Holidays to Turkey

Posted on September 22, 2010 by admin

Turkey Holidays

Bordered by four different seas and straddling two continents, throughout history Turkey has acted as a cultural bridge between East and West. Istanbul is the only city in the world located on two continents, Europe and Asia. Turkey is steeped in history and boasts the world’s oldest known settlement dating back to 6,500 BC. Turkey is perfect for a beach holiday intertwined with some culture and good food.

Turkey enjoys a Mediterranean climate of hot summers and mild winters on the Aegean, Marmara and Mediterranean coasts; in the Black Sea Region and inland it is often cooler.

The beautiful sandy beaches, many of which are blue flag, can be found adjoining buzzing holiday resorts, picturesque fishing villages or tucked away in coves only accessible by boat.

Turkey beach holidays

Turkey holidays are very popular, with over 8000km of coastline and over 300 blue flag beaches, it is an ideal family holiday destination.
On the Aegean coast there’s a good choice of excellent beaches at holiday resorts including Kusadasi, Bodrum and Marmaris. Alacati Bay is popular for windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing, and is known as the Turkish Windsurf Riviera. Datca is a popular stopping-off point for those on gulet cruises and yachts, it’s beautiful and unspoilt due to it being difficult to access by road.
Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Olu Deniz is the most famous beach in Turkey with its peaceful lagoon and crystal clear waters, it’s a haven of relaxation where motorised watersports are not allowed, there is a small entry charge to use the beach. Also along this stretch of coast are beautiful beaches at Calis and Patara, Patara beach is part of a National Park and often appears on “World’s Best Beaches” lists. Near to Dalyan there is the unspoilt Iztuzu beach which can only be reached by boat.

In the Turkish Riviera, there are beach resorts of Antalya, Alanya and Side. Antalya is the main holiday resort with plenty of watersports activities on offer for those who prefer a more active holiday.

Turkey activity holidays

Walking & Hiking holidays

There are scenic marked trails and paths to follow for those keen on walking holidays, and for the more adventurous trekkers and climbers there are spectacular mountain ranges to explore.

Golf holidays in Turkey

There are 14 golf courses concentrated in the Belek region of Turkey, near Antalya. The Turkish Riviera is renowned as a world-class golf holiday destination, complemented by some excellent hotels and a fantastic climate. There are more outstanding golf courses across Turkey and it is an ideal year-round destination for golf holidays.

Watersports holidays in Turkey

Most of the beach resorts in Turkey offer watersports. Windsurfers should head to Alacati Bay on the Aegean coast for the ultimate in windsurfing experiences. Turkey is also an excellent scuba diving holiday destination and Fethiye is very popular with divers. The rivers and mountains offer opportunities for white-water rafting and canoeing.

Sailing and Yachting are popular holiday activities in Turkey, or you could book a traditional Gulet cruise, there is no better way to explore hidden and unspoilt sections of the Turkish coast.

Turkey history & culture

Anatolia was the name given to the land that is now called Turkey and it was home to some of the earth’s oldest civilisations. There are many Greek and Roman ruins and those who like to soak up culture will not be disappointed. Holiday visitors flock to Ephesus, the most popular archaeological site in Turkey, to see the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean. Another favourite is Troy, one of the most important cities in Anatolia. Other places of interest are Aspendos, home to a well-preserved Roman theatre, and Olympos’ scenic ruins.

Mount Nemrut in south-eastern Turkey is a renowned World Heritage site where you can see enormous stone heads located high against the mountain tops. Cultural holiday attractions in Turkey include tombs, temples, mosques, ruins, castles, museums and more, there is so much to see and do.

Turkish people are very friendly and welcoming to visitors. Traditional crafts to see during your holidays in Turkey are carpet-weaving and ceramic tile decoration. Music and folk dancing are also very much an integral part of Turkish culture.

Turkey Spa holidays

Over thousands of years, traditional Turkish and hamman treatments have been perfected in the country. With an abundance of thermal springs due to its location on top of a major geothermal belt, Turkey is a perfect holiday destination for those looking for wellness and spa holidays. There are many holiday hotels specialising in spa and wellness treatments.

Food, Drink & Nightlife

Food is a large part of Turkish culture, the cuisine reflects the country’s long history with its diverse flavours, styles and regional variations.

There is food to suit every budget whether you want gourmet dining, local fish recipes, traditional Turkish kebabs or pizza, there is so much choice.

Apple tea is a local speciality and particularly delicious. Raki is a clear, strong aniseed based spirit which often accompanies meze (a selection of plates of appetising bite-size local foods). Locally produced beers and wines are also good and there is an increasing range of international brands to choose from.

Nightlife in Turkey can be as lively or as relaxing as you choose, there are low-key bars and trendy nightclubs, or just relax over a good meal while listening to some live music.

Find Turkey Holidays

Holiday destination highlights: Beaches, Sailing, Culture, Spa, Activity

Flight time from the UK to Turkey: Approx. 4 hours

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