My First Trip Overseas

I remember being at the airport and my dad saying to us “Please remember kids, we might not be able to go yet”. I was about 13 at the time and had never been abroad before, my sister and I has spent close to a year pestering our parents into taking us on what we described as a proper summer holiday. My mum however, had never flown before and even standing at the boarding gate after check-in, my dad clearly still wasn’t convinced she’d actually get on the plane.

That plane was bound for Turkey and I’m delighted to say we were on it.

Thankfully for the rest of us, it turned out my mum began to love flying and we returned to Turkey, which she also loved, for the following few years. As anyone who had read this blog will know, we’ve been around a lot since but I’m yet to return to Turkey, a country I last visited over 13 years ago. I’d love to go back and see how the impression of my childhood compares with the reality.

We spent much of our time in Turkey in Olu Deniz and while going back sounds lovely, part of me wants to keep the memories from my family holidays intact and not interfered with. For that reason I’d limit my time there to a day, just enough to get a taste of the place and let the memories coming flooding back.

CC Flickr Credit: William Neuheisel

A Day in Olu Deniz

Breakfast

I’d start the day with a good hearty breakfast a Joseph’s Restaurant. One of my biggest memories of Turkey is the large seating areas outside with wooden tables full of food and surrounded by crowds of people enjoying their holiday. This looks like just the sort of place I remember, a lively, popular spot to start the day.

Paragliding

Another memory from my holidays are the paragliders in Olu Deniz, whilst I was probably too young (or too scared) when I was younger, these days I’d be straight up there. Not only have I developed a strange love of heights over the years but it’s a great way to get a better perspective and view over the town.

CC Flickr Credit: Richard Lewis

Snack

What day in Turkey would be complete without enjoying a tasty kebab. I can remember fondly returning to the same Kebab place in Fethiye a few times over the years and I’m sure they are readily available everywhere in Olu Deniz too. Sugar ‘n Spice looks like a great option to grab something to eat before it’s time for the main event.

Beach Time

Olu Deniz’s biggest attraction is without a doubt it’s beach. It’s one of the best beaches in Europe and no day here would be complete without making the most of it’s gorgeous setting. All those years ago when my sister and I were talking about that ‘proper summer holiday’ this is exactly the sort of setting we had in mind. It’s just gorgeous.

Dinner

For our evening meal, I’d head somewhere with a great view like ‘The Hangout’. Diving into the cocktail menu and tasty food while watching the sundown turn the beach bright orange is the must have summer holiday experience.

Drinks

To finish the day off, I’d spend the evening hoping between the endless bars that now call Olu Deniz home. Chatting to the staff and other holiday makers until it’s time to head to bed, preferably before the sun comes up so I’m ready for my next day in Turkey, wherever that may be.

Have you been to Olu Deniz or anywhere else in Turkey? Would you like to return to your first overseas holiday destination?