The rugged mountains of this magnificent landscape rise steeply from the Turquoise Coast of the Aegean Sea, dotted with rocky coves and sweeping bays. The highest peaks of the Taurus mountains rise to 10,000 feet, with foaming streams and fast-flowing rivers cutting through deep gorges and densely wooded slopes down to fertile valleys.

The splendor of the scenery and the variety of the local wildlife is unequalled anywhere else in Turkey. Walking the Lycian Way offers some of the most spectacular views mountain and sea views imaginable, at least for the more energetic.

In ancient times this was a thriving and prosperous region, and many traces of its former inhabitants still cover the landscape, from the many rock tombs to whole cities abandoned hundreds - even thousands - of years ago.

Xanthos is perhaps the most famous of the ancient sites of Lycia. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the ruins of this once proud but tragic city stretch for miles over a low hill top with panoramic views over the surrounding valley.

Home to a fiercely proud people, the inhabitants choose mass suicide rather than surrender, not once, but twice in their history. Firstly when beseiged by the Persians in the middle of the 6th century BC, then again 500 years later when threatened by the Roman armies of Brutus, the infamous assassin of Julius Caesar.

Other major sites in the area - all between 10 to 45 mins from Uzumlu - include Cadianda, Tlos, Letoon, Patara, Pinara and Sidyma.