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How to holiday in the Turkish Riviera on any budget
The Turquoise Coast offers breaks for a range of price points – here’s how to pick the best one for you
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Boundless natural beauty, two wonders of the ancient world and glittering Aegan Sea beaches: there’s endless appeal to a seaside escape in Turkey.
And with over 600 miles of sandy and stony beaches to stretch out on, the Turkish Riviera - sometimes known as the Turquoise Coast - has plenty of outstanding resorts.
There are four airports to fly into: Bodrum, Dalaman, Antalya and Alanya. This summer, it will be even easier for those based in the north and Scotland to get there, with Jet2.com adding extra services to Antalya from Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle – plus a new shoulder-season route from Leeds Bradford.
Reassure clients worried about the recent political unrest in Turkey that protests have been largely limited to the main cities. Beach breaks are unlikely to be affected, but agents should stay up to date with the latest travel advice from the Foreign Office.
Day One Beach Resort & Spa, Alanya
Save: Enjoy a budget-friendly break in Alanya
Alanya lies at the eastern end of the Turkish Riviera. Though not as well known among British travellers as other hubs, the resort has plenty to discover. The city centre is overlooked by a medieval castle, built in the early 13th century and surrounded by an impressive four-mile wall.
Natural attractions abound too. The two main beaches, Cleopatra and Portakal, offer wide, golden sands and calm waters. Sandwiched between them is Damlataş Cave, where spooky stalactites will enthral geology lovers. For kids and the young at heart, there’s a water park in the city centre where they can slide the day away without worrying about a taxi transfer.
New to Jet2holidays for this summer is the trendy Day One Beach Resort & Spa (pictured above and main), situated on the sands of Portakal Beach. All the swish, recently renovated rooms offer sea views, while guests can bounce between beachfront yoga sessions in the morning and live DJ sessions at night. The spa offers a mix of European and Asian massage traditions, plus a Turkish hammam.
Guests who prefer the flexibility of a bed-and-breakfast stay can enjoy a great-value dinner at one of Alanya’s exuberant mezze bars or grill houses, where main dishes can cost less than £10. But the hotel’s on-site restaurant also offers plenty of local flavour, with succulent kebabs and lashings of yoghurt served on a waterfront terrace.
Book it: Jet2holidays offers a seven-night stay at the Day One Beach Resort & Spa from £1,089 per person, based on two sharing. Includes breakfast, luggage, transfers and flights departing East Midlands on June 19.
jet2holidays.com
Losta Sahil Evi, Selimiye
Spend: Book a boutique hotel in Bozburun
For clients seeking a taste of the traditional, the Bozburun Peninsula is defined by peaceful bays and sleepy fishing villages.
When the call to prayer isn’t reverberating on the wind, sometimes the only sound that can be heard is that of the lapping waves. Hiking paths lead into untouched mountain landscapes, while driving routes are gorgeous too, with waterfalls and ancient ruins within easy reach.
But the best way to see the area’s islands and inlets is by sea; local operators sell boat trips aboard traditional wooden gulets departing from the picturesque harbour at Selimiye.
Large-scale resorts are scant here, so Selimiye is ideal for clients keen to experience the slow pace of village life, with family-run boutique hotels providing a welcoming introduction to the area.
The Losta Sahil Evi boutique hotel plays up to Bozburun’s Ancient Greek past by naming each of its six rooms after figures from Greek mythology: the Hermes room is decorated with an evocative boat-themed sculpture above the bed, while Aphrodite is fittingly equipped with crimson accents and a portrait of the goddess.
Each room also has a small patio or terrace, allowing guests to read a book, sip a coffee or admire the luxury yachts of cosmopolitan holidaymakers in the bay.
Clients can spend their days lazing on the hotel’s private swimming and sunbathing platform, shopping for souvenirs, strolling along the seafront promenade at sunset and then tucking into a hearty, home-style dinner at Losta Sahil Evi’s vineshaded restaurant. As Selimiye is a fishing village, clients can make the most of generous plates of crispy calamari, followed by the catch of the day, plus a shot of local raki to round it off.
Book it: Simpson Travel sells a seven-night stay at Losta Sahil Evi from £1,409 per person, based on two sharing. Includes breakfast, car hire and flights, based on an October departure.
simpsontravel.com
An infinity pool at the Six Senses Kaplankaya. Image credit: John Athimaritis
Splurge: Splash out on the Six Senses
North of well-heeled Bodrum lies an ethereal paradise of quiet coves and olive groves, and this dreamlike setting is home to the uber-luxurious Six Senses Kaplankaya. Clients can watch the pine-clad hills and teal seas come into view as they drive to its remote location, just an hour from Bodrum airport – or even arrive in style via helicopter to the property’s helipad.
There are no other hotels in sight, which gives the five-star resort a truly exclusive feel. Clients will find ample sunbathing space on its three private beaches, and for the more active there’s a host of ways to get out on the water: besides non-motorised watersports such as paddleboarding, the resort offers some more unusual options to try – think exhilarating wakesurfing and beginner-friendly kneeboarding.
Beyond the sea, a serene atmosphere prevails, starting with the large spa complete with meditation cave, crystal steam room, watsu massage pool and body composition room.
If your clients are history buffs, guides can lead them on a day trip to Unesco-listed Ephesus, where ancient marvels range from a library that once housed 12,000 scrolls to mosaic-clad Roman villas.
There’s also the option to try a food tour of bohemian Bodrum, sipping earthy Turkish coffee by pastelhued doorways and sweetening the palate with bergamot marmalade.
Away from cultural pursuits, clients can enjoy hiking and biking on calm coastal pathways lined with fragrant oleander and thyme. If the scent of the herbs causes hunger to strike, four on-site restaurants make use of the area’s rich flora and fauna: Meze by the Sea is the perfect place to squeeze lemon onto freshly caught fish, while Wild Thyme serves vegetables grown in the resort’s own organic patch.
If an indulgent seaside break is what your clients are searching for, it comes in abundance here.
Book it: Inspiring Travel offers a seven-night stay at Six Senses Kaplankaya from £3,345 per person, based on two sharing a Superior Sea View Room. Includes breakfast, flights and transfers departing June 22.
inspiringtravel.co.uk
Insider insight
Mathew Simpson, product director, Simpson Travel
“I strongly recommend Turkey this year – it continues to be great-value and offers some of the best cuisine in the Mediterranean. The Turkish Riviera stands out for its luxurious accommodation at irresistible prices, where every guest is treated to the extraordinary welcome that embodies Turkish hospitality.
“Service is world-class and the landscape is breathtaking, with glorious stretches of sandy beaches by crystal-clear waters. For clients seeking somewhere off the beaten track, the Bozburun Peninsula and Selimiye are still hidden gems but gaining a great reputation among Turkey aficionados.”
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