Islamlar

Things to do / Places to visit:

Kalkan:
Kalkan’s colourful, narrow lanes are packed with small shops selling eye catching things – antiques, carpets, jewellery, leather goods, souvenirs. The old part of town which leads down to the picturesque harbour is also where the towns many roof top restaurants and pavement cafes are located. The choice is endless. More practical outlets such as small supermarkets, chemists, and banks with ATM machines are to be found higher up.

Kas: (Pronounced ‘Cash’). A 25 km drive from Kalkan along a scenic coastal road brings you to the charming town of Kas. Surrounded by mountains that drop directly down to the sea, Kas takes its name (‘eyebrow’ in Turkish) from its long peninsula that juts out to sea.

As in Kalkan, there are plenty of boat trips and diving trips on offer at the harbour, and elsewhere tandem paragliding for the more adventurous. Lots of interesting shops and good cafes and restaurants set off with colourful bougainvillea in the old part of town, plus beach clubs and cafes for relaxing and swimming.

Half an hour by boat from Kas is the Greek island of Meis (Castellorizo)- population 300. Pretty, traditional Greek fishing harbour.

Fun Outings:
Kalkan Bay: Numerous boat trips are on offer at the harbour. Great for a relaxing day’s cruising with a refreshing swim and snorkel along the way.

Islamlar trout restaurants: Just minutes away from the villa is the lovely valley of Islamlar with its orchards, vineyards and pines. The village, which has a working water-driven flour mill, is known for its trout restaurants. Pleasant settings with great views down the valley, and inexpensive tasty meals.

Beaches: Kalkan has its own pebbly beach just outside the harbour. More popular is the famous 18 km stretch of sand at Patara – visible from the villa across the Xanthos plain. The beach is completely unspoiled by resort type development and has only one café. Sun lounges and umbrellas are provided here, with changing rooms, showers and toilets nearby. Kaputas Beach: A small, sandy beach five minutes outside Kalkan on the way to Kas. Lots of steps to climb and no facilities, but pretty as picture.

One glance down at the beach and you’ll know why this part of Turkey gets its name – the Turquoise Coast. Another good beach for swimming is the pebble beach cove just the other side of Kas, where there is a beach restaurant.

Swimming: Both Kalkan and Kas have a number of beach clubs and sea side cafes with plenty of sun lounges for relaxing and platforms for deep water swimming.

Saklikent Gorge: See how far you can get splashing your way up the spectacular gorge at Saklikent, then relax in the shade by the water’s edge on a ‘koshk’ or sit in a big rubber ring and get swept down the river for a 5 km ride. You can even cake yourself in mud if you feel so inclined. Saklikent is a 45 minute scenic drive from the villa.

Kekova: Sleepy little village the other side of Kas, with a few carpet shops and waterside restaurants where you can hire a boat to take you round the island enclosed bay. Anchor off for a swim then cruise over the sunken Lycian ruins. Alternatively, hire a kayak and paddle your way around. A very pretty location and favourite anchorage for cruising gulets and yachts.

Jeep safaris: Check out tour companies in Kalkan and Kas who offer excursions off the main roads on forestry tracks in the mountains.

For Classical History Buffs: Most of the sites of ancient Lycia are within easy reach: places such as Xanthos, Patara, Letoon, Tlos, Pinara. The ruins at Patara include a splendid amphitheatre plus a smaller theatre which served as the parliament of the world’s first federal democracy. Big names passed this way: Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar’s assassin, Brutus, Hadrian of the Wall, amongst others. At the other end of Patara beach is Letoon, with the remnants of temples to Leto, lover of Zeus, and her children Apollo and Artemis. Further afield, at Demre beyond Kas, is the ancient site of Myra with rock tombs and the Basilica of St. Nicholas (Father Christmas, no less, who was born at Patara).