Ah, the annual family holiday to the Mediterranean. You can tell yourself you’re going for the culture and the scenery (and you won’t be disappointed in that); you can tell yourself you’re looking forward to the food and the odd cocktail or two (and you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice in that department); but come on now, let’s be honest. What you’re really looking forward to most is the endless supply of sun and sea, the most important part of everyone’s family holidays. Turkey can supply both in abundance and there is a seemingly endless array of family-friendly resorts to choose from. As a holiday destination, Turkey can cater to every taste and budget and once you arrive, there’s no shortage of ways to ensure you lap up as much of the beach culture as possible.
Swimming
Well this one is a no-brainer. Whether you’re an Olympic athlete in disguise or a toddler who’s never seen the sea before, the warm, clear waters which lap Turkey’s coastline are ideal for everyone on their family holidays. Turkey’s beaches are very safe with gently shelving shorelines, and their protected waters make for an inviting way to spend your days paddling in the shallows or doing some serious swimming.
Wind Surfing
Perhaps more the domain of Dad or an older child, windsurfing can be a great sport to undertake on your family holidays. Turkey is renowned as one of the best places in the Mediterranean to windsurf, with mild temperatures and near perfect wind conditions in the bays and peninsulas around Bodrum and Antalya.
Rafting and Canoeing
Not strictly beach culture, but keeping your feet wet nonetheless, rafting is becoming a popular pastime in Turkey. Although perhaps not something that immediately springs to mind when planning your family holidays, Turkey’s rivers are actually rated as some of the best in the world for white water rafting, for both beginners and veterans. For the adrenaline junkie families out there who like to play hard, there are many opportunities to safely take on the might of Turkey’s most exciting rapids.
Diving and Snorkelling
You don’t have to be a qualified dive-master to enjoy the underwater delights on your Mediterranean family holidays. Turkey has some wonderful sites to explore, from diving ancient shipwrecks and secret caves, to simply donning a snorkel and flippers to marvel at the colourful and curious fish close to shore. There are many companies who offer one-day dive courses for adults and quite a few who specialise in children’s diving too.
Poolside Pleasure
The beach is one thing, but a pool party is quite another! There’s a lot to be said for the convenience that an onsite pool can offer. There’s nothing that kids on holiday love more than a barbeque around the pool after a hard day on the beach!
Bubbles and Bubbles
Finally, one for the Mums and Dads seeking some alone time on their family holidays in Turkey. What could be a more enjoyable way of relaxing than to jump in a warm spa on the deck at your resort? Enjoy the view as the sun sets over the Mediterranean, with a glass of champagne, as you congratulate yourselves on the most wonderful family holiday you’ve had in years. Lovely!
Davide Smith is the Destination Expert for Bargain Holidays Online, a unique holiday website which specialises in cheap, last-minute deals for family holidays Turkey as well as giving you access to over 20 million other bargain holiday deals. Book your bargain holidays with BargainHolidaysOnline.com today and save.
