Planning my own holiday…… 3 centre trip to Turkey

Just in the process of booking my own holiday, Im doing a 3 centre in Turkey early October.

First centre is up market Kalkan 5 nights in a Penthouse, lovely open plan place with amazing seaviews and own hot tub!

A small peaceful Mediterranean resort and fishing town on the beautiful Turquoise Coast of Turkey, Kalkan has not been touched by mass tourism.  More sophisticated than the usual resort towns, Kalkan appeals to travellers looking for more than a “sun and sea” holiday.

Kalkan curls snuggly around a historic harbour sheltered at the foot of the towering Taurus Mountains.  The town overlooks a beautiful bay in which islands seem to magically float upon the shimmering sea.

Narrow streets twist down to the harbour, lined with old whitewashed villas with shuttered windows situated alongside small local specialty shops and restaurants in historic buildings.  Overhead hang original carved Ottoman Greek timber balconies garlanded with thick masses of brilliantly coloured bougainvillea cascading to the streets below. It is a very special place with a unique atmosphere. The most amazing restautrants and designer shops, Ive already spotted some Hermes shoes and bag I will be making a dash for on arrival! Genuine fakes at their best here!

Why is Kalkan so special?

Not only is Kalkan beautiful, but unlike other Turkish coastal resort towns Kalkan’s main economy is tourism and therefore its citizens put much pride and effort into the town’s historic preservation.  Because of this, Kalkan has retained the texture of its history by protecting its distinctive Ottoman Greek architecture (it was once an Ottoman Greek and Turkish fishing village).  Very strict building codes keep the town small and architecturally blended with the historic heart of the town known as “Old Kalkan”.

Besides the famous “Kalkan Style” historic architecture, the many excellent restaurants of Kalkan contribute to the special atmosphere within Kalkan.  Good dining has always been the way of life in Kalkan and continues today.  In fact, Kalkan is said to have the highest number of restaurants and bars per inhabitant or square meter on the Turkish coast (over 100 of them!).  Additionally, Kalkan is especially renowned in Turkey for its numerous roof terrace restaurants and bars which offer a wonderful view of the town, sea and stars.  It’s also nice to sit at one of the many fine harbour-side restaurants and watch the pleasure boats and fishermen leave early in the morning as you eat your breakfast, or see the fishing boats return with the day’s catch in the evening.

There is lots to do during the day and nightlife is fun, but laid-back. You won’t find noisy, wild nightlife here, like in some other coastal resorts.

Kalkan has many fine qualities, but without a doubt, it is the people of Kalkan who make the town extra special. 

The people of Kalkan warmly welcome you, and you may at first be surprised by the universal friendliness within the town.  This, along with warm Turkish hospitality is the basis of life here and the people of Kalkan sincerely enjoy getting to know their guests.  So don’t hesitate to accept one of the many tulip-shaped glasses of çay (tea) you will be offered while you amble along Kalkan’s winding streets.  You won’t be hassled while you are a guest of Kalkan – the town is hassle-free and is proud to be so. You will find a mixed population here, consisting of locals, some Istanbul Turks and Turks from other cities who have made Kalkan their home and own small businesses, as well as a small number of well-educated foreigners who have settled in the town.

Then Im off to Dalyan famous for its Mud Baths and Rock Tombs.

While it’s perfect for those who want to relax in peace and quiet, you’ll also find plenty of things to do in Dalyan. This beautiful riverbank village is set among miles of stunning, protected countryside, offering plenty of photo opps for wildlife enthusiasts, fans of the great outdoors, history buffs, and those who enjoy soaking up the scenery. With the river at the heart of it all and some stunning beaches just a quick boat-trip away, you’ll find that, in Dalyan, Turkey, things to do come in all shapes and sizes.

Relax on the river

The Dalyan River offers a fun and laid-back way to see the local sights. Traditional Turkish boats are available for full or half-day excursions, taking you to see attractions such as the ancient Lycian tombs and the majestic ruins of ancient Caunus. However, if you’d rather spend your day sunbathing, hop in a water-taxi and follow the winding river downstream to a number of glorious, sun-bleached beaches.

Tombs and turtles

Of those beaches, Iztuzu Beach is one of the most remarkable, due to the Loggerhead turtles that nest there. While the beach is protected, visitors can join the aquatic visitors on the shore and watch them bobbing in the sea or wandering their way across the sands. Virtually next door you’ll find one of the most popular things to do in Dalyan: the Lycian Tombs. Carved directly out of the rock, these are all that’s left of an ancient civilisation dating back as far as 400BC.

If history is your thing, don’t pass up the chance to visit the ragged ruins of the City of Kaunos. These date back to somewhere around the 9^th Century and offer visitors the chance to take a trip into Dalyan’s rich past. Wander around the Roman amphitheatre, and explore what’s left of the Roman baths.

Then my last 2 nights will be in Fethiye my all time favourite place to visit the Fish market for a few glasses or Raki and some delicious fresh Sea Bass and Prawns at the amazing Fish Market and also a BBQ in the Countryside cant wait 41 days and counting!

I love Turkey and its hospitality and culture that I havent yet experienced anywhere else! The lira is almost 8 to the £ and with an average daily climate of 27 in October Im sure I am in for a pleasant trip!