Leave the UK’s dark skies behind for a sun-filled family break in Turkey
WITH winter well and truly here, leave the UK’s dark skies behind for a sun-filled family break to Turkey with all the trimmings.
No basting is required in a country with plenty to offer, from gorgeous beaches and unique culture to delicious food and wonderful hotels.
Titanic Deluxe, Bodrum
Writer Lucy Quick, plus husband Andy and children Nina, five, and Olive, two, discovered why so many celebs flock to the Aegean coast.
The Pad: As the name suggests, the Titanic Deluxe is a vast, opulent hotel covering 80,000m2, with staff who are experts in indulgence.
The beachfront location, where pine-clad mountains meet sparkling white-sand seascapes, is unbeatable. With 350m of private, pristine beach, crowds are never an issue.
If you fancy a break from getting sand between your toes, there are also four huge indoor and outdoor pools, plus an aqua park with kid-appropriate water slides.
The Tini Kids Club, for ages four to 12, will keep little ones thoroughly entertained with crafting, games, sporty activities and discos guaranteed to leave them bursting with holiday memories.
In the evenings, keep the cocktails flowing as you enjoy performances from traditional Turkish bands.
Refuel: Indecisive? Brace yourself for an enormous choice of eating and drinking options. There’s even an open-all-day ice-cream and waffle bar.
While you try to pick what you want for dinner, hit the Flamingo Beach Club for a top-notch mojito. Parkfora Restaurant serves up world cuisine, including sublime Turkish dishes, of course, with views across the shimmering Aegean Sea.
For à la carte, book into Begonvil, where our picks are the catch of the day grida fillet and traditional Mediterranean pud of baklava with sesame oil.
And don’t miss the succulent ribeye steak with truffle oil crushed potatoes at Beef Grill Club.
Explore: If you can tear yourself away from the resort, hire a car to enjoy the stunning 40-minute coastal drive to Bodrum Edition for lunch at the iconic beachside restaurant Morena ().
The sea bass fish tacos, £12, are sensational, and follow with chocolate churros, £8.90. Then sit back sipping a piña colada, £8, as the gentle sea breeze wafts through the olive trees.
Don’t miss Bodrum town, 30 minutes’ drive away, has crumbling ruins sitting alongside a marina filled with glamorous yachts. Soak up the big-city buzz, exciting street-food scene, bustling bazaars, great-value bars and a castle.
Book it: Titanic Deluxe costs from £779 per person for seven nights all-inclusive, based on two adults and two children sharing, including return flights and transfers with Jet2holidays ().
Hillside Beach Club, Dalaman
Find true zen, even with kids in tow, at this wonderful resort, says Editor-in-Chief Sinead McIntyre, husband Alistair and twins Riley and Harris, 10.
The Pad: A haven of tranquillity, the 330-room Hillside Beach Club is set in woodland around private Kalemya Bay, 53km south-east of Dalaman.
Every detail has been thought of when it comes to room comfort, with toiletries including nail files, cotton buds, a body scrub and body buffer all complimentary, while the minibar is packed full of tasty snacks and ice cold beers and water.
Hillside definitely nails family-friendly versus me-time – the list of activities for kids, both big and small, is huge. There are football pitches and tennis courts, an art club, slime making, a gaming area and a kids’ club they can drop into any time.
This leaves the grown-ups free to take time out at adults-only private Silent Beach, where devices are discouraged.
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Enjoy a massage or explore the coast by paddleboard. Evening entertainment includes shows in the outside auditorium and live music – the J.Lo tribute show was a standout.
Refuel: The buffet-style main restaurant offers every type of food imaginable, from delicious local Turkish cuisine – think stuffed vine leaves, tabbouleh and incredible salads and kebabs – to cooked-to-order steak or fresh fish.
There is more dessert choice than we have seen anywhere else, including a dangerously moreish ice-cream station – the pistachio was my fave.
Fancy waiter service? Book into Pasha, a restaurant by the sea for adults and over-12s (little wonder as everything is white!) that serves delicious Mediterranean fare, such as lobster ceviche and avocado houmous.
And don’t miss the chilled Italian eatery right on the beach for fresh pasta and mouth-watering, creamy mozzarella.
Explore Hillside organises a free, four-hour group guided hike across the rolling green countryside to the famous valley of Kayaköy, believed to be the site of the ancient city of Karmylassos.
It’s home to several rock tombs from the period, and was also the inspiration for the Louis de Bernières’ novel Birds Without Wings.
Or take a 60-minute trip on a traditional wooden gulet sailboat to Fethiye harbour’s local bazaars, where you can pick up beautiful ceramics and leather goods at bargain prices. Cruises cost £8 per person.
Don't miss: A traditional hammam treatment at the hotel’s Sanda Spa costs £36 for one hour.
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Enjoy having hot and lukewarm water thrown over you before being covered in bubbles and massaged. The experience finishes with a hair wash and a herbal tea. Bliss.
Book it: Hillside Beach Club costs from £260 per night full-board, based on two people sharing (). Return flights from London Gatwick cost from £110 ().