Dalaman

The tranquil seaside villages and vibrant harbourside towns snuggled between the lushly forested hills of the Lycian Coast make the Dalaman region one of Turkey's top tourism picks. Small enough to feel intimate but with a host of resort perks, the Efe Hotel (Yarpız Sokak) in Göcek, 25km from Dalaman Airport, is a luxurious retreat. Seclusion though doesn't have to cost the earth. In the tiny hamlet of Kayaköy, 65km from the airport, family-run Villa Rhapsody (Kayaköy) offers guests a soothing respite from life. On a budget, head to Fethiye, 50km from Dalaman Airport, where Ferah Pension (Ordu Caddesi 23) is a favourite for its leafy terrace, little swimming pool and tidy rooms.

Fethiye's modernised and easy-going bazaar (between Karagözler Caddesi and Belediye Caddesi) is a brilliant place to browse and pick up some Turkish tokens from your travels (as well as 'genuine fake' watches and handbags). If you're after a Turkish carpet, the Old Orient Carpet and Kilim Bazaar (Karagözler Caddesi 5) is one of the best places in Dalaman. The village of Göcek has a couple of good boutique stores which cater for the yacht crowd so products tend to be well-made and fixed-priced.

For a special meal, head to Can Restaurant (Skopea Marina) in Göcek with its tranquil terrace dining and seafood feasting. The main hub of the restaurant and nightlife scene is Fethiye, and The Fish Market (Belediye Caddesi) is the place to head for fresh seafood you choose direct from the fishmonger. Inside Fethiye Bazaar, Meǧri Lokantasi (Çarşı Caddesi) is the local home of good value Turkish meze (appetiser) platters. There are plenty of bars in Fethiye but the beach town of Ölüdeniz (15km south) is a pretty place to park yourself for a beer. Help Lounge Bar (Sokak 1) is one of the most popular.

Üzümlü Mushroom Festival

April

The tiny village of Üzümlü is home to rare morel mushrooms and in spring the villagers celebrate their costly fungi with a weekend of folk dancing and local fun. The mushrooms themselves are in plentiful supply with villagers selling mushroom soups and mushroom gözleme (Turkish pancakes).

Kaya Connections Festival

April-May

This five-day literary and cultural festival celebrates the region's cosmopolitan, rich history. Held in Kayaköy, the programme of talks, culinary events, film screenings and literary walks features famous authors and historians who have written about the region.

Dalaman Culture Festival

May

Taking place in Dalaman Town, this five-day event is big on local folk dance performances with a smattering of local rock music chucked in for good measure.

Caretta Caretta Festival

June

Dalyon's summer celebration of the caretta caretta turtle (which nests in the area) is a three-day festival combining traditional folk music and dance with Turkish pop music concerts.

Ölüdeniz Air Games

October

Renowned as one of the world's top paragliding destinations, Ölüdeniz marks the end of the paragliding season every year with dazzling aerial displays. There's base jumping and acrobatic paragliding during the day and live music in the evening.