A week on The Lycian Way

Just back from a week in Turkey and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a few days of summer - long before it arrives in the UK (if it arrives at all!)

Six days of beautiful coast and mountain walking were arranged for us by Jon and Sue at The Ottoman Palace Hotel in Adrasan. Their organisation made it possible to cover a lot of ground during the week with the luxury of returning to their hotel each evening. It's a great place to stay (not just for walking) and I'd recommend it to anyone!
http://www.jonnyturk.com/Welcome.htm?gclid=CKqEndiq-JkCFQVaFQodIGc4FA
I guess one of the most fascinating elements to the trip for me was the contrast between 21st century life and how things used to be - this is really evident in this part of Turkey. Arriving in Antalya you are in a gleaming metropolis of high rise flats and hotels as far as the eye can see, yet a short drive away you will see a way of life that is pretty much unchanged - like the women we came across in a Yayla washing clothes on flat stones, or mules carrying supplies. My highlights of the trip:

Favourite walks:

• The mountain day - Beyick to Yayla Kuzdere

• Olympos to Adrasan (particularly the beautiful woods carpeted in pink flowers)

• Gelidonya Lighthouse (for it's stunning coastal views)

Best memories:

• The smell of orange blossom - everywhere!

• the beautiful cedar trees at Tahtali Dag

• tortoises

• meadows full of wild flowers

You can view a selection of my photos by clicking on the link below:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt-in-the-mountains/sets/72157616951513144/


Please leave some comments here as it would be great to know what your highlights were!