Head for Marmaris, then take the 45 minute mountain road following the Datca signs and be prepared for coastal scenery beyond your wildest dreams. This is a photographers paradise! Datca for many years has held a mystical fancy for me; I always wanted to visit the region the Turks call ‘the place where you find yourself’.

Stopping for a bite to eat in a simple beach restaurant, I sat looking out across the tranquil gulf of Hisaronu in awe. What came as a further surprise was my bill. I had eaten freshly caught, charcoaled sea bass, salad laced with rocket and parsley, basket brimmed with fresh baked bread, and two glasses of local beer with view to die for, all for the price of two English pounds! You’d be pretty pushed to get this in other Turkish resorts where prices have steadily crept up over the years. Now, I’m not saying that tourism hasn’t reached these shores because the Dutch contingent was certainly evident. There are glimmers of it … nicely done with a few contemporary art galleries and upmarket carpet stalls lacing the marina.

Apart from the fact that Datca is beautiful, inexpensive and fairly untouched, it’s also renown for other regenerative healing properties. During my overnight stay, a bizarre incident occurred. On rising I noticed in the mirror that all around my hair-line was one inch of new hair growth! It looked so weird that I couldn’t help but spot it. I was not the only one to report this either, it had happened to others …

Holy werewolfs!!

Make of it what you will, but stories like this abound in the region. Some put it down to its unique position … right bang in a rare microclimate with unusually high oxygen, negative ion and radioactivity levels in the air. And if that’s not enough, Datca town has even got it’s own natural healing lake of warm waters full of minerals to soothe all sorts of ailments.

The old Carians also knew a few mysteries about this unique area too. 38kms down the road from Datca lies the ancient city of Knidos with amphitheatre, half-sleeping secretly in crystal azure waters. In times gone by a place known for art, culture and schools of medicine. Here is where Praxiteles’ legendary statue, Aphrodite, one of the most beautiful sculptures of antiquity was found. The one artist Dali painted and brought to the eyes of the world.

I’m sure Datca’s got numerous other treasures, but unfortunately time was not on my side. So who do I recommend here? An English lady, with name very befitting of Turkey Twinkles … Stella Clarkson.

Stella is situated in central Datca town in a surprising location. Follow the heavenly smells of the Datca aromatherapy Soap Company in through the door. Pass the glistening multicoloured soaps and you’ll find her sitting at the computer. No properties adorn the walls or windows but you can be sure she’s got them on her web-site and books. She is a certified emlak for this area and firmly believes in a fair deal all round. Stella also has many long-term rentals at amazing prices. To give you a taste … a seafront Datca town, five bedroom penthouse apart will only set you back around £250 pounds a month.

Another little surprise for you …

Datca, as beautiful as it is, is also incredibly inexpensive when it comes to purchasing property.