Almond Cottage

Almond Cottage can be found in the pine and almond trees of Yenice Vadi, a unique back to nature, village life complex, close to the village of Yenice, in the heart of the province of Mugla, near Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. Yenice Vadi is equidistant from two international airports, both Dalaman and Bodrum are a one hour fifteen minute drive through the verdant Turkish countryside to your destination. You can pick your own fruit and veg, and dine in the Yenice Vadi’s restaurant, but if you want more provisions, the small village of Yenice is just a short five minute walk away, with a few mini markets and manavs to cater for your holiday needs.

Locally there’s lots of walks in nature through the indigenous flora and fauna, take a hike up the mountains, or follow trails that will take your through traditional Turkish villages, where you can sample the simple life, sip a glass of apple tea in a shady garden, or sample a gozleme pancake handmade by the ladies of the house. Should you wish to ever leave the idyll that is Yenice Vadi, which many guests don’t, there’s lot to see and do within a comfortable driving radius.

It’s a tale of two destinations when you stay at Yenice Vadi, a thirty minute drive inland will take you to the major town of Mugla for a taste of Turkish commercial life, worth going on a Thursday, when there is a large local market, visit the Graeco-Roman museum full of Ottoman artefacts, before a stroll around the quaint old quarter and get a good scrub at a traditional hammam. Drive thirty minutes south to the coast where you will find the holiday hot spot of Akyaka, where the Azmak River meets the Mediterranean Sea. The pine timbered, fishing village of Akyaka is home to the nearest family friendly white sandy beaches. Famous for its fabulous cuisine, whilst you are there enjoy eating freshly caught seafood by the seashore, admire the old houses with wooden balconies festooned with flowers, or take a boat trip to the Bay of Gokova, with the Sakova Tepe mountains as a beautiful backdrop. The major town of Marmaris is just under an hour’s drive, to what was once a tiny fishing village, now home to a thriving tourist industry, it has a pebbly beach for sunbathing and swimming in the cool clear Mediterranean, a lovely long promenade for a stroll along the sea shore, great scuba diving facilities, brand label shops, bustling markets, a choice of cafes, restaurants and bars, and a very lively nightlife.

Further afield the town of Bodrum is a two hour drive away, situated on the south Bozburun coast, boasting the Museum of Mausolus, one of the original seven wonders of the ancient world, and Bodrum Castle founded by the fifteenth century Knights Hospitallers. Bodrum has a natural harbour full of fishing boats and day trip gulets, a marina mooring some of the world’s biggest and best super yachts, not to mention the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Dalyan is definitely worth a daytrip, a one hour fifteen minute drive away, take a trip down the Cayi River, past the Lycian tombs, and the ancient city of Kaunos, to Iztuzu Beach, home to the famous hatching Caretta Caretta turtles. No trip to this area of Turkey is complete without a visit to the must-see ancient city of Ephesus, a slightly longer two and a half hour drive, but well worth the journey to see one of the world’s most exceptional historical and fascinating archaeological sites

Read more about Akyaka

Turkey is an eclectic mix of dramatic scenery, amazing food and a deep history.  A visit to Turkey almost always inspires comment about the hospitality, maybe because the Turkish people believe a visitor is a gift from God. A trip to Turkey will almost definitely inspire you to return. You’ll be following in the footsteps of many a famous person from ancient history.

The South West coast of Turkey offers the perfect climate for your holiday, boasting over 280 dry days a year and an average June temperature of 28C in Akyaka, with sea temperatures of 23 degrees Celsius.  

Akyaka sits where the Kadın Azmak river joins the sea. Enjoying a Turkish breakfast or fish lunch at one of the many restaurants it is difficult to imagine anything disturbing the peace. Ducks and geese jostle for bread, fish swim past and bright green reeds wave in the slow-moving water, fed by cooler waters from the mountains above. Favoured by local day trippers from nearby Bodrum and Denizli, who gather on Akyaka’s wide sandy beach with shallow water meaning you can go a way out and the water is only up to your waist.

In recent years, Akyaka has become Turkey’s centre for kitesurfing and you’ll see all the kites in the sky, above the beach on the head of the gulf. There are several schools so if you fancy a go. Contact them beforehand, so you can get booked in as it is particularly popular during the holidays and weekends.
Akyaka is a member of the cultural Cittaslow organisation, recognising its connection with tradition. The local architecture of wooden balconies and white walled houses with terracotta roof tiles, bow thanks to 70’s architect Nail Çakırhan. The coast up from here has lots of small bays where you can swim and sunbathe, just drive through the forest and along the coast road to find them. Akyaka has a local market on Wednesday, or visit the huge very Turkish market in Mugla, which is the administrative centre of the area. In recent years Mugla has expanded as it’s university has gained popularity, but the centre still shows architectural signs of its Italian occupation last century.

For Turks, breakfast is a key meal, and you see family groups enjoying a feast late morning. Other than the riverside restaurants who serve a hearty feast, go to Sakartepe, at the top the mountain has the most amazing panoramic views.