Travel: Kalkan, Turkey

James, Mum, Me, Lily, Izzy and Blanche

Kalkan has it all for a last blast of summer trip. It's the perfect balance of sun, sea, culture and gorgeous food. The temperatures drop to a more bearable but still tan friendly 30 degrees and most of tourists have left. I went with my Mum, brother and family friends and had an unforgettable holiday. We were on a budget so here are my five ways to make this good value holiday spot even cheaper.

On board the boat, Whisper

Mezze - best food of the trip!

Private boat trip

It's not something exclusive to the rich and famous in Turkey. There were 9 of us so this trip worked out at only £24 each for the whole day including the best food of the holiday. We set sail at lie-in friendly 10.30 and headed straight to the first of five swimming beauty spots. Lunch was a 10 course mezze followed by bbq fish that was caught on the boat earlier in the morning.

Book Whisper at the harbour outside The Blue lagoon beach club

View from Adam's

Adam's Place

Kalkan is built on a mountain, surrounded by sea which means beautiful sunsets and thigh achingly steep hills. Avoid the latter by heading to this lovely Turkish restaurant where owner Adam will collect you from your villa. It's prime location, high up in the hills means gawpable sea views. Order the courgette and feta frittata and mezze platter and after inevitable over consumption of local rosé, Adam drops you back home. 

Last night drinks

Happy Hour

You pay the price for the fancier more expensive restaurants by the harbour with a view but they are more touristy. We avoided them for more authentic Turkish fare further up in the mountains. But on our last night, we dressed up and took advantage of the extended half price happy hours they all offer.

Mud bath!

Day Trip

If you're in a larger group, (5+), pass on the organised tours and plan your own with Kalkan's taxis. We went to the Saklikant Gorge where we rafted in 8 degree water (absolutely freezing melted ice water) and had a dip in the mud bath. This meant we could do the sights at our own pace - there's no hanging around for the slow coaches or rushing off when you want to explore more. It's also half the price of the organised tours too.

Kebabs on the BBQ

Dine in

Kalkan restaurants are seriously cheap by London standards. Expect to pay £15 a head for 2 courses and lots of wine but when you are away for 1 week plus, eating out every night can get a tad repetative. So we stayed in and had a BBQ. The supermarkets and butchers select fresh local food, often organic and from the small villages in the mountains.

Mum, Izzy, Lily and Blanche