Tag: "icmeler"

Marmaris Golf in Turkey

Marmaris Golf in Turkey

When you think of sunshine golf locations Spain and Portugal come to mind, but golf holidays in Turkey are going to be catching them up in 2009.

This is in part thanks to the huge investment in the country’s tourism that has seen some splendid courses and hotels pop up in recent years. But it’s not just the golf that makes Turkey a quality holiday choice…

The Golf : Golf in Turkey has received massive financial investment, and it’s a testament to how far the country has come in such a short time that the Turkish Golf Federation – only established 12 years ago – have won the rights to host the World Amateur Golf Championship in 2012.

Although courses are being built around the country, I would recommend focusing on Belek with its impressive density of quality courses. The pick of these are National, Sultan and the Nick Faldo course at Cornelia. Gloria New and Old are lovely tracks too. In fact, there’s not a weak one on the circuit and they all provide good holiday golf with the all-important near-guaranteed sunshine. There are enough courses for a fortnight’s vacation and all but the most serious golfer will come away very, very satisfied.

The Hotels :The hotels around Belek really push it from a good to great place for golf holidays.
The hotels offer fantastic facilities and friendly and efficient service for a surprisingly low cost. Worthy of special mention are the impressive six five-star hotels which are well placed for Belek’s courses: The Gloria Golf Resort, the Cornelia Deluxe Resort, Sueni, Kempinski The Dome, Sirene Golf-Hotel and Maritim Pine Beach Resort. Serious rivals to what is offered on the Algarve and Costa del Sol in terms of quality and service.

The Climate :Warm, dry weather is perfect for golf holidays and Turkey doesn’t disappoint. It can be too hot to play in the summer but from February to June and September to November, the weather is ideal and even December and January are a whole lot nicer than the UK spring months!

The Culture :Before you even consider the golf, Turkey has a rich cultural history and it’s a truly amazing experience just to wander the towns and cities taking in the elaborate architecture and cultural heritage. There is a huge amount to take in and the various museums and galleries are great for culture buffs. And for those who want light culture with blissful relaxation, the legendary Turkish Baths are well worth a visit.

The Food : Turkish cuisine is far more than a “kebab”. Meze (or appetisers) is what the country is best for – a choice of hundreds of small dishes ranging from cheese with melon to a variety of stuffed vegetables. You’re sure to find something to your tastes with the huge variety available!

Turkey golf breaks are definitely on the up and the combination of fine golf, great accommodation and culture means that the destination should be on everyone’s lists. Take a golf holiday in Turkey… Before everyone else does.

Morgan Clarke is the Managing Director of GolfPlanet Holidays, a company that has been providing bespoke golf holidays for over 25 years. The award-winning specialist tour operator is privately-owned and determined to ensure that both experienced golfers and novices can enjoy unforgettable golf holidays in Turkey.

Feb 26, 2010 | 0 comments View Post
Marmaris Icmeler Holidays

Marmaris Icmeler Holidays

Some time ago Marmaris, like most of coastal cities in Turkey, was an unpopular Turkish village. From time to time it was visited by passenger boats on their voyages along the Mediterranean coast. It took only several years to turn it into a prosperous resort. Vacations in Marmaris will help you feel the life!

Marmaris is located in the south-west of Turkey, in the spot where Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean sea. This is a large natural harbour. Hills stretching to the sea and wonderful bays add to the citys charm. Forests are the main local value: the city occupies a territory of 86 thousand hectares, and 65 thousand hectares of this land is taken up by the forests.

In the centre of the old town there is a castle standing on a hill, with ancient narrow streets radiating from the castle. These buildings are a typical example of the Mugla architecture. Old Marmaris quarters will carry you away with their noisy markets and old charm.

Being one of the most significant Mediterranean yacht centers, Marmaris is excellent to start sea voyages and acquaintance with the coast. The place is close to the Greek Rhodes island, so you have a wonderful opportunity to visit two countries during one trip.

Day is excellent to enjoy rest at one of the wonderful beaches. Among the activities the coast offers there are: catamarans, parasailing, water skiing and sailing. If you seek for solitude, there is another beach found in Icmeler. And if even this is not enough, wake up early in the morning and take a ship to the sandy beaches of Cleopatra Island, or to the Turtle Beach.

Vacations in Marmaris are excellent for diving lovers. There are several diving centers here, each offering well-organised underwater trips and excursions as well as lessons for beginners. As for the evenings, cosy bars and restaurants with delicious dishes from all over the world are waiting for you. Night clubs and entertainment centers are opened almost until sunrise, so you wont be bored.

The famous Marmaris Bar Street is always filled with lively atmosphere. Many bars offer dance floors. The entrance is often free, so you pay only for drinks. Marina quay has many cafes and seafood restaurants. Children will also like two small water parks (though grown-ups might feel a bit bored there).

Every day the port of Marmaris meets luxurious cruise liners with tourists willing to get acquainted with local and nearby attractions. One of them is the ancient city of Efes which was the second largest Roman site (the first is Rome). The other attraction is the Pamukkale resort, the cotton castle which is often called the worlds 8th wonder.

Shopping in Marmaris deserves special attention. Numerous shops in the heart of the city sell leather, natural sponges, carpets, sandals, clothes and traditional embroidery. Most hotels are usually suburban-style. Since they stand along the coast they are good for those who arrived here for sunbathing. There are also several club hotels, with larger territory. Most of them are 3- and 4-star.

Marmaris is a true Turkish pearl. All year round the resort welcomes visitors from all over the world. Visitors are attracted with its cosmopolitan and peaceful atmosphere. You can be the one of those!

Feb 26, 2010 | 0 comments View Post