Author Topic: First time visitors to Turkey/Kalkan (Read 8732 times)

Ainsley · « **on:** July 11, 2012, 04:00:10 PM »

Hi all,

Next Monday the girlfriend and I are heading out to Turkey for the first time and staying at the Likya Gardens Hotel for a week....can't wait. Thought we'd just go for one week rather than our usual 2 and splash out a bit

Few questions.....

1. Hamam: Where is the best place to get a private session for 2 along with massage etc, and what time do they stay open to? We arrive on Monday evening so thinking it would be a perfect start to the trip, but I'd like to get it all booked up if possible so we're not wasting time on that first evening trying to find somewhere.

2. Turkish barber: Lucky enough to have a Turkish barber near my home, so I know how good they are.....just wondering if you can recommend any in Kalkan as I'd like to get a shave/trim while I'm out there!

3. Any other must sees or dos while in Kalkan?

Many thanks in advance for your replies!

Ainsley

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=9804.0

Skunk · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2012, 04:21:37 PM »

Atlantis wellness and the Pirat hotel, alos I notice the Likya residence hotel do it which might be easy as you will be with the same company. Antler recommends Jasmine for a barber but Wella is also good. If you look on the KTLN website there is an interactive business map which will show you where everything is. Likya Gardens eh, very posh looking, I will expect some reports in return for this info!!!!!!

Denners · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2012, 05:33:44 PM »

You should get a good 'deal' at the Likya Residence Hotel & Spa as it and the Likya Gardens are owned by the same guy. I'm sure you can book by email in advance.
Recommend Sweeney Todd barbers overlooking the lower roundabout opposite the taxi rank.

chrissy1 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2012, 05:36:04 PM »

My OH goes to sweeney todd just opposite the taxi rank on the other side of the roundabout he is brilliant, don't think u can go wrong with any of the barbers in Kalkan, enjoy your holiday I am sure you will. How weird is that I was typing this at the same time as Denners - never had that before

HolmfirthNicky · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2012, 05:58:05 PM »

My Hubbie uses either the barber in the wooden shed where the Post office is or the one at the Pirat hotel. As Chrissy says i don't think you'll go wrong with any of them. We used the Turkish bath in The Pirat but as Denners says you might get a better deal using the Likya one.
Must do's; a boat trip,
watching the sun go down at Kleo bar with a cocktail(or 3!)
sitting on one of the rooftop restaurants enjoying the delicious food and taking in the ambience,
and maybe not one for you , but handbag shopping!!!!

Ainsley · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2012, 06:12:11 PM »

Many thanks for the replies!

Great - I'll shoot them an email now and see what they come back with

Boat trip sounds like a winner......I think the hotel has it's own boat so I might see if the captain is open to bribes! Any other recommended boat companies that operate in Kalkan? Handbags....thanks for the warning

We'll take plenty of pictures and report back when we return! We're very excited about it all.

This might sound like a silly question, but are there any cultural pointers we need to be aware of (having never been to Turkey) in terms of respect with greetings, tipping, speaking English etc?

Bob & Jayne · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2012, 06:35:46 PM »

Hi Ainsley
Welcome to the forum.
With regards to tipping - I wouldn't recommend tipping the girlfriend off the water hammock!

Skunk · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2012, 06:38:16 PM »

Loads of boats all along the harbour. If you go down there in the evening they are all selling their trips. Yildiz, Sunset, Moby Dick, Zeus all good. However you may get a less crowded trip on their own boat.
Tipping is about the same as UK, but be careful they haven't put a service charge on the bill!
They mostly speak pretty good English but love it if you learn a few basic words to use - please, thank you etc.
The people are fantastically freindly and once they know you will treat you like a long lost friend. They can be a bit hassly but very easily back down if you say no firmly. Be aware that they more or less expect you to try and haggle - especially in the market! They are a great people altogether, but they are Muslim so just be a bit aware of modesty around town, the call to prayer five times a day is a sacred moment for them, Ramadan (Ramazan in Turkey) is in July/August which is their religious festival - they have nothing to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset for a month - very tough in the heat! Many don't drink alcohol but they don't mind if you do! They don't eat pork or pork products at all. It is a different culture but one most of us absolutely love. Hope you love it too.

kalkan4eva · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2012, 07:33:50 PM »

Ainsley...I'm sooohhh jealous. Lykia Gardens looks wonderful and you will have stunning views of Kalkan from there. Please report back as this hotel has had a complete makeover and can't speak for anyone else, but I'd love to know how you find it. We intended to go over and have a look whilst we were there last month, but other things got in the way.
Have an amazing time!
Most people speak English but if you have a smartphone try adding the Lingopal app - a few Turkish words will go a long way

As for boat trips - if you are looking to hire just for the two of you, Muddy Boat is a small boat otherwise I'd recommend Yildiz 2 or 3, Romantik or Chillout - you will have a good day on any of these.

Bob & Jayne · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2012, 07:54:13 PM »

Ainsley another "must do" experience is a Moonlight Cruise, we went on one from Oludeniz, but I know Captain Osman on Yildiz 2 does one.

Ainsley · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2012, 08:01:15 PM »

Thank you....might well check out Muddy Boat.....we're sociable but we both work so much that it's nice to spend some time exclusively when we do go away!

Moonlight cruise.....sounds like another thing to add to the list!

I'll check out the app, thank you! Great advice so far from all - so glad I posted up!

The Elixir people have already got back to me and are arranging something for us at the Residence hotel

Skunk · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2012, 10:19:40 PM »

Another good Moonlight cruise is with Anil Boat - Ali will be on the harbour!!

hobbo · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2012, 11:08:11 PM »

another small boat for private hire is Zeus with Ali (different Ali) does day tours and moonlight etc. highly recommended.

Charlie · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2012, 09:13:16 AM »

Yes Zeus with Captain Ali gets my vote too. Smaller boat - have been out on it many times. He carries snorkelling and fishing equipment for your use. Fabulous day out, a must do when in Kalkan!

Skunk · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2012, 10:10:52 AM »

I agree about Zeus - Ali taught me to snorkel!!!!

Ainsley · « **Reply #15 on:** July 13, 2012, 02:01:15 PM »

Zeus boat trip booked!

Skunk · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2012, 04:39:08 PM »

Brill you've have a great day out! Enjoy!

Ainsley · « **Reply #17 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:18:49 PM »

We're back and now hooked on Kalkan....we'll definitely be returning!

Likya Gardens hotel was fantastic. Service out of this world....nothing too much trouble and the room impeccable. I will upload a few pics when I get time this week.

Boat trip with Ali on Zeus boat was the highlight of our trip - many thanks to those who suggested it. A day we will never forget!

Pompeyalbie · « **Reply #18 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:57:51 PM »

Another one hooked

Where ever we've been in Turkey and done a boat trip it has always been a good day out, especially if they are smaller boats as opposed to the floating disco's. What more can you ask for than a pleasant cruise on the flat blue sea soaking up the sun and lovely meals at each stop.