"Villa Julia" is the ultimate location to unwind and enjoy non-commercial Turkey. The Villa can accommodate up to 15 guests and is available for "self catering rentals", but it comes with a lovely discreet lady who comes in every day; starting early she cleans the beach, pool, and garden, before washing up, cleaning rooms, doing laundry, and generally keeping sand and flower petals out of the house. She also helps organise extras such as assistance cooking, day trips, or whatever.
The Villa has breathtaking views, 6 air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms, a roomy kitchen, a home from home reception area, an extensive terrace, balconies, a swimming pool, table tennis, barbecue, wifi, and a garden opening onto a sandy beach and a jetty.
Villa Julia nestles on the edge of Sögüt Köyü, a rural village, which is set at the head of a spectacular bay and flanked by the mountains of the Loryma peninsula, an important area in ancient times and some of the most wild and unspoilt countryside on the south west coast of Turkey. Enjoy snorkelling over ancient pottery, sailing, canoeing, boating, walking, archeology, fishing, beautiful bays, islands, a rich flaura & fauna, superb local food at excellent restaurants, colourful markets, and the wonderful, hospitable, friendly locals.
The Villa has breathtaking views, 6 air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms, a roomy kitchen, a home from home reception area, an extensive terrace, balconies, a swimming pool, table tennis, barbecue, wifi, and a garden opening onto a sandy beach and a jetty.
Villa Julia nestles on the edge of Sögüt Köyü, a rural village, which is set at the head of a spectacular bay and flanked by the mountains of the Loryma peninsula, an important area in ancient times and some of the most wild and unspoilt countryside on the south west coast of Turkey. Enjoy snorkelling over ancient pottery, sailing, canoeing, boating, walking, archeology, fishing, beautiful bays, islands, a rich flaura & fauna, superb local food at excellent restaurants, colourful markets, and the wonderful, hospitable, friendly locals.
Söğüt Köyü is a village made up of 8 hamlets, the villagers cultivate and gather over a huge land area and likewise the fishermen fish work near and far. The village centre is about 35 minutes walk uphill, but a lift can be taken with the dolmus minibus (see below) or a car can be arranged.
Bozburun – is about 10 to 15 minutes away by road, it has a yacht harbour and more facilities which will be mentioned below.
Dolmuses (mini buses) – There are at least 5 minibuses in and out to Marmaris at various times every day.
Taxis & Minibuses– A 14 seater air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus licensed to do airport transfers costs about £120, one way, and an 8 seater air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus licensed to do airport transfers costs about £100 one way (we recommend a local driver who is really reliable, knows the way, and does most of the transfers with never a complaint... he stops en route for shopping at supermarkets if guests have the energy and inclination to stock up) . There are also shared transfer minibuses between Dalaman and Marmaris and they can be booked online.
Car Hire - Most of the major car hire companies have outlets at Dalaman airport and in Marmaris, they can be contacted online. Cars, scooters and quad bikes can also be hired in Bozburun and delivered to the Villa at competetive rates..
Local Boats - can be hired with their skipper for the exploring the bays and islands or for going to Bozburun by day or in the evening.
Market Days:
Söğüt – Monday
Bozburun – Tuesday
Selimiye – Wednesday
Marmaris İçmeler- Thursday
Shops
Sögüt - The nearest shop is next to the Octopus Restaurant on the fishing jetty and there are Nurcan's and Sami's, with more comprehensive stocks a short stroll along the road away for the sea. All are open from early until late, Nurcan and Sami's will deliver. There are several general stores in the village centre and a few little shops scattered in the other hamlets. Some of the general stores are green grocers who have lorries that do the market circuit and deliveries can be arranged. There is a butcher in the village centre and the lokanta also sells meat. Fish can be bought from fishermen, or in the village centre at the fish shop.
Bozburun has at least one shop for most tourist products such as carpets, jewellery, holiday clothes, etc., all are refreshingly laid back compared to the those in the big towns. Bozburun has several supermarkets and butchers, and a fishmonger.
Marmaris has even more of everything.
Sögüt Restaurants – There are some good restaurants around the hamlets, run by local families. Most do not seem to have written menus, so it is worth asking for prices when you order.
A stroll away:
The Captain's Table - by the fishing quay - good food & good value, run by Sabit and his lovely family.
The Octopus – at the end of the fishing quay – a wide range of good food, good location, very professional.
The Badem Çiçek (Almond Flower) - New in 2016.
The Mavi Beyaz (Blue White) - New in 2017.
The Söğüt Ağacı Cafe (Willow Tree) - something different - coffee, cakes, art, and more.
A bit further away:
The Deniz Kızı (Mermaid) – by the sea in the hamlet of Cumhuriyet (Saranda) – another excellent restaurant – they will send a boat to collect guests and return them.
The Yakamoz (Phosphorescence) - another seaside restaurant in the hamlet of Cumhuriyet (Saranda).
The Manzara (The View) – set high on a hill overlooking the bay and towards, Simi and Datça – family run in a stunning location with great sunsets. Run by a fisherman and his family, they will collect and return guests.
The Palamut (Bonito, but also the name of the hamlet)– high in the village opposite the main spring and under a huge plane tree, enjoying views down the valley and sunsets over distant hills – a quiet village restaurant where amongst other things they do a delicious “Kavurma" – a bit like a casserole/stir fry on what looks like a flat wok over a little burner. They will collect and return guests.
The Village Lokanta – a small restaurant in the village centre, on the right as you go up past the statue of Ataturk on your left – serves good cheap lunches from whatever is in the fridge and on the cooker.
The Fish Shop in the village centre does really good value freshly cooked fish or köfte (meatball) sandwiches.
Bozburun Restaurants – There are many from simple to exclusive, plus cafes, etc.....
Petrol & Diesel – The nearest pumps are at Bozburun.
Medical Facilities - Sögüt has a small clinic and nurse. Bozburun has a larger one and a Doctor. Marmaris doctors can be called and can usually be at the Villa within the hour, and there are very good private hospitals in Marmaris such as the Ahu Hospital. The nearest Pharmacy is in Bozburun and they stay open for long hours.
Post – Sögüt has a Post Office agency
Telephones – There is good mobile phone coverage nearly everywhere (remember to let your mobile phone company know that you will be roaming).
Internet – Villa Julia has wifi and most restaurants there have wifi.
Banks & Change Offices – The nearest ATMs are now in Bozburun , but money can often be changed in the village. Many people will accept payment in foreign currency notes (undamaged) and most restaurants and businesses accept credit/debit cards. Please note that exchange rates offered at Dalaman Airport are usually worse than those elsewhere and worse than the rates given when using ATMs. At Dalaman there is an ATM just outside the arrivals door and more down in the arrivals area of the car park around behind the cafe. (Remember to inform you bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they do not block the cards due to "unusual activity".)
Walks – There are beautiful walks from strolls to hikes. The Carıan Way walk goes nearby.
Taslica, Serçe & Loryma (Bozukale) – Taslica is a village on the top of the peninsula, still behind the times. From there a dirt road runs down the centre of the peninsula with spectacular views, past the ruined old village and past many other signs of the ancient important heritage of the region. The road ends at Serçe, a bay with a restaurant and tables set under trees. From here a fishing boat can be taken to Loryma a large fortification from 430 BC guarding a large bay – the boat makes a charge or if you eat at one of the restaurants there they will come and collect for free.
Village Tours - a minibus can be hired to do a tour of the peninsula villages, please ask for more details.
Other Activities - White water rafting, Water sports, Diving, Horse Riding – all are available at various distances from Sögüt, please ask for details.
Bozburun – is about 10 to 15 minutes away by road, it has a yacht harbour and more facilities which will be mentioned below.
Dolmuses (mini buses) – There are at least 5 minibuses in and out to Marmaris at various times every day.
Taxis & Minibuses– A 14 seater air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus licensed to do airport transfers costs about £120, one way, and an 8 seater air-conditioned Mercedes mini-bus licensed to do airport transfers costs about £100 one way (we recommend a local driver who is really reliable, knows the way, and does most of the transfers with never a complaint... he stops en route for shopping at supermarkets if guests have the energy and inclination to stock up) . There are also shared transfer minibuses between Dalaman and Marmaris and they can be booked online.
Car Hire - Most of the major car hire companies have outlets at Dalaman airport and in Marmaris, they can be contacted online. Cars, scooters and quad bikes can also be hired in Bozburun and delivered to the Villa at competetive rates..
Local Boats - can be hired with their skipper for the exploring the bays and islands or for going to Bozburun by day or in the evening.
Market Days:
Söğüt – Monday
Bozburun – Tuesday
Selimiye – Wednesday
Marmaris İçmeler- Thursday
Shops
Sögüt - The nearest shop is next to the Octopus Restaurant on the fishing jetty and there are Nurcan's and Sami's, with more comprehensive stocks a short stroll along the road away for the sea. All are open from early until late, Nurcan and Sami's will deliver. There are several general stores in the village centre and a few little shops scattered in the other hamlets. Some of the general stores are green grocers who have lorries that do the market circuit and deliveries can be arranged. There is a butcher in the village centre and the lokanta also sells meat. Fish can be bought from fishermen, or in the village centre at the fish shop.
Bozburun has at least one shop for most tourist products such as carpets, jewellery, holiday clothes, etc., all are refreshingly laid back compared to the those in the big towns. Bozburun has several supermarkets and butchers, and a fishmonger.
Marmaris has even more of everything.
Sögüt Restaurants – There are some good restaurants around the hamlets, run by local families. Most do not seem to have written menus, so it is worth asking for prices when you order.
A stroll away:
The Captain's Table - by the fishing quay - good food & good value, run by Sabit and his lovely family.
The Octopus – at the end of the fishing quay – a wide range of good food, good location, very professional.
The Badem Çiçek (Almond Flower) - New in 2016.
The Mavi Beyaz (Blue White) - New in 2017.
The Söğüt Ağacı Cafe (Willow Tree) - something different - coffee, cakes, art, and more.
A bit further away:
The Deniz Kızı (Mermaid) – by the sea in the hamlet of Cumhuriyet (Saranda) – another excellent restaurant – they will send a boat to collect guests and return them.
The Yakamoz (Phosphorescence) - another seaside restaurant in the hamlet of Cumhuriyet (Saranda).
The Manzara (The View) – set high on a hill overlooking the bay and towards, Simi and Datça – family run in a stunning location with great sunsets. Run by a fisherman and his family, they will collect and return guests.
The Palamut (Bonito, but also the name of the hamlet)– high in the village opposite the main spring and under a huge plane tree, enjoying views down the valley and sunsets over distant hills – a quiet village restaurant where amongst other things they do a delicious “Kavurma" – a bit like a casserole/stir fry on what looks like a flat wok over a little burner. They will collect and return guests.
The Village Lokanta – a small restaurant in the village centre, on the right as you go up past the statue of Ataturk on your left – serves good cheap lunches from whatever is in the fridge and on the cooker.
The Fish Shop in the village centre does really good value freshly cooked fish or köfte (meatball) sandwiches.
Bozburun Restaurants – There are many from simple to exclusive, plus cafes, etc.....
Petrol & Diesel – The nearest pumps are at Bozburun.
Medical Facilities - Sögüt has a small clinic and nurse. Bozburun has a larger one and a Doctor. Marmaris doctors can be called and can usually be at the Villa within the hour, and there are very good private hospitals in Marmaris such as the Ahu Hospital. The nearest Pharmacy is in Bozburun and they stay open for long hours.
Post – Sögüt has a Post Office agency
Telephones – There is good mobile phone coverage nearly everywhere (remember to let your mobile phone company know that you will be roaming).
Internet – Villa Julia has wifi and most restaurants there have wifi.
Banks & Change Offices – The nearest ATMs are now in Bozburun , but money can often be changed in the village. Many people will accept payment in foreign currency notes (undamaged) and most restaurants and businesses accept credit/debit cards. Please note that exchange rates offered at Dalaman Airport are usually worse than those elsewhere and worse than the rates given when using ATMs. At Dalaman there is an ATM just outside the arrivals door and more down in the arrivals area of the car park around behind the cafe. (Remember to inform you bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they do not block the cards due to "unusual activity".)
Walks – There are beautiful walks from strolls to hikes. The Carıan Way walk goes nearby.
Taslica, Serçe & Loryma (Bozukale) – Taslica is a village on the top of the peninsula, still behind the times. From there a dirt road runs down the centre of the peninsula with spectacular views, past the ruined old village and past many other signs of the ancient important heritage of the region. The road ends at Serçe, a bay with a restaurant and tables set under trees. From here a fishing boat can be taken to Loryma a large fortification from 430 BC guarding a large bay – the boat makes a charge or if you eat at one of the restaurants there they will come and collect for free.
Village Tours - a minibus can be hired to do a tour of the peninsula villages, please ask for more details.
Other Activities - White water rafting, Water sports, Diving, Horse Riding – all are available at various distances from Sögüt, please ask for details.
