OUR TAKE ON TURKEY

Someone once said ‘you can’t be all things to all people’. Well perhaps not, but as a country Turkey comes close. Ask 100 people who have been to Turkey what they liked about it, and you’ll get a fair few different answers, from the culture loving traveller marvelling at the Roman ruins of Ephesus to the intrepid souls heading down the mouth of a canyon. Here at Exodus there may not be 100 people who have been to Turkey, but we asked four that have to give us their thoughts.

Tom Wilkinson, Product Executive, enjoyed discovering Turkey’s natural and historic wonders by bike…
 
"Not many people know Turkey is a great place to go biking. I spent a week making my way down from the shadows of snowy peaks, past glistening lakes to the coast. It was a great way to see the real Turkey, outside of big cities or massive tourist resorts. There was a good mix of short climbs and thrilling descents to provide a varied and fun week. I can think of few other countries where this could be combined with stops in ancient cities, or where you pass beneath rock tombs carved into the hills. The food was also a real highlight; Turkish food is so filling and makes the most of the natural ingredients available, a world away from the typical British kebab, so we had plenty of fuel for the days ride. My only nod to the ‘typical’ Turkish holiday was a few relaxing hours spent by the pool, which I felt I really deserved!”

Ruth Howarth, Customer Services Executive, was surprised to learn of Turkey’s adventure credentials during a thrilling week on the Lycian Coast...

"For many people, when the word ‘holiday’ is mentioned, the first image that springs to mind is one of lazing around on a sandy beach in the hot sun with a cold beer; holidays are generally seen as being a time to recuperate and relax. With an adventure holiday however, this mantra doesn’t really apply and even less so when visiting the port town of Kas on the Turkish Lycian Coast. My trip to the adventure capital of the Med promised to be a full-on week of activity and it certainly didn’t disappoint. My first day was spent abseiling down waterfalls and jumping into deep pools in a canyon high in the hills. The next was spent tubing down rapids, diving with turtles and paragliding off a 600m cliff top. Even taking a Turkish bath was an adventure all of its own! My trip to Turkey surprised
me in so many ways; it is so much more than just a beach holiday destination.”

Imran Arshad, Senior Digital Marketing Executive, jumps out of his comfort zone during his time in Kas…

"Are you ready brother?” my instructor yelled. I nodded while gasping for air through my SCUBA gear. After a few adjustments to my mask and weight belt, we submerged ourselves in the tranquil turquoise waters. After 30 minutes of scuba serenity we surfaced, excited to have completed my very first dive. I loved the whole experience. My next stop, in contrast, was a cliff top overlooking Kas harbour. Instead of a wetsuit and diving instructor, this time I donned a parachute pack and was attached to fully kitted out paraglider. I heard the same call: “Are you ready brother?” Another nod and we jumped into thin air to ride the thermals. Paragliding, just like diving, was an awesome experience - surprisingly calming! Turkey has so much to offer thrill seekers - simply choose what you like; in my case, I chose activities I have never done before and Kas was the perfect spot to try them.”

Gina Lawrence, Marketing Executive, took her first Exodus holiday in Turkey…

"The ancient city of Atlantis is a story I grew up with, but one that was always a distant tale rather than a home truth. But with a salty tang on my lips, flecks of spray on my sunglasses and the sea breeze in my hair, it suddenly became real on the Lycian coast, as my kayak slipped over the sunken ruins near Kekova. The water here has the clarity of a Tiffany diamond; a sparkling, iridescent jewel glinting all shades of blue under the Mediterranean sun – and you can see right down to the sea bed, darting silver fish the only thing obscuring your view of the ancient foundations. The ruins themselves are small, fragments of history lingering in the modern world. You could easily pass them by if you didn’t know what to look for. They seem to quiver as the waves and sun dance over them, casting soft shadows onto the sand. Sea kayaking is always a joy, but to see the remnants of a lost world pass beneath my paddle – well, that was a real treasure.”