LUXURY HOLIDAY VILLAS IN ITALY, TURKEY AND SPAIN

A holiday villa rental on the Bodrum peninsula offers an excellent combination of village life with the allure of a nearby busy resort town. Our Bodrum villa accommodation and Bodrum hotels are located in the appealing villages around the Bodrum peninsula, all within a one hour journey of the Bodrum Milas Airport and within a 30 minute drive of Bodrum with its many attractions.

Bodrum was once Halicarnassus, famed for its colossal mausoleum begun by the egocentric ruler Mausolus, an earthquake toppled this wonder of the ancient world and the Crusaders used much of the masonry to build their castle, situated between two horseshoe bays. A visit to the magnificent 15th century castle with ramparts, leafy courtyards and imaginative archaeological exhibitions featuring many finds from shipwrecks dating back to the 11th century BC is highly recommended.

In the atmospheric shopping streets you’ll find local handicrafts such as copper goods, intricately painted ceramics, carpets and kilims competing with street stalls selling “genuine fake watches”, designer name clothing, natural sponges, jewellery shops abound offering a huge array of beautiful designs, fabrics, famed Turkish towelling, boxes of sweet pistachio filled Turkish delight, pastry shops with a tempting selection of sweet and savoury, just be sure to take enough bags to carry back your purchases!

If you have ever considered Scuba Diving then Bodrum is most certainly the place to take the plunge, deep blue water with high visibility crowded with huge living sponges, octopus, scarlet star fish and even tropical coloured fish attracts beginners and experienced divers who rate it very highly.

Vacationing in a private villa on the Bodrum Peninsula allows the opportunity to sample some great dining out. In Bodrum town you can choose one of the elegant and sophisticated restaurants overlooking the marina or for an experience try the hectic and bustling Restaurant Alley, a vine shaded lantern lit street with outdoor restaurants, one spilling on to the next, authentic live music and impromptu displays of Turkish dancing; a real slice of Turkish life! The choice of bars is extensive, some loud and blaring, others refined and chic, there is something to suit all age groups. Visit the famous Halikarnas Discotheque, set right on the sea’s edge and landscaped like a Greek amphitheatre but for the real thing the recently restored 4th century BC amphitheatre overlooking the sea and the castle hosts some spectacular concerts throughout the summer.

Basing your villa holiday on the peninsula allows great access to numerous nearby historical sites, Euromos with it’s temple of Zeus, Iassus, perfectly positioned on the water’s edge in the Bay of Güllük and inhabited since the Bronze Age, Heracleia by Lake Bafa where Selene the moon goddess fell in love with Endymion the shepherd on Mount Latmos, Didyma with its marvellous Temple of Apollo, Miletus, Priene, Stratoniceia, Pecin Kale and a little further away the exceptional site of Ephesus, the list is endless, every day of your holiday can be a journey into the spectacular past of Asia Minor.

Whatever your choice of holiday, luxury villa, stylish hotel or countryside cottage; lazy or active there are few places that can compete with the attractions of the Bodrum area.

Some information about the villages on and around the Bodrum Peninsula

Bitez
Situated on the Bodrum peninsula and lying amidst citrus and olive groves this is a village split in two. At the seaside small hotels and restaurants line the sandy beach which is well known as a water sports centre with opportunities for wind surfing and water skiing. A stroll from the sea to the inland village will take you along shady lanes where footpaths pass through dry river beds and criss-cross old irrigation channels. Such is the interest in this network of walkways that an American university is to publish a guide. Traditional rural life is centred in the inland village where shops cater for day to day needs and there is a weekly market. The holiday villas and hotels in Bitez – Olea, Chiftlik, The Creek House, Villa Ekrem, Sha Hotel – provide an excellent base for exploring the peninsula as Bitez is only 7km. from the vibrant heart of Bodrum. In smaller towns such as Bitez, evenings are more relaxed. Chill out on a comfortable beanbag at a beach bar and watch the colours of another splendid sunset melt into the sea.

Turgutreis
Located 18 km to the west of Bodrum and with views to the Dodecanese islands, Turgutreis is a popular resort with a fabulous array of shops, bars and restaurants. The newly completed marina located close to the town centre provides an even more extensive range of shops, waterside cafes, restaurant, and open air cinema and tennis courts. There are plentiful activities in the area for guests staying at our favourite luxury villa in Turgutreis – Rosea: nearby Akyarlar is ideal for water sports enthusiasts and there is a choice of sandy beaches. We love Domalan just outside of town and Kadikalesi a little further along the coast towards Gümüşlük. Each Saturday the streets of Turgutreis are filled with a colourful and bustling market with all manner of fabric, clothing, jewellery and treasures enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Gümüşlük
Gümüşlük must be the Peninsula’s favourite destination. Situated on the west side of the Bodrum Peninsula the settlement was originally the Carian City of Myndos in the time of Halicarnassus – 4th C BC. Remains of the city are visible around Gümüşlük but most excitingly those city walls that fronted the coast ended up under water after an earthquake and can still be seen today.

There are two distinct sides to Gümüşlük beach – on the open side sun beds line the narrow beach and restaurants offer a delicious choice of Turkish foods, but a walk along the beach through the narrow lanes lined with craft stalls and a fabulous junk jewellery shop and then passing the famous waterfront fish restaurants will bring you to the lagoon side. Here as you walk along the path in front of the sea it runs out and you are literally paddling in the water. The sunken city walls can be seen if you don a mask and snorkel but if that’s not your thing then take a walk across the causeway – be prepared to get your knees wet – and you will be on Rabbit Island; if you climb to the top there are excellent views down into the water where you can see some of the ruins. It’s perfect to arrive at the beach late afternoon, have a swim, a cool drink and wait until sun set, then, relaxing in the big cushioned areas that most sea side restaurants offer, glass of wine in hand simply enjoy what people here have been enjoying for over 2000 years.

So many of our guests have visited Gümüşlük and fallen in love with it so we are very pleased to be able to offer high quality accommodation in Bergama Houses situated close to the beach. For larger groups of up to 18 these 3 houses can be rented as one; Bergama Estate.

Gümüşlük is ideally situated between Yalikavak and Turgutreis and whilst the village has its own small market on a Wednesday both of the nearby towns have much larger markets. Bodrum is a 30 minute drive from Gümüşlük.

Yalikavak
The small town of Yalikavak is situated on the north west side of the Bodrum peninsula and this is where we discovered the charming Lavanta Hotel and the stunning villa in Yalikavak, Ali Baba. Here in the north it is still possible to find picturesque villages where old traditions sit comfortably alongside the more modern lifestyle. Yalikavak is a favourite destination of the city Turks and in the months of July and August visiting minor celebrities cause a certain sophistication to descend on the village. The town centres itself around the small harbour with a handsome 300 year old windmill to one side. Restaurants line the sea front and in the streets running back from the sea, grocery shops and fresh fruit and vegetable shops nestle alongside an art gallery housed in an old water cistern and a kilim showroom in a former olive oil press. On the coast road towards Gümüşlük is the smart new yacht marina with elegant shops and cafes and an open air cinema. A little further on there is a great selection of seaside fish restaurants. The main town beach is just a short walk from the centre and tennis courts are available in the town. The striking Mosque with its two minarets stands on the hillside and watches over the village. Thursday is market day and locals from nearby villages throng to town to stock up with fresh fruit and vegetables. Enjoy hand picked citrus from local orchards and pass the time of day over a few cups of strong Turkish coffee sitting under the shady plane trees. There are numerous walks in the area, one of the best with spectacular views must be from the small settlement of Geris perched at the top of a mountain and only a few kilometres from Yalikavak centre. A local hike may find you stumbling across derelict windmills, a deserted Greek village, Lycian rock tombs and even a temple dedicated to Zeus, a perfect picnic spot.

Gökçebel
Upper Gökçebel village is delightful, hidden from all but the most curious, this is a charming, traditional village looking towards the sea and is where we have a great selection of our Turkish holiday villas; Hakiki Villa, Blue Jasmine, Mulberry, Almond Tree House, Cheedem, and Melengech. Small flower covered whitewashed houses line the crooked little streets and there is a backdrop of green hills dotted with a number of very stylish villas and houses. Many of the villagers seem to own a donkey or a cow and it’s no surprise to see them out walking their animals! The single village shop sells day to day requirements and there’s a small weekly market in the village centre, additionally there are 2 large supermarkets on the road to Yalikavak. It’s just 3 kilometres drive to the nearby town of Yalikavak where there are plenty of shops and restaurants and a very popular weekly market. There are a number of beaches in the area which can be visited by car.

Göltürkbükü
Göltürkbükü has become known as the St.Tropez of Turkey, it is immensely elegant, a place to see and to be seen in and many of Istanbul’s best restaurants open up here for the summer. By day large wooden jetties built into the sea are covered with sumptuous cushions and hammocks, by night these jetties are transformed into glittering dining platforms hovering above the floodlit water. The rich and famous own grand holiday villas in Turkbuku yet traditional village life is never far away for guests choosing the elegant holiday home, Villa J. Local weddings and seasonal festivals still take place in the village centre where everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations. Early and late in the season when the weather is a little cooler there are some excellent walks to be had, venture around the headland with views to the Bay of Mandalya, investigate the Byzantine ruins that are scattered around, discover the hidden lake and a forest of rare date palms. There are daily boat trips to nearby small islands and coves unreachable by road and plentiful water sports are available. The small village shops cater to your daily requirements, there are supermarkets in neighbouring Gölköy and much larger supermarkets on the road to Yalikavak (15 km) offer a wider choice and there is a weekly fruit and vegetable market.

Torba
Just a five minute drive from the busy resort of Bodrum lies the pretty seaside village of Torba. It has become a popular destination for Turkish holidaymakers with many exquisite summer houses surrounded by flower filled gardens lining the small streets. Towards the end of one of these small streets lies the very attractive Yeshil residential complex. The pretty harbour accommodates local fishing boats and luxury yachts alike, moored side by side. At one end of the bay is the busy Blue Dolphin beach where you can try your hand at a variety of water sports and take a sunbed for the day under the shade of the trees. Alternatively, for snorkelling enthusiasts, Torba’s village beach with its ruins of an old church, a very chic hotel and a handful of restaurants is a short drive from the village centre. The village offers a good choice of fish restaurants along the sea front but more simple fare can be found closer to the village centre. The village remains calm and unhurried for most of the year but during July and August it is swelled by the families coming from Istanbul and Ankara coming to summer in their seaside residences, the atmosphere is lively and very Mediterranean. Families with teenage children can be assured that the close proximity to Bodrum and its nightlife ensures that everyone in the family enjoys the holiday. Being so close to Bodrum, visitors can take advantage of the regular dolmus (bus) service which takes no more than 15 minutes. The addition of a hire car to your holiday will ensure that you have the advantage of being able to explore the villages and beaches on the Bodrum peninsula and a little farther afield the many archaeological sites as yet relatively undiscovered by the masses.

Venturing a little way off the Bodrum Peninsula we offer luxury villas in….

Chiftlik
Venturing off the Bodrum peninsula and visiting the more rural areas is always enjoyable, traditional Turkish life can be seen and the pace of life is considerably slower than that in nearby Bodrum. The Lodge Cottages are in Chiftlik, a long skinny village that starts at Yali Chiftlik (Chiftlik by the sea) and ends after the last house!

With just a local restaurant in the village the nearest selection of restaurants is to be found at Yali Chiftlik (3 kms.) and a little further on at Kizilağac (12 kms.) you’ll find the famous Mangal restaurants, here you select your meat from a great selection of prepared cuts and barbecue at your own table accompanying it with delicious meze dishes! For a completely different night out with 5 start service then you could consider dining at the nearest local hotel…. the Kempinski! Of course the cosmopolitan town of Bodrum warrants a trip or two but we are sure that you will be delighted to return to the peace and quiet of Chiftlik.

The nearest beach is at Yali Chiftlik and the sea on this southern coast is very clear. We think our accommodation in the village of Chiftlik – The Lodge Cottages – are ideally suited for walkers and adventurers, set off from the village centre and it’s just 3 kms. down the track to Kargicik Bay – it’s only known by locals and passing boats but once at the pebbly bay you will be well looked after by the local fisherman who have set up a rough restaurants where the only menu choice is grilled fish in a hunk of crusty bread. Just a 30 minute drive from Chiftlik lies the delightful seaside village of Mazi. It’s unlikely that you will find Mazi on a map as it is well off the beaten track, the drive down to the sea through the pine forest is spectacular, the sea views are magnificent and the small stone cottages of the locals are adorned with skeins of newly dyed wool, drying in the sun. Occasionally one of the local cows can be spotted taking refuge from the sun under the canopy of the single village shop, life is extremely slow in Mazi! Come out of season and it’s likely that you will have the beach to yourselves – in high season it may be a bit busier with Turkish families who enjoy picnicking on the beach.

Bogaziçi and Tuzla Lake
In the deep natural harbour of Mandalya Bay lies the traditional fishing village of Bogaziçi. This is the unique point where Tuzla lake unites with the sea in the Gulf of Güllük. Tuzla is most famous as a natural sanctuary for birds. Greater Flamingos flock to the lake between the months of October and April and although the Pelican is among the most frequent species of birds to be seen here you may also see the Great White and Little Egret. The area is a great favourite of the White Stork and their perfectly designed and built nests can be seen in the most unlikely places. Many butterflies are attracted by the unspoilt natural environment, watch for the Two-tailed Pacha it is an unforgettable vision of loveliness.

Tuzla holds an important place in history, ruins of the ancient city of Bargylia – including a Roman Temple – can be seen scattered over the hillsides amongst the olive groves, pine and tamarisk trees. Just along from Pink Flamingo, our luxurious seaside villa, several fish restaurants fringe the sea front offering the days fresh fish whilst original village houses line the road and testify to the Turkish traditional way of life, don’t be surprised to see chickens roaming around, this is not a sophisticated resort but a working fishing and farming village. Wednesday is market day and stalls line the single road running alongside the sea, whether it’s a bunch of spring onions, a saw or a live rabbit you are more than likely to find it here!

Just 5 minutes from the centre of the village lies the newly opened Vita Park Golf course – this is the Bodrum area’s first golf course and it is a splendid addition to the area. It’s just a 15 minute drive to the Milas Bodrum airport and Bodrum town is less than 30 minutes drive.

Güllük
Just 10 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from Bodrum Güllük is a traditional fishing village where daily life centres around the small fishing harbour.

After a night’s fishing, the boats return home and the water’s edge is a hive of activity, the catch, mainly sea bass and bream, is packed into polystyrene boxes, weighed and loaded into refrigerated vehicles before the long journey to far flung places. But don’t despair, there’s plenty for everybody. Restaurants line the water’s front all offering a plentiful selection of mezes, grilled fish, prawns and calamari.

With so much sea, so many boats and plenty of captains there’s no shortage of daily boat tours, most of them call at the ancient site of Iassus, on the far side of the bay and then onto some of the small beaches not accessible by car. There’s no ancient history in Güllük but there are some rather splendid buildings, often hidden between the more recent development, two that have been recently restored date back only to the 30′s but their restoration has returned them to their former glory. The old Belediye (Council) building in its commanding position overlooking the sea has also recently been restored. Our fabulously stylish hotel in Güllük– Medinn – is situated just 5kms. south of the village centre.

From the village centre it’s a pleasant walk along the palm lined sea shore, the walk can take you right along the coast line to the mouth of the Gulf. With three small beaches and early morning calm water there is no better place to take a stroll. From every point you have stunning views of the bay.

On Thursday’s it’s market day (it used to be Friday but the stall holders kept arriving earlier and earlier until it started on a Thursday!!), there’s not many of the Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger stalls but if it’s goats cheese, local olives, free range eggs or the freshest vegetables you’re looking for then it’s ideal.

Tefo Barbers is the gathering place for the men of the village, the shop is always full, but don’t worry if you’re in line for a shave, the wait won’t be too long as half of them have just popped in to pass a friendly word and get the latest football score.

On summer evenings everybody is out for their regular family promenade up and down the front, in high season the atmosphere is almost carnival like with street sellers selling sweets, peanuts, corn on the cob and lokma (hot donuts), children race up and down on their bicycles, and grandma has a leisurely çay (tea) and watches the generations of her family. Tea gardens abound and if you can manage to spend a Saturday evening in Güllük there’s bound to be a wedding or a circumcision celebration, the band plays, the whole village assembles, the older ladies sit sedately (well, as sedately as possible on a small green chair), youngsters take the opportunity to show off their dancing skills and toddlers zip back and forth across the dance floor on their tricycles!!

With its rugged backdrop of awe inspiring mountains, surrounding acres of pine forests, crystal clear freshwater river and streams, abundant flower filled gardens and exquisite luxury villas featuring Ottoman style architecture, Akyaka is a favourite destination and is just a fifty minute drive from Dalaman airport. In spite of its recent growth, Akyaka remains both scenically stunning and relatively unspoilt, perhaps one of its advantages is that this is not a summer resort shutting down as soon as the last visitors depart, but a real working village where fishing and farming exist alongside tourism, where the camels are not available to ride as they are too busy carrying the crops from the fields, where the shops and restaurants stay open 12 months of the year to satisfy the demands of the locals and where the character of the village is very firmly imprinted.

Many city dwelling Turks have chosen Akyaka for their holiday vıllas and great conservation efforts have been made to ensure that all these buildings are constructed in the traditional style with pantiled roofs and intricately carved wooden ceilings and verandas, an interesting contrast to the usual Mediterranean style of architecture. Both the Yucelen Hotel and the Ottoman Mansion are perfect examples of this local architecture as is Villa Edahan situated just outside the village in the small hamlet of Ataköy. In July and August the village is buzzing with many Turks taking up residence and the beaches are busier. Out of the high season months the village is quieter.

The village has numerous food shops and a village bakery which bakes delicious crusty bread. A permanent fruit and vegetable market ensures you have the best choice of locally grown fruit. There is an excellent choice of restaurants ranging from specialist kebab makers and family run restaurants to the slightly more sophisticated riverside restaurants where fresh water trout is offered alongside a selection of delicious bream, bass and mullet. The wide sandy beach with its constant cooling breeze is ideal for children as it is shallow for some way out, beach side restaurants provide the ideal lunch venue and beds and sun umbrellas are plentiful; alternatively cross over the rickety wooden bridge to the plain and you have yet another beach; snorkelling enthusiasts will enjoy the rocky coastline bordering the forest whilst the sunbathers can relax on the small platforms cut into the rock face. The shingle beach at Çinar is just a five minute taxi ride away, surrounded by pine trees, pink oleander and with a fresh water stream cutting the beach in half there are few places so naturally beautiful. Sundays are always busy on the beach as the local Mugla citizens come to picnic. There is an extremely comprehensive tour programme available from the village.

Datça & its peninsula
Known in Turkish as ”half island”, the Datça Peninsula is surrounded on three sides by sea and is reminiscent of a small Greek island some 20 years ago. Datça is a town where life centres around the harbour. Carpet shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and even a modern day amphitheatre line the harbour side and each evening an assortment of gulets, sailing boats and gin palaces arrive to drop anchor in this attractive setting.

In Datça you don’t need a car but we think it can only add to your hotel or villa holiday allowing the freedom to explore. A drive along the narrow peninsula with pine forests and roads zig-zagging down to sea level will bring you to Knidos, on the very tip of the peninsula, a site dating back to 400BC and most famed for its statue of Aphrodite, the first naked female statue in history.

If you prefer less strenuous activity then there are numerous bays – they say 52 in total, one for every week of the year – some sandy, some pebbly but all with crystal clear water and many ideal for snorkelling. Karaincir is our favourite bay – just 12km. from Datça town it has a splendid golden sandy beach and calm, shallow waters. If you have a hire car then you will be able to meander along the coast if you are reliant on the dolmus simply choose your destination for the day and jump on the appropriate dolmus. Go to Hayitbuku – the favourite for the yachties – with its small sandy beach and have lunch at Ogun’s Restaurant; the next door bay is Ovabuku; here it is shingle beach with crystal clear water and old fashioned motels serving lunch. Further along the peninsula you will come to Palamutbuku; this is a popular summer destination and there are plenty of motels and small café bars lining the beach front where you will find sun beds and sun umbrellas; the food is usually excellent. Driving through the small villages scattered around the peninsula you will be surprised to find how traditional life continues. Be sure to buy Datca’s famed products; honey, almonds, figs and olive oil. If you prefer to explore by boat there are boat trips available from the harbour calling at many of the bays unreachable by road, you can even take a day trip to the Greek island of Symi. The nearest major town is Marmaris, a one hour drive through the mountains, the scenery is spectacular and at points you can see the sea on both sides of the peninsula. Many of the locals think of Bodrum as their nearest major town and there is a daily ferry boat taking two hours.

On Saturday the villagers assemble in Datça for market day affording the opportunity to buy some of the best local produce. Datça is famed for its almonds, honey and thyme and something you cannot buy in the market – the air! In ancient times it was known as ”magic air”, due to the north wind that blows in the summer there is very little humidity and this is considered to be of great benefit for some medical complaints! Nearby ”Eski Datça”, or Old Datça. is the original inland settlement. Crooked little stone houses line the narrow streets. Resadiye, just outside Datça, has a colourful history, in Ottoman times Resat Pasa built his home here and brought his servants from all over the empire, from as far away as North Africa, and today it is said that the people of this area are of a very different culture.

Until recently the road to Datça was very bad but it has now been improved making the journey much more comfortable. We consider this area one of our best finds and would highly recommend a holiday here in one of the best villas in Datça – Kangohan or in for a hotel holiday then the Marfe Hotel and Marfe Villas

Selimiye on the Bozburun Peninsula
If your idea of a holiday is to spend time relaxing in a quiet, unspoilt destination then there can be few locations as idyllic as Selimiye. It’s likely that the most you’ll do is to take a stroll along the sea front in search of restaurants offering a great selection of Turkish fare, but, if you are feeling particularly energetic then you might consider kayaking to the restaurant!

Just over 30 minutes travel time from the big and bustling town of Marmaris, Selimiye is a “one street” village where all the activity centres around the sea front. As with many of the best “undiscovered” places this is a haven for yachts, the most fitting geographical description for this area is a “sound”, the steep hills surrounding this inlet ensure that it is perfectly calm and with no sandy beaches the water is crystal clear and quickly shelves to very deep water. Where there are yachts then there are usually good restaurants and this is certainly the case in Selimiye. The famous Sardunya restaurant situated on the sea front with its own jetty is full every night during the summer months – the tables, adorned with white linen and elegant glassware would not be out of place in the best French restaurant. Just along from Sardunya is Aurora where the charismatic Swedish/Turkish owners offer an amazing array of mezes, all with a slight twist and such a great selection of main courses that you really do have to return a few times to taste them all! Life here is lived on the sea front and with one carpet store, a handful of beach ware boutiques and a few jewellery and craft shops there’s even an opportunity to shop on the sea! Every Wednesday the village market offers a great selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit and nuts, cheeses and olives and stalls laden with Turkish fabrics.

Daily boat trips (costing around £13 including a fish lunch!) leave the village and visit spectacular islands and coves, Kamelya with its ancient ruins of a monastery, herd of goats, guard like donkey and shoals of small fish, the magnificent volcanic island with an underwater chasm that you can swim through – home to an enormous octopus – and the Fairy Chimney bay with rock formation similar to that in Cappadocia. If you take the alternative route you’ll see Dirsekbuku a harbour since ancient times, it used to be an embarking point for the wine trade with vineyards spread over the surrounding hills, be sure to take a snorkel and find the old pier lying underwater. If you like an activity whilst on holiday then consider learning to scuba dive; the Selimiye Diving School offers 3 day courses – SSI certified – as well as 1 day/2 dive introductory days. At the far end of the village the Palmetto Beach Club offers rental of windsurf, canoes and Topper Omega sailboats.

Hiring a car or even just hopping in a taxi will allow the chance to explore, just a 10 minute drive from the village is the famous waterfall, whilst in terms of a waterfall it might not reach the dizzy heights of Niagara or Iguazu there is nothing more enjoyable than going late in the day when all the day trippers have left and taking a dip in the icy cold pools. At Orhaniye there is a shallow bar across the bay, the phenomena of walking through the middle of the sea just has to be photographed. Bozburun, a little further south is best known for its boat building but again where yachts stop there are always good sea side restaurants to be found. On the opposite side of the peninsula is Sogut a tiny sea side village with a handful of restaurants, here you can hire a fishing boat for the day, stock up the cool box and just enjoy the total peace in the stunning coves and bays. It’s not just locals who love these waters on our last visit we pulled up next to a 145 metre yacht!

If history and ancient sites are your interest then the area will not disappoint with the ancient sites of Hydas, Hygassos and Baybassos. In the nearby city of Hydas the ruins of wide city walls dating back to the Hellenistic period, several tombs and a watchtower can be found and there are a number of castles in the area dating back to 5th century.

We think that staying here is a privilege – an authentic and unspoilt village where the emphasis is on relaxation – few holiday choices could be better. For villa lovers we recommend our sea side villa, Layla, and as a hotel choice Luna Bougainvillea

Kumlubük
The road to Kumlubük passes through the busy resort of Marmaris but a 30 minute drive takes you a few worlds away! Leaving Içmeler it’s a mountainous route climbing higher and higher through pine forested scenery until you see the sparkling blue water of Turunç Bay and start your descent downwards. Just a few years ago Turunç was a small fishing village reachable only by boat but nowadays it is a busy resort town. By day the Blue Flag beach is full with day trippers on boats from Marmaris but in the evening the town empties and it’s just Turunç residents. There’s a good selection of restaurants and bars and plenty of shops to ensure you take home a few souvenirs of your trip.

Whilst it’s nice to pop into Turunç once in a while we much prefer the less populated village of Kumlubük just a few kilometres south. Kumlubük with a double horseshoe bay has not been excessively developed simply because most of the area is owned by a wealthy Turkish family who have built an imposing mansion between the two bays. There are just a handful of sea side hotels and some beach side restaurants including the fabulous Dutch Ahmet’s Place otherwise known as the Yacht Club. It’s just a short walk along the beach from our Serendipity Hotel and as well as offering elegant dining in a stunning sea side setting there is the added advantage that alongside the Turkish menu there is a full Chinese menu cooked by a Chinese chef!

The bay offers great swimming and snorkelling and you may be lucky enough to see the Ocean Sunfish; it resembles a small shark but is not dangerous. Watersports are available and there are boat trips leaving from nearby Turunç.

Kalkan
Kalkan, with its dramatic scenery and fascinating cultural sites dating back to the Lycian period provides a wonderful holiday destination. We have hand picked a selection of private villas with pools and a boutique hotel as our accommodation in this vibrant resort. From Kalkan town you can marvel at the view across the harbour and beyond as the boats drift in and out of the Turkish islands on the horizon. It’s a wonderful setting to sit and while the day away. The town remains untouched, with historic Ottoman architecture and narrow streets. It is a delightful place to explore with many excellent restaurants and quaint speciality shops that sell local crafts and jewellery.

Beaches near Kalkan include the 18km long Patara Beach, a breeding ground to the endangered loggerhead turtle. The beach is closed after sunset from May to October to allow the turtles to lay their eggs. At Patara Beach you have the option of lazing in the sun on the beautiful and wide sandy beach or walking over the vast dunes. Located 15 minutes from the beach are some ancient archaeological ruins, which have yielded pottery, dating from the 7th century BC. Then you have the option of Kaputaş beach located 7km east of Kalkan. Steps wind down from the road to the beautiful little sandy cove where the sea is a stunning azure blue. Throughout the summer months a dolmuş runs from Kalkan to Kaputaş beach.

The coastline in this area known as “The Turquoise Coast” is stunning and there is no better way to see it than from the luxury of a traditional wooden built boat known locally as a ‘gulet’, all gulets offer plenty of deck space with sunbathing mattresses strewn around and there is always shade at the back of the boat. A day trip on a boat from the centre of town allows plenty of opportunity to swim in stunning bays and coves. A more active day out could be a visit to the spectacular Saklikent Gorge (20km long), almost invisible from the surrounding area, cool fresh water rushes through the gorge and makes for an exciting walk. Thursday is market day in Kalkan where alongside the beautiful array of fruit and vegetables, spices, cheeses and olives you can buy clothes, tablecloths, bedspreads and linen. Alternatively if you would like a more extensive shopping experience then a visit to Fethiye would be well advised. Any one of our private Turkish villas in this area would be ideal for exploring the surrounding countryside.

After sunset Kalkan town comes alive. Sample some local cuisine in one of many waterfront restaurants served with friendly Turkish hospitality. Choose to eat supper at one of the many roof top terraces as the sun goes down, which have arguably the best views along the coast. Dining in Turkey is a leisurely affair and must be finished with a slim glass of tea ‘çay’. There are bars open into the early hours for a sociable cocktail or two.

We are confident that like us you will totally fall for Kalkan.

Kaş
Kaş is a quaint, unspoiled fishing and yachting town situated just 20 minutes east of Kalkan. It’s known as being slightly bohemian and is a favourite destination for those who enjoy a somewhat more Turkish flavour than that offered by nearby Kalkan.

Kaş is all about the sea, each of our properties has absolutely stunning sea views and in most cases sea swimming is just a short downhill walk from your accommodation. Kaş has a couple of pebble beaches – Little Pebble Beach and Big Pebble Beach and just outside the town at Akca Germe Beach there is a small waterpark.

The town centres around the harbour where each morning you can hop on a boat to cruise around the small islands and bays. Be sure to take the trip to the Sunken Cities of Kekova, you will see a variety of underwater ruins which over a period of time, earthquakes have caused to sink under the sea. The sea is so marvellously clear that the details – staircases, kilns, a quayside – can even be seen whilst sitting on a boat. A typical trip will include three ancient cities, Aperlae, Teimiussa and Simena (Kale). A number of glass bottomed boat tours visit the sunken cities.

Alternatively take a day trip to Greece – across the water from Kaş lies the easternmost Greek island of Meis or Kastellorizo, don’t be surprised by the number of Greek visitors popping across to Turkey for market day in Kaş.

Kaş is one of the leading locations for diving in Turkey. There are a number of diving schools offering an Introduction to Scuba Diving as well as internationally certified courses. The Turkish diving community has declared the rocky reefs to be the country’s best; lucky divers can thrill to swim alongside a gentle giant sea turtle or the rare Mediterranean monk seal, both carefully protected. Schools of dolphins sometimes race a dive boat out of the Kaş marina. Groupers appear on almost every dive, along with schools of calamari and small barracuda. With unusual shore formations, ancient and modern wrecks, reefs, canyons and large caves, water with high visibility and warm summer temperatures it’s no wonder that Kaş is a diving favourite.

From the central square by the harbour side cobbled streets run uphill lined with boutiques and shops selling an exquisite array of locally produced towels, pottery, hand made jewellery and clothing. Expect to see trailing pink and white bougainvillea pouring over the walls and arches of hidden courtyards where good restaurants serving traditional Turkish cuisine and delicious fresh sea food are hidden away. Many of the waterfront bars and restaurants have rooftop terraces with amazing sea views which make a fantastic location to start your evening watching the sun go down. The sleepy town comes alive mid evening when Kaş lives up to it’s “boho” reputation with many of the bars playing 60’s and 70’s music.

The little town of Kaş boasts several ancient treasures because of its historical setting. Located in the town centre is a Lycian Sarcophagus; on the west side a Hellenistic period well-preserved amphitheatre and with its amazing 4th century BC sculpted carvings the monumental Tomb of the Lion is an amazing ancient touch in the middle of the town.

We love Kaş and we are delighted to add this destination to our programme. Our selection of private villas with pools; Villas Citrus and one charming hotel; Tamara are about a 10 minute drive from the town centre.