There are some people in the world who think the perfect holiday consists of nothing more energetic than lying on a sunbed for ten hours before sauntering down to the local tavern every night for an evening meal. This is perfectly fine if you want to use a vacation to recharge life’s batteries, of course, but for some, myself included, the ideal getaway involves taking to the road and savouring some highly enjoyable exploration.
One of the best trips I ever took was to the spectacular Turquoise Coast of Turkey. This beautiful region combines a sense of fascinating history with a modern, go-ahead destination that offers all the modern facilities you are ever likely to need. The exciting city of Bodrum provided the perfect starting and finishing point for my journey, thanks to the impressive castle, the breath-taking harbour and the wide selection of shops and restaurants.
The main roads in this area of Turkey are modern, safe and pleasingly free of traffic – a particular concern for me, seeing as I had my motorbike with me. Riding takes on a whole new level of fun in Turkey, especially when it’s accompanied by wonderful views of the coastline (often) and sensationally warm weather (always).
Throughout the Milas region, you’ll find panoramas that simply have to be savoured, so if you’re looking to cover vast distances in a day it could prove distracting. But for me this was never a problem; I was on holiday after all, and the pleasure of the journey is the getting there, not the arriving. Like many other tourists I came across, I kept my camera close to hand at all times, because another amazing vista was always just around the next corner.
Sensible budget, sensible spending
For those on a budget, one particularly pleasing aspect of life in Turkey is the value for money. I stopped at one of the many waterside restaurants in the picturesque fishing village of Boğaziçi, and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch for only a few pounds. Given the incredible view that was set out before me, let alone the delicious food, the equivalent experience in the UK would have set me back a small fortune.
Getting from A to B in Turkey isn’t expensive, either. The cost of fuel is similar to other countries, but accommodation is rarely anything more than a few pounds. I managed to get a good deal on my motorbike insurance from MCN Insurance before I headed out as well, so I even gained a little more spending money than I anticipated.
Turkey is a huge country, of course, so there will undoubtedly be plenty more opportunities to explore in the coming years. The people have a natural warmth and curiosity about them, and are always happy to welcome visitors, especially ones like me who show just how delighted they are to discover this gem of a nation.
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