At the foot of the pine-clad mountains, the sleepy village of Icmeler is a collection of whitewashed houses covered in purple bouganvillea and where the streets are separated by orange and lemon trees.

The modern resort is a collection of restaurants, bars, shops and hotels. Beautifully landscaped, the approach to the resort shows it at its best. Quieter than Marmaris, Icmeler offers the laid back approach to holidays that has long been popular in Turkey.

Icmeler is surrounded by cool, clear mineral springs, Içmeler (prounced Ichmeler) is appropriately named from the Turkish verb "Icmek" which means "to drink". Set at the foot of the pine-clad Palamut Hills, legendary for its breathtaking setting encircling its pale sandy bay, sits this lovely resort, the smaller, slightly more leisurely and laidback resort than its neighbor, Marmaris. Icmeler offers its visitors the best of both worlds- a "typical" beach-style holiday with an excellent selection of shops, bars and restaurants, while a short stroll takes you to the Old Village of Icmeler, where a traditional way of life still exist. Icmeler has grown considerably over the years, and is now a complete resort within its own right. all along the beach front you will see a parade of smart hotels, whilst behind this area is the more residential "apart" area with quieter streets, all designed on a grid system.9 meters west of Marmaris. Has an international flavor and is proving increasingly popular. The promenade is landscaped with well tended gardens, full of jasmine and oleander, while the hotels are kept at respectful distance. Not that Icmeler could be described as sedate, as frequenters of the 'fun-pubs' and karaoke bars on the sea front will soon discover.

For a complete contrast to Icmeler, take a day trip to Mugla where the old Ottoman quater has changed little since the 18th century. Wander through the dark alleyways of the bazaar and you'll see the artisans' workshops-tinsmits, coppersmiths, tailors and an amazing number of barbers' shops. Climb the hillside behind the bazaar to admire the pretty whitewashed houses, each with its own wooden veranda and shady courtyard. Two beautiful old inns have also been preserved-the Yagcilar Hani has is an excellent place to shop for clothes and carpets ,and carpets while the larger Konak alti Hani has been restored as a cultural centre. Leeches are bought and sold in Mugla's colorful market, along with fruit and vegetables, spices, herbs and teas.