Marmaris and İçmeler
Marmaris is a small port city by the Aegean Sea in the Southwest of Turkey, an area that is famous for its clear waters and its pine forests. Marmaris is a bustling tourist center during the summer season that lasts from about June to September. Yet the town is equally enjoyable, if not more so, during the off-season when the crowds and the high temperatures are gone. This is when Marmaris and its surroundings seem to fall into hibernation, resulting in a serene quietness that is ideal for exploring. Thanks to the mild climate the winter is very pleasant. This makes taking walks or enjoying the sun while sitting in a café at the harbor particularly popular activities with visitors.
İçmeler, the nearest small town, is where I live. İçmeler has its own bay within the large bay of Marmaris. The town is very quiet in the winter and only a 15-minute minibus ride ('dolmuş') away from Marmaris. You can also walk to İçmeler (ca. 1.5 hours) by taking the scenic (hiking) path along the seashore.