What part of Turkey is best for a holiday for myself and my husband, and what is the best month for weather, ie, not too hot? — Bernadette Layton
In a typical year, 2.5 million British travellers have the good fortune to holiday in Turkey. It is a beautiful, friendly and vast nation. Most visitors, though, stick to the Mediterranean and Aegean resorts in the south and west of the country, or the largest city, Istanbul.
Timing is easy: whichever you choose, the ideal months to take a holiday in Turkey are May and September. You can be sure of warm days and pleasant evenings, without the sometimes extreme heat of high summer (note that the sea will be significantly warmer in September than May). The months between October and April deliver plenty of sunny days but it can also be cold and wet.
After a number of holidays all along the coast, my favourite resorts are Marmaris and Alanya. Both are cheerful, relaxed towns with long stretches of beach nearby. They are also well-placed for deeper exploration of Turkey. For a week’s holiday, I recommend a low-cost package; prices for May are excellent. From Gatwick, Thomson or Thomas Cook will fly you to either resort, with self-catering accommodation, for £300-£350; you could safely wait for a late bargain.
Istanbul is also easy to reach, even though easyJet abandons its flights to the city in March. BA, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus or AtlasJet will get you there from various London airports for fares starting at around £150 return. See bit.ly/Istan48 for our latest 48 Hours guide. You could create a bespoke city-and-coast trip, but the cost is likely to rise steeply.
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