Hello Contessa! (our litle joke)
Happy you've chosen Turkey..as for your OP question, I preferred Kas(h) over Kalkan...more authencity for a small Turkish town on the Turquoise Coast. (see the colorful harbor pics below)

Barefoot, the Istanbul pix and the Scenes of Turkey pix should give you a feel for the city and countryside. We covered a large portion of mid and western Turkey's real estate, driving all the way, except for Istanbul and a flight to Cappadocia. Yes, drive the Turquoise Coast...outstanding scenes. If you have other questions, I'll be most pleased to help wherever I can. I've been twice, once when working with the Turkish Air Force in the 80's.

OtherCelebi is the resident expert..he reluctantly approved my pix with his tough, gruff but semi-sweet. He seems to
follow me everywhere on this board. He'll be here in a minute!

Stu Tower

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/ScenesOfIstanbul#

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/ScenesOfTurkey#

Hi Stu,
I loved bringing the guide book's words to life through your photos...especially enjoyed the scene from Cafe Pierre Loti as I didn't realize what a "stu"pendous view from up there! Thanks for sharing these and weighing in on Kas.

For once, possibly twice or thrice, I agree with Stu. Kas is greener, has more islands, views and small bays as well as much more interesting day cruises and kayaking over to or at Kekova. The town is also more local than the very British Kalkan, with many artists and bohemian types.

Either way, a rental car for Myra. Patara , Saklikent canyon + Tlos not at all far will be quite useful.

Stu, if you stop being paranoid, I and the others may actually stop stalking you.

Barefoot Contessa:
Thank you for your nice words.
I first came across reference to Pierre Loti in Lonely Planet just before a trip to Turkey in '93. I researched the man and found his extraordinary life story to be fascinating. A French seaman, he fell in love with Turkey and finally ended up living in Istanbul. I've been recommending to this forum that when one decides to go to the cafe, it must be just before the 5:00 pm call to prayer..the resonance of dozens of the city's mosque's, slightly out of sync, while calling the faithful to prayer, is unforgettable. Remember, get there before 5 and get an outside table if you can. Be prepared to fall in love with Turkey, your Ladyship.

OC, I don't mind the stalking...I'm used to it. Paparazzi here in L.A. are everywhere I turn. But don't take photos of my sensitive little children (ages 58, 56 and 52)or grandchildren (32,31,30,25,22,17)...you're giving them nightmares.
stu

otherchelebi, I'm so glad you stalk Stu because now I know about you and I can see you're a fount of wisdom about Turkey! It's going to take me a long time to read through your prior posts.

Stu, thanks again for the good advice and i"ll be sure to get there before 5p....didn't know that!

However, I was leaning toward Kalkan because I could walk to the town and the beach club without taking a shuttle but now you've pointed me the other way.
Aren't there any Kalkan fans out there?

otherchelebi, I'm so glad you stalk Stu because now I know about you and I can see you're a fount of wisdom about Turkey! It's going to take me a long time to read through your prior posts.

Barefoot....don't get over-excited about Celebi's "knowledge"...the man is an inveterate armchair traveler, living in terminal boredom in Bakersfield, CA...I don't think he's ever been south of San Diego, or perhaps Tijuana before the drug lords knew he was in town. His only knowledge of turkey begins and ends at the Thanksgiving dinner table. He at one-time doubled for a famous sinister film-noir actor. Peter Lorre was his sidekick. Caveat emptor!

stu

Barefoot....keep in mind, Kalkan is the home plant for a popular pet food of the same name.

Are you kidding?

Just curious Stu,those pictures taken at Pamukkale,how recent are they as I thought people are not allowed in the pools anymore.

Barefoot...the sense of humor between Sir Celebi and yours truly, tends to be unreparably warped...you'll get used to it. The Kal Kan bit is a rather weird thought though. Factually, Celebi is a noted insurance expert, primarly Risk stuff..lives in Istanbul, has a charming wife (Eser)who barely puts up with him..has kids in Chi-town. The Celebis hosted Aduchamp and his wife when they visited Istanbul last year, and then broke bread with them in NYC en route to Chicago...(the opposite of "laugh" is "cry"...I'll take laugh every time!)
stu

Barefoot: should be "irreparably"...(my tyrannical editor would be all over me on that one!)

Whistler...I don't know if Pamukkale is once again "wet"...I've been there twice, one in the 1980's and in 1995. I'm not at all sure if the travertines were off limits at any time. It's one helluva sight to see and play with.
stu

> Pamukkale ... I thought people are not allowed in the pools anymore

I believe that most sections are closed for restoration and protection, but I believe they make sure that one (varying) section of the travertines is open for people to walk. That's what I read before my trip last May/June, and that's what I encountered when I was there.

You'll need to take your shoes and socks off, so bring something in which you can carry them, along with something you can use to dry your feet once you're done. Once you are there, you'll see which section is open for people to walk.

Sorry for the thread hijack, barefootbeach.

(And hi, Stu and other!)

Stu is a serious novelist. I am an inveterate philosopher-clown, a character from a Commedia Del Arte play. Using my real name, I write reviews on Amazon, try to sell a book of wisdom and tweet more wisdom, but cannot compete with Stu on any subject. I have asked him over for a jousting match at the hippodrome in Istanbul but he says he is in training.

Hi, kja ! Some people I know should be required to not remove their socks anywhere, including the travertines of Pamukkale. -

Ahmet C.

Hi barefootbeach!

I was wondering which of these two towns did you end up choosing and why.

We have the same dilemma for an upcoming trip to Turkey, and we also have 4 nights to spend in either.

Thanks.

I think barefoot is in Turkey right now...I'm hoping for a TR soon.

JoyC, we chose Kas because it's supposed to be more authentic and the tour guide we had here in Capadoccia also said Kas is better...we're going to be staying in Peninsula Gardens.
We're flying there today...Capadoccia has been remarkable...I'd stay here also if you could...we love Esbelli Evi cave hotel in Urgup (don't stay in Goreme unless you like touristy areas) and had a magnificent balloon ride with Royal Balloon...see my posting in regards to HappyTrvls's post about the tragic balloon crash here yesterday that we witnessed from our balloon from afar. We had a great tour guide, Alkan, from Travel Atelier, booked through our hotel,Esbelli Evi, for one day. Also, if you like to hike, the Rose Valley was incredibly beautiful but difficult for me on the steep descents. Gotta go....transfer is waiting!