Some people love the beach and some people hate the beach, but there’s a growing sub culture of tourists who are somewhere in-between – they want the beach holiday experience, but they don’t want the massive hotels, typical resorts and huge crowds that go with it. In many countries this is unavoidable, but not so if on turkey holidays. Taking a trip to the Aegean Coast can offer class, comfort and relative seclusion in hotels that sometimes only have a dozen rooms and bring you far closer to the culture of the country while giving you superb access to beaches far less crowded than elsewhere in the Med.

The hotels along the Aegean Coast are the exact opposite of their big resort counterparts. Each is as different from the next as it is possible to be, and each caters to a slightly different type of holiday maker. The one thing all of them share is a sense of style and authenticity that many people think has been lost on turkey holidays in the ‘big name’ areas. Because of these differences though it’s advisable to do thorough research before picking a hotel; some allow families while others don’t cater for children under 14 years old.

You can also find the usual selection of private villas along the coast that offer a range of luxuries and vary in price accordingly. These are perfect for families and people that truly want to get away from everything.

The towns on the Aegean coast have the usual amenities but they aren’t over developed, so they are great to explore on their own merit rather than simply as tourist stop offs. The whole area around the coast is littered with evidence of Turkey’s long history and deep culture and although there are less organised tours around the Aegean coast compared to more mainstream Turkey holidays, there’s still plenty to see and do and you can get a lot closer to history than you might do on a resort tour somewhere else.

The peak season for the Aegean coast remains the same as the rest of Turkey; July and August. However, many people will find the weather – which can reach 40 degrees or more – a bit too hot, so spring and autumn are great times to visit. A spring visit can offer up some great weather and save money over Turkey holidays taken later in the year.