There is a big difference between planning a trip and watching someone actually experience it.
For me, this stay was a chance to see whether the small things we had been planning actually worked when guests arrived.
Their first evening gave us a good example. The restaurant we originally hoped to book was full, so we changed course and arranged a table at Baçhe, one of my favorite places in Kaş.
Later that night, they messaged:
“Dinner was delicious and a fun spot. Great recommendation.”
Throughout the stay, we kept everything in one WhatsApp group so questions, reservations, and changes could all be handled in one place.
The next day, they drove toward Kekova, stopping at the ancient sites at Myra before continuing to the water.
“We saw the Myra tombs and amphitheater — amazing.”
From there, they continued toward Kekova for one of the experiences we were most excited to share with them: a private day on the water.
We coordinated directly with the captain for a private day around Kekova, including prosecco and snacks onboard.
Lunch was exactly what you hope for on the Lycian Coast: fresh Turkish meze, side dishes, and fish grilled over a charcoal fire while anchored along the coast.
After lunch came more swimming, quiet coves, and hours on the Mediterranean.
That evening, they wrote:
“The boat was fantastic. We had a great day.”
Back at the villa, we brought in a local chef to prepare a traditional Turkish dinner on the terrace.
Dish after dish covered the table with meze, vegetables, meats, breads, salads, and traditional dishes. The amount of food was almost unbelievable, but what stood out most was how much flavor and care had gone into everything.
It was generous in the way a great Turkish meal should be: too much food, a table meant for sharing, and no reason to rush.
The following morning brought another part of Turkish life I want guests to experience: a full Turkish breakfast, or kahvaltı, at the villa.
The table was covered with cheeses, breads, eggs, fruit, olives, jams, and all the small dishes that make breakfast feel almost endless.
It was not a meal designed to get everyone out the door quickly. It was a reason to stay at the table and let the morning take its time.
Those moments made something clear to me.
This is what I want Likya to be.
Not simply seeing the Lycian Coast, but experiencing how people actually eat, gather, travel, and spend time here.
August ends with the harbor still full, boats leaving each morning, restaurants busy at night, and everyone trying to capture the last days of summer.
The breeze becomes a little cooler. The town begins to settle. Dinner stretches a little longer, and the whole town seems to relax a little. Suddenly there seems to be more time to sit on the terrace and enjoy where you are.
The slower season gives us a chance to look carefully at what worked, what can be refined, and how we can make future stays even better.
This stay reinforced how important our relationships in Kaş are.
A great boat day depends on the captain. A dinner like this depends on the chef. A last-minute change only works if you know who to call.
We are continuing to strengthen those relationships while refining the service at Villa Savad. The goal is simple: guests should have the freedom of a private home while knowing there is always someone here to help when they need it.
We are shaping future stays around the experiences guests enjoy most: private days on the water, local food, meals at the villa, and trusted people handling the details behind the scenes.
If the Lycian Coast is somewhere you have been thinking about visiting, reply to this email or reach us at sales@travelwithlikya.com.
Görüşürüz, see you later,
Jordan
Founder & Director, Likya
