February half-term is approaching and is the ideal opportunity to escape the daily grind and British drizzle for a week. You won’t find baking beach weather anywhere in Europe but the ancient Turkish town of Side on the country’s southern Mediterranean coast has bright, sunny days and mild temperatures in the late teens, perfect for touring crowd-free ancient sites, hiking and pottering around the old town. There will be glittering sea views and alfresco mezze lunches to lift your spirits after a long grey winter.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive, including flights from Gatwick with SunExpress, coach transfers and 20kg hold luggage, costs £821pp with Tui, departing on February 15. You’ll stay at the beachfront Barut Hemera, a stylish five-star property with leafy gardens and contemporary rooms with grey soft furnishings, brass fittings and modern art. It has a private stretch of sand for sunset strolls and six outdoor pools, including one with several water slides, and an indoor heated pool if the weather is chilly. There’s a spa with a Turkish bath and sauna, a kids’ club with a playground and mini-cinema and plenty of family entertainment, including mini-golf, archery and tennis. Meals are taken at the main buffet restaurant but there are also à la carte restaurants and a patisserie.
Barut Hemera has plenty of entertainment for children
It’s a 40-minute walk — or ten-minute cab ride — along the scenic beachfront promenade to Side old town, where local legend claims Antony met Cleopatra. Delve into the city’s Roman past at Side Museum, stuffed full of artefacts inside a Roman bath house (£8; antalya.ktb.gov.tr). The 2nd-century Temple of Apollo and impressive Roman amphitheatre are within a ten-minute walk from there. Afterwards, stroll the town’s boutique-lined cobbled streets to stock up on souvenirs including Turkish delight, spices and handmade jewellery.
Alternatively hop on the dolmus (minibus) right outside the hotel to visit the inland city of Manavgat — a ten-minute drive away at the foot of the Taurus Mountains — with its busy open-air market, covered bazaar and picturesque river. Join a boat cruise to see the nearby Manavgat waterfall (from £21, including lunch on board; getyourguide.com) or try a full day of white-knuckle thrills including ziplining, whitewater rafting and an off-road buggy safari in Koprulu Canyon National Park (£35; antalyaraftingtour.com). The Unesco-listed city of Perge makes for a great half-day guided trip for its well-preserved 12,000-seat Roman stadium, bath complex and the remains of colonnaded streets (£56; musement.com).
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What you get for £821pp
• Return Gatwick-Antalya flights, departing on February 15
• 20kg hold luggage
• Coach transfers
• Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Barut Hemera (tui.co.uk)
• 16 of the best places to visit in Turkey
Other great places to stay in Side The £500 holiday
A Suite Side is simple and modern
Half an hour’s walk from Side old town, A Suite Side is perfect for families who prefer a little more space. Its modern but simply decorated apartments have large separate living areas and full kitchens for easy mealtimes and there’s also an outdoor pool and a small spa with sauna. Bikes are available to rent and a free shuttle runs all day to Simus beach. There’s a restaurant and room service if you don’t fancy cooking, and there are shops, bars and restaurants right outside.
Details Seven nights’ self-catering from £498pp, including flights, coach transfers and hold luggage, departing on February 15 (jet2holidays.com)
• 15 of the best hotels in Turkey for your next break
The £1,200 holiday
Royal Dragon Hotel has an enormous outdoor pool compex
The sprawling five-star Royal Dragon Hotel is a dream for children, with its excellent kids’ club, tennis courts, bowling alley and outdoor theatre for evening shows. As well as an outdoor pool complex and private beach, there’s a large heated indoor pool with a hot tub and a water park that opens from April to October. Dining options include a main buffet restaurant, four à la carte spots, a patisserie and a tent serving Turkish specialities. Rooms have Asian-influenced decor with splashes of deep red and gold, embroidered throws and carved wooden details.
Details Seven nights’ all-inclusive from £1,202pp, including flights, departing on February 15 (haystravel.co.uk)