Turkey Villa Holidays

Welcome to the Villa Holidays guide to Turkey villa holidays and planning your villa holiday to Turkey.

Introduction to Turkey

The Republic of Turkey is a secular state at the far eastern end of the Mediterranean. It covers the ancient area of Asia Minor and Thrace and is the western end of many of the old trade routes. The Turkish people have a long history of hospitality and are very welcoming to all Turkey villa holidays visitors.

Overview of Turkey

Turkey is surrounded by sea on three sides and mountains on the fourth. There is the Aegean to the west, Mediterranean to the south and Black Sea to the North. Part of Turkey lies north of the Bosphorous, adjacent to Greece. To the east, it borders with seven other countries, including Bulgaria and Georgia. It is a country of great cultural diversity, having had many outside contacts for centuries.

The capital of Turkey is Ankara, but the largest and best known city is Istanbul. Situated on the Bosphorous, in the north of the country, Istanbul is where east meets west culturally. It is where about a fifth of the country’s 72.5 million population live.

Climate of Turkey

Much of the coastal areas to the west and south of Turkey enjoy a Mediterranean climate of warm dry summers and mild wet winters. It is ideal for tourism and the venues for most Turkey villa holidays.

The northern, Black Sea coast is more continental and generally cooler all year round. Summer tends to be warm but wet, whilst Winter is cool and wet. Because of the high mountains dominating the centre and east of the country, the inland areas are quite arid and can be very cold in the Winter.

Best Areas for Villa Holidays in Turkey

Tourism has grown in Turkey thanks to the warm climate and gentle seas on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. The majority of holiday villas in Turkey are, therefore, in the south and southwest of the country.

A favourite site with British visitors is the Bodrum peninsula, on the Aegean Sea coast. As well as Bodrum itself, there are many Turkey villas in Ortakent, Torba and Bitez.

The southern, Mediterranean coast offers as many attractive venues. Kalkan, Kas, Ovacik or Antalya are a few of the towns providing every facility to enjoy Turkey villa holidays to the full. Backed by the sheltering Taurus Mountains, the Mediterranean coast is a sun-lovers paradise.

For slightly different turkey villa holidays, the Turquoise coast at the northwest edge of the country offers a wide variety of entertainment. The northern areas give easier access to many of the antiquities of the country and Istanbul or nearby Iznik Lake.

Transport

Flying to Turkey villa holidays is very easy and takes about 4 hours. There is a wide variety of airlines to carry you and airports to land at. Most holidaymakers can fly to the nearest city to their chosen stretch of coast – Bodrum, Antalya and Dalaman airports serve the Aegean, Mediterranean and Turquoise coasts respectively.

All three airports and many others have regular scheduled flights provided by Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Easyjet all year round, with an increase in the summer months. A number of charter flights are available from most regional airports, often as part of a Turkey villa holidays package.

The transportation system within Turkey is based largely on buses. The intercity services throughout the country are excellent and very reasonably priced. Smaller villages and the coastal areas are mostly served by local companies. The Fez bus service for the western areas is especially useful.

In the cities, the shared taxi system is good for short journeys. The fares are reasonable and the service is quick.

Things to do in Turkey

  • Visit the ancient theatre and settlement at Ephesus
  • Take a ferry to a Greek island – Kos and Rhodes, for example, are very close
  • Travel inland to a local village to see the authentic people and dress
  • Take a trip to Mount Gulluk National Park, north of Antalya

Some of the most beautiful beaches to be found in Turkey are Patara Beach which can be found along the Aegean Coast and Olu Deniz along the Mediterranean.

Festivals and events in Turkey

The main national celebrations are New Year, National Sovereignty Day (April); Labour solidarity day (May day); Ataturk Day (May) – celebrating the founder of modern Turkey; Victory day (August); Republic Day (Oct).

In addition there are a number of Muslim Festivals, such as the end of Ramadan (Sep) and the Prophet’s birthday (Feb), which many of the residents will celebrate.

On most of these days and on Fridays, many businesses will close, although the Turkey villa holidays areas may be less affected.

Typical cost of living in Turkey

  • A meal in a local restaurant: up to £15, but often less
  • Local beer: £1 for 1/3 litre
  • Local bus trip: 20p
  • Fresh fruit in market: £1 a kilo

Exchange rate approximately £1: 2.3TRY (Turkish lira)

Useful tips when visiting Turkey

You will need a visa. They can be bought on arrival, if not pre-arranged.

Do not get too amorous in public – it is not acceptable.

Turkish Food and drink

  • Kebab: meat, often lamb, on skewers
  • Borek: flaky pastry pies filled with meat, cheese or vegetables
  • Koftes: meat shaped into balls or “sausages”, served in a vegetable sauce
  • Pilaf : rice or bulgar wheat served with vegetables and sometimes meat
  • Baklava: pastry sweet with honey
  • Raki: renowned Turkish drink made from local fruit and aniseed