Kalkan Turkey and surrounding areaKalkan TurkeyAs a village, Kalkan is somewhat more sophisticated than the average resort in Turkey. This is because the restaurants, hotels and bars are owned by Istanbul Turks, as well as locals, which provides for a more eclectic variety of menu and atmosphere than is normally found in Mediterranean resorts. The many bars symbolise Kalkan's atmosphere, some play Jazz others Classical or contemporary music however most share one thing in common which is the wonderful views. The two or three late night bars provide entertainment for those wishing to stay out until the early hours. Restaurants in the village are plentiful and cuisine choice abundant from traditional Turkish to more european menus. Kalkan itself set in an area of Turkey steeped in history, right in the heart of the old Lycian region. There is a plethora of ancient sites in the immediate vicinity including Xanthos, Letoon, Pinara, Tlos and Patara. Slightly further afield are the marvelous sights at Kekova, Demre, Myra, Phaselis, Olympos, Aspendos and even Ephesus is within reach. Also a simple trip up to the mountains behind Kalkan will surely take your breath away. |
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Kaputas Beach TurkeyHundreds of years ago a huge chasm opened up the side of the mountain face and spilled its contents out to sea. The gorge has dried up, but what's left is Kaputas Beach, a small, sandy patch 400 steps down from the road that feels like the middle of nowhere. From here, it's just a short swim to some nearby phosphorescent caves. |
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Patara Beach TurkeyEighteen kilometers (11 miles) of beach backed by dunes and marshlands. The Mediterranean rises to the challenge in the summer, when it turns a deep shade of blue. Watch out for the winds, though, which probably managed to submerge an entire ancient city in sand in no time at all. |
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Xanthos TurkeyThis is the oldest and largest city of the mountain province of Lycia, settled in the valley of the Xanthos river in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Until the Persian invasion it was an independent state. When the people of Xanthos, who had bravely tried to defend their city, realized that they could not repulse the invasion, they first killed their woman and committed mass suicide by throwing themselves into the flames. About 80 surviving families and people who immigrated there rebuilt the city, but a fire which broke out about 100 years later razed it to the ground. In spite of this, the city was again rebuilt and, as a result of establishing good relations with the west, was considered as an important centre. |
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Simena TurkeyFrom inscriptions that have been found, we know that the history of the ancient city of Simena goes back to the 4th century B.C. If we go ashore via the jetty next to the sarcophagus on the seashore and climb the hill behind the houses, we reach the castle of Simena. This castle was used during the Middle Ages by the Byzantines. In the medieval walls of the inner keep are a few blocks of all that remains of ancient temple. Inside the castle is a small natural theater carved into the rock. This is the smallest of theaters among the cities of Lycia. West of the theater there are rock tombs here and there. Above the rock tombs is a Roman wall built of dressed stone and located on the wall are late-period embrasures thus giving one a glimpse of three eras simultaneously. On the shore are the ruins of public baths whose inscription is still legible and reads "A gift to the emperor Titus made by the people and council of Aperlai as well as by the other cities of the confederation." |
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Kekova TurkeyKekova Island and the town of Kale nearby Antalya make an idyllic daytrip for the traveler looking for a combination of sunshine, swimming and fascinating historic ruins. Many operators run trips from Kas but the journey is much shorter from Çayagzi, the harbor of Demre. Along the stony coastline the boatman may stop at a cave, or point out the occasional goat or the smoldering pyramids of wood used by peasants to make charcoal, the product may sit in plastic sacks at the water's edge, waiting to be taken away. Along the edge of the island facing the mainland lie the fascinating half- submerged remains of a Lycian sunken city, and probably from Byzantine times later on. Signs warn against skin- diving, so you can not swim here because many foreigners in the past took a piece of ancient relics with them as a souvenir. The boatman will allow the passengers on board off for a swim further to the west, where the remains of a Byzantine chapel stand on the beach and where further sunken remains can be explored at ease by the swimmer with mask and snorkel. Today Kekova is a very popular ancorage for sailors who enjoy the history together with the nature. |
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Useful LinksKalkan & LyciaGreat site about the Lycian region TurkeyRepublic of Turkey, Ministry of Culture Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Tourism Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Turkish Language for English Speakers
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