Setur Cesme

Cesme is a traditional Aegean town and was originally the harbour of Erythrai, one of the 12 Ionian cities. A stay at its marina, the Setur Cesme, is recommended because this way you can profit from all the area has to offer: great beaches, entertainment facilities, historical sites and, of course, a comfortable berth.

Setur Cesme is another marina owned by the Setur chain, a Turkish company who own eight marinas that are maintained to a world-class standard. It is Blue Flag accredited which means it has achieved the highest standards of cleanliness and maintenance. Only 14 of Turkeys marinas have attained this level.

The marina has room for vessels of up to 30 metres, with 180 berths and 60 spaces ashore. All the basics are available both on the water and at the dock: electricity, water and telephones. Internet connection is obtainable in the main office and there is a laundry service. There is also a car park for 50 cars, although the spot is serviced by minibuses every 15 minutes in the summer.

As with all Setur marinas, the boat maintenance facilities are wide-ranging. There is a fuel station, 60 tonnes capacity slip way, and trained staff can perform pressure washing, battery charging, bilge control, aeration or engine running among other services. At the marina's workshop, all kinds of painting and maintenance are on offer, as well as osmosis treatment, varnishing and epoxy-polyester works. Main machinery services include generator repairs, outboard repair, marine carpentry and electric equipment repair.

The marina is protected by 24 hour security so you can relax and enjoy the many attractions on offer. For sports fanatics, there is an outdoor and indoor pool, tennis court and gym to stretch sea-faring muscles in, while those who need some papering can visit the sauna or hair and beauty salon. Nearby Alacati Cark beach is a famous windsurfing spot, where the Alacati Windsurfers' Paradise school provides lessons from beginners to advanced, individually or in groups. Other dare devils will enjoy the jeep safari.

At the Setur Cesme Marina, there are two bars and two restaurants where sea bass, bream, octopus and oysters and the recommended marine fayre. Locals in Cesme will tell you to try their local mastic jam produced by the fruit of the mastic trees, which is also used to flavour raki. The area is known for its melons and artichokes, which are widely exported.

Setur Cesme Marina is only 70 kilometres away from Izmir, Turkey's third biggest city, which means it has good transport connections but is removed from the busy metropolitan life. There are some great sites of interest in Cesme, such as Cesme Castle and the Cesme Museum. Thermal springs occur 7 kilometres east of Cesme where the healing waters of Ilica are suitable for drinking and bathing and are said to cure dermatological and internal complaints. In fact, the name Cesme derives from the Turkish word for fountain, and it has long been known for its natural waters. As well as the local beaches, two local islands Esek Adasi (Donkey Island) and Mavi Koy (Blue Bay) are famous for their crystal clear waters for swimming.