VILLA JULIA
General Information inluding Restaurants & Shopping choices:
Sögüt 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, has a yacht harbour and more facilities which will be mentioned below.
Dolmuses (mini buses) – There are about 5 minibuses in and out to Marmaris at various times every day.
Taxis & Minibuses– In 2009 a 14 seater air-conditioned mini-bus licensed to do airport transfers cost 325 Tl, 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) and a licensed Dalaman Taxi cost 180 TL, one way.
Car Hire - Most of the major car hire companies have outlets at Dalaman airport and in Marmaris, they can be contacted online. Cars can also be hired in Bozburun.
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 – Sögüt – Monday
Bozburun – Tuesday
Selimiye – Wednesday
Marmaris - 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 a more comprehensive stock a short stroll along the road away for the sea on the left. 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 the restaurants. 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 food shops, butchers and a fishmonger. Marmaris has everything including big supermarkets with a wide range of products (such as Kipa [part of Tescos], Migros and Tansas)
.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.
The Kuçuk Ev (The Little House) - the nearest, between Villa Julia and the fishing quay, behind a small patch of field – they offer pizzas and a smaller range of home cooked food, or whatever you fancy if you order in advance, they are cheaper, their service is good and they will also deliver to Villa Julia.
The Captain's Table - by the fishing quay - good food, good value, and run by the likeable and exceptionally helpful brothers Salih & Sabit
The Octopus – at the end of the fishing quay – a wide range of good food, good location, very professional.
The Deniz Kizi (The 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 - 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 – high in the village opposite the main spring and under a huge plain 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.
Bozburun Restaurants – There are many but the Orfus has a high reputation and is very exclusive (and thereby expensive). There are quite a few more restaurants including Gordon's by the harbour, a good döner café and a couple of pizza places.
Petrol/Diesel – can be purchased in the village from drums at some of the shops. 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 Hetmen. The nearest Pharmacies are in Bozburun and they stay open for long hours.
Post – Sögüt has a Post Office agency with a yellow post box on the wall outside, it is on the left as you go up into the centre of the village, just before the mosque.
Telephones – There is good mobile phone coverage nearly everywhere. The Post Office agency is also a Turk Telekom agency. Phones are charged for by units on counter displays and faxes are charged for by the page. The agency is normally open every day from about 0800 to about 1830 and there should also be telephone cards for sale to work in telephone boxes (usually one in the village and one on the fishing jetty).
Internet –The Octopus Restaurant & the Caphas an internet computer. There is an internet cafe in Bozburun and many in Marmaris.
Banks & Change Offices – The nearest ATM is now in Bozburun (during the tourist season), but money can often be changed in the village. Many people will accept payment in foreign currency notes (undamaged) and some restaurants and businesses accept credit/debit cards.
Walks – There are beautiful walks from strolls to hikes.
Water Sports – Canoes, sailing, waterskiing, para-ascending, etc., - please ask for details.
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 costs about 50 lira 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.
White water rafting; Diving; Horse Riding – all are available at various distances from Sögüt, please ask for details.