I have an opportunity to stay in a gorgeous villa with pool in Kalkan. However, I know nothing about Kalkan itself - has anyone been? What's it like? Good in the evenings? Anything interesting to see nearby? Any comments greatly appreciated.

Kate,<BR><BR>Kalkan is very small town in the southern of Turkey. In the evening there are some restaurant and bar that you may go. Around the Kalkan there are many Archaelogical side. if you like history and archaelogy you will love Kalkan. You may have daily boat trip to SUNKENCITY.<BR><BR>Have a nice holiday in Turkey.<BR><BR>Sinan Akdeniz<BR>[email protected]

just open google, insert kalkan and check some web pages and you will be sorry you haven't left yet...<BR>it is a picture postcard sea resort.

It's a wonderful small town beautifully-sited on the Mediterranean part of the coast. It was once a fishing town, I believe, but it's been discovered by tourism, so there are plenty of restaurants and shops in town. If you're there in the summer, most activity is simply being outside and strolling. There's no lack of people on the streets and shops stay open late. Around the region, there are many archeological sites to view, and you can take day cruises from Kalkan or other nearby towns along the coast. It is a perfect location to stay; don't hesitate to stay there.<BR><BR>I stayed there for 3 days and could've stayed longer.

We were in Kalkan for 4 nights back in September 2000. I loved it. It was a beautiful small town, very picturesque, with plenty of restaurants. Some people seem to prefer Kas, which is about 1/2 hour away, but I thought Kalkan was much prettier. It's not too far to Patara, which is a very long beautiful beach. There's also some tours out of Kalkan - we took one, which we enjoyed. <BR><BR>The previous poster is correct - lots of shops stay open late and there's lots of people around. <BR><BR>I would definitely take advantage of that opportunity!

Hi Kate; I used to live in Kalkan ( 6 yrs ) and moved to Cappadocia now.<BR><BR>Kalkan is a wonderful small fishermen village where people do not really bother with the ongoing war. There are about 125 registered restaurants and about 15 bars since the accomodation is usually B&amp;B bases. Small streets are full of shops and fun people where you can jsut pop in have some friendly chat, have some tea or apple tea and even shop with them. Its an idylic location and christal clear Med. sea.<BR><BR>Most restaurants by the harbour offers seating along the sea, variety of food and great wine. There are some small bars where you can have coctail befoe dining or go to dancing pubs for fun later. Daily yacht tours are favorite.<BR><BR>Kalkan is in the middle of Lycia as called in ancient era. Patara, Pinara, Xanthos, Saklikent Gorge, Abandoned village near Fethiye, Sunken City at Simena ( Kekova ), Myra where the St Nicholas church is are some of the options to visit by daily excursions. <BR><BR>People are friendly and they are laid back in hot summer days. Its a peaceful heaven to spend some time. Lots of accomodation option some really top nutch.<BR><BR>I believe I met Progol and Susan in Toronto when they visited Kalkan. Does Villa Mahal rings a bell ?<BR><BR>Should you need any further information please do not hesitate to contact myself.<BR><BR>Murat reports his thoughts from Cappadocia

Kate <BR><BR>Ahhh Kalkan! This is a beautiful spot with something very special about it. Take a look at www.kalkan.org.tr. The people are extremely friendly and I have made some lifelong friends there. I haven't been back in about two years and miss it very much. Kalkan is a small village and built into a steep hillside at the end of a large bay. There is very little beach - bathing platforms have been built around the bay - but Patara and Kapitas beaches are a short Dolmus ride away. One peculiar thing about swimming around Kalkan is that a number of underground springs run into sea so you can be swimming in the warm Med and suddenly hit a freezing cold patch! The lack of beach and distance from the airport have saved it from the worst of mass tourism but that said there are a large number of expats living there who run many of the bars and restaurants.<BR><BR>Evenings are spent eating and then relaxing in the rooftop bars…not a place for clubs or discos! The perfect place to relax and unwind! Definitely take one of the boat trips and also the boat trip to Kekova from nearby Kas! <BR><BR>Kalkan is a place that many people return to year after year!

Wonderful replies, thanks everyone. It looks like I've got my summer holiday sorted out.