Re: Kalkan - the place or the visiters?

[kevincat99]

What exactly is a different class- the type of person visiting or the place ?
There seems to be some mystique that Kalkan appeals to the " better class " of people , whoever they are.
Resorts such as Marmaris and Bodrum are much longer established, larger in size and commercialised than Kalkan but they also have their own many good points on a par with Kalkan and should not be denigrated as they appeal more to the family beach , aqua park, holiday type of vacation as well as older couples- and they also provide a much wider range of amenities than Kalkan and at much cheaper prices . So is there anything wrong with that - does Kalkan want exclusivity or do the people who live here or own property here not want to rub shoulders with the "average man in the street" ?
I bet villa owners who wish to rent their properties out in Kalkan do not vet their prospective tenants for suitability 

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=1565.0

[yoyo]

Definitely the place, not the visitor.  I certainly do not put myself down as a "better class of person".  I first came to Turkey in 1986 and went to Gumbet near Bodrum when it had 1 bar and a few hotels, it was a very relaxing holiday.  I would not want to return there now as it has got far too "commercial" in my opinion, as have many of the other resorts.  I would probably visit them for a day or so just because they are nearer to various attractions such as Ephasus, but that is all.  Kalkan, on the other hand, still holds the charm of being small and friendly (despite all the building work going on). 

[itstime]

yeah, me too. First visit to Turkey was Altinkum, had a look around Bodrum and Kusadasi but didn''t particularly fall in love with any of them. found Kalkan in the mid nineties, fell in love with it and have gone back ever since. Nothing to do with class, just loved everything about it.

[holidayfever]

To a degree both, but nothing to do with CLASS just personal taste, it isnt mass package holiday place so for people like me who like a smaller place, without a lot of bussle and wild night life it suit''s me fine. But people from any class would want this, and yes for the record I am working class and proud. Think what people mean is it hasn''t the larger lout feel to it. Now I would never go to Marmaris however it must suit what a lot of people want and need as it is so popular and again nothing to do with class as it has all * of hotel to meet all budgets. And I feel at different times in your life different resorts suit your needs. When mine were little I wouldn''t have chosen Kalkan maybe Icmilar, Oul Deniz, now they have grown up Kalkan, Turunc, Gocek,etc that is because I work in a school dont want to be surrounded with hordes of families, or have a hotel which offer''s Kids Clubs. And I feel the small resort offer a more friendly laid back touch.

[kevincat99]

Hi
My initial posting looks out of place as originally it was posted in response to a remark from The Feds in a thread !st  Time In Kalkan saying that Kalkan was in a different class to other resorts. Initially I queried whether they took this to be the place or the visitors
It was then moved to General Discussions where it looks odd as it replies to a question that is no longer there
It was never intended to be a new thread merely a discussion on places and people

[Mercimek]

I understand that Kevin Cats original post was misplaced, but seeing as the discussion seems to have mentioned the very british distiction of class- I would be very interested as how you all define class, it may also be interesting for any non British reading this. It was once described to me as such- Upper Class- aristocracy, Middle Class - Doctors, School teachers and white collar workers, Lower/ Working class- blue collar workers.
From that definition I would say we have very few upper class, and that Kalkan''s guests/ visitors were a mix of the other two!
Any thoughts?

[felicity]

Interesting thread - and I agree that kalkan is in a different ''class'' than the places previously mentioned - and I stress - that is my PERSONAL opinion (which I appreciate may not be the view of others) or maybe even in a ''class'' of its own...and yes - that is a very rose tinted spectacles view.....     So I agree with John - it is the place and not the people nor the visitors. That said I do think it attracts (as Mercimek said) very little Upper Class (aristocracy) but a mixture of middle and working class.  BUT - who is does NOT attract (or at least very much) is the ''class'' of people who are interested in all wild nights karaoke, raves, lager lout type of people interested in nothing but ''getting p**** as a f*** in the ''pub'' being rowdy or groups of young people out for a ''good time'' vomiting in the streets and generally causing havoc (thank God!).

And - yes - for the record - I do VET as carefully as I am able - all guests to whom I rent our villa as to their suitability and HAVE turned down people too!   

[kevincat99]

Wow this is really getting heavy
I responded to a fairly simple question and was transfered from 1st Time in Kalkan to General Discussionand now find it in Politics & Debate
Wish I had never mentioned it now
ps. Felicity - How do you sort the wheat from the chaff [or chavs  ]
pps John the places you whizzed through on your travels do have some nice parts as well

[felicity]

LOL - Kevin - I like your wheat from chaffs/chavs..!! 

It is difficult to vet people- no doubt - but I either speak to people personally on the telephone - have an ongoing e-mail correspondence...build up relationships with them - like through the EK forum....try and find out a bit about them - most importantly I determine the make up of the party (from my booking form)- ie - how many males how many females, how many people under 18 etc etc...from that I do my best to gauge their suitability as to the type of people that I would be happy to rent my cherished home to = that will take care of it - like they would take care of their own home etc etc...  I know - I''m being biased and maybe I turn people away that could be fine - but you have to be careful - i DON''T accept single sex groups (male or female) - yes, sexist ageist etc etc etc - I know - but this is not ''just another rental property'' it is my home from home and therefore I want to screen people as much as possible...!!  My ideal scenario is couples or families - so I hope that helps....it really is not easy and it is a big worry of mine - and I''m sure that I speak not only for myself but for all the other villa and apartment owners for whom their home in Kalkan is their cherished home and not ''just an income stream''!

[kevincat99]

Hi Felicity
Yes I suppose the safest way is don''t do it - but after that it''s just judgement and fingers crossed 

[felicity]

Yep - you are totally right Kevin..don''t do it - is the only surefire way (trouble is - do I want to own it - or does the bank.. ) ...other than that - as you say - gut feeling, best judgement and fingers crossed..!!     So far, so good - nothing too major..!! 

[felicity]

PS:  is that a clatter of krush going in the animal welfare tin..kevincat..??!!  LOL!!   

[Enjoy Kalkan]

Thread tidied

[Nonna S]

We had hoped to go to Kalkan and rent something for a week or so later this year.  But we are four females (who would like to be described as "ladies") - aged in our late 50s and early 60s - a widow (sadly, the youngest of us, quite recently widowed and therefore in need of some support), a single lady, a separated lady and one whose husband doesn''t mind her having a holiday away from him to support her friends - or at least, that''s her excuse!) - and are a bit concerned at the comments we have read on this website.  However, we appreciate that to rent out a precious home is risky, but to decide that a property is not to be rented out at all under any circumstances to a group of single sex people (either male or female) is a bit extreme.  Nevertheless, we do understand the possible risks in view of the problems encountered with some of the younger element in recent years, not only in Turkey, but elsewhere with British youth.  And, we must admit, if was a property that belonged to any of us, we would probably feel the same!  Especially as you have to believe what strangers are telling you over the Internet!   We hope you will find suitable people to rent your villa this year.  Perhaps we could contact you next year with a view to renting from you for a week or possibly a fortnight or so, if we find we like Kalkan?  The married lady referred to above is going to be there for a fortnight in July with her husband to "suss it out" (the town - especially the jewellers'' shops) and will decide, depending on how she and her husband get on, whether or not to come back again.  From what we have heard, we will definitely be there again!  Kalkan sounds absolutely idyllic!  We all adore cats and have come across so many on our previous Turkish holidays (spent mainly in Dalyan, but also in Hisarnonu and Olu Deniz - all  lovely places) and in some of the Greek islands, particularly Rhodes, where they seem to look after the stray cat population very well.  We look forward to making feline (plus human and canine) friends again plus, more importantly, lots of friends among  the local people.  (Can''t wait!) - Patricia and Derek Smith

[holidayfever]

Sorry if you have read some comments on single sex groups I must have missed that one. I think people would mean a group of youths, having said that even some groups of youths can make lovely guests but guess that would be a bigger risk. We have been to Turkey a few times as a group of Ladies mums and daughters in there 20''s and 50''s so you are right we leave everything spotless and well cared for, would think it safer than having a family with younger children who after all run around and are less careful.
Hope you find something, sure if you phoned the vendor and explained your age group they would love to have you. Hope your friends love Kalkan and you follow soon after a lovely safe place for Ladies.