Mark Warner Turkey
We arrived late Saturday night and on the coach transfer were all handed our room keys and stickers for our cases. A quick fill in of our passport details and the transfer rep collected these all back in! We arrived, put the stickers on our luggage and headed straight for dinner (it was about 10pm!) This was a fantastic idea as there was no checking in, we were simply met with a cold drink then off to relax while the staff do the rest. After dinner we sampled a cocktail or two then headed up to our rooms where our luggage was waiting for us!
On Sunday morning met for an early breakfast with excellent choice. We then headed off to the water sports guys on the beach. I decided to paddle board as I have never done this, and some people had kayaks. The guide took us on a four-mile expedition across the bay. I am not unfit by any means but this was hard on my little weak wrists, but I enjoyed every minute! We paddled out to a sandbank where there were seagulls and there can also be flamingos and even seals. Sadly, we didn’t see any! We paddled past an island only inhabited by birds and I cannot tell you how peaceful and relaxing this was, I loved it!
Back on dry land we had a chance for a little lay by the pool and a cold drink to recover, then it was lunch time with a lovely selection.
After lunch we went to meet our cycle guide Alex who decided (based on everyone's bike skills) we should do a ride into Foca rather than a 15-20k mountainside ride. Foca is a beautiful, traditional real Turkish resort. There are no fake shops, just lots of places to eat and drink al fresco, shops and handmade Turkish delights. There’s plenty to do. It was early season and the weather was hot so after we arrived, so our guide left us to wander. We then all met in a local for a drink before heading back. It’s so lovely with cobbled streets, fishing boats, ruins and a lovely resort full of locals and far less tourists, which was charming. They all made us feel welcome.
So as if paddle boarding, kayaks and cycles were not enough, we then had a go at water skiing. I haven't done this in over 10 years but am always willing to give everything a go. I thought I would have forgotten how but I got up first go (thankfully)!
So now it’s almost time for dinner which is great as that meant we had time to relax and chat about all the amazing things we had enjoyed. The next morning, I was up even earlier for breakfast as 9am was our first windsurfing lesson! We had excellent teachers and after being taught by the patient and very experienced staff we all did it! We were in a group of about 12 with some actual holidaymakers and some of them were on their own as their partners were either sunbathing or taking part in a class. This is a great activity, even if you are a single traveller as you will always meet new friends!
Then it was time for more water skiing and sailing. If we were there longer we would have learned to sail our own boats which is amazing. In the afternoon we did aqua aerobics while some went to do Zumba followed by a tennis lesson. I was scared as I am not really a ball sport person - I have never really liked that even at school! But with a fantastic coach firing balls at us and great tuition I loved it!
Then for the best bit! I had booked in for a massage in the hotel’s spa. It was over an hour of relaxation and I think well deserved to relax my aching body after two days of full on fun.
I forgot to say we looked at all the room types from two bedroom villas and family rooms to superior sea view and standard garden view rooms. They are all lovely with something to suit everyone! The children's facilities are amazing with clubs from two years to 17, something for every age range. The reps take the older children to learn water sports on the beach, we watched five and six-year olds learning to windsurf! It’s amazing. Not many 17-year olds want clubs but it’s a way for them to meet other friends and all learn new skills together rather than be stuck with mum and dad.
Who would I recommend Mark Warner to? Everyone! Singles, couples, families, friends - there is as little or as much as you want to do here and it’s all included in the price. You will only pay for drinks and if you want a private lesson or the spa treatments!
This really is now on my list to try other resorts with Mark Warner, I had a ball!