Sophisticated
resorts providing an authentic experience, in the midst of
history and stunning nature
Kalkan
In recent years, Kalkan has become an in spot for upmarket
couples seeking a taste of authentic Turkey. It is a pretty
village of stone-built houses set on a hillside around the
attractive harbour. Narrow lanes lead down to the seafront,
packed with shops, sophisticated bars and restaurants, mostly
serving traditional Turkish fare, with some excellent seafood
and fish restaurants on the harbour-front. The roads are steep
so you need to be relatively fit to get around, but the hotels
and villas set higher up on the hillside, benefit from stunning
views down over the pretty bay. Due to the landscape there
is simply no room for large-scale development so most of the
hotels are small and intimate. The resort has expanded rapidly
in recent years, however, and the buildings have extended
beyond Kalkan itself to the bays on either side, such as Kalamar
bay to the west – a long walk or a short taxi ride away
from the centre. Most of the hotels on the seafront in this
area and the ‘beaches’ have access to the sea
via platforms or ladders, straight into deep water. Kalkan
does have a small pebble town beach, but serious beach-lovers
head out by the regular dolmus¸ service to stunning
Kaputas¸, approximately 6 kms away, a fine pebble and
shingle beach which has clear, impossibly turquoise water.
It is reached by a long flight of steps with no facilities
and no shade, so you need to come prepared. Others prefer
the long stretch of sandy beach at Patara, which is reached
by a regular dolmus¸ service. Boats leave from the harbour
here and from nearby Kas¸, approx. 26 kms away, for
trips around the bays and to the surrounding islands. Kalkan
has a unique ambience and is one of the most sophisticated
of Turkey’s resorts, but is not recommended for those
with difficulty in walking or for those with small children.
The ancient sites of Xanthos and Letoon are within easy reach
of Kalkan. For further details see page 32.
 Kas
Kas¸ is a relaxed harbour town, which until
recently was relatively untouched by tourism.
It is now becoming a firm favourite with older
couples, who love its laid-back atmosphere.
Recently, it has also become a magnet for
those seeking a taste of adventure, as it is a
big centre for scuba diving and also offers
activities such as trekking, canoeing, canyoning
and horse riding. The name Kas¸ means
‘eyebrow’, describing the curved shape of the
pretty harbour, with its traditional tea garden and
tiny, whitewashed mosque. Wooden Ottoman
houses, their balconies bright with bougainvillea,
overhang the narrow streets, home to shops,
bars and restaurants. As you wander, you may
come across the ancient sarcophagus, which
is a remnant of the ancient city of Antiphellos,
whose well-preserved theatre has also survived
to the present day. Overlooked by Lycian rock
tombs, Kas¸ is in a picturesque spot looking out
on the Greek island of Kastellorizo known as
Meis in Turkish, a short boat trip away. There are
a number of pebble beaches in the surrounding
bays, easily reached by the boats which leave
from the harbour and Kaputas¸ is approximately
20 kms to the west. The stunning Çukurbagð
peninsula, just outside the town, has recently
become home to a number of sophisticated
boutique hotels.
 Patara
Patara has the honour of being the longest beach in Turkey
– 22 kms of beautiful white sand, backed by dunes and
mimosa bushes. It was once the most important harbour in Lycia,
famous for its oracle of Apollo, until it silted up in the
Middle Ages. It was the birthplace of St. Nicholas and it
is known that St. Paul and St. Luke visited. The site is fascinating,
the remains part buried in the sands, evocative and intriguing.
They include an acropolis, temple, agora, theatre, baths and
the magnificent triumphal arch. The beach is a nesting place
for the rare caretta caretta turtles and access is not permitted
after dark.
 Kekova
Usually reached by boat from ÜçagðÝz, the area
of Kekova, named after its largest island, is a
group of islands and bays, home to a number
of ancient Lycian settlements, some of which
are now submerged in the sea. This beautiful
spot is easily visited on a day’s boat trip
from Kalkan or Kas¸. The most atmospheric
spot is the ‘sunken city’ or batÝk s¸ehir,
where
ancient houses, stairs and pavements can be
seen submerged in the clear waters. It is now
forbidden to swim here. A boat trip usually
takes in a visit to nearby Kaleköy or Simena
Castle, a charming port overlooked by the ruins
of a Crusader castle, which offers stunning
views of the surrounding scenery. |
