Marmaris National Park

This guide to Sedir Island inside Marmaris National Park explains why every grain of its pale, protected sand is guarded by law, and the legend behind it: that Mark Antony shipped the sand from Egypt so Cleopatra could sunbathe here instead of on the island's own stony shore. It follows the ancient Greek theater and Temple of Apollo ruins on the hill above, and the 2009 university study that put the legend to the test. Feel the sand settle warm underfoot before you learn what the scientists actually found.