The Perfect Summer
Scenery and weather are the staple points of any holiday. The beautiful resort of Olu Deniz in southern Turkey offers all this and much, much more. It’s no wonder its beach is one of the most photographed in the country.
There are some great value package holidays available to Turkey, as well as the cheap option of doing it DIY, which I always tend to do. Make holiday travel easier by pre-booking your airport parking, such as Gatwick Airport parking and you could be saving money before you travel, meaning more Lira to spend in resort.
Olu Deniz’s lagoon is a famous postcard picture, and this is a must visit, however be aware that as it’s a conservation area, you will have to pay a small fee to enter – well worth it in my opinion. If you fancy a change though, there are many other beaches nearby too, so you’re spoilt for choice, and each one is clean, with crystal clear water and many facilities to make your day’s sun-baking go without a hitch. Of course, this part of the world is famous for paragliding, with breathtaking views of the coastline and surrounding area, dense with pine-clad mountains. I’d highly recommend you take part if you can – you won’t be disappointed!
If you’d rather keep your feet on solid ground, then there’s plenty to keep you occupied, including one of my favourite excursions, to the mud baths at Dalyan. Here you can wallow in mud before soaking in a sulphur bath, reputably fantastic for the skin and anti-aging. Worth a try! Its great fun and most trips head to Turtle Beach as part of the package, as well as a river boat ride down the Dalyan River, with the rock tombs passing you by.
Speaking of water – I never head to this part of the world without fitting in a boat trip, and I’d highly recommend you do the same. You can get great value day trips from the local street vendors, and you can haggle your price down for a great bargain. Make sure you remember a hat and plenty of sun-cream onboard, as the Turkish summer sun is intense!
Olu Deniz is a wonderful resort in itself, but there are other resorts on the doorstep that are great for a day out, such as Fethiye, with its large market. Haggle, haggle is the name of the game, and you’ll come away with great souvenirs for loved ones back home.
Night-life in Turkish holiday resorts is always bright and varied, and Olu Deniz is no different, although it could be argued that it’s slightly more low key, although no less entertaining. You’ll find lots of bars and restaurants to keep you amused, and plenty of international food so nobody goes hungry. However, I would suggest you try some traditional Turkish cuisine, as not only is it cheap to eat out, but it’s really delicious and you’ll be more than full! Turkish lamb dishes are delicious, and be sure to try kunefe, a really tasty desert, all washed down with some rather potent raki!
There are some great priced deals to Turkey, and remember my idea of pre-booked airport parking, meaning you save even more. If you’re heading out of the capital, check out Stansted parking for great rates.
Plenty to do, plenty to eat, plenty to see and plenty of sun – what more could you want?
