Posts Tagged ‘Kalkan Turkey’

Shop Til You Drop in Kalkan Turkey

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Kalkan, located on the stunning Lycian Coast of Turkey, is an unspoilt gem which has not yet been overrun with the masses of tourists who can often ruin the charm of such a place. Despite the size and pace of the town, there is much to appeal about Kalkan. Turkey has an enviable climate and Kalkan’s moderate temperatures mean that even in the winter months it is still a wonderful place to visit. No matter what you come for; be it to sun yourself on the beautiful beaches or simply to soak up the atmosphere of the town’s ancient history, the one thing you will most definitely be tempted by is the shopping in Kalkan. Turkey is renowned for its artisans and you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a souvenir.

Arts and Crafts

The great thing about Kalkan is that shopping is completely stress-free. Not for this town the crowded, bustling streets of a busy seaside resort. You can browse the tiny shops and boutiques at your own pace, and no one is in a hurry in Kalkan. Turkey has long been known for its wonderful jewellery, ceramics, glass works and hand-carved artefacts. You will find all of these in abundance in the shops and stalls amongst the windy streets and alleys of Kalkan. Make a special note to search for the traditional “evil eye”, made from blue glass, which is reputed to ward off any evil spirits.

Turkish Rugs

The incredibly intricate and beautiful kilims and carpets, probably Turkey’s most famous export, are well-known for their excellent craftsmanship and durability. A good quality kilim can last for over a hundred years and you are sure to find your perfect choice in Kalkan. Turkey has many different regions and each area has their own style and story behind the rugs they produce. You will be dazzled by the incredible array of colours and designs available in these beautiful carpets and rugs and it will be hard to decide. If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a magic carpet, you can still by plenty of smaller items like cushions and slippers which are made out of old kilims.

Turkish Delight

This may not be strictly classed as a souvenir, because once you get your hands on some of the delicious traditional sweet, it will probably never make it out of Kalkan. Turkey is the perfect place to have your first taste of Turkish Delight if you’ve never had it before, or to readjust your taste buds if you think it’s going to be anything like that which you get from a box of Quality Street! The authentic version of this delicacy truly earns its name and the delicate rose-water taste is an absolute pleasure. Don’t expect it to come coated in chocolate as you would normally see it; in Kalkan, Turkey’s most famous namesake arrives with a liberal sprinkling of icing sugar instead. If you ARE noble enough to resist eating the lot before you leave town, a block of Turkish Delight is a wonderful gift for someone back home.

Author Bio: Nick Wrightman is the founder and M.D. of The Tapestry Collection, specialist holiday tour operators who can arrange a stay in Kalkan Turkey as well as packages for Crete, Kefalonia and Morocco. The Tapestry Collection includes boutique hotels, villas, exclusive apartments, gulet holidays and riads in a selection of delightful resorts.

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Kids in Kalkan

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Kalkan, Turkey is great for adults and children alike. With several sandy beaches and a range of exciting water sports you really don’t have to travel far in order to entertain the whole family. Kids in Kalkan, Turkey will have an amazing time at any of these child-friendly attractions.

Searching For Santa

Turkey may share its name with our favourite Christmas bird, but it’s also the place that you’d least expect to find Father Christmas. However, Kalkan, Turkey is actually the birth place of the original St. Nicholas, but don’t go to the resort expecting to find any Santa-themed souvenir shops or even a sign alluding to the fact that Mr Claus was born here. Instead the fact is very much kept a local secret. Patara Beach, which is claimed as Santa’s birth-spot, is perfect for those who want to relax and unwind. The calm waters are great to take a paddle in and kids will find Patara’s sand sandcastle friendly. However, you may want to warn your children to watch out for turtle eggs whilst they’re playing in the beach; Santa’s seaside is also home to hundreds of loggerhead turtles and the beach closes at sunset to allow them to lay their eggs.

Canoeing the Xanthos River

Kalkan, Turkey has some great watersports and not all of them take place on the ocean. The Xanthos River is a great place to enjoy a laid-back family day out whilst canoeing around the scenic and tranquil Lycian Way. The row is all downstream, so even children can have a go working the oars, once they’ve grown bored of searching for fish that is! The canoe excursion also includes a trip to a nearby mud bath, which is great fun for the whole family. Whilst mums may want to hear about the soothing and holistic properties of the mud, kids will have a great time covering themselves in the goo and pretending to be swamp monsters. The day ends with a barbecue and relaxing swim at Patara Beach.

Kayak in Kekova

The Lycian Way was once rife with tales of piracy and smuggling. One of the main caves believed to be used by pirates, and known locally as The Pirate Cave, can be explored by kayak on a trip taking in the sunken city at Kekova. Kids will find it fascinating rowing their kayak over three ancient cities, Aperlae, Teimiussa and Simena. With the almost transparent water you can easily make out the foundations of houses and the towers of Kalkan, Turkey’s old harbour building. Your children really don’t need to know anything about the history of the area to make the trip enjoyable for them. However, if they’ve recently studied the ancient Greeks or Romans at school then they might find the trip to Kekova’s sunken cities even more interesting. There are a few stops along the way where children and adults can stop for a snorkel and take a closer look at the colourful fishes and spiky sea urchins that cling to the old buildings.

Author Bio: Nick Wrightman is the founder and M.D. of The Tapestry Collection, specialist holiday tour operators who can arrange a stay in Kalkan Turkey as well as packages for Crete, Kefalonia and Morocco. The Tapestry Collection includes boutique hotels, villas, exclusive apartments, gulet holidays and riads in a selection of delightful resorts.

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