Turkey Holidays

Turkey Holidays - Destination Profile

Book Turkey holidays and discover this paradise of sun, sea, mountains and lakes that offers a complete change from the stress and routine of everyday life. Turkey is generally divided into seven regions: the Black Sea region, the Marmara region, the Aegean, the Mediterranean, Central Anatolia, the East and Southeast Anatolia regions.

The Bodrum Peninsula is an absolutely beautiful area and a wonderful destination for those seeking a holiday in Turkey. The area is set in a bay of dazzling blue water, where the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea meet. The resort town of Bodrum is a great place for Turkey holidays because the resort has everything history, culture, nightlife, good food and a colourful bazaar for shopping. Gumbet is renowned for its beautiful coastline and shallow waters make it ideal for family holidays in Turkey. For somewhere quieter and more relaxing the village of Otrakent is a perfect base with a authentic traditional feel. The resort of Bitez is a haven for active Turkey holidays with a fantastic range of watersports on offer.

The Turquoise Coast or Dalaman region stretches from Antalya to Marmaris along the south western Mediterranean coastline of Turkey and is renowned for its natural beauty with its mountains abundant with fragrant pine trees. The resort of Marmaris is possibly the most popular for holidays in Turkey, the old quarter of the town is a magical maze of narrow streets. Icmeler is a perfect base for exploring the nearby resorts and is less crowded bays with a great choice of bars and restaurants. The harbour resort of Fethiye has a traditional Turkish feel and is filled with fishing boats, yachts and water taxis. Hisaronu offers the opportunity to have relaxing holiday to Turkey, its location 4 kms away up on a plateau means the evenings are cooler after lazy days on the beach.

Value Holidays to Turkey with Olympic Holidays

Book your holidays to Turkey with Olympic Holidays a leading specialist tour operator to Cyprus and Greece with over 40 years expertise in offering quality holidays at great value. As well package holidays to Turkey, we offer an excellent range of flights to Turkey and hotels in Turkey. For great savings on holidays to Turkey book online or call our reservations team, lowest price guaranteed!!!

Holidays in Turkey - Things to see

The Mausoleum: This is Bodrum's oldest antiquity and was built by Artemisia II in honour of her husband King Mausolos. The monumental tomb became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. After the Mausoleum was destroyed by an earthquake in the 12th century, an exhibition about what the Mausoleum probably looked like, together with a large model, provide a vivid lesson on the history of the area which was then called Halicarnassos.

The Amphi Theatre: This is another witness to the great past of Bodrum. Situated in the hillside over looking Bodrum this theatre whose capacity is around 13.000 was built during the Carian reign in the Hellenistic age (330 - 30 BC.). The theatre consists of three different sections: a place for the audience, a place for an orchestra and the stage. It became an open-air museum after the excavations in 1973.

St. Peters Castle: The most prominent feature of Bodrum is the castle of St. Peter. The castle's origins date back to the knights of St. John but now it is one of the finest museums in this region where you get wonderful views of the town and sea, are several mighty towers, a chapel, dungeon and Turkish bath, all set in gardens and linked by steep steps and passageways.

The Tomb of Sariana: On the Northeastern slopes of the city behind the neighbouring Sariana is the newly built Mosque which stands next to a tomb. Renowned for its oracular powers, the tomb was visited by Suleyman the Magnificent during his journey to Rhodes. Following good news from the Oracle, the Sultan decided to lay siege to the Island. It was known that the breakfast of the Ottoman Legions consisted of fresh milk, milked from Sariana's famed cow.

The Kervansaray: Surrounded by arches, this structure is built of stone and is in Ottoman style. Built in 1545, the Kervansaray contains 1 large and 7 small rooms. Today it is used as a shopping centre for souvenirs

Blue Lagoon: Explore Blue Lagoon (Oludeniz) where the calm crystal water is ideal for swimming and other water sports. Blue Lagoon is located near the famous tourist resort of Fethiye, Belcekyz Beach and protected as one of the natural parks of Turkey.

Things to do on a Holiday in Turkey

Watersports: There is a wide variety of things to do down on the beach or inland. However if you are feeling energetic and strong enough for something more adventurous why not try your hand at Water skiing and Windsurfing, the peninsula beaches are highly recommended. All along the sea front are different companies offering, banana boats, jet skis, para-gliding, diving, windsurfing, water skiing and anything else you can think of.

Jeep Safaris: A perfect half day out. Go back to nature; ride in the forests of Marmaris, guided horse safari through beautiful countryside. Although you will enjoy the resort of Marmaris, a jeep safari to the wilderness and the nearby villages can be an exciting adventure one, or two day safaris.

Hunting: Marmaris offers a perfect opportunity to hunt, wild Boar with remarkable tusks can be hunted.

Paragliding: Babadag, covering the eastern part of Oludeniz, is deemed as one of the best flying points in the world for paragliding. Babadag is on the list of "world heritage" due to its rich flora and presents the splendour of Oludeniz and its environs from a different perspective. To attempt a tandem jump accompanied by a pilot and with your camera to document the panorama of Oludeniz while gliding in the blue sky is an experience to add colour to your whole life.

Diving: The life in the sea has a rich variation from fish, octopus, eels and dolphins. Lots of fauna plants and coral are waiting for underwater photographer's flashes to show the marvellous colours. The crystal-clear waters along the shores of Fethiye are ideal for deep-sea diving, which is one of the fast-developing recreational sports in the world. The fact that there are no negative currents along the extensive shoreline assists you in mastering this sport in an easy and safe manner. Experienced diving centres in the region arrange daily and nightly diving tours throughout the year, both for beginners and skilled divers, as well as extensive courses

Trekking: Walking on nomad trails and ancient Lycian paths is best way to see flora richness of Fethiye. You just need usual soft-walking material with you. Every hundred meter special boards will show you the right direction and give basic information about the area. Little mountain villages will be on the way, to meet you with their friendly people, even semi-nomads.

Golf: Belek Golf courses; in planning the course, the architects took into special account the wishes and expectations of European golfers. The perfect sights of the golf courses present the wonderful panorama and landscape of the neighbourhood while providing the golf players with terrific golf pleasure and struggle.

Gulet Cruises during holidays in Turkey

The beautiful coastline, stunning sunsets, crystal waters and gentle breezes, all this can be expected during a wonderful Gulet Cruise. Gulets are traditional Turkish motor-yacht's beautifully crafted from wood. Usually they have a 12 to 16 berth (6 to 8 double cabins) and very between 60 and 90 feet in length. The cabins have a shower, toilet and storage space. There is also a hall/bar fitted with mattresses and cushions for those who enjoy a break from the midday sun or prefer to read in the shade. On deck there is a shower allowing guests to rinse themselves after snorkeling or a swim.

Guests will be looked after by an experienced Turkish crew who will make sure your comfort is continuous whilst looking after all meals, cleaning and washing up! Understandably the crew are not likely to be fluent in English but will wait on you hand and foot. Of course they would not turn any help down either! The gulet facilities include an awning over the back deck for shade, fully equipped kitchen, VHF radio, cassette player) feel free to bring your own!) goggles, masks and snorkels, playing cards and board games.

During the day you will cruise along the Turkish coastline, sun bathing and snorkeling. During the evening you will anchor at a small village where you can depart the gullet and explore before returning to sleep and depart the next morning

Eating/Drinking During Turkey Holidays

An authentic Turkish experience can be combined with a raucous nights drinking at one of Turkey's meyhanes. These tavernas serve raki, beer and wine, along with an awe-inspiring selection of mezes (starters), succulent kebabs and fruits of the season. A favourite location for raki drinking, the atmosphere gets louder and merrier as the night progresses, with clients often breaking into impromptu renditions of Turkish classics.

Turkey's recent economic growth and increasing prosperity had had enormous effect on the vitality, energy and variety of its nightlife. The range of night entertainment is huge, from traditional male-dominated birahanes to techno and rave nightclubs, with new venues opening by the week. As a result, Turkey's nightlife is quickly gaining recognition as one of the liveliest in Europe.

Turkey Holiday Weather

Although Turkey is situated in a geographical location where climatic conditions are quite temperate, the diverse nature of the landscape, and the existence in particular of the mountains that run parallel to the coasts, results in significant differences in climatic conditions from one region to the other.

Max Temp C	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
Turkey	21	24	29	32	32	28	26
London	13	16	20	22	21	19	13
Sunshine Hours	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
Turkey	8	9	9	11	12	9	8
London	5	6	7	6	6	5	3

Turkey Holidays - View 5 Day Forecast

Getting Around on Turkey Holidays

Buses: Known as Dolmus and are the most convenient way to travel in Turkey.

Taxis: Metered and in plentiful supply in the resorts.

Turkey Holidays Shopping

Shopping during holidays in Turkey are a great adventure where you are able to buy special handicrafts which vary from one region to another. Authentic bazaars sell rugs and other traditional handicraft centres are perfect places to buy gifts on mementos of your holiday to Turkey. The market is where you can haggle and barter to your heart's content.

Turkish leather and textile products reflecting the latest fashion are attracting the visitors of malls with reasonable prices. The origins of jewellery go back to the neolithic age in Anatolia. Silver and gold jewellery with precious stones are most popular items of shopping in Turkey.