About the owner
After many years exploring and enjoying the Mediterranean regions of both Greece and Turkey, in 2003 I purchased the first Ayyildiz and began making a special holiday home. As a yoga practitioner, I like to practise regularly and keep equipment at Ayyildiz for my own and my guests’ use.
Year purchased:
2010
Why the owner chose property in this location
I chose the lovely Akarca area of Fethiye, with mountain views and level walks for its accessibility. Fethiye is convenient for the airport, and also for exploring further into Turkey. Begonia apartments have easy access to both beach and town, by walking, bus or car, whilst being in a quiet residential neighbourhood. I really enjoy the ‘taste of Turkey’ which I experience here; the people, the food, the music. Being ‘off the beaten track’ its possible to just relax in the garden or by the pool and forget one’s workaday life. However when I want it, there’s a lively town in one direction with many delightful restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs, shops, a cultural centre, harbour, tours and more. In the other direction is the beach resort Calis and nearby, traditional village life of Gunlukbasi.
Unique benefits of the property
When wondering where to locate, I looked at Central Fethiye and also Calis. I really enjoy being able to walk, but not hike, to most places I like to go. While central Fethiye is great, being in the midst of the lively town, there’s no beach. Calis has a super beach with wonderful afternoon breezes and fabulous sunsets, but no ‘town’; mainly tourist shops and restaurants. Then I found Akarca, between the two, and an easy walk to both. If I tire of walking, there’s a dolmus every few minutes to take me in or back, from early morning til late at night. I also love having views and that usually means being in an upper floor apartment but all apts have super views, from the living rooms and bedrooms, including from the ground floor. I love knowing everything is nearby whilst I can feel ‘away’!
The three apartments, Ayyildiz, Apollon and Melek, form half of the lovely Villa Begonia, which is set in its own large garden. It is very spacious and relaxed and never crowded! Since moving here, many more apartments have been built in the area, but almost all are in blocks of 12 or more, built on smaller plots than Begonia, so there’s very little garden or privacy. I feel so fortunate to have found Villa Begonia, there’s nowhere else like it!