Turkey is a great place for a summer vacation. The sun shines and there are many great beaches. After a full day you can enjoy a delicious Turkish dinner and then explore the wild nightlife. Let’s explore some of the diverse places you might want to visit.

The beach is a great place for relaxing. Rent a deck chair or play some beach volleyball. You can also try one of the water activities like banana boat, jet skiing or parasailing.

If you get tired sun bathing, you can trek in the mountain. If you like it a little wilder, mountain climbing and ravine climbing is also a possibility. Other options are diving, rafting and sea kayaking.

Ten percent of all tourists in Turkey stay in Alanya. And the reason is probably the great combination of beaches and sights. The most interesting sight is the castle hill 250 meter (820 feet) above the sea. From the top you can see how the hill divides the two beaches. There is also a great view of Alanya and the surrounding country.

A popular attraction for the kids is Water Planet Aquapark, one of Turkey’s largest water parks. Here you find everything from water slides and rafting to crazy golf and bungee jumping. In the evening you can shop branded goods (both real and fake) in Alanya. Finish your day in one of the many bars and discos.

Antalya is not like the other holiday destinations. It has developed from a small fisher village to a holiday destination. With its 500,000 residents you will see more locals than tourists. So a visit to Antalya will give you a better look at the real Turkey.

In Alanya you will find a lot of shopping streets, centers and bazaars. But there are also a lot of great sights. In the old town Kaleici you will find a lot of traces of the Roman Empire. It is also a great place to see the typical Turkish everyday life, where old women prepare the dinner while the men play dominoes.

The number one golf destination in Turkey is without doubt Belek. Eight golf courses can be found in the area and many more are on their way. It might be necessary to book several months before the holiday if you are going in the high season.

But Belek is more than playing golf. Here is a fantastic nature and an incredible silence, which are not found in the livelier holiday destinations such as Alanya and Side. Belek is also a paradise for bird lovers. The city does of course also have fine shopping and several water parks.

Kemer might have the most beautiful location in Turkey. Surrounded by the Mediterranean and the Taurus Mountains is this special place. The city does have a unique mix of the real Turkey and a modern holiday village. The city has an elegant marina, beautiful beach promenades and lively pedestrian streets.

For some sightseeing you can visit the ruins of Phaselis, the winter location for Alexander the Great. Another great place (especially for the kids) is the 55,000 m2 Moonlight Park in the middle of Kemer. Here you find a playground, restaurants, bars, discos; and even a dolphinarium

Kusadasi is another fishing village which has developed into a holiday destination. The city has a lot of great Turkey restaurants, and while the nightlife is not a wild as in Alanya or Side, there is still a small bar street with discos and bars.

There is an international feeling in the city because of the many cruise ships; most of them come to see the famous sight Efesos (also called Efesus) near Kusadasi. So if you like smart cafes and international clothing brands, Kusadasi is the city for you.

If you are looking for a romantic holiday destination, Side might be the answer. In the old town you can see many Roman building. Do also walk a little away from the main street and take stroll among the well-preserved wood and stone houses in the quieter streets. Finish the day in the city theater, where concerts and theater have replaced the gladiator fights.

Combine culture with pleasure by visiting one of Side’s most popular bars located among the ruins of two temples from the 2nd century. Spend the day at the beach, either the quit eastern beach or the lively and kid friendly western beach.

YouTube: Ephesus, Kusadasi, Turkey

Bulgarian holidays offer diverse opportunities for the whole family at affordable rates. Nessebar on the Black Sea is one of the most popular tourist destinations with several large resorts. Sunny Beach is the largest resort and is located immediately north of Nessebar. Elenite is another perfect place for a family vacation. You can expect great value for the price when vacationing in Bulgaria.

The inland of Bulgaria boasts dense fauna and flora in the forests; magnificent mountains; national parks that are home to animal species including bears and golden eagles; sweetly scented rose valleys and natural springs. All this makes Bulgaria a rich and diverse country which welcomes tourists to this country.

In the Eastern Parts of the Balkans, Bulgaria borders on Yugoslavia, Romania, Turkey and Greece and has a golden coastline of approximately 400 kilometers long. With no tides, the Black Sea is safe for swimming for adults and kids alike and the majority of beaches boast EEC Blue Flags.

The warm temperatures of the Black Sea as well as the low salt levels make for beautiful swimming beaches. Summer days bring about approximately 10 hours of sunshine and summer time temperatures average between 26-28C.

Bulgaria offers plenty in the line of entertainment. For those looking for something traditional, you can go to a folklore evening that offers music and dance along with hearty cuisine and good wines. Legends are told with the use of musical instruments, extravagant local costumes to depict mythical figures as well as animals. Fire dances take place as the end of performances.

Water sports are popular all over Bulgaria, on fresh water lakes as well as on the Black Sea coastline.

Craft workshops are offered for tourists as well as locals to teach them how to make interesting crafts and curios. You can also purchase jewelry, traditional crafts, leather goods and more at the local markets and boutiques.

Winter months bring about skiing as well as snowboarding in the snow slopes. Bird watching is another great way to pass the time in beautiful surroundings. Walking in the national parks and on the sunlit beaches can be enjoyed at no cost. You can also observe the surroundings by bicycle.

So why not come to Bulgaria and enjoy a vacation of a lifetime?

YouTube: The 24 Wonders of Bulgaria

YouTube: Pictures of some of the newest resorts of Bulgaria — mostly along the Black Sea coast.