Villa Mandalin
Marmaris, Turkey
Villa Mandalin is located in the backwater hamlet of Tasbuku on the shores of the Gulf of Gokova. The hamlet is home to a few farming families, two small beachside motels with simple restaurants and the Mandalin Villas in their lush gardens. Its pebble and sand beach looks out towards Cleopatra's Island where Anthony and Cleopatra allegedly enjoyed a tryst on sand specially imported for her comfort. Today Cleopatra's Island is a favorite destination of the midday tour boats but the lucky few staying at Tasbuku can usually find a boat to ferry them over in the early morning or late afternoon when the island is at its quietest.