When you have a family, holiday styles change. They go from adventurous backpacking and carefree days to pools filled with slides and carefully chosen, safe destinations. Often when parents take their children on holiday there is a question of what to do especially if the children prefer not to be around the pool all day. A country that can cater to all of these needs and still be fun for every member of the family is Turkey.
Turkey is a country that has been the centre for many different cultures throughout history. As a result of this rich history, there is much to see and experience. While heading off and walking around ruins may be fun for adults, children often find it boring. In Turkey, there are day trips that allow for both parents and children to enjoy themselves. The following are a few popular ideas for day trips that that are sure to entertain people of all ages.
Jeep Safari to Saklikent Gorge
This trip is an adventure tour suitable for all members of the family. This excursion begins with a visit to the ancient city of Tlos. Unfortunately, the ruins are not accessible due to them being preserved for future generations to experience. However, you will be able to view Tlos from a distance, Afterwards, you will travel up a mountain road to Yaka National Park. This nature park has a unique restaurant which utilizes traditional elements combined with modern comforts, blended together to create a fantastic and authentic place to eat. Along with the restaurant, there is also a memorable bar – running through the middle is a water trough that connects to a fish farm offering a place to stroke the fish swimming back and forth.
After lunch has been finished and Yaka Park has been explored,it is time to visit Saklikent Gorge. Here is the largest and deepest gorge in Turkey with water flowing all year, however in the summer months the water is gentle enough to walk up the designated path as long as you aresteady on your feet. After the gorge has been explored and the water fights (which the kids love) have ended, it is time to head in the direction of the Partara mud baths.
The mud baths at Patara beach are an unusual site to behold. The natural mud that is found in the region is high in minerals that are said to be good for the skin with locals saying it will make you look 10 years younger. While this is an invigorating activity, there is nothing more entertaining than seeing the whole family covered from head to toe in mud.
As the safari travels from each of these places and back to the hotel, each of the jeeps have water fights that both adults and children can join in, including the tour guide.
Twelve Islands Boat Trip
The Turquoise coast holds many beautiful islands that also offer fascinating snorkelling opportunities. An amazing way to experience the beauty that lies just off the coast is a twelve-island boat trip. While a boating day out may not sound as exciting for children, there is often much for them to see. When the boat anchors in one of the many bays such as Aquarium bay, there is time to swim in the sea.For those who do not swim, the captain often has flotation noodles available for use. These bays are home to different types of fish, which can be fed with bread – encouraging them to come close and during certain times of the year, the endangered Loggerhead Turtle can be found lazily swimming in the warm bays.
If you are in search of a multi-day version of this trip, Alaturka Cruises offer a variety of tours to other locations that vary in the length of time to make for a perfect extended holiday on the water.
Dalyan Tour
Another fun day out for families is a daily tour of Dalyan.This experience is short distance away from the tourist town of Fethiye, which is always a good thing when children are joining. When first arriving in Dalyan,the harbour offers an unusual reed-lined river with a small port for boats.
The first stop along this river is the Dalyan mud baths. This man-made mud pool uses volcanic mud which is rich with minerals and heated from underground hot springs. The cold shower after is designed to be invigorating after the warm mud. Locals say that the two combined can make you look 10 years younger.
After the mud baths, the trip makes its way down the marsh waterways where nature has been left untouched. These waterways offer a look at unique wildlife such as river turtles, storks and other creatures. As you come to the end, you may see fishermen who catch blue crabs but control the amounts to not endanger the population. At the end of the river is Caretta Beach which has gained its fame for being one of the larger birthing places for the Loggerhead Turtles. This beach also has been gaining fame for emerging groups that look after and aid the turtle population so that new turtles can reach the water safely.
Next time you find yourself on holiday and want to see more of the country, why not take a day trip that offers fun for everyone? These types of experiences are what holidays are made for – to create lifelong memories as a family.
