Transfers & Car Rental: Flights to Dalaman airport, 130km to the northwest, are from most UK gateways though Antalya, 200km to the northeast, is also an option, especially useful during off-peak seasons. The journey to Gül Baba House from Dalaman is a scenic drive of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The spectacular trip from Antalya on the mountain road is about two hours and 30 minutes and somewhat longer via the coast. We usually get a local travel agency to collect us from Dalaman airport and drive us to the house where we keep the car for the rest of our stay. We can recommend agents for both airport transfers and car hire as well as sightseeing and activities.
Driving in Turkey is great fun and a great way to explore this scenic country. Roads aren't very crowded, major roads are in good condition and even backroads are (mostly) ok. Petrol stations are all over the place. Driving at dusk and night is best avoided as tractors often don't have rear lights and pedestrians can wander into road.
Goats and Wells: Like to get off the beaten track yet remain convenient to shops, restaurants and nightlife? Gül Baba House is located at the end of a steep driveway, which is reached by a bumpy lane off the main road that links Kalkan through the mountains with the Black Sea hundreds of kilometres away. Yet we're just a five-minute drive to town. Our property is overlooked by olive groves that are on protected land; thus the view down to the Mediterranean is completely unobstructed. We share an oversize parking area with our neighbours (and good friends!) to one side; olives grow are on the other. The driveway down to the house is easily spotted as it starts at the old draw well - the sole water source for the neighbourhood until three years ago. Traditional life is still very much alive here. Locals bring their goats and sheep down the path near our house in season and watching lambs gambol and kids play is quite a sight! It makes for perfect viewing with a gin and tonic from one of our balconies.
Not in Guidebooks: Because Steve, one of the owners, writes for Lonely Planet (including their guide to Turkey), he's a font of knowledge about all the fascinating sights in the area, including many that never make it to guidebooks. A perfect (and technologically advanced)Roman aqueduct, water-powered mills in mountain villages, signposts in the ancient Lycian tongue lying strewn in a field. And because Mike is a huge foodie, he's happy to tell you where to buy the best honey, which markets have the most amazing cheese to nibble with wine or which restaurants serve the freshest, most imaginative food. For those who get tired of eating out every night, there are three kitchens. The main kitchen, with all mod-cons, is on the main floor where a table seating four affords wonderful views. Upstairs, there are tables for six and for four, both of which can be used inside or taken out to the huge terrace with barbeque. Or you can go down to the lower floor and picnic among the fruit trees.
Other Activities:
Archaeological tours, birdwatching, canoeing & kayaking
Learn more about this holiday rental at the owner's website:
