Latest news with #Kaleiçi
Telegraph
05-08-2025
- Telegraph
Why Antalya offers a world-class sunshine getaway
The dramatic landscapes and vibrant culture that Türkiye (Turkey) is loved for meld with a raft of sublime beaches and stunning nature in Antalya, a province that attracts an array of in-the-know holidaymakers to the country's southwestern shores. Known by many as the Turquoise Coast, this destination has everything you need from a sunshine holiday: heart-stealing sandy beaches, boat trips that lead you to undiscovered coves and scenic treks that take in pristine nature, caves and waterfalls. Thanks to Antalya's long hours of sunshine, it's a prime spot for golfers too, with Belek now recognised as Türkiye's leading golf resort. At the heart of all this is Antalya's namesake city whose beautiful Old Town of Kaleiçi, with its ancient harbour, is a delight to explore. It's here, among the souvenir shops and lively cafes you might stumble upon a traditional Turkish restaurant, known here as a meyhane, its tables spilling out onto atmospheric cobbled streets. If you're keen to explore Antalya, book your trip with British Airways Holidays and benefit from regular direct British Airways flights, a range of hotel options and a generous baggage allowance. You'll also receive Atol protection from the moment you book, and can secure your holiday with a low deposit and flexible payment options*. All British Airways Holidays customers have access to a 24/7 holiday helpline, giving you the peace of mind to relax and enjoy your holiday. Things to do in Antalya Antalya's natural beauty is one of its finest attributes and exploring some of its 200-plus Blue Flag Beaches is a must. Coastal spots like Kemer and Beldibi treat you to long, clean arcs of sand and gently shelving waters. You'll find an array of watersports options across the region's beaches too, with the precipitous Taurus Mountains providing a captivating backdrop. Across these summits, plunging valleys and a network of ancient footpaths are bound to unlock your adventurous spirit. Its Köprülü Canyon is a spectacular place to enjoy river rafting and kayaking while The Lycian Way – a 540km-long walking route from Ölüdeniz in Muğla, famous for its lagoon, to Antalya's village of Geyikbayırı – unearths pine-clad scenery, cedar forests and ancient Lycian ruins. One section takes you to the irresistibly pretty Kaş, one of Türkiye's top diving destinations, while other spots, like Olympos and Phaselis, feature remarkable ancient ruins. The archaeological site of Patara is particularly impressive with its ruined bathhouses, temples, Roman city gate and theatre. And if you're keen to combine these historical sites with idyllic islands, you can, via a relaxing boat trip from Antalya's harbour. History aside, you'll find an array of stellar golf courses dotted along Antalya's coast, especially if you head towards Belek, Türkiye's premier golf resort, just 20 minutes from Antalya city. Belek is home to 11 different golf clubs. Within these clubs, you'll find a total of 17 different tailor-made, 18-hole championship courses, designed to meet international standards and catering to both professional and amateur players. Fifteen of the golf courses here meet PGA standards, with many greens having been designed by champion golfers, their coastal settings completing the slick and scenic experience. And while other golfing destinations might close at sunset, Belek plays home to Europe's first fully lighted golf course, which means you can perfect your swing long into the evening. With extra-long driving ranges, PGA professional-led training academies and luxury hotels to boot, golfing holidays in Belek are hard to beat. When you've worked up an appetite with the region's myriad active pursuits, Antalya offers a profusion of authentic Turkish flavours for you to enjoy. The seafood here, for a start, offers a lesson in tide-to-table freshness, with regional favourites such as grilled octopus, red mullet and stuffed mussels (midye dolma) gracing the menus. Local specialities like citrus jams and Antalya piyaz – a bean-based salad dressed with tahini – are a must-try too. The bustling Antalya Bazaar is a great place to pick up a wide selection of local preserves.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- The Sun
Brit dad, 32, found dead hours after being escorted off flight & separated from family on Turkey hols
A BRIT dad was found dead from a fall in Turkey just hours after being escorted off a plane for being drunk. Builder Ben Crook from Caerphilly, South Wales had been in Antalya with his partner and two kids to celebrate his 32nd birthday. 4 4 4 Crook, who was a nervous flyer, had been drinking on the way to Bristol Airport and had taken cocaine. When their flight was delayed, he drank even more alcohol at the airport. But once they were on the plane, Crook began behaving erratically, an inquest heard. He shouted at an air steward who refused to serve him more alcohol and had a row with his partner in which he smashed both their phones. Crook was escorted off the flight and separated from his family upon landing in Turkey. His partner Jess Jenkins was advised to take their kids to the hotel and wait for his arrival. But Ben never made it to the hotel, the inquest at Gwent Coroner's Court heard. He was last seen in Kaleiçi, Antalya's old town district, and was found the next day in the Selçuk area. After she raised the alarm over Ben's disappearance, Jess received a message from a woman who had spotted him. It read: "He said he smashed up his phone and had brought a new one but it was not ringing for some reason. "He used my phone to send a message to his friend and we gave him our number if he needed more help. "He looked shaken and hungover. "After the Facebook message and ringing his friend, he crossed the harbour and walked, we presumed, to the police station for help." Ben was discovered lying on rocky ground at the bottom of a tall building. He died at Antalya Training and Research Hospital at 2.15am on September 25. Ben's dad flew out to Turkey upon hearing his son was missing, but found out the tragic news upon his arrival. He had been messaged by Ben to ask for the name of the hotel they were staying at on Facebook Messenger, but it had ended up in the spam folder. A post mortem examination conducted in Turkey found that Ben died with injuries in keeping with a fall. A further examination in the UK determined his cause of head was a fractured skull and pelvis caused by blunt trauma from the fall. The court heard that he may have fallen while he was smoking. Gwent coroner Caroline Saunders said that drugs and alcohol "may have caused disorientation and poor judgement". But she added "this is insufficient to determine he fell as a result of the drugs he had taken." She said: "I find the fall was an accident, the exact details of which are unknown. "On September 24, 2024, Ben Crook fell from height whilst on holiday in Turkey and sustained severe head and pelvic injuries and died on September 25, 2024. "The conclusion I reach is that of an accident." 4
