Turkey’s Lycian Coast boasts a diverse range of ancient villages, a stunning coastline with sheltered bays, and jagged mountains flanked by fertile forests and dramatically rising 2000 metres above rocky headlands.

Although despite its natural beauty, the Lycian Coast remains one of Turkey’s less developed stretches of coastline. With the onset of the cooler weather and the nights becoming considerably darker, autumn is a good time to start daydreaming about our holiday next year.

With such diverse natural beauty, delicious Turkish cuisine, year-round warm climate and more than reasonable prices, why not make Turkey’s Lycian Coast a contender for your 2012 holiday?

Take a look at three reasons to visit the Lycian Coast, this truly unspoilt stretch of coast

Paragliding

For the more adventurous of travellers, the Lycian Coast offers a wide range of white-knuckle, blood-pumping activities not for the faint hearted. The cobalt and cloudless skies that the Lycian Coast is usually blessed with are often accompanied with the gentle whirl of a paraglider gliding by. There are two paragliding centres on the Lycian coast, one in Oludeniz near Fethiye and one in Kas. Both sites offer courses, mountain transfers, as well as tandem paragliding above the most incredible of scenery.

Saklikent (Hidden City) Gorge

The Saklikent Gorge is the second largest gorge in Europe, which, being 20 kilometres long is the deepest gorge in Turkey. Only four kilometres of the gorge is walkable, but what is spectacular walk it is. Bars and restaurants are sporadically perched upon the gorge’s sculptured walls, providing a sensational place to enjoy a refreshing drink and take in the dramatic scenery.

Jeep Safari

Another exhilarating way to discover the Lycian Coast is by embarking on a Jeep safari. These Jeep Safari tours begin at Fethiye and take guests on a ride to remember through many of the Lycian Coast’s most memorable towns, sites and restaurants. The Jeep Safari’s include a stop off the mud baths of Dalyan, the Saklikent Gorge and the sensational Yakapark Restaurant.

If you are an enthusiastic cyclist and you are visiting Lycia, the chances are that you are already familiar with the Lycian Way.

Whether or not you are already ‘au fait’ with possibly the best walking routes in Lycia, if your holiday to this stunningly beautiful region of Turkey involves a bike or a pair of hiking boots then read on…

The walking route that has become known as the Lycian Way is 509 kilometres long.

Beginning at Oludeniz in Fethiye and ending in Antalya, the Lycian Way passes through 19 different Lycian cities and consists of two stages, the first stage mainly confined to the fine sandy coast of the ancient city of Patara, Dodurga village, Faralya village and the Pinara-Letoon-Xanthos cities, while the second stage takes adventure and natural beauty seekers through the unmistakable towns of Myra, Simena, Limyra, Antiphellos and Apollonia.

This tremendously varied and diverse walkway has justifiably been named one of the world’s top ten walks, which provides a breath-taking experience for those who embrace it.

Walkers and cyclists are taken through a maze of forests, ancient dwellings maintained to the present day by nomadic people living in tiny, mountainous villages, quirky coves, magnificent beaches, cliff top paths, and mountainous marvels.

In short, the Lycian Way is a nature and walker lovers’ paradise.

Cleanliness is at the heart of this extraordinary walkway with users being frequently reminded to take their litter with them to maintain the clean environment the walkway has become renowned for.

The Lycian Way is part of the Turkish tourism “sun-sea-sand” project, aimed at the diversifying tourism in the country. The route attracts approximately 15,000 visitors each year, a number that is increasing with each passing year, and the project has irrefutably had a positive impact on the socio and economic development of the towns and villages contained within the route.

If you are visiting Lycia this summer, be sure to step foot on this extraordinary walkway to experience walking on one of the world’s top ten walkways.

Although the brutality may have vanquished from Lycian life, the people of Lycia remain staunchly independent, proudly guarding their unique archaeological sites and inimitable culture.

With such a vast array of archaeological sites on offer, knowing where to visit in Lycia can be a minefield.

To help you plan your ancient archaeological journey around Lycia, we have highlighted three of the region’s best ancient sites.

Pinara

Being situated at the top of an extremely steep hillside road, the ancient city of Pinara is rarely heaving with tourists. On the contrary the mountain-top city, which is the home of many stunning cliff-face tombs, remains an unspoilt and tranquil site to soak up some of the region’s important history, whilst taking in the breath-taking views of the Xanthos valley below and beyond.

Xanthos

With an intact Roman theatre and a complex of tombs cut into the rocks, this sprawling archaeological site, despite being the location for on-going excavations, is definitely worthy of a visit. So important were the remains of this ancient city, is that not only has the site gained UNESCO heritage status, but also many of Xanthos’s originals inscriptions and sculptures are now on display at the British museum.

Letoon

Similar to Xanthos, Letoon is also protected by UNESCO heritage status. Comprising of a Hellenistic theatre, a water-logged nymphaeum, which dates back to Hadrian, and many impressive ancient Lycian inscriptions, the small site of Letoon proves to be an archaeology-enthusiasts’ or history-lovers’ dream. This sacred site is dedicated to Apollo, Artemis and Leto, and is most certainly worthy of a visit.

Possibly the best 3 bedroom Villa in Lycia, ‘Badem’ (pictured) complete with spacious terrace and pool area and stunning views, would be the perfect base to explore Lycia.

“Take a blind man to Lycia, and he’ll immediately know from the smell of the air exactly where he is. The acrid perfume of lavender, the pungent fragrance of wild mint and thyme, will tell him.” Cevat Sakir, author of “Fisherman of Halicarnassus”

Turkey’s Lycian coast has a unique beauty, unrivalled by anywhere in Europe. Its unspoiled lands, boasting breathtaking views, are scattered by ancient remains, lovingly maintained by the warm and friendly Lycian people.

Approximately 20 major Lycian sites of unusual funerary architecture remain today, including Xanthos, which was the capital city of ancient Lycia, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The site of Tlos, which is best known for its fortress topped acropolis, with its tombs cut out of rock and its 360 degree panoramic views of the stunning scenery that surrounds the site, provides unique insight into the enigmatic people of ancient Lycia.

Even if ancient architecture and history is not a priority of your holiday, Lycia’s magnificent landscapes, beautiful climate, friendly and relaxed atmosphere and great value for money, may be enough to finalise your point of destination this summer. Now all you have left to decide is your accommodation.

Well why not let Vintage Travel do the hard work for you?  The stunning property of Ayva really does the Lycian coast the justice it deserves. This stylish three bedroom, four bathroom villa sleeps six and provides stunning views of the nearby town of Kalkan and its picturesque bay.

Spending a lot of time outside, soaking up some of the Lycian sun, is a priority of many holidaymakers and Ayva is certainly geared up for some outdoor living.

Not only does the property have its own beautiful private pool, but it also has a barbeque area where guests can decide whether they want to deepen their tan on the open terrace, or seek some much needed shade under the covered terrace.

There is also a swimming platform just 100 metres away from the house, which provides easy access to swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the “Turquoise Coast”.

A week’s rental of Ayva starts from £450 in May, rising to £1295 in peak season.

Statue of St Nicholas in Myra

Whilst the latter statement may shatter the illusion we have held since we were barely out of nappies, of Father Christmas being a plump, cheerful, white-bearded man from the North Pole, living there with the elves who help him make and wrap the toys and his faithful reindeer Rudolph, the original depiction of Father Christmas is infinitely different.

Even the name of the most symbolic figure associated with Christmas is not consistence across the globe. Many refer to him as Santa Claus or Father Christmas, some know him as Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle, but to all he is a formidable character synonymous with festivities, fun and presents.

But where did such an affable character, who has been etched into almost everybody’s conscience when they were a child, actually originate from?

According to tradition and the church, Saint Nicholas was originally depicted as wearing bishop’s robes and was a forth century bishop from Myra in Lycia, Turkey. It was not until the 19^th century when the Santa Claus we know and love today became popular in the United States and Canada, born through the imagination of Thomas Nast, an influential caricaturist and political cartoonist.

But does the ancient wonderment of Lycia do its impressive Saint Nicholas connection justice at Christmas time?

Demre is the ancient city of Myra in Lycia and the original Saint Nicholas’ church and sarcophagus can still be visited in these fascinating Turkish ruins. Throughout the Christmas season in Lycia, many of the shops and houses are decorated with statues and paintings of Saint Nicholas, whilst films and television programmes are dedicated to the ancient bishop.  Generally speaking New Year’s Eve is celebrated more fervently than Christmas Day in Turkey. It is New Year Eve when gifts are exchanged and people attend parties and nightclubs until the early hours of the morning.

If you fancy spending the festive season amongst some sublime ancient ruins, monumental architecture, and of course in the place where Father Christmas himself originated, whilst partying until dawn on New Year’s Eve, then the legendary Turkish region of Lycia beckons.

The Church of St Nicholas in Myra

Check out our broad selection of luxury villas in Turkey.

The properties are all situated along the ancient coast of Lycia, known best for its impressive sites from ancient civilisations, including Letoon, Xanthos, Cyaneae and Arycanda to name just a few. The whole coast is teeming with crystal clear waters and things to see and do. Click Here for a little more history.

Here are three of our latest arrivals all available throughout 2010:

Sedir Evi – a newly-built three bedroom (all with air-con), three bathroom house sleeping six which boasts traditionally designed furnishings, a private shaped pool and landscaped gardens.

It is situated near the hamlet of Islamlar – known for its family run fresh trout farms – and just 15 minutes’ drive from Kalkan.

Sedir Evi - Luxury Villa on the Lycian coast

Milas – situated in Kas this is a 4 bedroom private villa with a gated pool area. If you fancy a dip in the crystal clear ocean then you’re just a few hundred yards.

Milas - luxury villa on the Lycian coastline

The property enjoys a remarkable position with sea views from the rooms and terraces to both sides of the picturesque Kas peninsula.

Juniper – Also situated in Kas, this is a 3 bed luxury villa with a private pool overlooking the Mediterranean. It’s built from local stone and has all the mod cons.

Juniper - A luxury villa in Lycia with an incredible view