Stunning Beach

Turkey holiday packages Patara beach, by flickr.com user "jries"

The ancient city of Patara was the major port of Lycia, and the extent of the ruins here gives a clue to the past importance of the place. The ruins really are partially buried in the extensive dunes behind the beach – and what a beach!

World-famous and rightly so, this nine-mile stretch of golden sand is safe for swimming whatever your age. Backed by sweeping dunes, the dunes that partially cover the ancient ruins, Patara beach is exceptional and not something that many Turkey holiday packages can offer. Beach lovers could quite possibly end up spending every minute of every day here, such is the beauty of this place.

Unspoilt Environment

The beach is not one of those buzzing hang-outs that you might find on some of the more lively Turkey holiday packages. Here, there is little to blemish the outstanding natural beauty, and it seems that the authorities want to keep it that way. There is one small café at one end of the beach, and you can hire sunbeds and umbrellas, and you’ll also find toilets and showers, but that’s about the extent of development here.

If you want paragliding, banana boats, pedalos and a disco-on-the-beach scene, this is not the beach for you.

Patara in Ruins

Turkey holiday packages Patara ruins, Wikimedia, author: Pataramyra

How many Turkey holiday packages can offer a beach backed by a genuine ancient ruined city to explore? It’s the one thing that makes Patara truly unique. If you need a change from the sun-bathing, you can walk to the back of the beach and up into the dunes for a journey back in time amongst the ruins of this once-glorious ancient city. The half-buried stone buildings, many of which even today are still to be rediscovered, are popular with holidaymakers, some of whom can be seen poking around in the ruins for hours on end while the rest of the family frolic in the waves.

Walk in the Woods

Patara is backed by the Taurus mountains, and if you stay in the village itself you can wander past the greenhouses filled with tomatoes and cucumbers, through the olive groves, under the fruit trees heavy with lemons, figs and pomegranates and up one of the many wooded tracks into the hills of this National Park. The scenery in this part of Turkey is breathtaking – a real eye-opener if Turkey is new to you.

The Patara National Park has more energetic activities than walking on offer too – canoeing is a popular part of Turkey holiday packages to the area and horse-riding trips over the dunes and through the forest makes for a very pleasant diversion.

Where to Stay

The present-day village of Patara, also known as Gelemis, is but a shadow of the ancient city, and accommodation here is low-key. There are a few hotels, and a smattering of bars and restaurants that have improved considerably in recent years, but if you want a more in the way of stylish bars and high-class eateries in the evenings, then you may be better visiting Patara during the day and taking one of the Turkey holiday packages to the classy and also very beautiful Turkish resort of Kalkan, just six miles to the south. But, if you prefer homely evenings filled with old-world Mediterranean charm in a friendly village atmosphere, then staying in Patara could suit you very well.

Note that the village is about two miles inland from the beach, about 30-40 minutes’ walk – or you can easily catch the dolmus (minibus) which ferries people to and from the beach. In fact, several of the hotels run their own free minibuses for this purpose.

Verdict

Personally, I love Patara beach and it’s a struggle to give up a day here to do something else. It is truly unique and stunningly beautiful. Staying in the village of Patara is great if you want relaxation rather than sophistication, but if you want the opposite, one of the Turkey holiday packages to nearby Kalkan will suit you better, and you can come to Patara in the day-time.

There has never been a better time, thanks to the Euro etc. to take a holiday to Turkey, and if you have never been before, it’s places like Patara that will have you hooked on the place for good.

Need a holiday? You can check prices and availability here: Turkey holiday packages.

So what is it that draws people back to Kalkan time and time again?  Well, Kalkan is not a destination of typical Turkey holiday packages.  Oh no.  Kalkan is very special.  Enchanting.  It was an important harbour town until 1970, but when the main Fethiye road was built, it developed very carefully into a tourist resort retaining all of its many charms that I am going to share with you here:

Turkey holiday packages kalkan street, by flickr.com user: slrjester

Stunning Beauty

The town of Kalkan nestles beside its ancient harbour in a sheltered bay at the foot of the Taurus mountains.  Narrow streets are lined with carefully preserved historic buildings almost smothered in brilliantly-coloured bougainvillea, offering stunning views of the bay beyond, staggeringly picturesque with impossibly blue water.

Unlike the resorts you will find on many Turkey holiday packages, Kalkan has been ruled with a rod of iron when is comes to preserving and maintaining the old buildings that give the place so much character, and tourist development has only been allowed on a small scale and in such a way that the natural and man-made history is retained.  But the staggering beauty of Kalkun is just one piece of the jigsaw that will make your holiday here so wonderful..

Eating

It is said that Kalkan has the highest number of restaurants per head than any other town where Turkey holiday packages go.  Now, I cannot verify the truth of this claim, but look – it’s only a small place and there are more than 100, so that IS a lot – and unlike the banal international eateries that you will find on many Turkey holiday packages, many of the restaurants of Kalkan has a somewhat unusual feature:

The unusual thing about restaurants and bars in Kalkan is that many of them are set on roof terraces from where you get the best views over the harbour and the bay beyond – a magical backdrop to your meal.  Eating out here can be rather a sophisticated affair, as there are some cracking top-class restaurants offering a wide range of very high quality dishes.  If you prefer to eat vegetarian, the Ilban and also the Doy Doy have some lovely choices for you.  Black Sea Lamb (!) is a speciality of the Korsan Meze restaurant, and fresh bread, made by a little old lady outside, is served with olives to whet your appetite at Baharat.

Of course, as you would expect, seafood and fish dishes are also a something of a speciality here – the fish on your plate could well have come straight out of the crystal clear water of Kalkan bay that same morning – and what water, what beaches..

Turkey holiday packages - Kaputas beach by flickr.com user: lula1977

Beaches

Kalkan itself also has a pristine blue-flag pebble beach, gently shelving into the clear water and great for swimming whatever your age.  If you prefer your beach to be of the golden sand variety, there is a stunning, unspoiled beach only 10 minutes drive from Kalkan that is at the same time internationally renowned yet totally unspoiled and undeveloped.

I am talking about Kaputas beach, a sheltered cove at the bottom of a steep gorge, where you will find staggeringly turquoise water and clean, golden sand.  This is a real magnet for people on Turkey holiday packages to this area, and you will have to go a very long way to see a prettier beach than this.  Arriving back in Kalkan, after after a reviving shower it’s time to open your eyes to yet another wonderful experience in Kalkan:

Bars

Bars is not a word that does any justice to the heavenly places where you can relax and unwind in Kalkan.  Pre-dinner cocktails at the Kleo bar, with the waves crashing in below, is something you will remember for years to come.  The Utopia has sweeping views across the bay and don’t forget to take your camera at least once to do a “David bailey” on the setting sun.  Sunbathing, eating, drinking – for many, these things are enough for a relaxing holiday, but if you feel the need to be a little adventurous; a little more active – does Kalkun come up to scratch?

Doing Stuff

Whereas some Turkey holiday packages are based around a single man-made resort with nothing of interest for miles, having Kalkan as the base for your holiday in Turkey means, to be honest, that you will be faced with an embarrassment of riches.

About 30 minutes’ drive away is Kas, renowned for its diving schools where you can spend a day in warm, clear water, exploring the dramatic reefs and underwater “walls” for which the area is known.

There are many ancient Lycian sites to explore in the surrounding area, so if you like poking around old ruins, leave the mother-in-law alone for once and head for Patara, Kekova, Arykanda, Letoon or Myra – all within easy driving distance.

The island of Meis – in Greece – is only 20 minutes away from the nearby town of Kas, and a boat trip there is for many people one of the highlights of Turkey holiday packages to this part of the world.  Known as Castellorizo by the Greeks, it is unspoiled, protected, and very beautiful.

Where to Stay

Hotels are low-key in Kalkan, so as to preserve the appearance and feel of the place.  Several Turkey holiday packages will bring you to the cutely named Happy Hotel.  One recent visitor, who recommends the hotel, says: “The rooms are very clean and spacious (my son and I stayed in a sea view suite with an enormous balcony and brilliant views of Snake and Mouse islands). The staff are laid-back and friendly and the facilities for children were excellent.”

Verdict

Kalkun is a very special place and one that captures hearts.  Many of those who come here  become perennial visitors and there is a good chance that you will be one of them if you are not already.
There is limited accommodation in Kalkun, so it’s best not to book at the last minute here.  You can check prices and current availability by clicking this link: Turkey holiday packages.

While many Turkey holiday packages can give you a relaxing holiday in the sun, not all destinations can be all things to all people in the same way as Olu Deniz can.  Let’s take a look in more detail what you can expect to find here:

Beauty

Probably the most famous thing about Olu Deniz is its crystal-clear blue lagoon – the one you see in all the photos – safe sheltered waters formed by a large natural inlet behind the main beach.  It’s a safe place for swimming as the water is calm in the lagoon even when the sea is choppy.  Surrounding the lagoon and the town you will see the pine-clad slopes of rugged Mount Babadag, the launching point for the small flock of paragliders that regularly soar high above the lagoon.  (You can join them, if you’re feeling brave..)

Townscape

The long-time popularity of Olu Deniz as a top destination for so many Turkey holiday packages has created a lasting demand for hotels and apartments and as a result you will see that the town is crammed full of them.  This does not mean that tourism has spoiled Olu Deniz – the sheer scale of the geography of the mountains and sea means that for all the development, this remains a very scenic place.

Eating

Although the cost of eating out has risen in recent years, and is higher than in other Turkish resorts, it is still inexpensive when compared to the resorts of Spain and Greece, for example.  In Olu Deniz, there is not much that you can’t find to eat.  English, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Indian cuisine is on offer.  Oh, and of course Turkish!  The choice of restaurants makes for stiff competition helps to keep prices in check and standards up.  The Buzz Beach Bar is one of the most prominent eateries on the seafront and has some rather good seafood dishes, whereas the Secret Garden, a little harder to find, just off the main street in the district known as Belcekiz, is very popular with English holidaymakers.

Doing Stuff

Turkey holiday packages - paragliding above Oludeniz, by Murat Tuzer, Wikipedia

What can you do in and around Olu Deniz?  Well, this is where you get the real benefit of coming to a well-established destination, no matter whether you are an independent traveller or you came here on one of the Turkey holiday packages, because when you get here you will see that there really is something for everyone.

The beach (which is actually made of very fine white gritty shingle rather than true sand) and all that goes with it is undoubtedly the biggest attraction, but by no means the only one.  In the sea you can try your hand at diving and snorkelling in the crystal-clear, warm waters, or if you are in need of some serious relaxation, just find a quieter stretch of the beach, kick off those flip-flops and do your holiday happy dance!

If you prefer to be on the water rather than in it, head for the little fleet of cute boats all crewed up and ready to take you on an exploration of as many as 12 of the little “paradise islands” that this area is known for.  Away from the coast, those paragliders are waiting to take you soaring above that blue lagoon, even if you have never done it before, and as this is not something you can do on all Turkey holiday packages, if you’re half-inclined to do it – go for it!  If you like walking, all around Olu Deniz you will find paths and trails that lead up through the trees towards Mount Babadag and the surrounding peaks.

If organised visits to ancient Greek or Roman ruins are your thing, you can choose from a good range on offer here, such as a trip back in time to the fascinating ghost town of Kayakoyu.  Oh, and when you’re all done in, as my old friend Wilhelmina says, you can get a relaxing rub down with Fiery Jack at a traditional Turkish bath!

Shopping

If you hate shopping, well – you’ll be OK here.  Turkey holiday packages to Olu Deniz are not really about shopping for designer goods or haggling over a Turkish carpet.  For that, you can catch the dolmus (minibus) to the nearby towns of Hisaronu or Fethiye, where they really will roll out the red carpet for you (and the gold one, and the blue one….).  In Olu Deniz itself though, on the main shopping street (Carsi Caddesi) you can buy the usual Turkish holiday gifts and of course there are the usual mini-marts for your essentials.

After Dark

Olu Deniz has a little bit of everything for everyone.  It does not have the mega-clubs of San Antonio in Ibiza and it does not have the 18-30 crowd of Magaluf – but on the other hand it does not turn into a ghost town after dark either.  There is an established night-life here, but it’s not over-the-top. You’ll find a good selection of moderately lively bars, something to suit most tastes I would say, with the most popular being along the seafront.  Try Buzz Beach Bar, or if that doesn’t shake your sugar, maybe The Sugar Shack will?

Verdict

Olu Deniz is a great place to come if you have never been to Turkey, because you get to see many aspects of what holidays to Turkey are all about.  It’s a favourite of so many holidaymakers for so many different reasons, and likely to stay that way.

To see how little it can cost to come here and check availability, you can use this link: Turkey holiday packages.

Turkey holiday packages - Calis beach, by flickr.com user: meemal

The long, narrow beach of Calis is picturesque and has sand and shingle areas.  The areas nearer to town are well-served by the usual sunbeds and umbrellas, and at the back of the beach you will find a tree-lined avenue that is not open to cars, which makes for a very pleasant promenade.  Surfing and fishing trips are popular activities at Calis, and you can also take a boat trip to one of the nearly islands.  On the beach itself, be aware of the plight of the endangered loggerhead turtle, which nests here.  Certain areas of the beach will be out of bounds at certain times, and it is vital that you keep away from these areas or the eggs could be destroyed.

Behind the beach is the resort itself, comprising a decent choice of hotels and apartments, in the main inexpensive compared to Turkey holiday packages to other resorts.  This is not a shopping Mecca, but you can get all the necessities and there’s a good choice of souvenir shops for that inevitable Turkish Delight!  For more sophisticated shopping, the nearby resort of Fethiye is the place to go for a day of designer label hunting.

Later in the day, Calis becomes even more laid-back, and you can gaze over the ocean as you sip a cocktail in one of the café/bars that border the seafront.  Eating out is a pleasurable experience in Calis too, more relaxed than the experience you will get on many Turkey holiday packages due to that chilled atmosphere.   Local Turkish dishes are on offer, with lamb a prominent ingredient.  Italian and English cuisine is also available, together with some excellent seafood dishes.

After dark, for the younger crowd there are in fact two discos, so it’s not all dead at night here.  For a more lively night out, however, Fethiye is recommended – just a short dolmus (minibus) ride away.

Overall the main thing that strikes me about Calis, when compared to the resorts offered by other Turkey holiday packages, is its laid-back, relaxed feel, so if you can do without the rowdy bars and all-night music, Calis might just be for you.

For the latest pricing and availability on holidays to Calis and other Turkish resorts, you can click the link now: Turkey Holiday Packages.

Patara

Turkey holiday packages - Patara beach, by flickr.com user: jries

You will find Patara about 47 miles south of a town called Fethiye.  It’s a real Goliath among beaches, stretching an incredible 32 kilometres along this part of the coast.  As you can imagine, a beach this long is never crowded!  The beach is sandy, and very clean.  A unique feature of this beach is that it is backed by the site of the ancient town of Patara – protected archaeological ground that can never be built upon.  If you fancy a walk while the rest of the family is splashing around in the sea, you can always explore the ruins.  If you visit Patara beach during your package holiday to Turkey, be sure to bring adequate protection against the sun, because there is no natural shelter here.  Something else to be very aware of is that this beach is a protected nesting ground for sea turtles.  If you come here, please be respectful of the nesting areas – people who cannot do this really must choose another beach and give the turtles a chance of survival.

Olu Deniz

Often claimed to be the most beautiful beach that Turkey holiday packages can offer, Olu Deniz is certainly a real gem.  It does get rather busy in

Turkey holiday packages - Oludeniz beach, by flickr.com user: meemal

the summer, but there are other coves within easy walking distance that offer more tranquillity if that is what you are looking for.  As for the main beach, it is well equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and toilets.  You will also find a good choice of water sports including such adventurous activities as paragliding.  Rather you than me.  Uniquely, at the back of Olu Deniz beach is a natural “blue lagoon” – a very special place that is sheltered from the waves of the sea and therefore very safe and pleasant for swimming.  The water is beautifully clear too, so get that snorkel ready!  The lagoon is part of the National Park and there is a small charge to get in, I can’t remember how much, but it isn’t a lot.

Turkey holiday packages - Olympos beach, by flickr.com user: nesebaltaciyahoocouk

Olimpos

This beach is a cracker if you love to get away from it all in scenic surroundings.  Personally, it reminds me of some of the beaches of Skiathos in Greece – but if you have never been there either that won’t help, so let me try harder..  Olimpos, also spelt Olympos, is on the Mediterranean coast, 50 miles south of the town of Antalya.  From the main highway you take the turning for Olimpos or Cirali – they are two neighbouring hamlets that share this fabulous beach, and you will often hear the same beach referred to by both names.  The beach is unspoilt – blue sea, golden-white sand and pine-clad slopes all around – beautiful!  A Turkish holiday for me would not be complete without a visit here.  It’s in reach of Antalya and other resorts that act as a base for Turkey holiday packages, and is a very popular beach yet retains all of its charm and natural beauty.

These are but three of the many beaches on offer and I realise that many people who book a Turkish holiday will be nowhere near these places.  Therefore, in time I will add more information on other beaches, so please check back soon.

You can find the best deals and latest pricing on holidays to Turkey by clicking the link: Turkey holiday packages.

Let’s take a closer look at what a holiday in Turkey has to offer:

Turkey holiday packages - beach, by wikimedia.org user:Yosarian

Many would argue that the current high demand for Turkey holiday packages is long overdue and well-deserved, and I am certainly inclined to take this view.  To start with, the beaches of turkey are fantastic – so many unspoilt, tranquil, golden sand beaches – a bit like the Greece that you may have known 20 years ago.  Then you have the amazingly warm welcome from the people – Turkish hospitality must be one of the things that brings people back year after year to this exotic land.  Children receive a special welcome from the Turks, even in restaurants and cafés where they often have their own little corner with games or a TV, not to mention the  staff, to keep them amused while you get a little break from your parental duties. Whether you go self-catering, half-board or all-inclusive, Turkey holiday packages in particular and package holidays in general are undergoing something of a resurgence at the moment.  According to the annual travel survey by Thomson and First Choice, published in September 2009, some 13% of respondents affected by the recession said they would consider package holidays next year, up from 6% this year.

Of course, in the last year or so the strength of the Euro against the pound has further enhanced the value of Turkey holiday packages, with Turkey being outside the Euro-zone.  It’s not just the holidays and hotels that offer so much more for your money, but everything that you buy is less expensive, from the famous carpets to jewellery and leather goods.  It is the same story when it comes to eating out – one of the major add-on costs assuming you are not on an all-inclusive deal – here, the savings in Turkey really start to add up.  Even some of Spain and Greece’s die-hard fans have been trying Turkey for the first time in the face of increasing prices in their usual haunts and needing to find value in these difficult times.  Some of these people, I am sure, will be permanent converts to Turkey as their destination of choice even when in future they no longer need to achieve the cost savings that attracted them here in the first place.

I mentioned all-inclusive deals and on that subject, the Thomson/First Choice survey reflects an increasing trend towards all-inclusive, with 16% of respondents considering an all-inclusive deal next year as opposed to 10% this year.  In Turkey, all-inclusive Turkey holiday packages offer some of the best value holidays you will find, because the hotel operators, being outside the Euro-zone, can afford to offer so much more for your money.

If you don’t know Turkey, you will be in for a treat.  The magnificent golden-sand beaches, and that water – incredibly clear, not to mention warm, which makes it a great place for diving.  Then there are the untouched rural villages further inland, where life carries on pretty much as it has for centuries.  Turkey’s historic sites are unparalleled, with Byzantine and Roman sites to explore.

So, if you are as keen as ever to book that sunny beach holiday, but you really need to save some cash and can’t really justify going to your usual European destination, Turkey holiday packages are, believe me, definitely worth a look, whether you have been before or not.  Turkey has got its act together – with style – over the last couple of years and just because you may pay less does not mean you are sacrificing quality – far from it.

There are some great deals around at the moment, with all-inclusive being especially good value.  You can check availability and current pricing right now by clicking the link: Turkey Holiday Packages