Two weeks in Kalkan in Turkey

Okay I will be honest I did spend nearly every day, all day, just sat on my sun lounger, with the most exercise being to get up from said sun lounger, get in the pool, cool off and return to the sun lounger!  Isn't that what hot holidays are all about?!  We've just spent two weeks in Kalkan in Turkey and it was wonderful.  I did nothing, I didn't cook, I didn't have to think about what to cook, I didn't do any housework or washing.  I wore bikini's all day and summer dresses at night.

Our holiday was booked with Simpson Travel who I cannot recommend highly enough.  We discovered them six years ago when we went to Kalkan for the first time.  They are a slightly higher end, more exclusive but not a silly expensive tour operator.  They focus on excellent customer service and totally looking after you every minute of your holiday.  We've since used them to go to Corfu and Kefalonia and now back to Kalkan again.

Lace beach cover up was purchased in the South of France

And look at this view from the pool at the apart-hotel where we stay!  We went back to the Korsan Suites as the accommodation is so perfect for our needs, there are four 2-bedroom apartments and four 3-bedroom apartments.  All with a private hot tub on the balcony, a shared pool, breakfast is included and there is a pool bar and restaurant for lunchtime snacks and evening dinner as well as room service.  And every apartment has a breathtaking view over the bay.  It is a ten minute walk into Kalkan (downhill) and a five minute taxi ride back (uphill)!!!

Animal Print Midi Dress from Karen Millen, Espadrilles from Cara

We had a Turkish Bath (Hammam) at the Kalkan Regency Hotel (below), this cotton dress is from Accessorize and my Kenyan leather sandals are from Aspiga.

Kalkan is about an hour and a half from Dalaman Airport and was a small harbour town, when my sister lived in Turkey about 30 years ago, there were only a few hotels and restaurants.  It has developed enormously since then and even since we were there six years go - but it still maintains it's charm and friendly atmosphere.  It is not overrun with large groups or noisy parties (you know what I am referring to here)!

The restaurants are mostly on the roof terraces and along the harbour so the views are stunning.  I love eating outside, I love a view and I love warm evenings.  One evening we watched the sun go down and the moon pop up from behind the mountains over Kalkan, it was amazing, I am just sorry I couldn't catch it on my iPhone camera.  I don't think it is possible to get a bad meal in Kalkan, although the over enthusiastic 'front of house staff' do work quite hard to get you into their restaurant so you do have to get quite positive, be polite, say no thank you and walk away.  

Boat day, my trilby is from Marks & Spencer mens range

We had a day out on a traditional Turkish gulet, owned and operated by another Simpson hotel, the Kalkan Regency.  The boat is called the Poseidon and we did a lazy day cruise but they also offer dinner cruises and overnight stays.  Kalkan doesn't have a massive beach but it has lots of fabulous beach clubs where you can rent a sun lounger, get lunch, swim in the sea, dive or snorkel as well as lots of other water sports.  We spent a day at Kalamar Beach Club (taxi to and from Kalkan is included in the sun lounger rental price).  But because the Korsan Suites offers everything we want - a fabulous infinity pool and a great view - we don't move very far.  We have done some of the excursions during our two previous visits to Turkey though (see my post here).

Boat day, this bikini is from Sunseeker

Most evenings we either eat in one of the rooftop restaurants in Kalkan or at our hotel but one night we got a taxi over to nearby Kas, it takes about 40 minutes along the coastal road and you are treated to some very picturesque views as the sun sets.  Kas is smaller than Kalkan and more 'Turkish' it is a harbour town and you can get the ferry over to Meis which is the closest Greek island to Turkey.  We did this trip six years ago so didn't choose to do it again this time - but we will go back.  We have a good friend who grew up in Kas, she now lives in the UK, but her mum still has the family home and restaurant and we went over to have dinner there - The Blue House in Kas - fabulous views and very traditional.  Kas also has a couple of really pretty shopping streets.

Lilah Multi-Way Dress from Boden
​Lola Earrings from Toria Lee Accessories

I think that is a pretty good summary, Turkey is beautiful and I love it and we will be going back again!  Now to concentrate on our summer at home, I hope the weather is kinder than it has been, I have my daughter going off to university in September so lots of prep to do for that.

A few more summer holiday dressing ideas below ...

My lace kaftan is from The Wendy House in Maidenhead, not currently on website but available to post if you message or call Wendy.  Red bikini from Coco Bay.

​Evening in Kas, my white dress was from a small boutique in Kalkan.

My bikini was gifted to me and is by Oroblu from UK Swimwear, no longer available but similar on styles on their website.

​I loved this cream linen mix sun dress from Zara and it was only £29.99, it is still available on their website - size up, I am in a medium.  Oh and it has pockets!

Love from
Michelle xx


Disclaimer: my bikini was gifted to me from UK Swimwear and the Kenyan leather sandals were gifted from Aspiga, this post may contain some affiliate links.

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My daughter looking stunning in the short version of the Austin Dress from Top Shop.