The villa is available at a price of £350 per week off peak (Nov - Mar) and £450 per week during peak season. If you are interested and would like more information please contact Susan Bennett on 07792937826 or email susan.bennett30@btinternet.com

Rosmarin villas are without doubt set in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Nestled into the costal hill behind the town and marina of Gocek, the millionaire’s playground of Turkey, the 40 villas have a breathtaking aspect. They sit in a pine forest with a mountain backdrop, colourful shrubs and wildflowers including the herb Rosmary grow in the area in abundance and together with the pine trees they fill the air with an intoxicating smell that you will never forget.

All Rosmarin villas sit in their own space, and offer privacy. This villa sits in a plot which is approximately 600 square meters and has pine trees in abundance as well as a number of olive trees, an orange tree, a lemon tree and a fig tree, it’s the perfect garden for snoozing in a hammock. If you stay there in winter the pine needles and pine cones make excellent kindling for the open fire – but forget this in the summer, temperatures will sore into the 40’s in July and August but are at a rather more comfortable high 20’s in early spring and late autumn.

The price includes use of a 265m2 swimming pool connected to a 30m2 children’s pool and surrounding communal facilities: showers, toilets, changing area, games room, as well as sun loungers and parasols. The communal area has stunning panoramic views across the bay. Most of the time you will have the pool all to your self but it also offers an amazing facility to socialize with others. Please note the pool is not staffed so you must supervise your children at all times.

Getting there

There are no long transfers; Gocek is located along the Gulf of Fethiye and can be reached by car in only 25 minutes from Dalaman International Airport, which is less than 1 hours flying time from Istanbul. Taxis from the airport should cost no more than 85 ytl (£35) and drop you off for 65 ytl (£27). You can call Gocek Taxi cooperative on 00905327987332 to arrange.

About the Immediate Vicinity

Gocek is a five minute drive away or 20 minute walk. However, walking back can be a little strenuous. In fact, because of its mountainous setting we would advise that the villa may not be suitable for the elderly or infirm.

Gocek town started life as a small fishing village. It remains unspoilt with no high rise hotels and no English pubs, so does not attract rowdy tourists. With its four independent marinas it has long been a favorite destination for both Turkish and foreign yachtsmen, as well as a stop over for jetsetters and international celebrities. Julia Roberts and Bill Gates are said to be among the stars who visit Gocek. This paradise like village of two thousand inhabitants is blessed with magnificent scenery and a superb climate. Backed by majestic mountains and substantial pine forests it looks out over the Twelve Islands, which provide shelter for Gocek’s almost circular bay that has made this village such a perfect natural harbor. Gocek has an impressive range of facilities for a place that remains so blissfully unspoilt: only a handful of small hotels and pensions, yet all along the promenade, there are plenty of quality restaurants and cafes. The town has all the facilities you will need such as banks, butchers, fishmongers, bakers, supermarkets, greengrocers and post office and traditional Turkish baths. It is not just world class yachting that makes Gocek a special place; it is the way the culture and natural surroundings blend in such a serene way. Strict development laws ensure that this very unique setting is protected; and since there is no oversupply of hotels, it is never crowded. Within around a 5km drive into the mountains behind the villa you will find yourself, among alpine meadows and traditional Turkish villages where you will see women in traditional clothing herding their goats – a total contrast to life in the marina.

What to do

Gocek offers a great base point to travel around Turkey where there is so much to see and do:

visit local beaches
Shopping in the bazaars of Fethyie or try their huge Tuesday market
Visit the Sunday market in Gocek – and try the fresh crepes
Hire a gullet for the day and see all the local bays, sail over ancient ruins and swim in the warm sea
Swimming in the blue lagoon at Oludeniz, where many water sports are also available, scuba diving, paragliding, water skiing etc
Visit the historic site and natural limestone spa at Pamukale
Visit the ancient site of Ephesus, including the temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world
Visit the natural mud baths of Dalyan
Boat ride among the reeds and see the ancient tombs of Dalyan
Visit Iztuzu beach, where the sands there are one of the last nesting places of the Loggerhead Turtle
Walk down the beautiful gorge at Saklikent
Visit ancient site of Tloss
See the natural eternal flames of Olympia
Visit an hamam – Turkish bath
If you are ready to travel a little further and make a couple of days of it there is also:

the geological fantasy landscape and ancient sites of Cappadocia, including the Byzantine frescoes
the glories that Istanbul has to offer, it’s museums, palaces, Mosques and the grand bazaar, ride down the Bosphorus straits marking the gap between Europe and Asia
Tombs of Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the world at Bodrum
Attend an opera or ballet at the Roman Theatre at Aspendos, the largest and best preserved theatre in Anatolia
See the Acropolis of ancient Pergamon
Walk the Lycian way
Visit the huge underground Hittite city at Kaymakli
Watch the sun set over the Acropolis of ancient Assoss where Aristotle and Plato once lived and stay in the architecturally preserved medieval village on the slopes below the summit
See the ancient ruins of Troy
Appreciate the peace and tranquility of the memorials of Gallipoli
Visit the beehive houses of Harran
Take in the beauty of the Ihlara valley
See the Byzantine orthodox monastery of Sumela, built into the side of a palisade, high up in the Pontic mountains
See whirling dervishes of Konya
Alternatively crash on your terrace or at the pool area.

What the villa offers:

private parking
2 bedrooms (576 x 349 and 349 x 349)
2 bathrooms, one with a full size bath (196 x 181 and 181 x 181)
1 large lounge (580 x 423) with sliding glass doors to one terrace and French doors on to the other terrace
A real fireplace, including a log store outside – for winter users
Fully fitted separate kitchen – French doors on to terrace
Hall way with French doors on to terrace
Landing, leading to French doors onto small balcony
Private garden of approximately 600 m2
terrace 1 – 1027 x 314
Terrace 2 – 514 x 415
(All measurements are approximate)

All the rooms in the villa are bright and sunny with large windows. The lounge has large sliding doors onto the main terrace. There are also French doors opening onto the second terrace from the lounge, hallway and kitchen. French doors on the landing open onto the upstairs balcony. The smaller bedroom currently has 2 single beds and the large bedroom a double. Both bedrooms have air-conditioning. From lying in bed you can enjoy the magnificent view of Gocek bay and for those who like wildlife, prepare to be awoken by the chattering of red squirrels who sit on the branches outside the bedroom window early in the morning – seemingly peering in at you.

In kitting out the Villa we tried to use as many local services and products as possible and indulged in everything typically Turkish we could find. Most of the furniture is handmade by a local carpenter. He explained to us that they call the style of sofa and garden chair “divans”. One is supposed to sit cross-legged on them. The crockery (all terracotta and quite heavy) is from a local craftsman. Two of the floor rugs and 2 wall hangings are antique carpets (hence they look a little tatty), apparently from the Cappadocia region and the cushions on the sofas are also made from old carpets. The cotton blankets are local products. Incidentally, the pillows are filled with down, in case any guests have an allergy.

We have intentionally not installed a T.V. For us, a T.V. is one of the things we go on holiday to get away from. There is an IPOD speaker for those of you who love their music.

We generally hire a car from the Airport. We have found Avis to be the best value at a cost of approx £250 per week, or £400 for 2 weeks.

Payment is by pay pal or cheque in advance. Cheques must clear before your visit.

Please note this is a private family owned villa and not a business.

Susan Bennett

Susan’s mobile 07792937826