| By Vasil Kadifeli |
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| February 8, 2009 11:00 AM EST |
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From "Turkish Riviera, the Turquoise Cost" magazine
Lake Koycegiz in the south of Turkey, is very close to Dalaman airport, and almost an hour away from both Marmaris and Fethiye, the two of the most important touristic centers of Turkey.
Around Koycegiz lake you can find many touristic attractions such as the ancient city of Kaunos, the famous beach at Iztuzu, the Dalyan village, the labyrinth of the twining channels of Dalyan 
that lead to Kaunos and Iztuzu beach, the famous Tombs of Kings on the steep cliffs just opposite the Dalyan village, and the mud baths at Sultaniye kaplicalari or spas are all within the borders of the quiet Koycegiz village.
The waters of the lake flow through the channels of Dalyan and eventually they open into the sea between Iztuzu beach and the ancient Kaunos city. Iztuzu beach is famous for its perfect sand and the Caretta Caretta sea turtles which lay their eggs on this sand. Also in the lake near the area of the channels live the Nile sea turtles (Trionyx Tringulus), not as well known as the Caretta Carettas. Kaunos on the other hand is a Karian city but becuase it lies on the Lykian boarder is bears many of the Lykian characteristics.
Just at the point where the lake turns into the channels, are the thermal sulphurous springs credited with healing rheumatic and skin diseases and are supposed to have a beautifying effect on your skin. The most famous being the baths at Sultaniye, just 15 minutes from the Köycegiz town centre, have developed into a wellknown tourist attraction. Sultaniye baths are always a colourful and crowded place with tourists, where they get into the mud and have their photos taken. The waters of the spring are around 39° C throughout the whole year.
It is believed that the spas have been first opened by the Kaunos locals, some 2000 years ago. The remains of a hospital in the area is assumed to be a proof for that date. In those old years the spring waters were believed to improve sexual power, and when drunk to cure various internal diseases. It is said that once upon a time even Cleopatra the Egyptian queen came here for her beauty baths.
In order to get to Sultaniye baths and the ancient city of Kaunos and Iztuzu beach you can take a daily boat cruise leaving from Köycegiz or Dalyan. If you have a car you can reach the baths following the signpost on the road to Ekincik village which is also a beautiful beach and an anchoring spot for the Blue Voyagers.
Sultaniye is the most famous of the spas, byt there are also others like the "Ali Riza Cavus Girmesi", "Delibey Girmesi", and "Gel Girme Kaplicalari". In the spas there are rooms which you can rent .
Vasil Kadifeli is a retired computer applications development programmer and manager who has worked for some of the largest banks in the Turkish financial sector. Currently he is engaged in traveling, painting, music, and cooking, in short he is trying to enjoy his life. He has visited many of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, and almost all parts of the Turkish Riviera, or the Turquoise Coast as it is also called. These are his favorite places to be. He is also a fanatic of Ulitzer and believes Ulitzer will be the number one content management website in the world.
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