Sardunya restaurant
Beehives on the Bozburun peninsula
FIRST-CLASS FLYING Inflite Jet Centre, Stansted
I’d forgotten how heavy my suitcase was. I’ve been in Turkey three days, but haven’t had to lift my bag since getting into a cab outside my London flat, which feels a very long time ago indeed. That’s because I’ve been testing the premium service at the Inflite
Jet private terminal in Stansted, where it was whipped out of the car and given to a baggage handler before I’d even settled up with the driver, and on arrival, it was in my private transfer car by the time I’d passed through the VIP immigration desk. Service indeed. The private terminal has been handling Exclusive Escapes’
weekly summer charter to Dalaman for three years, although the family-owned business has been operating for 25 years – and with Sir Alan Sugar, the West Ham football team and even the Queen’s corgis as regular passengers, I’m in good company. Set 10 minutes from the main airport, this private building is like a lounge transplanted to a more convenient location – forget battling through check-in desks or security queues, passengers can park outside and sail through in minutes. The lounge is split into two levels offering standard and premium service, with the latter enjoying champagne, additional refreshments and staff to check-in on their behalf. It’s worth noting that on returning to Stansted, guests arrive via the main terminal for security reasons, but are met by a private taxi to return to their vehicle. This service is all about ease and convenience, so there’s no need
to wait until clients get to Turkey to begin their holiday – it can start as soon as they reach the airport. Book it: Flights must be booked with accommodation; see Tried & Tested, page 81
view might not be so different now than when the castle was built. But this small village on the western edge of the Bozburun peninsula has more going for it than just great views.
l VILLAGE PEOPLE When Selimiye is described as a ‘fishing village’,
it’s not just brochure
speak; this is a working village which makes its living from the sea – even if that has expanded to include tourists and yachting types as well as fishermen. Yet it retains the feel of a small village, with swarthy old men sitting at outdoor cafes debating the issues of the day over cups of Turkish tea, and apron-clad women setting out trays of thyme and
sage to dry in the sun. There are trees laden with pomegranates, lemons and limes; backyards filled with the wooden skeletons of gulets being built or repaired; and each day is punctuated by the cry of the call to prayer. There are a handful of tourist shops clustered along its short boardwalk, a nod to its growing popularity and the presence of a popular marina, which attracts a
stream of yachts in summer – though
they might just be coming to dine at Selimiye’s most popular restaurant, Sardunya. It’s easily the best fish restaurant in the area – a four out of five rating on TripAdvisor isn’t easily won – and one taste of its fried calamari proves those reviews are warranted. Combine its melt-in-the-mouth mezze with people-watching over the marina and a cool glass of Villa Doluca white (Turkish wine, who knew?) and you have an ideal afternoon. Exclusive Escapes guests staying in the area get one dinner at Sardunya as part of their package, and this is also the restaurant which provides the welcome plate of mezze and baklava for villa guests on arrival.
Turkish tea 80 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 29 January 2015
l WALK THIS WAY If Selimiye itself isn’t far enough off the beaten track, the newly
FAST FACT
Anatolian Sky Holidays has introduced the eight-room Swan
Lake Boutique Hotel in Selimiye this year
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