Turkey might not be first on the list of active holiday destinations, but beyond the beach lies one of the largest countries in the Mediterranean, with a variety of product to match.
With top-quality marinas it’s an ideal place to charter a yacht and it has a reputation as an up-and-coming golf destination.
So, whether your clients are into diving, trekking, golf, sailing or paragliding, Turkey is sure to have a holiday to suit. Here are a few choices to get you started.
Best for sailing
Where? Bodrum
Why? Viewing Turkey’s sunny shores from the deck of a boat is a particularly rewarding experience. Customers can learn to sail with an operator such as Sunsail. The vibrant resort of Bodrum is popular for sailing as the Karada marina is well-equipped.
Alternatively, would-be sailors can charter a private gulet, with friends or family, that comes with a crew who will cook and sail for them. Luxury gulets have en suite facilities, air conditioning and top-quality Turkish cuisine.
Sample package: Sunsail has seven nights’ half-board at Club Marverde, on the Turkish Gulf of Gulluk, from £479 per person twin-share including flights, transfers and use of Sunsail’s sailing and shore-based equipment.
The Marverde is ideal for families and also offers windsurfing, dinghy sailing, day yachts, canoes, scuba diving, water skiing and mountain biking.
Anatolian Sky offers a two-week gulet cruise from £799, including flights and transfers, departing from Kas, Fethiye, Marmaris and Selimiye.
Best for scuba diving
Where? The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts
Why? Learning to dive in Turkey is good value for money and there are plenty of scuba diving schools along the coast.
The most popular sites are at Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas and Antalya. Marmaris has plenty of underwater artefacts – its archeological sites are subject to tight controls but are open to recreational divers.
Experienced divers will favour the waters around Kalkan, which are full of turtles, tuna and thornback rays.
Sample package: Libra Holidays offers seven nights at the Kaan apartments in Marmaris from £199 per person, based on four sharing a one-bedroom apartment.
The price includes flights and transfers. A PADI open-water course costs £199 per person. Goldenjoy has three-day dive options in Marmaris from £99.
Best for golf
Where? Belek
Why? Great courses combined with a Mediterranean climate mean Turkey is popular with golfers. The leading resort is Belek – home to seven championship courses, three of which are at The Gloria Golf Club.
There’s also plenty for non-golfers including windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, water-skiing and sailing. Istanbul has two international standard golf courses.
Sample package:Metak Holidays offers seven nights’ half-board at the five-star Gloria Golf Resort in Belek, from £689 per person, including flights and transfers.
Best for paragliding
Where? Olu Deniz
Why? Adrenalin junkies will relish the opportunity of paragliding at Olu Deniz, the most photographed beach in Turkey.
The region is hailed as one of the world’s best places to take part in this exciting sport. Beginners can do a tandem jump, which can be booked locally or through an operator.
Participants take off from the Babadag mountains at 6,500ft while overlooking the turquoise lagoon of Olu Deniz. Alternatively, clients can try white-water rafting in the Dalaman river.
Sample package:Olympic Holidays offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the two-star Ata Lagoon Beach Hotel in Olu Deniz from £309 per person, including return flights and transfers.
Best for trekking
Where? The Lycian coast, the Kackar Mountains and Mount Ararat.
Why? Dramatic scenery coupled with impressive ancient sites make Turkey an ideal destination for coastal and inland walking.
Serious trekkers can explore Turkey’s inland and mountainous east, but the picture-perfect coastline is also great for walking.
A popular trek is The Lycian Way, a 300-mile footpath around the coast from Fethiye to Antalya. Hailed as one of the world’s top 10 walks by the Sunday Times, this trek takes in a range of landscapes, from wooded mountains to historic sites.
Sample package: Exodus offers a 15-day trekking tour of the from £764 per person, including flights, accommodation and some meals. The tour takes in mountain lakes and soaring peaks, visits the volcanic landscape of Cappadocia and finishes in Istanbul.
