Captivating Kalkan

I was lucky enough to be given a place on a three night educational to visit our Discerning Collection properties in the beautiful resorts of Kalkan and Kas. Along with some of my Travel Counsellors colleagues, we started the trip in style by booking into one of the exclusive airport lounges at Birmingham to relax with a few drinks before our flight to Dalaman. On arrival in Dalaman, we were greeted by our personal guide and transferred to Kalkan. The journey took approximately 90 minutes but seems a lot less. During our stay we were based at the Oasis Hotel, this is one of the adult only properties and with only 17 rooms has a very intimate, laid back atmosphere. Situated just 5 minutes’ walk from the centre and the numerous bars and restaurants, it really is an ideal base for your stay. Our first day in Kalkan was spent visiting the numerous hotels and villas in the Discerning Collection portfolio. This included the Asfiya, a lovely 42 room property suited to couples and families alike. The hotel has a glorious pool, spa facilities and is only 10 minutes’ walk to town. There are a wide range of villas in the collection, all beautifully decorated to a high standard and unlike many villas in Europe, most are located within walking distance or a short drive to the centre. A few of the villas are semi-detached, so a great option for larger groups wanting to stay close together. If food and gastronomy is your thing, Kalkan really is the place to go. The Lykia Residence & Spa have a wonderful chef and we were lucky enough to have him cook a farewell meal for us. You will also find some excellent restaurants in the town. Two definitely worth a try (and that won't break the bank) are Kalamaki, with its stunning roof-top terrace and Aubergine, located along the cosmopolitan harbour front. About 30 minutes along the coast, you will find the pretty harbour town of Kas, with its winding cobbled streets, colourful local shops and market square; you get a real flavour of Turkey. We had the pleasure of visiting the brand new Kas Peninsula Garden Hotel & Spa. With its breath-taking sea views and suites with private plunge pools, it makes the ideal stay for a honeymoon or special romantic occasion. All in all, my visit to Kalkan was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I certainly plan to visit the stunning town again and I will continue to recommend it as a holiday destination to my friends and clients.