Welcoming and Warm – Turkey Is For You
Turkey is without doubt, a wonderful holiday destination. It has something to suit all pockets, tastes and ages. Right now, there are lots of travel companies offering cheap holidays to Turkey and spring and early summer are the perfect times to visit. No matter where your holiday is based, there are fabulous places to visit, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to tours and excursions. But if you want to lie on a beach, with a good book, enjoying an occasional swim, Turkey has superb coastal resorts to indulge in a week of total relaxation. Here are some ideas to inspire you!
Beaches, Bathing and Beauty Spots
Akyaka is unspoilt and unpretentious – you’ll get a real feel for Turkish life! You can enjoy delicious locally sourced, fresh food, stroll on spectacular hillside trails and sunbathe on the best beaches. Water sports are big here. For people who prefer soil under their feet, you can hire mountain bikes, horses and quad bikes to explore the forest paths. Nightlife is lively and classy – partly because Akyaka is a haven for Turkey’s elite!
Marmaris, which is about half an hour’s drive away from Akyaka, is a much more developed resort with a wide range of facilities. Its giant wave pool is a winner with children. Many of the larger hotels offer secure child minding services, so parents can enjoy a few hours to stroll down to the huge yacht marina or visit some of the more unusual museums and markets. You can buy traditional Turkish sweetmeats, olives, and honey. Traders sell good quality silver and leather – great for souvenirs.
Take a ferry from Gevikli Yukyeri in Istanbul and visit the little known island of Bozcaada. There are a few excellent places to eat, some interesting shops and lots of coves and beaches, where the fishermen sell their catch from brightly painted boats. It’s a great place to visit after the bustle of Istanbul.
Gökova Bay is known for its gorgeous beaches – and more recently, for its Kite Surfing School! Kite surfing takes place on its own area of the beach, so everyone has enough space to sunbathe or take to the skies.
Culture and History
Cappadocia is one of the most stunning historical areas in Turkey. Take a tour to the Goreme Valley, now a World Heritage Site and see some of the most astonishing examples of experimental high rise living. Early Christians, seeking respite from Roman rule, carved houses and churches out of the vertical craggy cliffs, so they worship as they chose, with as much natural protection is possible. The site of Pumukkale is where you can wander through the ancient Temple of Artemis. There’s nearby Ephesus or Cleopatra Island where you can visit the mineral pools.
Fethiye is a pretty coastal town with a fantastic old quarter. Take a sunset strolll along the sea wall, and try out the Turkish meze (savoury snacks). Just a few minutes from Fethiye, is the Island of Sovalye – it’s a car free place – so great for children. You can hire a canoe and take a look at the submerged remains of an ancient Castle built by the Crusaders!
Istanbul is the Capital of Turkey and it’s brimming with life – perfect if you love the buzz of a big city. Take a boat trip on the Bosphorus and look back at the city for the best views. For a unique shopping experience, visit the Grand Bazaar which has about 4,000 shops in miles of lanes. Haggling will be expected – it’s noisy and great fun! Book lovers can visit the Book Bazaar too. There’s also Topkapi Palace, the power base of the Ottoman Empire. Wear comfortable shoes because it’s easy to spend a day here! Take a break in the Trade district for Turkish treats such sugar roasted pistachios or Turkish coffee – adrenaline in a cup! And of course, there is the breathtaking Great Suleymaniye Mosque, which was built in 1550-1557, designed to represent heaven on earth.
If you’re watching the pennies, don’t miss out on some of the bargain all-inclusive holidays to Turkey. As holiday experiences go, it takes a lot to top Turkey!