocia, Central Anatolia

There are not many countries that can lay claim to clean beaches, ancient ruins, Byzantine aqueducts and hippodromes, tangled bazaars, underground cities, well-designed mosques and churches, a volcanic landscape of fairy chimneys and a full-size model of the Trojan horse.

Istanbul is where the Ottomans built hundreds of mosques and many tours start here in the old capital. Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia lie across the street opposite one and another. It costs nothing for visitors to the mosque, but women will be expected to cover their knees, shoulders and head and men will be provided with a sarong. This no longer applies to the Haghia Sophia, as it has been converted into a museum. Across the street are the Roman Cisterns and the remnants of the Hippodrome. Further on is the extravagant sultans palace of Topkapi with its archaeological museum with tea gardens and an excellent view. A few minutes ride on the tram to Beyazit station will take you the enormous shopping mall, the amazing Grand Bazaar. It looks like a maze of markets and you are well advised to take a map with you.

Istiklal Caddesi in Taksim offers a more western shopping experience with European boutiques, some excellent kebab shops and a good nightlife. The Bosphorus Strait is a really busy waterway and it is possible to take the ferry from Eminonu to the Black Sea. Anadolu Kavagi is a fantastic place for a seafood lunch before climbing to the 14th century Byzantine fortress.

The St Saviour at Chora church is a wonderful example of Byzantine architecture. It is situated in a remote corner of the city and has anunspoiled selection of mosaic art. Further out is the Domabhce Palace, which is worth a visit although being a little more expensive than some other tourist spots. If you are looking for something off the beaten trail, many visitors opt for special interest trips including:

Archaeological tours led by guides.
• Botanical tours to the Kackar Mountains.
• A holiday on a yoga farm that includes personal growth themes, walking, shiatsu and painting
• Green holidays to the Van basin and Kackar foothills to study butterflies, orchids and watch birds alongside an enthusiastic English guide.
• Natural history holidays in the mountains close to the deltas and lakes.

The people of Turkey are really friendly and this country has so much to offer, as well as all the historical and cultural sites, and the traditional Turkish cuisine is not to be missed – rememeber to take your diet pill though!.

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Adventurous Canadian Rockies Summer Road Trip

It is no wonder that a road trip through the Canadian Rockies is one of the best things to do for a summer vacation. Located at the easternmost part of the mountains of Western Canada called the Canadian Cordillera, the Rockies promise amazing sceneries of glaciated mountains, rivers, waterfalls, gorges and lakes.

Within the Canadian Rockies are five national parks that each offer impeccable sights and activities for everyone taking the road trip this summer. Four of the five national parks interlock with each other, forming the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. These are Jasper, Banff, Kootenay and Yoho. Waterton, the national park that does not interlock with the other four, is located along the international USA border.

It is best to make your way through your Rockies summer road trip with Jasper as your starting point. Being the largest among the five national parks in the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park is abundant of things to see and do. The Maligne Canyon, the Pyramid and Patricia Lakes, and the Athabasca Falls are some of Jasper’s most spectacular gifts. Guided sightseeing tours are available. Between May and October, Pyramid Lake offers an extraordinary Canoe Experience that will give you a chance to witness the mesmerizing beauty of nature. There are lots of lodging options in Jasper such as the Lobstick Lodge, that have kid-friendly facilities which is perfect if you have children in tow.

Continue your summer road trip to Banff where you will find the large, highly popular Jewel of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise, known for its natural beauty. Discover Lake Louise and the world renowned Moraine Lake with the Lake Louise and Moraine Lake Summer Tour that will not only allow you to explore the two lakes’ shorelines and take photographs, but also educated you about the mountaineering history in the area and the events that helped shape Canadian mountaineering culture. Other attractions in Banff are the Bow Falls, the Cave and Basin Center, and the Banff Gondola. Banff National Park offers a lot of recreational activities such as soaking yourself up in the pool at Upper Hot Springs, nature hiking on mountain trails, cruising on Lake Minnewanka and swinging your clubs on a golf game.

Yoho National Park sits between Banff and Kootenay National Parks. Maximize your Yoho experience by visiting the Spiral Tunnel Viewpoints, the Emerald Lake and the Kicking Horse Pass for equestrian apparel. Yoho Valley offers a day hike that will definitely test your endurance. Visit the last of the interlocking national parks, the Kootenay National Park, next. Explore the park’s Radium Hot Springs, Marble Canyon, Redwall Fault and more!

Carry on with your road trip by driving yourself to the only park that does not interlock with the first four: Waterton National Park. It is located in the farther south that borders Glacier National Park in Montana, USA. The park offers lots of fun summer activities that you can do during your vacation. You can go boating or canoeing over the Cameron Lake, horseback riding, and hiking to one of Canada’s top-rated hiking trail, the Crypt Lake.

Driving through the Canadian Rockies brings you close to nature. The bodies of water you get to encounter along the way and the numerous opportunities for wildlife sighting, this summer road trip will definitely be etched in your memory for a very long time.

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Please use our road trip planner to plan your next summer vacation. It leverages the collective wisdom of thousands of users worldwide, and makes road trip planning interactive and enjoyable.
http://www.TripWiser.com

Holidays in Greece – In and Out of the Mainstream

There are many quieter, traditional areas of Greece which repay investigation and can provide an idyllic holiday, away from the more bustling tourist centres. The power of Greece is very much contained in its diversity – many different kinds of holiday are on offer in this ancient country with a traditional heart.

Without doubt, those looking for hedonistic holiday pleasures will never be disappointed – the sun, sea and sand; the warm, lazy days and nights; the waterside wining and dining – it is all here in abundance.

Greece has the second highest number of Blue Flag beaches of any country in the world – an award which confirms and demonstrates the quality and cleanliness of its beaches and sea.

But of course, Greece also has 4000-years of culture and history. Western civilization had its birthplace here, as attested by archaeological sites which include Olympia and Delphi as well as many hundreds of lesser-known location, representing cultures from the early Bronze Age to the sumptuous Byzantine era.

Meanwhile, anyone who has been to Greece will come back with many stories of the Greeks themselves, a friendly, lively and inquisitive people who will always go out of their way to make holidaymakers welcome.

Another great attraction is Greece’s nature and environment. The country has fantastic mountain ranges – especially on the mainland, and so Greece becomes a magnet for walkers and hikers; springtime is an excellent time to go for those interested in flowers – Greece has over 6000 flowering plant species, a third of Europe’s total.

Identifying Greece as a country for the adventurous, the country has literally hundreds of islands which range from little more than a tiny rocky outcrops, to an island as large as Crete, which is almost 180 miles long and has its own unique identity and spirit.

An example group, ideal for island-hopping and finding peace and tranquility as well as holiday hotspots, are the Cyclades. Located in the central Aegean sea, these are most the archetypal Greek islands, with bright, white villages to explore, quaint working harbours, fine secluded beaches, and small chapels all added in the mix. Each island in the Cyclades has its own atmosphere, giving wonderful contrasts with just a few short cruising miles in between.

An example island to discover is Andros, which is just 2 hours by boat from Athens and is the second largest of the Cyclades group, after Naxos. Andros is great for walkers, with mountains and over 70 villages to explore.

All this is so much more accessible than in the past. These days, access to Greek Islands is becoming easier, with more flights arriving from Europe direct to such locations as Kefalonia, Mykonos, Santorini and Kalamata amongst others, a holiday in Greece does not have to start at the main international airport in Athens with its xenon lights.

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Jimi St.Pierre in association with travel correspondent Penny Church, has worked with Sunvil – the “real Greece” – to produce elements of this article. Find Greece holiday brochures online with map-based holiday brochure finder Travelwhere. At http://www.travelwhere.co.uk where you will also find a wide range of holiday brochures featuring Greece and other major holiday destinations.

Sunshine Coast accommodation or Gold Coast accommodation?

If you’ve got some time to spend in South East Queensland, your two choices are the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast. With both destinations being equidistant from Brisbane airport, it can be a tough decision to make.

Depending on the type of holiday you want though, one region may be suitable than the other. Do you want an action-packed holiday with fun and excitement, or do you want to “get back to nature” and relax? Of course, it’s possible to find both in either location, but each has its own specialty.

For example, with a Sunshine Coast holiday, you can visit one of its many individual national parks. In fact, this region boasts more individual national parks than any other Queensland region. In addition, the region is naturally biodiverse, and has been protected by separate parks (five in all) in the hinterland in coastal regions. These include The Great Sandy National Park (including Fraser Island and Cooloola sections near Rainbow Beach), Kondalilla National Park, The Glasshouse Mountains National Park, Mapleton Falls National Park, and Noosa National Park.

The Sunshine Coast doesn’t disappoint; with serene, immaculate beaches perfect for surfing or lazing about, gourmet dining accommodations, boutique style shopping, and of course beautiful nature pursuits. The shopping is diverse, with plenty of salons for help with acne treatment.

A Sunshine Coast holiday can give you the perfect vacation with your family or be a romantic getaway for you and your “significant other.” There are strawberry farms around the Sunshine Coast, so that you can take the kids strawberry picking if you want to, or you can walk through Noosa National Park where you just may be lucky enough to see goanna, koalas, and many bird species including the black cockatoo. Take your family snorkelling among the coves there to see rainbows of fish or turtles meandering about. And visit Eumundi on either Saturday or Wednesday to get a taste of the best country market in the area, particularly for arts and crafts.

If it’s raining, you can go to attractions like the Buderim Ginger Factory, Australia Zoo, Underwater World, Big Pineapple and Aussie World.

Look to Sunshine Coast accommodation for a wide range of places to stay no matter what you want, whether it’s a five-star resort or some time spent camping in the countryside.

If you go to the Gold Coast after you’ve visited the Sunshine Coast, the first thing that will surprise you is the staggering number of high-rise buildings. In fact, this is the sixth most populated city in the country and has an amazing nightlife and many tourist attractions just waiting for you. You may think that the Gold Coast is too busy and has been spoiled with so much construction but, if you feel that way, go to the west of the city. There, the hinterland will give you the tranquillity of the rain forest for a peaceful transition from beach to bush.

Tourist attractions there include amazing surf beaches and theme parks such as Warner Bros. Movie World, Currumbin Sanctuary, Paradise Country, Australian Outback Spectacular, Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, Wet’n'Wild Water World, Sea World, and Fleays Wildlife Park.

The Gold Coast also has the Q1, which is the world’s highest residential tower. It has an observation deck on floor 77, a popular tourist attraction since its opening in 2005. It is 322.5 m high, and literally towers over the Surfers Paradise skyline.

Of course, you’re going to be missing something if you don’t partake in a bit of surfing when you visit the Gold Coast. There are 57 km of coastline, as well some of the most popular surf breaks in the country; some are Main Beach, Snapper Rocks Superbank, and Burleigh Heads.

No matter where you choose to take your holiday, and no matter what you want in that holiday, whether it’s an adrenaline fuelled action-packed vacation or relaxing get away, both a Sunshine Coast holiday and Gold Coast holiday will meet your needs.

Choose the holiday you want. It’s there for the asking.

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Roger Laganin runs ocean front Sunshine Coast accommodation at the Catalina Resort, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia where you can relax, play or do business. Find out about their special deals for a limited time only at => http://www.catalinaresort.com.au

Family Vacations in Hawaii

Hawaii is a great resort for any family vacation. When you have worked hard throughout the year it really is a big move to finally make the decision to go on that perfect beach holiday. Beach vacations are always a perfect option for family holidays and Hawaii is one of the most popular beach resorts around the world. If you are planning a vacation anytime soon you may want to consider all of the options available. You may choose to stay in a hotel or even participate in group tours, but for some of us the best option will simply be finding a rental that is able to accommodate you and your family.

When you think about a family vacation there is always a lot to consider – when you can go, how long for, and whether you will be able to schedule time away from school and work. Once you have sorted out all of these issues you will then need to consider which home you want to rent, and this will need to be big enough to accommodate the whole family. Things will be much simpler for you if you choose a home that has it all – large living space, a dining room and even a laundry room withbathroom safety products.

Once you arrive in Hawaii there are a number different things to see and do. There are so many tourist attractions that the only problem you will have is in deciding which ones to see. As well as family events, Hawaii can also be the place for a perfect honeymoon, and if you had your honeymoon in Hawaii then you will already have some idea as to what you might expect out of a family holiday. There are many top locations for action packed holidays, including Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.

Whether this is your first trip to Hawaii or whether you have been there five times already you are guaranteed to find new and exciting things to do there. Of course, here are the beautiful beaches and the great games you can take part in. The beaches themselves are a great place to relax, with calm seas and beautiful sands. The water is safe for children of all ages, and all kinds of experienced swimmers. The hoopla is great fun, and your holiday will only be made better when you have the chance to win some fun prizes.

As you can see there is a lot to do, and Hawaii is a popular destination for tourists from across the world. Family holidays can create great memories that will be treasured for years to come, and there are also some great sightseeing tours for the adults as well as the children. The weather is just beautiful, and all of this can be made amazing by renting a beautiful beach side property. Just start looking at all of the options available and make that dream holiday in Hawaii become a reality.

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Great travel and vacation ideas.
http://www.cooltriptravel.com
Learn more about air booking and car rental tips.
http://www.funnyholidaytrip.com

Day one of our trek on the Lycian Way in Turkey saw us travel by car for 45 minutes to the south of Antalya for the start of the trek. This avoided walking through the sprawl of the city and gave us the chance to enjoy the wooded paths and coastal sections. The dropoff point in Camyuva was unceremonious, at the side of a dual carriageway. The footpath was marked on the other side of the road, and off we went after stopping for a sunblock application. The weather was hot and sunny – about 35 degrees Celsius, and it was to continue that way for the whole week. After five minutes we came to a split in the path and we saw another walker. This did not seem remarkable, but in fact we only encountered six others in five days of trekking. That is a definite plus point: if you are thinking of following this route, go soon before it becomes overpopulated with walkers.

Today the walk was only 6km long. At first we walked through pine forests on level ground to a small deserted bay. At the other side of the bay the path was signposted up the hill, where we reached the lost city of Phaselis. This was an important port right up until the 15th century, with three harbours. Now the harbours are derelict and you can paddle among the fallen stones. Further on there is an amphitheatre, the original main street and the town baths. The site is not very well interpreted but there is plenbty of atmosphere because it has not been beautified.

from Phaselis we could hear loud music coming from the other side of the hill in the next bay. this was to be our destination, but we expected to be going to a very small village. Once we crested the hill we discovered the noise was coming from a Gulet that was moored in the bay so the trippers could swim and sunbathe. These boats are really a nuisance in the way they arrived into idyllic deserted bays making such a din. At least they were not staying all night!

At the other end of the second bay was our second hotel, the Sundance. It is situated on a private beach with no other buildings nearby, in total peace and seclusion – Gulet trips notwithstanding. Tranquility is the name of the game at this hotel, and generally they do a good job. Our room was very basic, with a dodgy looking undermount sink and – shock – no aircon! In these areas at the beginning of June, airconditioning is essential. We were told the hotel was full and a fan was supplied instead. the fan was adequate but took up vital space in the tiny bedroom.

We arrived in Cirali after a hot, dry trek from Maden beach in temperatures of 35 degrees.  We were incredibly thirsty and the first pansyion we reached was Ioanna’s, a Danish-run small hotel catering to Danish visitors who want a home from home in the Mediterranean.  Ioanna’s is run by the Elsborgs, a Danish husband and wide team who spend their summers in Turkey sharing the idyllic lifestyle of Cirali beach.  They served us two long cold beers immeddiately, to restore us to full health.  You don’t have to be a Dane to stay there, although the website is not translated – www.ioanna.eu.  They prepare a mean barbecue every evening, so a fat burner review would be useful unless you are going trekking every day of your holiday.