There is more to Turkey than the Mediterranean sun.
5 days in Turkey taking in the scenery, food and as many activities that I can squeeze into my time there, or, 5 days stuck in the office whilst Swine flu grips Britain.
Tough call…
Getting there
I had some preconceptions about what Turkey would have to offer prior to my visit, Having never been to the country and only ever associating it as a ‘lads holiday’ destination I wanted to prove these generalisations wrong; good job I had a crack team of journalists with me to help me find my way.
The plan was to spend 3 days in Lykia Worlds newest resort the Links Golf hotel in Antalya and then travel west along the Aegean coastline to Oludeniz, Lykia Worlds established resort.
The drive from the airport to Antalya held my first surprise as the road cut between rich green farmland and rolling fields, far from the arid landscape I had envisaged. The scenery has an almost Italian quality to it with the numerous olive tree groves and rocky mountain backdrops. Sure there were a few run down looking towns that we passed through and ok there was a number of flatbed trucks with 30 people piled on the back driving down the dual carriageways but who can blame these guys for wanting to be out in the glorious sunshine?
I don’t know if it was the ‘rally champ wannabe’ minibus driver or the bumpy gravel track which forms the final leg of the journey to the hotel (whilst the official road is being finished) but instead of making me feel apprehensive somehow it all added to the sense of excitement. When we did finally arrive at the hedged gates of Lykia World Links Golf Antalya (quite the mouthful) I found that there was perfection about the aesthetics of the resort that made it seem as if it had been simply placed there rather than built from the ground up. It is difficult to describe but having been through so much of rural Turkey to find a resort that at first glance is so polished comes as quite a surprise.
Lykia World Links Golf Antalya
The long drive up to the main reception flaunted the grassy knolls that form the Links golf course to the left and the driving range on the right. Directly ahead beyond the complex of hotel buildings I later found lies the sparkling blue water of the Mediterranean. At this point the little voice at the back of my mind which is usually kept docile by day to day work and routine had perked up and kept reminding me how fortunate I was to have secured this trip. I love my job.
The rooms
After some ice cold welcome lemonade and a quick check in process I headed to my quarters. Opening the door I quickly realised just how plush the room was, the double bed could have slept a full rugby team, the bathroom complete with wet-room and ultra stylish fittings was nothing less than spectacular and the balcony overlooking the sea – Stunning!
A brief look at the hotel information reveals that ‘the rooms at Lykia Antalya range from 35 square meters to 190 square meters; suites with special indoor Turkish baths; family units with either two or three bedrooms, living rooms and duplex styles; 16 villas with indoor and outdoor swimming pools and saunas as well as two different Sultan suites with sea and golf course views featuring their own special indoor swimming pools’.
The balcony view is impressive, really showing off the expanse of the Mediterranean as well as the lush green fairways of the golf course. By night the lights come on over the resort and the cool breeze off of the sea was refreshes the senses. It seems that appealing to the senses is a big thing for Lykia World; emphasis is on a natural appearance which is reflected throughout the resort. Wood, marble and earthy colours feature heavily in the design and make for a modern reflection of traditional Turkish style. The excellent use of light through the corridors and rooms and the many water features intertwining with the walkways give a sensation of tranquillity and being outdoors. Admittedly the reception becomes so grand that it looks a little bit like a Bond villain’s lair but this just adds to overall elegance of the hotel.
The food
One of the big things that I was quick to learn about Lykia World is that they ‘get’ food. Our guide for the first evening meal explained that the eating experience at the hotel was all about appealing to the five senses. The main restaurant Leziz has different themes each evening, whereby the décor and the staff will be dressed in traditional international costume, all of them visually striking. The soft music and sounds of food being prepared provide the audio backdrop, the smell is as you would expect from a top kitchen tantalising and then you have the pleasure of eating (touch) and tasting your food.
The resort has four restaurants in total, each offering something different, Leziz the main restaurant allows you to order food the way you like it and you can watch the chefs prepare the food in front of you. The breakfast selection covering every possible desire from fruit salad to full English with Turkish specialties like fried Halloumi and spicy vegetable scrambled egg to supplement your usual choices.
In the evening you can enjoy the warm and romantic environment of Italian Restaurant Vino e gusto where the wine flows freely and the food is prepared by specialist chefs who know a thing or two about pasta. My personal favourite was the Gnocchi and Stilton but the choices on the menu are wide and varied and will please all lovers of Italian food.
Our hosts were also keen for us to eat at Turk Mahallesi the hotels Turkish Restaurant and who was I to argue. Set next to the main water feature that cuts through the centre of the hotel it is the perfect eatery for enjoying the long lazy evenings that the Aegean coast has to offer. Inside there is a rustic welcoming feel and the open log fire is a fantastic focal point to sit around and enjoy the classic Turkish dishes on offer. The lamb shish and the Turkish wine are must tries; the red is subtle and accompanies the meat beautifully and the white so I am told is crisp and refreshing.
Activities
Golf
If Golf is your thing then you will not be disappointed with Lykia Worlds links course, one of only 300 Links courses in the world occupying a seaside location and the only links golf course in the Mediterranean.
Designed by the famous American golf architect Perry Dye the 18 hole par 72 course spans 60 hectares of land and has an impressive 7491 total yardage playing off of the back tee. Hole 10 is a fans favourite a beautiful par 4 playing out toward the sea and the endless horizon.
The driving range is double ended with 30 stations at each end; tutelage is available from the PGA Pro world renowned teaching school. What better way to unwind after a day of golf than a drink and a meal in the Links Bar & Steakhouse, the fourth resort restaurant and Lykia Worlds very own 19th hole.
The spa
For partners of Tiger Woods wannabes or for those of you who want something different from a holiday the resort has plenty of other things to do, and top of the list has to be the Sanitas Spa & Wellness centre.
With so many treatments on offer and one complimentary spa treatment to take I was left with quite a quandary. Ok so not the most stressful choice in the world but I did want to enjoy my free treatment as best as possible. After a horrendous Swedish massage experience on my honeymoon in Thailand where I was essentially beaten by a large Thai woman, this time I wanted something a little more relaxing.
I opted for the Sehrazat Hammam, a traditional Turkish treatment (Whilst in Rome etc.) The treatment involves cool, warm and hot water being poured over your body which may not sound that exciting but in fact delivers a whole array of different sensations. After the water pouring you are scrubbed from tip to toe with a course glove which cleanses, smoothes and softens the skin. After the scrubbing you are covered in a thick layer of aromatic bubble foam which softens the skin further and then massaged to ease out any tension that may still be lingering.
All in all an it was incredibly relaxing, I did have to overcome my English reserve about being naked and being washed down by a mostly naked male masseuse but Hammam really is like no other massage experience. The treatments are cheaper than a lot of places I have seen in the UK but at 65 Euros for a 50 minute session they are still a luxury to appreciate.
Yoga
Its not all relaxing when it comes to activities at Lykia World, there are 8 tennis courts for you to break a sweat on, basketball, badminton, a fully equipped gym and plenty more. But one activity that I enjoyed far more than I thought I would was the Yoga. The sessions are held out in the meditating Zen Garden, a wooded pergola style structure between the hotel and the beach which faces out onto the water. The combination of moderate stretches, sea air and sun made for a wonderfully peaceful experience and although the stretches were far from easy I now have a new found appreciation for Yoga and will definitely be trying it again back in the UK.
