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One of the most exciting aspects of a holiday is trying out new food and drinks.  Kalkan is a gastronomic treat, we would not hazard a guess at how many restaurants there are to choose from.  The dining options in Kalkan are wonderful with a wide range and style of cuisine available, to suit every palate.  How could you do anything but indulge!

Feeling weary or just enjoy being pampered?  A visit to a hamam, a steam bathhouse of Roman origin, is a distinctly Turkish experience and one we would highly recommend, combine this with a relaxing massage and you will undoubtedly feel refreshed.  There are also a variety of spa and beauty treatments available for both men and women in Kalkan.


 

Whilst a day dipping into the pool at Truffle Residences is lovely, sometimes you just want to swim in the sea.  You can choose to visit the beaches at Kalkan, Kaputas and Patara or relax at a number of beach clubs which are around Kalkan Bay.

No holiday to Kalkan would be complete without a day out on a gulet (wooden yacht) a uniquely Turkish experience.  Briefly escape on a graceful gulet to enjoy cruising round to various beaches and coves, where you can dive into the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean. Moonlight and BBQ cruises are also available.

Not everyone visits Kalkan for a rest and to laze in the sun and there is lots to see in this interesting part of Turkey all of which are within easy reach from Kalkan.  You can take a day trip to Kas, Fethiye or hop on a boat to the Greek Island of Meis to shop and explore or, visit the Lycian historical sites of Pinara, Sidyma, Xanthos, Patara, Letoon and Tlos. 

For those of you who require more than lying on a lounger, or feel the need to work off some of the fabulous Turkish food, there are a numerous activities to be enjoyed, including mountain biking, scuba diving, sea kayaking, canyoning, paragliding, water tubing and rafting.

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New for 2010, Truffle is introducing a number of Special Interest Weeks for guests who are looking for something a little different for their holiday to Kalkan and the Turquoise Coast !
 

We have put together two very different weeks; whether you want to explore a bygone era steeped in history or put on canvas the breathtaking scenery of Kalkan and its surrounding area.
 

The programme we have developed for 2010 during the cooler spring and autumn months includes:

Truffle Ancient Lycian Culture Week
Accompanied by cultural anthropologist, Dr Tricia Emptage

The area around Kalkan is rich with ancient Lycian sites. Join us to experience a bygone era steeped in history.

This tour will take place during the following weeks (commencing on a Monday):
15 March, 12 April, 26 April, 18 October, 1 and 15 November 2010

Right click on the pdf icon to  download the full description

 
Truffle Watercolour Painting and Drawing Week
Hosted by Sally Mitchell.

Enjoy the delights of Kalkan and its surrounding areas, whilst you develop your brush skills and capture it all on canvas.

This course will take place during the following weeks (commencing on a Monday):
22 March, 5 April, 3 May, 4 and 25 October, 8 November 2010

Right click on the pdf icon to  download the full description

Based at Truffle Residences apartments in Kalkan, each week includes 3 1/2 days organised activity.
 

Group sizes will be a minimum of 4 persons and a maximum of 12 or 16 persons.
 

We can arrange any of these Special Interest Weeks for alternative dates in 2010, subject to accommodation availability and a minimum number of guests. Please contact Truffle with your specific requirements.

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Ancient Lycian Culture Week

The outstandingly beautiful area of Turkey surrounding Kalkan is at the heart of ancient Lycia. Lycia, a federation of around 40 cities established around 1400 BCE, stretched from Antalya in the East to Fethiye in the west.

The headquarters of the Lycian federation was originally at the city of Xanthos, a 25 minute drive from Kalkan but was later moved to Patara, about 15 minutes drive away. Kalkan, therefore, is ideally placed for visiting a number of these fascinating archaeological sites.

The unique Ancient Lycian Culture week is ideally suited to Truffle guests who have a general interest in history and archaeology. No foreknowledge is needed to enjoy the interesting cities of Lycia, as all the visits will be accompanied by cultural anthropologist, Dr Tricia Emptage, who will explain each of the sites and their unique history in an informative and informal manner.

Some, but not all, of the city sites have been partially excavated and obviously much more is known of these than the places that have been identified but not yet fully explored. And therein lies much of the charm of the places that have not been excavated and where Turkish village life goes on in the time-honoured way in and amongst the ancient relics. Many of the sites are located in places of spectacular natural beauty and in the autumn and spring the ruins are vibrant with a range of wild flowers.

Tricia was formerly Senior Lecturer in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Hull, from where she gained her PhD. She has lived in the area for nine years, researching and teaching Turkish history, and so knows the area very well. She has recently published a book 'The Road to Ruins: Lycian Turkey - Fethiye to Kas'. Truffle guests will receive a complimentary signed copy of her excellent book.

In brief, known Lycian history starts before 2000 BCE when Tlos, the earliest city, was founded - according to Homer, Lycians fought in the Trojan wars. The Lycians had their own language, culture and religious cults. The area was later integrated into the Persian Empire in 540 BCE until 334 BCE when Alexander the Great arrived. Later still it became part of the Roman Empire, and under Roman control the Lycian headquarters was moved from Xanthos to Patara, which was one of the most important ports in the Eastern Mediterranean. The area was home to some of the earliest Christians and amongst the ruins of the ancient Pagan temples are some of the world's earliest Christian churches.

The itinerary for the Ancient Lycian Culture Week will include 3 ½ days of accompanied visits to the local archaeological sites. Each day will begin with a coffee and a brief presentation giving the background to that day’s destination. Lunches will be picnics or taken at local restaurants where appropriate.

Price includes (on the tour days):
• transport and admission fees
• morning coffee and afternoon tea
• lunch (excluding drinks)
• a complimentary copy of Dr Tricia Emptage’s book, ‘The Road to Ruins: Lycian Turkey – Fethiye to Kas’.

Minimum Places: 4 Maximum Places: 16

Weeks Available in 2010: 15 March, 12 and 26 April, 18 October, 1 and 15 November

Price of Tour: £ 295.00 per person

Not included in price:
• Flights
• Transfers - Truffle can arrange these for you
• Accommodation – select which of the apartments at Truffle Residences you wish to stay in. Non-participating partners and family are more than welcome to stay with us, should they not wish to book on the Ancient Lycian Culture week.

Interesting Reading:

Xanthus: Travels of Discovery in Turkey by Enid Slatter (ISBN: 9780948695308)

This book follows the journey of the celebrated classic traveler Charles Fellows who collected the Lycian Marbles from Asia Minor and looks at the events that lead to the dispatch of two expeditions to Xanthia.

Birds Without Wings by Louis De Bernieres (ISBN: 9780099478980)

Set against the backdrop of the collapsing Ottoman Empire, the Gallipoli campaign and the subsequent bitter struggle between Greeks and Turks. It traces the fortunes of one small community in south-west Anatolia – a town in which Christians and Muslims live and traditions have co-existed peacefully for centuries. When war is declared and the outside world intrudes, the twin scourges of religion and nationalism lead to forced marches and massacres, and the peaceful fabric of life is destroyed. “Captivating and compelling….a masterpiece” (Independent on Sunday)

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Kalkan is a harbour town set in a bay with a breathtaking landscape. It is located on Turkey's south west coast, between the towns of Fethiye (85 km to the west) and Kas (27 km to the east). With dramatic views of the Taurus Mountains behind and shimmering sea views of the Mediterranean to the front of the town.

Kalkan was once an Ottoman-Greek fishing village known as Kalamiki. Strict conservation laws have ensured that the old village has retained its authentic ambience and architecture.

The horseshoe harbour is full of fishing boats and gulets (Turkish sailing boats) from which scuba diving and day trips can be taken.

Kalkan is renowned for its narrow streets and rooftop terraces, where you can leisurely dine with a fantastic choice of many restaurants whilst watching the sunset over the harbour and listen to the call to prayer from the waterside mosque. See Turkish Delights  Indulge.

Kalkan has numerous boutique-style shops selling an array of jewellery, clothing, leather goods, Turkish carpets and lighting. Every Thursday there is a local open-air market selling anything from fresh vegetables, clothing, household goods to herbs and spices. A great place to wander round and do a bit of bartering. Ladies, there is plenty of choice for retail therapy !

Kalkan is ideal for couples looking for a romantic break but also suits families or groups of friends.

As the streets in Kalkan are steep (and some cobbled) it may not be a suitable destination for those who are in a wheelchair or who have walking difficulties.

A 5 day weather forecast for Kalkan can be found on www.weatherkalkan.com with a live webcam of the bay.

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