golfshake.com Travel Insider
By: Luke Tricker | Edited: Mon 14 Jul 2014
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After helping you to discover the wonders of Northern France in our last edition, this month we move onto the relatively new golfing destination of Turkey. For those of you that have not been to Turkey or have only experienced Turkey in it's feathered variety you probably wont know too much about it! I will change all of that in the next few minutes, read on....
| Turkey |
| Golf in Turkey seems to get better and better every year, it's a heady mix of 5* resorts, glorious sunshine and championship golf courses. The good news is that with Turkey being located just outside the Euro zone, the current poor Euro rate will not affect your break. On top of all this it was voted IAGTO European Golf Destination of the year 2008, so they must be doing something right! |
| Belek |
| The main golfing destination in Turkey is Belek, it is blessed with luxury 5* resorts and is surrounded by stunning golf courses. Located just 40 minutes drive from Antlaya International airport it is easily accessible and most of the hotels offer free transfers from the airport. There are some truly stunning championship courses in Belek designed by well known figures such as Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie. Belek is a great location for a golf break if you're looking to beat the credit crunch but still stay in top quality resorts, play stunning golf courses and receive great personal service. |
| Inside Track |
| If you are looking for a more traditional experience try Ali Haydar Ocakbaşı. It is a locals restaurant in Antalya town and only serves very traditional Turkish meals. It is all cooked on an open coal fire which is situated in the centre of the restaurant. The food here is excellent, and meals are all freshly cooked over coals in front of your eyes! |
| Where to play? |
| MUST PLAY - The Old Course at Gloria Golf Club offers tight tree-lined fairways, slick greens and plenty of water! |
| Where to stay? |
| With so many 5* hotels in the area competing for business it means the quality is going up but the price is coming down! The Gloria Verde 5* is undergoing a full renovation so will be in sparkling condition when it re-opens at the start of April. It also offers a great all inclusive package for exceptional value. The Gloria Golf Resort 5* has also recently undergone a full refurbishment (what did I tell you about competing for business!) and is a venue that is particularly popular with groups. If you're looking for something extra special for your trip then the jewel in Beleks' crown is undoubtedly The Gloria Serenity Resort 5* - all standard rooms are an incredible 39 sq metres with balconies, the restaurant walls are exotic fish tanks and there is an underground bowling alley and nightclub. |
| Did you know? |
| Mind that slice - Belek beaches are renowned as breeding grounds for Aquatic turtles; so be careful where you're treading when looking for that "power fade" off the tee! |
Belek is a region that you should definitley have on your golfing radar, it has great year round weather and has some fantastic courses that are a challenge for any golfer. With the current economic climate and the fact that Belek is out of the Euro zone means that there are some great deals to be had at the moment. If reading about the area and the golf courses have whetted your appetite then take a look at the great value offers below that we have sourced from the team at Golfbreaks.com. If you need someone to make up a fourball for your group then give me a call! Happy golfing!
Luke
Website Editor
P.S - Let me know your views on Turkey as a golfing destination by wrting a brief travel review and then sending them to me via private message or by emailing [email protected]. The best ones will be published on the site.
Give your pals a stuffing in Turkey this season...
| Gloria Verde Resort and Spa | Gloria Golf Resort | |
 |  |  |
| £530 | £599 | £635 |
