The amazing Myra Necropolis © Rab Lawrence
I am so glad to be featuring Turkiye with the earthquake having hit northern Turkiye in early February 2022. The government there will need all the help it can get, and you can play your part by visiting this beautiful country. Istanbul is a wonderful city to visit, but the main focus for tourism is in the south and Belek in Antalya is the perfect destination for golfers. In this issue, James will review four golf courses and I will be reviewing the wonderful Gloria Serenity Resort’s hotel and spa.
Our trip was arranged with Jet2.com and we certainly had an amazing time, with wonderful weather, lip-smackingly fantastic gastronomy, perfect accommodation, hotel facilities and of course some great golf courses for you to test your skills on.
Belek is the home of golf in Turkiye and in 2012 hosted the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final. Since 2013, the area has hosted the European Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open. For tennis lovers Belek also hosts the Antalya Open, the only professional tennis tournament currently held in Turkey.
There are over thirty 4-star and 5-star hotels in Belek, and the town and the surrounding area is famous for its spas and mineral waters that come from seven springs.
History:
Off the golf course you can visit the Kursunlu Waterfall, which is home to over 100 different bird species. The hidden cave at the back of the waterfall is another popular tourist destination.
The Hellenistic city of Perge is not too far from Belek and is home to the Aspendos amphitheatre that can hold over 20,000 spectators. The ancient amphitheatre is over 2,000 years old, and still hosts open-air classical ballet and opera festivals today. The
Roman ruins at Perge are some of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Turkiye.
There are numerous water activities in the Belek and Antalya area with plenty of boat trips available and lots of historical sites to visit. And The Land of Legends Shopping Avenue is a must visit with its many shops, restaurants, theme parks, shows and events.
Gloria Old Golf Course
Gloria New Golf Course
Cullinan Links Golf Club, Olympos Course
Cornelia Golf Club, Queen Course
   
Left to right: Gloria Serenity resort, Cullinan Links Golf Club, Cornelia Golf Club
Views out to the sea from one of the many restaurants in Antalya © planetgolfreview
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