Dilek Peninsula National Park

Dilek peninsula was declared as a national park in 1966. It covers an area of 68.357 acres.

Dilek penninsula is the last point where Samsun mountains having a legth of 20 km and a width of 6 km, reach the Agean sea
The morphologic structure of this area embraces a number of hills, valleys, a canyon and bays. 

The average altitude of the penninsula is 650 mt. And the highest point is the Dilek hill (Mykale) with an altitude of 1237 mt. 

Panionion, the sacred gathering place of the 12 Ionian cities, the antique city of Thebai, Panagia monastery, the historical village of Doganbey, Karine and the Hagios Antonios Monastery are located within the bounderies of the National Park. 

Due to the rich biodiversity and hosting critically endangered species, the park is under protection through international Ramsar, Bern and Rio Agreements and Barcelona convention. With the wetland of the delta where flamingos and 208 others species of bird are to be seen at different times of year, including the Dalmatian pelikan and pygmy cormorant that are already mentioned. Of these, 76 species breed here. Wild boar are to be seen, some so used to human beings that they venture right down to the shore to beg for pickings like water melon peel which they will eat from your hands. Some visitors are also lucky enough to catch a glimpse of wild horses in the hills behind. The legendary Anatolian leopard was last seen in the flesh here, but for the past 30 years there has not been a sighting.

Doganbey Village-Domatia

This fabulous traditional-historical village is located in a valley overlooking the Eagean sea and the Menderes river delta with a breathtaking view.The village was named Domatia and populated by the Greeks until the population exchange of 1924. After that the village was inhabited by Turks and abandoned in 1980 . This strong village surviving for hundreds of years and hosting to different civilizations is like an open air museum, demonstrating the most beautiful examples of the Agean architecture carrying the traces of past civilizations. Since 1980s professionals, academitians and artisians have bought houses in the village and about 50 of them are renovated. About 10-12 live in the village on a continious bases, others spend their vacations and holidays there. The National Park Visitor Centre is located in the village where professional staff provides information to visitors and provide enviromental education through workshops to the local people of the region.

Grocery stores in the next village will accommodate for your basic needs like bread, pasta, canned food, rice, eggs, flour, etc.The supermarkets in Soke (25 Km.) and Altinkum , Didim ( 25 km. ) are full fledged supermarkets which are not different than your local market in your home neighborhood. You will find practically everything you need in those markets. 

On Wednesdays there is a Bazaar in Söke and on Saturdays in Altinkum,Didim which are very colorful sights to see, where you can find anything that you can think of from home furniture to carpets or from T-shirts to night gowns. Locally produced organic and fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs are sold at very reasonable prices. You can also buy fresh vegetables, fruits or eggs from the local villagers. You can even pick your own vegetables from their gardens. 

There are three seafood restaurants near the village. They serve delicious local appetizers for starters which would tantalize your taste buds. Main course is usually grilled sea bass, porgy snapper or sole fish . The fish they serve is very fresh and tasty. Beer, wine and raki ( local ouzo) are of good quality and will satisfy your culinary requirements. The restaurants are very authentic and have nice view of the Aegean, they are operated by local people at very reasonable prices. A full course dinner with drinks costs around 20-25 YTL that is equivalent to £ 10, € 15 , $ 20 . Within 12 Km. you would find two other restaurants which serve local, Turkish food. Meal starts with a number of appetizers and continues with grilled meat or chicken served with rice or pasta. Alcoholic beverages are available. A full course dinner with drinks costs around 15-25 YTL again equivalent to £ 10, € 15 , $ 20. In Soke and Didim - both of them 25 kilometers away from the village - you will find more than you expect. Numerous restaurants and fast food outlets are at your service. Prices at those tourism centers are a little higher but the variety of food is attractive, you can even find Chinese as well as French restaurants together with McDonalds, KFC and Starbucks.
 
You may need a car for full concept of freedom that you can own an avarage one for £ 8.500 / € 13.000 / $ 17.500 or rent a car for £ 200 / € 300 / $ 410 per week. Bodrum Airport is 110 kilometers, İzmir Airport is 130 kilometers away from this charming village. 
We can arrange your transfers from/to the airport on arrivals and departures or provide a rental car on your disposal at airport on arrival and recieve it back on departure from the airport with additional petrol charges only.