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Diving into family fun in coastal Turkey

Discover the best of coastal Turkey with our active family group tour. We caught up with fellow Explorer Ali to find out what she made of her week-long trip in southwestern Turkey:
Author: Aimee White, who interviewed Ali
Date Updated: 15 July 2024
 

Longing for a week of family fun by the sea? Our Family Turkey Coastal Active Adventure sees you take in the best that southwestern Turkey has to offer, from swimming in the balmy waters of the Mediterranean Sea to exploring whitewashed villages.

This small group tour to Turkey is ideal for all family types and ages. You can go swimming every day, engage with local culture and recharge with well-earned pool days.

We caught up with Ali, who joined our coastal Turkey trip with her family. Read on as she shares her highlights, from delicious local meals to bonding moments to last a lifetime:

Describe this trip in one word?

Authentic. Kaş - our base for the week - is a beloved resort for Turkish people, and despite its growth over the past 20 years, it's retained its enchanting character. The streets are illuminated by lanterns, restaurant terraces are adorned with vines and bougainvillea, and there's a great mix of shops and amenities. 

What were your fellow Explorers like?

There were four families on this trip: two families of four, a family of five, and a parent with two younger children. The children's ages ranged from seven to 14 and it felt like they became friends in an instant. This Turkey trip had plenty of bonding opportunities, from the first day through to the last. If the kids were happy, then the parents were happy - we were a likeminded bunch!
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What was your highlight of the trip?

My highlight of the trip has to be hiking in foothills of the Taurus Mountains. Walking above the treelines, we followed our tour leader along rocky and stony gravelled paths before descending through forest to a village, where we stopped for lunch with a local family. 

Hiking in the foothills felt like we had the place to ourselves; if it wasn't for our tour leader, we wouldn't have known where we were going, so it felt like a special touch to be somewhere so remote. We also appreciated the cooler temperatures up in the mountains and savoured the refreshing breeze, away from the hotter temperatures down by the coast.

What did the kids get up to?

The activities on the trip suited all ages, whether it was kayaking, snorkelling or even a mud bath. On our fifth day, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xanthos, once the capital of ancient Lycia. While we explored the remnants and ruins, the kids enjoyed watching the wild tortoises roaming around the site. At the end of each day we'd return to the hotel, where the kids loved splashing around in the pool and the adults could sit back and relax.
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How did you find your tour leader?

Zeynep's energy levels were unrivalled: she was warm, friendly and hyper, which is a perfect combination for a family tour. Zeynep, who won Explore's Tour Leader of the Year in 2019, effortlessly captivated everyone with her boundless energy and enthusiasm.

There's something special about letting go and enjoying the journey while someone else handles the details - a luxury I could certainly get used to...

How did you find the pace of the trip?

The pace of this trip is described as Relaxed, which was perfect. Our first day started with a boat trip along the Kaş coastline before feasting on a barbecue lunch onboard. This leisurely first day allowed us to ease ourselves into the trip and get to know one another better. 

Our second day was spent hiking and the third day was a free day, where some chose to take a boat trip to the Greek island of Kastellorizo, while others had a pool day. Essentially, the week was paced so that there was enough to keep you engaged and recharged, with enough optional activities allowing you to do as much (or as little) as you wanted.

What was your most memorable moment?

We went to a local ice cream vendor, where the server held the cone from a long stick. He would whisk the stick away just as one of the children was about to take their ice cream, and he pretended to drop it, too. It was so simple and silly, but it had everyone in hysterics!
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What was the accommodation like?

We were based in Kaş for the week. Our hotel was basic but clean, and while it's in an excellent location - a few minutes' walk from the centre of Kaş - it's not a luxurious hotel. That said, it has a fantastic pool where we could cool off after our excursions while the grown-ups could enjoy an ice-cold drink or two as the sun dipped in the sky. 

With Wi-Fi only available in the reception area, we all experienced a bit of a digital detox. Although I initially worried about the kids’ reaction to no screen time, it quickly became apparent that they were perfectly happy with the company of other kids on the trip and actually we all commented on how more relaxed we were without our screens.

Any top tips you'd give others about this trip?

Don't miss the amphitheatre in Kaş. This ancient horse-shoe shaped structure overlooks the sea, and makes for a beautiful point to watch the sunset while listening to local buskers. While you're in Kaş, walk along the harbour, where in the early morning you might spot loggerhead turtles gliding through the water.
Take me to Ali's trip

Top 5 things that children will love on this trip:

  1. Water activities: Dive into an abundance of watery fun. Sea kayaking, canoeing and snorkelling are suitable for all ages and abilities.
  2. Bonding time: Whether it's chatting over lunch, spotting wildlife or playing at the hotel pool, there's plenty of opportunities to make unforgettable memories.
  3. Culture: From visiting the hometown of Saint Nicholas (aka Father Christmas) to sea kayaking over sunken ruins, children can engage with Turkish culture in fun, immersive ways. 
  4. Wildlife: Kids can delight in sighting colorful kingfishers and squacco herons along riverbanks, loggerhead turtles at Kaş harbour and wild tortoises at Xanthos.
  5. Tour leaders: Captivating tour leaders like Zeynep benefit everyone's experience. They'll know how to keep the group engaged, make excellent recommendations and ensure you get the most out of your trip.
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