Alanya is a terrific base to take many excursions:
To Pamukkale (cotton castles in Turkish!) to see the amazing limestone formations- 100 m high, with healing thermal baths.

To the haunting Cappadocia: a strange and spellbinding world, a plateau of extinct volcanic rock, eroded into bizarre, surrealist cones, canyons and columns. And for the experience of a lifetime – take a hot air balloon trip; the ballooning here is reckoned to be one of the best in the World!

And then to the waterfalls of Manavgat; the Kursunlu Falls; the 2000 year old theatre at Aspendos; the brooding Mamure Kalesi – a 3rd Century castle at Anamur – or the turtles at Patara beach. In early Spring, the Apple Blossom Tour through the mountains is spectacular.

For the energetic there is opportunity for a wealth of watersports – swimming, rafting, sailing, paragliding, water skiing, scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, etc. Then there are jeep safaris, quad biking, hiking in the mountains and skiing in the Winter.

Alanya is a happy fun resort; no real need for a hire car; buses and ‘dolmus’ are really cheap and very frequent. But for the more adventurous, a car can be hired for a small charge.

In the evening: eating out is a must!! (Lunch too, in fact!) Restaurants and cafes are everywhere, many family run. There are lots of vegetarian dishes, many different meze starters, plenty of chicken and lamb – usually grilled – and aubergines, stuffed vine leaves, kebabs of course, and mouth watering fish. Turkey is one of the most inexpensive places to eat, and always an experience! The national drink is Raki, an aniseed flavoured spirit, and beer and wine are freely available.

Shopping: the Bazaars are legendary! Every area has its covered bazaar; a mixture of interesting souvenirs, spices and tack! Leather goods can be inexpensive, and the quality of many is superb. And should you need a belly dance costume, this is the place to buy! All sizes catered for and in every colour of the rainbow….

Talking of legends: you must have the Turkish Bath experience! Look for a local Hamam; the Turkish bath is a tradition handed down across the millennia from ancient Rome. It started simply as a way of keeping clean, but then became a major social centre, and still remains a place of pampered luxury. A session in the steam room followed by a full massage is a wonderful holiday memory.


*** For a day out to remember, take a bus, taxi or car to the Dim Cayi River (about half an hour). Pick a canopied floating raft, lounge on the cushions with a book, drinking cool beer, or delicious apple tea, listening to the waterfalls. Or perhaps you would prefer a little tree house to yourselves? Swim when you wish; fish if you like, and when hungry someone will catch a trout, stuff it with aromatic herbs, and serve it to you with a delicious salad. Or choose from lovely lamb, chicken or an omelette. Relax as long as you like, round off with refreshing tea – before facing the bill - probably around 15 euros!! And then plan the same outing for the next day … there are many of these ‘Pik Nik’ restaurants to choose from on the Dim Cayi, and it makes a refreshing change from lunch on the beach.