Nerissa Apart Hotel
Çıralı, Turkey

Activities - The hotel Nerissa is the ideal base for those who wish to explore the Olimpos Beydağlari National Park - a conservation area of great natural beauty and historical importance - and many other sites and locales in the vicinity. A number of small, local companies offer a variety of day trips. Better still, you can also set out on your own.

The ancient pirate port of Olympos lies some 40 minutes away from the hotel Nerissa. A leisurely stroll along Çıralı beach takes you to its harbour, which is dominated by the spectacular ruined acropolis. For most of its history, Olympos was a bit of a renegade city, especially when it served as the headquarters of the infamous pirate Zeniketes from the end of the 2nd century B.C. until 78 B.C. At the foot of the Acropolis, right on the beach is the curious rock formation known as Deliktaş, which roughly translates as 'pierced rock'. Some 20 minutes from the hotel is the mystical Mount Chimera, known locally as Yanartaş. It is a popular attraction featuring an ancient temple near a series of flames erupting from the very bedrock itself. Of the many legends surrounding the place, perhaps the best known is that of the Greek hero Bellerophon and his flying horse Pegasus, who killed the fire-spitting chimera on this very spot. So powerful was this creature that its flames could not be extinguished and still burn today. For hikers, trekkers and walkers, there are a multitude of marked trails, many of which cover parts of the famous Lycian Way. The trails are suited for both the experienced and the inexperienced hiker and lead you past the many wonders of lanscape, flora and fauna. The trails are of varying lengths, ranging from 1 to 6 hours.

Daily boat tours depart from Çıralı Beach. Of note is the tour that takes you some miles north along the coast to the ancient port of Phaselis - known for its breath-taking location and many interesting ruins - and the locally famous Three Islands (Üç adalar). Another takes you south to the beautiful secluded bays of Porto Ceneviz, Coban Limani and Sazak. A third takes you to Water Island (Sulu Ada), an uninhabited island with its own freshwater source. Longer tours take you further south and southwest along the coast to the sunken city of Kekova and the magnificent Simena peninsula or to Myra with its famous Christian church of Saint Nicholas.

Some 10 km southwest of Çıralı is the town of Kumluca with a large, traditional bazar far away from the centers of mass tourism. Here you can buy fruit, vegetables, honey, herbs and everything else you might need at normal prices. Cars and motorcycles can be rented at the desk of the hotel. About 30 km north of Çıralı is the laidback tourist town of Kemer with its monday market, marina and plethora of small shops to cater to your every needs. Again, cars and motorcycles can be rented at the desk of the hotel.

In addition, a variety of Jeep safaris can take you just about anywhere you want - from the high mountain plateaus of Mount Olympus to secluded beaches on the coast - all across unpaved roads and past quaint little villages, where you can taste the true lifestyle of the Turks.