Turkey Travel Guide

Dalaman, situated on the southwest coast in the Mugla Province of Turkey and home to some outstanding scenery is a popular tourist destination throughout the year. The well known seaside resort of Marmais is in the Dalaman region and its airport is one of Turkey’s busiest.

If you’re a watersports enthusiast then Turkey is the place to be. Widely recognised to host some of the best clear-water scuba diving in the world you can pick up a taster session for around £35 before jumping headfirst into a full learning course. If going beneath the waves isn’t your thing then don’t worry, you can find scores of boat trips and snorkelling trips to keep you happy and explore the beautiful world beneath the waves. Windsurfing is one of the more popular water activities and taster sessions again are relatively cheap, whilst a taught lesson will cost a little more. Banana boat rides, jet skis for hire and paragliding are also available to give you a wide range of possible activities.

Dalaman’s mud baths are one of its most popular attractions, and it’s easy to see why. The revitalising qualities of sulphur rich mud have been celebrated for centuries, as the mud moisturises the skin to leave your body feeling, and looking, years younger! Why pay for an expensive mud bath at a spa when you can have a natural one? Great fun and good for you, recommended.

If you’re into history then you can’t visit Turkey without seeing the Lycian rock tombs. Carved into the cliffside these ornate tombs date back three millennia. No that’s not a misprint, they date back to before 1000BC! There are quite a few different tombs around, but the most impressive is at Myra where you’ll find a huge network of tombs carved into the side of the mountain.

Temperatures in Turkey reach the mid to high 30’s in summer so travelling out of high season can save you money whilst still guaranteeing the scorching heat so many of us crave. You can also find good all inclusive deals if you’re wanting to keep to a budget and cut down on hassle.

For good deals on flights to Dalaman as well as accommodation check out www.thomascook.com for their latest prices and offers. If you don’t mind booking last minute then you’ll find a much better deal too. They also offer good rates on travel insurance, and this can be included in the price so you only have to make one payment.

Holidays to Turkey are proving more popular than ever as thousands flock to the island in search of sun, sea and excellent value for money. The temperatures in the summer months can reach the high 30’s and with so many airlines flying in and out of the country there’s never been a better time to go. With that in mind, here are five of the best places to visit in Bodrum, one of Turkey’s most popular regions.

Underwater – Ok, so ‘underwater’ isn’t a place, but if it was it’d be top of our list of places to visit. The reason we’ve included it is because of the incredible scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities on offer when you visit Turkey. If you’ve never dived before then you can try a tester session for around £35, giving you a taste of what it’s like without compelling you to commit to a full course.

Bodrum Castle – Originally named the Castle of St Peter (but these days more frequently known as Bodrum Castle) the castle was built in 1402 by the Knights Hospitaller. With impressive architecture and historical importance, the castle is one of Bodrum’s most popular tourist attractions and casts an imposing figure as it sits looking out to sea. Built from green volcanic stone with marble columns the castle was at the forefront of architectural technology when built and still stands firmly 600 years later.

Bitez Beach – Another Bodrum special, Bitez Beach is one of the island’s most popular beaches and for good reason. The sand is white and clean and the sea has the kind of clarity you’d usually associate with a Caribbean islands. Boat tours are available as well as windsurfing, snorkelling and other water sports.

Bodrum Amphitheatre – Situated near the main road on the way into Gumbet, the Amphitheatre is an impressive tourist attraction. Built over five centuries ago the Amphitheatre still hosts concerts today and attracts visitors all year round. The sheer scale of the structure is breathtaking, and when you consider how long it’s been around it really is a thing of beauty. To visit is free, so you really should try and see it if you have the chance!

The Mausoleum – Built between 353 and 350BC in what was at the time known as Halicarnassus (now Bodrum) the Mausoleum was 150 feet high and considered by the Greek poet Antipater of Sidon to be one of his seven wonders of the world. The actual building was destroyed by earthquakes in the 1400s, meaning it stood for an incredible 16 centuries before finally being brought down. The site was later excavated and can now be visited.

Whether you’re new to Turkey or you’ve been before there are always good deals available if you look in the right place. Holiday operators such as Thomas Cook offer good flight and accommodation packages for a stay in bodrum so be sure to check them out for some really low prices, especially if you don’t mind a last minute deal!