TURKEY IN FOCUS


AegeanNicely


Relatively low prices have made Turkey a big hit with holidaymakers looking for a more affordable alternative to the Eurozone countries, says Howard Carr


T


urkey, a country that straddles the Bosphorus River, the waterway that divides East


from West, has seen its share of the short breaks and holidays market soar over the last few years as operators have switched capacity from more expensive destinations. Figures from the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office show that the country attracted a record 2.4 million UK visitors in 2009, with numbers for the fi rst seven months of 2010 up by 15 per cent. The collapse of Goldtrail in July


highlighted the fact that much of the growth has been at the lower end of the market, where fi erce competition led to heavy discounting. But it’s wrong to think of Turkey as merely a bargain- basement destination.


Covering an area three times the


size of the UK and with 5,000 miles of Mediterranean and Black Sea coastline, the country offers far more than just mass-market resorts. For clients wanting to get off the


beaten track, there are plenty of quiet little towns and villages – both on the coast and inland – from which to choose. The Antalya region is best for winter


sun, with luxury resort hotels, spas and championship golf courses. Culture vultures can soak up Turkey’s


rich history at famous sites such as Ephesus and Troy – and touring holidays are a great way to take in many of the vast number of historical attractions. Sailors can opt for fl otilla holidays or a


cruise on a gulet (a traditional wooden sailing vessel), while adventure seekers can take a hot-air balloon over the lunar- like landscape of Cappadocia.


Exciting Istanbul is the top destination


in Turkey for weekend breaks. As well as famous attractions such as the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, the city is building a strong following among a stylish crowd attracted by its chic boutique hotels, restaurants, clubs and designer-label shops. But short breaks are no longer limited


to Istanbul. Low-cost airlines including easyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch and Pegasus has allowed greater fl exibility to areas such as Dalaman and Bodrum.


Olympic Holidays has increased its


Turkey What's New Thomson and First Choice have


added Antalya to their winter programmes, with weekly fl ights from Gatwick and Manchester and additional departures from Bristol and Glasgow during April 2011.


range of three-star hotels in Olu Deniz, Fethiye, Bodrum and Kemer for this summer. New to Prestige Holidays for 2011 is the Gloria Serenity Resort at


Main Picture: Whirling dervishes in Istanbul; Above: Termessos near Antalaya


40 Spring 2011 • www.shortbreaksholidays.com


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