(UK) THE "GUARDIAN" : Friday, March 22nd 2013
"Owlsland, Bezirgan In the village of Bezirgan,life continues much as it always has, in spite of the tourist development in Kalkan, 20 minutes' drive away. Farmhouses dot the plateau, and there's one cafe and a shop. Come for walking, wildlife spotting and a glimpse of rural life, but it's also handy for Kalkan and the fabulous beach at Kaputas. Dalaman airport is two hours away.
Stay: Owlsland (+90 242 837 5214, owlsland.com) is a 150-year-old farmhouse, converted into charming accommodation by Pauline (from Scotland) and her Turkish husband Erol. B&B for a week costs from £218pp, half-price for children three-12.
(for full article click: "Good Value family holidays in Turkey")

(UK) THE "TIMES" : Saturday, February 20th 2010
"Take your lead from the local people and stay in Bezirgan, an unspoilt farming village about 15 minutes’ drive inland.
It’s a world away from the bright lights and busy streets of Kalkan: ramshackle cottages, lush farmlands and quiet lanes, watched over by forest-clad mountains. There’s no luxury , but if you want a real sense of escape, and to watch local people going about their lives as they have done for centuries, this is the place to be.
There’s only one place to stay — Owlsland, run by Erol, whose farm has been in the family for generations, and his Scottish wife, Pauline. The rooms are rustic, the breakfasts hearty and days are filled with walking, lazing with a good book or hopping into your hire car for the short journey to the stunning beach at Kaputas, or Kalkan itself. Blissful."
(for full article click: "Secret Turkey : six hidden holiday spots")

(UK) THE "TIMES" : Sunday, March 16th 2008
"We’ve left (kalkan) for the village guesthouse run by Pauline and her husband, Erol, some 11 miles inland. A smart move, we reckon, for we’ve swapped the heat, bugs (both kinds) and half-finished villa sprawls for owls calling across fields of hand-scythed spring wheat and almost no mosquitoes.
That, combined with delightful rustic accommodation and a dinner of yoghurt dips, bean salads, stuffed peppers and aubergine moussaka, means it’s really no contest. .. to our lodgings in her in-laws’ former village home. The house has been beautifully restored, retaining cedar beams, walnut shelves and alcoves, stone and timber floors strewn with kilims and a cushioned kosk, or roofed balcony, for relaxing.
Winningly neat and modest, with just three bedrooms and modern bathrooms (with proper showers), it stands in an orchard of fig trees. We return to the main house for breakfast - local cheeses, homemade jams (cherry and plum), menemen (omelette with peppers) - before setting out to explore."
(for full article click: "Holiday in the Turkish Hills")

(UK) THE "TIMES" : Saturday, February 12th 2005
"So to find myself in Bezirgan, breakfasting on home-made cheese, jam and fresh bread, was something of a revelation.The golden October sunshine settled on the cows and sheep that lazed among the grass, surrounded by silver-topped mountains and deep, sweet silence... The vision of Turkey created by Pauline and Erol- tranquil, unspoilt and unbelievably beautiful - is what tour operators are desperate to offer...My night in Bezirgan was one of the most memorable I have ever had in Turkey: the chance to peep behind the tourist glitz and catch a glimpse of the peaceful, traditional world beyond."
(for full article click: "Head inland for Turkish delight")

(UK) THE "TIMES" : November 19th, 2005
"Binoculars or Beer", article about package tours vs authentic experiences; Justin Francis, managing director of responsibletravel.com. chooses Owlsland as one of his top six places "to flex your green credentials"
(for full article click "Binoculars or Beer")

(UK) THE "OBSERVER" : Sunday, May 11th 2003
"After the heat and dust of the coast..looked like the Garden of Eden...Entering the village is like walking into a timewarp. The 200-year-old cedarwood and stone houses are works of art...we find ourselves at Owlsland, which has been lovingly restored over the last few years, keeping the original carvings, woodwork and character. Balconies are strewn with colourful carpets and kilims, secret alcoves overlook orchards of figs and pomegranates; meals are freshly prepared using organic vegetables from the garden, and local produce. The result is an enchanting B&B... We get a taste of Erol's cooking, sitting in the vine-covered pergola round a table heaped with delicious.. dishes that make the Turkish diet so healthy..."
(for full article click :"The land where time stood still")

(ISRAEL) "ERETZ" : July/August 2000
"..Pauline & Erol...moved to Bezirgan, the village where Erol was born... Here, in a setting of two-century-old Turkish farmhouses, they renovated Erol's family homestead - installing electricity and water, refinishing the beautiful wooden floors and decorating the house with original Turkish rural furniture. The result was Owlsland, a mountain retreat for people looking for a truly different experience..."

"ROUGH GUIDE" : 2007 edition
"..of the village is Turkish Erol and Scottish Pauline's excellent 150-year-old village-house inn, "Owlsland", named after the Scops and little owls resident in the nearby almond trees. It lies 1.5km off the Lycian Way, making it a logical stop on the trek. Erol is a mean cook and you're well advised to have half board."
AND in the 2007 edition, Owlsland is selected as one of the "author picks" and has gained the little icon, meriting a special recommendation!

"LONELY PLANET" : 2003 edition
"Bezirgan is a beautiful village set in a flat, fertile basin ringed by hills about 17km away in distance, and a world away in atmosphere, from Kalkan... Owlsland is a farmhouse retreat run by a Turkish-Scottish couple...If you want some insight into village life, we recommend it.."

(BELGIUM) "6 Minutes' Travel" #120, June 2004
"Ik kwam terecht in het enige guesthouse van de vallei, bij Erol en zijn Schotse vrouw Pauline. Een beter adres had ik niet kunnen vinden. ..urenlang lezen op het sfeervolle Ottomaanse terras of in de schaduw van amandelbomen en, op de koop toe, elke dag gastronomisch genieten. Erol is een fantastische kok, en Pauline houdt zich bezig met biologische tuinbouw."

GUESTS' COMMENTS

"Thank you for providing such a beautiful and welcoming home away from home! The food was exceptional!" Nikki & Sam, New York City

"Staying here has been the highlight of our honeymoon in Turkey. Beautiful, romantic, peaceful setting, whole foods made by our hospitable new fried Erol - an unforgettable taste of a beautiful way of life in the real Turkey" Valerie & Aaron,Boston

"The hospitality, food, information and relaxation has been wonderful - just what we needed!" Bel & Ed, London

"Owlsland and Bezirgan is a different world, with sights, sounds and tastes to savour, cherish and remember!" Tjerk & Flory, Netherlands

"Thanks to Pauline & Erol for their warm hospitality and stimulating conversation. The food is wondrous. The mountains are beautiful and the quiet is serene. We will be back" Jean Dunn, Australian Ambassador, Turkey

"Truly magical sense of place combined with Pauline and Erol's hospitality and wonderful authentic cooking make it hard to leave." Nigel & Simon, London

"Wonderful place, great food, Pauline and Erol very helpful, friendly, informative; lovely cats, dogs and goats to "coo" at too!" Chris, Julia, Sam & Max, Istanbul

"We enjoyed our stay immensely. Pauline & Erol are so very kind, caring, funny and helpful."Peggy & Bill, Portland, Oregon

"What else can one say but :-
O - outstanding (place)
W - wonderful (hosts)
L - laid back (atmosphere)
S - starry (nights)
L - lucky (animals and guests)
A - animals (everywhere)
N - natural (setting)
D - delicious (food)"
Helen & Jan, Northumberland & Durham

"The most beautiful accommodation, wonderful food and a very informative village tour. The highlight of our stay in Kalkan." Sylvia & Derek, Manchester

"A wonderful time for the whole family (6 & 8)." Alex & Antje, Germany

"We've stayed in quite a few places from the Alastair Sawday "Special Places to Stay" book, and never been disappointed. But this place needs a new category of its own! Erol's cooking is fantastic, I'm sure we'll be back." Sandra & Peter, Marlborough

"Absolutely lovely in every way - food, surroundings and generous hearted hospitality" Claudia & Wyatt, California

"It was a delight. Thank you so much" Scott & Mary, Fort Lauderdale, USA

"A very special week at this spot of paradise in this wonderful country. And of course Erol & Pauline, our friendly, informative and hospitable hosts" - Jennifer, New Zealand

"My first visit to Turkey has certainly been a great success. Fantastic, fresh, unspoilt. Magnificent scenery, great walks, historic sites. Very many thanks" Brigid, England

"J'ai adoré cette hotel, il était tres tres joli et les gens était tres tres gentils. La nourriture était tres tres bonne, les animaux était tres tres gentils" Justine (7 ans) Toulouse, France.

"Just the break we needed. Great hospitality, good food & company. Erol & Pauline a mine of information. We had a fabulous time." Tom & Sue, England

"A lovely haven for humans and animals with a large helping of humour thrown in for good measure." Hans & Kate, Frankfurt

"The highlight of our trip to Turkey. Comfortable accommodations, fantastic dinners and the ultimate hosts. We will be back" Tanya & Richard, New York

"Thank you Pauline & Erol for the wonderful food and hospitality, the great surroundings... This was a very special weekend." Suzan & Caner, Ankara

"On a passé un tres agreable sejour ici. La nourriture est tres bonne, c'est tres jolie et fantastique avec les animaux." Eric et famille, Paris

"Thanks for a lovely relaxing time - probably the most relaxing part of our three-week stay in Turkey. We have also enjoyed the best Turkish food and hospitality of our time in Turkey" George & Nancy, Wales

"Danke für die herzliche Gastfreundschuft und die netten Gesprache. Uns die Türkei naher gebracht, mehr als es 3 Wochen Strandhotel jemals könnten" Biggi & Uwe, Bonn

"Came for one night and stayed three more! Hospitality and food has been great and we hope to return again" Jackie & Roger, England

"Accommodations perfectly fine, hospitality outstanding, food gourmet, surroundings so tranquil and traditional, sites & scenery breathtaking" Sam, Susie, Rachel & Jonathon, Jerusalem