Kalkan …. the jewel on the Turquoise coast
Kalkan is a real jewel of a destination in Turkey. I recently had a conversation with a friend from New Zealand who has spent a lifetime sailing around the world (one trip took 12 years!) and we were talking about the most beautiful beach and sea destinations in the world. I have spent a lifetime travelling as well and been lucky enough to go to many places like the Caribbean, Far East and places like Maui in the Hawaiian Islands but I have to admit that Steve’s travels were more extensive than anyone else I have talked to.
KAPUTAS BEACH
His view of the most beautiful destination in the world; Kalkan in Turkey on the Turquoise coast. We have been there as well on two family holidays and it is an amazing place. It is located on a beautiful bay with high hills and mountains surrounding it. The actual town of Kalkan is a small Mediterranean Harbour village with lots of white villas smothered with Bougainvillea. There are fascinating, small cobbled streets which are flanked by quaint shops selling carpets, spices, silver jewellery and local gifts. There are also an amazing array of wonderful restaurants and bars many of which are actually located on the top of the buildings so on balmy evenings you have a view of all the rooftop restaurants and also of the sea. These along with top quality restaurants serving a wide selection of seafood’s and local meat and vegetarian dishes make Kalkan a really elegant resort. The sea is just a sublime blue and in the bay is very calm and perfect for waterskiing first thing in the morning and in the evening. There are many beautiful villas and an outstanding hotel where we stayed at two years ago the Kalkan Regency which is managed and run by a very friendly family for whom nothing is too much trouble.
KALKAN REGENCY
The main restaurant has fabulous views across the bay and the Turkish cuisine is superb especially the Meze appetisers. There is also a small spa and Turkish massage which is great fun. The hotel offers guests a day out on their own powerboat to a secluded cove for lunch nearby at the sunken city of Kekova which is a magical place .
KEVKOVA SUNKEN CITY
If you prefer a more sedate day go out on a local Gulet (sailing boat) round to secluded bays and it’s also possible to go for dinner out on a Gulet which we found really enjoyable. If you feel adventurous you can even go swimming in the dark! This is fun as the water in the bays has lots of fresh water cold springs spouting up and as you swim through the warm sea, you suddenly go through a really cold spot; it’s the only place I have ever experienced this. Some of the local beaches are stunning such as Petara Beach with the amazing ruins of Petara adjacent which has an amphitheatre still in quite good condition and only a few miles away are The UNESCO protected ruins of Xantos which are even more extensive. For more information see www.lycianturkey.com/patara-beach.htm. There are also lots of walks along the Lycian Way which goes along the coast and around mountains and hills. It’s an amazing experience. For more details see www.lycianway.com/LycianWayContent/aboutthewalk.html We go with another family and are all in our fifties and find it a wonderful destination. See a local site for more details www.kalkanturkey.com/ The last two years we booked with Exclusive Escapes who offer an excellent service and have a wealth of knowledge about Kalkan and the surrounding area.
GULET CRUISE
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