UK Tel: 01737 21 18 18
US Tel: 770 455 9772
info@golfparexcellence.com
Golf holidays in Turkey, in particular Belek, are an almost other-worldy experience.
Rows of five-star hotels are strung along the beach like luxury cruise ships moored in an ocean of pines. Few venture far from their hotels, apart from to play golf, as there are all manner of entertainments and distractions at your disposal in the hotels and very few outside.
There are fourteen golf courses on offer all of which are to a very good standard and there are one or two that would justify a trip to Belek alone.
  |
Belek
The town of Belek has sprung up over the last fifteen years fuelled by the influx of golfers from all over Europe. To be honest, it's not a pretty sight; just a few rows of hastily erected concrete flats above gaudy souvenir shops and the odd supermarket and pharmacy for essentials. There is a restaurant or two, but nothing to get over excited about. If you do venture in don't miss the town's centrepiece: a a fake ruined aquaduct and waterfall: quite a sight (especially at night when it's illuminated). If you feel the need for some history, culture and exposure to genuine Turkish people it would be best to look elsewhere, Antalya for example, which is about an hour away. |
| Antalya
Whereas Belek has grown up solely due to the recent boom in golf tourism, Antalya has a much deeper history as a Mediterranean trading post and centre of Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman civilisations dating back to the 1st Century BC when it was the centre of Pamphylia. The city has grown somewhat since, but there is plenty of evidence of its past around the old marina with its flotilla of small boats offering various aquatic excursions and mosques and souk that climb the hill behind. Well worth a day's strolling for a glimpse of the real Turkey, and a spot of bargain hunting amongst the market stalls. Not to mention the fabulous lunch overlooking the harbour. You could always base yourself in Antalya, however it would be about an hour to the golf courses each way. Maybe a better idea would be to add a couple of nights at one end of your golf trip? |
  |
 |
Sightseeing
There are numerous archeological sites in southern Turkey, one of the finest Aspendos was an ancient Pergammon civilization later inhabited and further developed by the Romans. It is only 20 minutes from Belek and well worth a half-day visit to see the superbly preserved 15,000 seater amphitheatre and the remains of its incredible aquaduct. |
Guest Comments"GPE service - 10/10 Very helpful, fast and efficient. Lkia World Hotel - 10/10 Excellent, wonderful rooms, good food and service, everyone very friendly and helpful. Lykia Links - Although the Greens were firm, an excellent, well looked after course." Miss A. Laming - Kent
|