陶樂園的家

Not long ago the holiday resorts of Marmaris and Bodrum were unheard of and these small towns were really just local towns consisting of farmers and fisherman. But with our lust for cheap holidays in Turkey it wasnt long before we wanted to explore even more exotic locations. Especially as Tour operators flights were becoming cheaper and cheaper and holidays abroad becoming essential and affordable for most british holidaymakers. The two main holiday destinations of Bodrum and Marmaris have now become synonymous with any of the Spanish Costas that the British traveller frequented, and many a bar visit in the September promoted it further by word of mouth and great reviews from returning holidaymakers. It was extremely cheap compared to other european destinations and very, very cheerful with fantastic beaches and friendly locals and most importantly it was new. Of course our constant wanting for something new is what makes us discover new horizons, and with this in mind, T urkeys Riviera or what is also known as the Antalya region was discovered by us Brits. Actually, truth be told we didn't really do the discovering at all, it was the french and German's and in general the European's that first discovered this region of Turkey (apart from the locals, they always knew it was there!). Antalya city is in fact one of the largest cities in Turkey and what sets apart the whole of the Antalya region and network of what we call cheap holiday resorts is that none of them are purpose built resorts unlike the ones you see when you go on a cheap holiday to Marmaris, Icmeler and Altinkum, but genuine real towns and cities, most of them with quite a few thousand years of history behind them, and stretching throughout the Antalya Bay there are several hundred kilometres of sandy beaches, most of them untouched, and please don't think of unspoilt as a dirty word those of you seeking a little more fun in the sun. There is plenty of fun to be had if that's you r cup of tea. From Side down to Lara Beach, you'd be hard pressed to be bored; bars and restaurants, swish little boutiques and lokantas are scattered around everywhere.

Due to the southerly location of the Antalya area (Turkish Riviera), this part of Turkey's coastline is operational twelve months of the year, the temperatures during the winter months are rarely lower than fifteen degrees, and if you happen to be taking a holiday there in November you will still be able to swim in the sea, and walk around in your summer gear. You will also find a varied and rich cultural environment especially around Side (pronounced See-day) which is approximately seventy five kilometres from Antalya, the old Roman Agora is incorporated into the modern day shopping square and, and for at least a kilometre when walking from the colourful harbour towards the centre of Side town, you can see the sea from either side of the road. Due to the size of Side, you will find most of the hotels dotted around the Side perimeter as opposed to the actual city centre; most of these local holiday resorts like Manavgat, Kumkoy and Sorgun have cheap deals on four and five star hotels offering All Inclusive food basis, and a dolmus (the preferred mode of transport in Turkey) will take about twenty minutes to get to the centre of Side, however, in the height of the summer season they pedestrianise Side centre and you will need to walk about around a kilometre to get to the picturesque harbour and towards all the restaurants and specialist fish restaurants that are there.

Antalya is the biggest city in the south of Turkey and has a fascinating history and amazing mountain scenary. Legend has it that King Attalos II asked his courtiers to find heaven on earth and after finding the old Antalya city that lay in ruins, Antalya was re-built into one of the glittering jewels of the Med! Apart from the colourful legends and historical significance of the area, modern holidaymakers will definitely have plenty to do and the beach resorts in that region are becoming even more popular and well known than Antalya itself. The resort of Lara Beach to name but one, has become a popular favourite with British holidaymakers, the hotels there are of exceptional high quality, and all offer All Inclusive and in some cases Ultra All Inclusive, the latter offering an almost luxury cruise liner food experience but on land, with twenty four hour food and drink available and full day and night entertainment and mini clubs for the kids that need to be entertained so that parents can also have a holiday too.

Belek the furthest from Antalya, is in fact the only purpose built uber resort in the area with over fifty, four and five star hotels, and some of the best golf courses in Europe, easily rivalling Spain and the Algarve. The immaculate green of Belek's golfing range is starting to attract more and more professional golfers and the lack of the Euros money issues and the mild and dry weather that the area enjoys in the winter is a definite plus. It is hard to surmise the Antalya Region; it's almost a country in its own right with its own climate and history its numerous resorts and its own airport it has a lot to offer any type of traveller, from the adventurer and the history buff, to families with young children and teenagers to honeymooners looking for a romantic getaway and lastly to the cult of golfers, who usually travel in large packs, the Antalya Region has got to be the near perfect holiday destination.