Twelve Summers Ago, Turkey Found Me

I was heading to Side (a coastal town I could barely pronounce back then)  to work in 5 Star luxury resorts. I thought I was going for a job. I didn’t realise I was about to collect one of the best summers of my life.

Side is the kind of place that sneaks up on you.

You can walk along the coastline from the long stretch of beach towards the old town, and the first thing that stops you in your tracks is the Temple of Apollo. Ancient columns standing proudly against the brightest blue sea, as if they’ve always belonged there. It’s dramatic and peaceful all at once.

Nearby, there’s a small square lined with Turkish restaurants, gelato stands and softly lit bars. I still remember the first time I sat down for a meal there. Warm Turkish bread placed in the centre of the table, alongside bowls of dips I couldn’t name at the time. I tore off a piece, dipped it in everything, and instantly understood why food is such a huge part of Turkish culture. To this day, it’s still one of the nicest meals I remember.

If you wander further up Side’s high street, you reach the bazaars. Every kind of tea you can imagine. Hand-painted ceramics. Piles of spices. The infamous “genuine fakes” displayed proudly in almost every shop. It was chaotic, colourful, and completely addictive. I loved slipping away from the hotel and heading into town just to soak up that authentic Turkish atmosphere.

One of my favourite days off was a trip to Manavgat Market. It was exactly as lively as you’d expect, with fresh fish laid out on one stall, beautiful silks and flowing fabrics on the next, designer “inspired” handbags just metres away; and if you walk far enough, you’ll reach Manavgat Waterfall, a surprisingly peaceful, natural contrast to the buzz of the market.

Another evening, we went to see Fires of Anatolia. Folk dancing, storytelling, history told through movement and music, it felt like stepping into the soul of the country.

The beaches were stunning. The people endlessly warm. The food unforgettable. That summer shaped me more than I realised at the time, and Turkey has had a permanent place in my heart ever since.

But here’s something I’ve learned... not all Turkey holidays are the same.

A few years earlier, my first trip abroad without my parents was to Marmaris. Bar Street, shot vouchers, neon wristbands, I was absolutely “living my best life.” It was fun, loud, and completely different to the Turkey I experienced later in Side.

See, that’s the thing about Turkey. A deal might look like a deal… but the postcode changes everything. Where you stay shapes the entire story of your trip.

If Turkey is on your radar, let’s make sure you pick the version that suits you.