DESTINATIONS TURKEY | HOTELS, RESORTS & SPAS 4
OF THE BEST
historical sites
Whether lunging or lounging, a visit to Turkey’s ancient ruins offers a taste of culture alongside the Wellness Week activities. The
following can be reached
by taxi or a private transfer arranged by the hotel.
Temple of Apollo: Inside the archaeological site of Didyma, the Temple of
Apollo is considered one of antiquity’s best-preserved odes to the god. The site is closed for restoration, but can be seen from the surrounding path (15 minutes by car).
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Writer Kirsten with British Olympic rower Victoria Thornley; Anda Barut Collection’s upper lobby; Penthouse Suite with a private pool and sea view; the on-site Cutara Madventure Park PICTURE: @ozanphoto
It’s intimidating at first to
launch into a new activity with strangers, but the welcoming environment soon sees to that
Its 547 rooms range from Sea View and Swim-Up Deluxe to Suites and Penthouses, spread across three zones: adult, community and family. There are also 13 villas, varying in size to accommodate between two and six people. These generous spaces feature bedrooms, a living area and kitchen as well as a utility room. While many services are included, there are optional paid-for extras such as a private butler. On arrival, guests are invited to join a WhatsApp chat with Guest Relations and download the resort’s app to see the day’s schedule of events and book any of the seven inclusive à la carte restaurants. It proves tricky to secure a booking during this busy week, but I nab a reservation through Guest Relations and discover it’s worth the effort for the seat at Tiger, where plates loaded with sushi are a chance to restore some of the energy I’ve expended during the day.
Families are well looked after with kids’ pools, clubs and a buffet, not to mention the on-site Cutara Madventure Park, a water park with some serious slides and flumes that elicit shrieks from all ages. There’s plenty to entertain adults too, whether kid-free or taking a break, be it in the Tuva Spa with its hammam (with mixed and women-only options) or classes including yoga, Pilates and Zumba.
GETTING STUCK IN Wellness Week ratchets these up and it’s intimidating at first to launch into a new activity with a group of strangers, but the welcoming environment soon sees to that. Even more reassuring, there’s a real mix of participants ranging from the chic Lycra set, the avid runners and the fitness fanatics to those with injuries and ailments to factor in, those feeling the stiffness from previous classes and a few with sore heads from the night before. Every activity is an opportunity for people to move without judgement or expectation. Fellow guest Harvey Ockrim, a long-time follower of similar athlete-led events at The BodyHoliday in Saint Lucia, who has journeyed to Turkey with his wife and friends for Wellness Week, says it “challenges people’s perceptions of exercise, much like ParkRun has done for running”.
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travelweekly.co.uk 9 OCTOBER 2025 57
Miletus: Once joined with Didyma by the 10-mile
Sacred Way, Miletus became a major trading port under the Greeks and Romans
from the 11th century BC. A big archaeological site, its well-preserved theatre is the star attraction (30 minutes by car).
Ephesus: The Unesco-listed site was founded in the 10th century BC and flourished as a centre of trade and
culture. Abandoned by the 15th century, it is famed for its Roman-era Library of
Celsus, impressive theatres and preserved streets (an hour and 20 minutes by car).
Didyma, Turkey
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Selcuk Oner
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