Turkey has been a favourite holiday spot for British holidaymakers for decades, with beautiful beaches and all inclusive hotels catering to the whims of sunburnt Brits. As a young adult I enjoyed a Turkey holiday with friends, a week of sunbathing and partying with very little acknowledgement of the country we were in. Now I am a family man my holidays are a little different. The children, aged between 5 and 12, need constant activities to keep them entertained and my wife and I look for something more than just sun and sangria. So it was with some cynicism that I agreed to a family holiday in Turkey. My wife assured me it would not be a hotel with a kids club and right up until we were arrived I didn’t believe her. I was imaging fat balding men and their horrid children running wildly around the pool.
But away from the fly and flop sun loungers Turkey is actually a hidden gem, home to the Turquoise Coast perfect for sailing between small coves and beautiful islands. Snorkelling and swimming in the med are just two of the many activities on offer, you can cycle or trek the Lycian coast up rough dirt tracks for stunning mountain and sea views, or away from the beaches you can venture into the valleys of Cappadocia. Here you can visit the underground city of Derinkuyu, home to up to 30000 people over 4000 years ago, or horse ride on the ancient Silk Road with the sun on your back. The children loved popping their heads in and out of the cheese holes of Derinkuyu.
If you have younger children who aren’t quite up to mountain biking then you can take a quieter trip of sightseeing to Epheus. The Roman city is filled with impressive ruins, a huge theatre, the Temple of Hadrian and after you can enjoy the famous savoury pastry, Gozelme. Alternatively you can take the smaller ones to Kusadasi water park for water slides and games. Deeper inland and north there is of course Istanbul and a trip, family or otherwise, to Turkey wouldn’t be complete without a tour. The city is the point where Asian meets Europe, a mix of ancient skylines with modern. We took the children to see all the sights and they were all captivated by the delicate architecture and dominance of the Blue Mosque.
In fact Turkey has something for every member of the family, there is shopping, sun, sea and sailing, water sports, trekking, walking, horse riding, eating… and the list goes on. Our family holiday was adventurous but relaxing at the same time. We didn’t have to worry about entertaining the kids as all activities were planned in advance and we still had plenty of time to unwind, drink wine and relax. We had such a good time, we are now looking at an adventure family holiday to Mallorca. And no we won’t be sitting by the pool there either.
USD 124
per night
Inonu District Elmadag Street No.26, Harbiye, Sisli
USD 20
per night
Piyerloti Avenue Goktas St. no.7/A, Sultanahmet
USD 31
per night
Alaykosku Caddesi No. 15, Sultanahmet
USD 79
per night
Akbiyik Street 42
USD 45
per night
EbussuutCad.No:22 Sirkeci
USD 113
per night
KumbabaMah.
USD 181
per night
Buyukdere Caddesi, 4. Levent
USD 72
per night
Hosnudiye Mahallesi
USD 57
per night
Ataturk Bulvari Kemalpasa District No.4, Aksaray, Fatih
USD 15
per night
Merkez Mah Gokturkler Cad 258 Sokak No 8
Book your hotel here
USD 51
per night
Yenisehir Mahallesi Bans Caddesi 29. Sokak No 34
Discover all that Mardin has to offer with Hilton Garden Inn Mardin as a base. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. Room...
USD 15
per night
Genclik District 1312 Street No:6 Isiklar
The Kozan Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Antalya. The Kozan Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Each g...
USD 71
per night
Topkapi, Millet Cad 187
The Holiday Inn Istanbul City Hotel is located in Istanbul making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. With the guests' convenience in mind, each of the 128 guestrooms at the hotel is ...
USD 114
per night
Fatih Mah.Gazi Mustafa Kemal Cad.No:11
The Eser Premium Hotel & SPA is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Istanbul. The hotel provides all the amenities that today's travelers desire in all of its 172 rooms. Room a...
USD 121
per night
Siraselviler str. no:11 Taksim
The CVK Hotels is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Istanbul. Each of the 85 well-furnished guestrooms at the hotel ensures a comfortable stay with industry-standard room amen...
USD 57
per night
Sehit Muhtar District Kurabiye Zambak Street No.1, Beyoglu
With its central location, Santa Ottoman Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Istanbul. All 18 rooms at the hotel are well-appointed with necessary ameniti...
USD 100
per night
Kukurtlu District.Dr Rustu Burlu Street No:11
With its central location, Divan Hotel Bursa is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Bursa. All 99 guestrooms at the hotel provide all the comforts and conveniences...
USD 15
per night
Merkez Mah Gokturkler Cad 258 Sokak No 8
Discover all that Marmaris has to offer with Club Happy Days Apartment as a base. All 115 at this 3-star property offers well-furnished rooms and attentive service. All of the guestrooms are replete...
USD 78
per night
Ziya Gokalp Cad. No:58 Cankaya
Discover all that Ankara has to offer with Doubletree By Hilton Ankara Hotel as a base. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comfor...
USD 64
per night
Hoca pasa mah.Dervisler Sk.No:9 Sirkeci Fatih
Discover all that Istanbul has to offer with Q Inn Hotel Old City as a base. The 42 guestrooms at this 4-star hotel provide all the essential amenities needed by the business and leisure traveler. T...
USD 119
per night
Halaskargazi Cad. No 208 K1 D1
With its central location, Holiday Inn Istanbul Sisli is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Istanbul. The Holiday Inn Istanbul Sisli boasts a convenient location ...
USD 35
per night
Kucuk Ayasofya Avenue Su Terazisi Street No.25, Sultanahmet
Discover all that Istanbul has to offer with Dara Hotel and Family Rooms as a base. The hotel provides all the amenities that today's travelers desire in all of its 33 rooms. Each guestroom is fully...
USD 20
per night
Sultanahmet District Akbiyik St. No.75
The Mevlana Boutique Hotel is located in Istanbul making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The hotel provides all the amenities that today's travelers desire in all of its 20 rooms....
USD 52
per night
Tophane Mh. Kargi Street. No:7 Alanya
The Hotel Villa Turka is located in Alanya making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. Each of the 11 well-furnished guestrooms at the hotel ensures a comfortable stay with industry-st...
USD 124
per night
Katip Mustafa Celebi Mah. Hasnun Galip Str.15/2 Beyoglu
Discover all that Istanbul has to offer with Diva Bosphorus Apartments as a base. All 2 rooms at the hotel have all the modern facilities guests' would expect from a hotel of this class. Room amenit...
USD 87
per night
Mimar Mehmet Aga Street No.42-46, Sultanahmet
The Hotel Sari Konak is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Istanbul. All the modern facilities are available in all of the hotel's 23 rooms. Each guestroom has bathrobes, int...
USD 86
per night
Mimar Sinan mah.Corlu Yolu Cad.No:17 Canta / Silivri
The Eser Diamond Hotel & Convention Center is located in Istanbul making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All 218 guestrooms at the hotel provide all the comforts and conveniences ...
USD 40
per night
Fevzipasa Avenue Feyzullah Efendi Street No.6, Fatih
The Tugra Hotel is located in Istanbul making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The hotel has a total of 32 well-appointed rooms designed with the guests' comfort in mind. Room ame...
USD 10
per night
Kamer Hatun Mah. Mesrutiyet Cad no. 34
The Miapera Hotel is located in Istanbul making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The hotel provides all the amenities that today's travelers desire in all of its 61 rooms. Each of...
USD 189
per night
Alemdar Mah. Yerebatan Cad No. 13 Sultanahmet
The Crowne Plaza Istanbul Hagia Sophia Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Istanbul. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class t...
Leave a reply