TURKEY: Golf With a “Slice” of History
By Rochelle Smith
When deciding to take a golf trip to Turkey one would never expect to uncover a rich and diverse culture that surrounds a country most people only talk about in school. With its extraordinary history any golfer could easily find themselves being lost in the amazing golf courses as well as the historical sites that are present through out the country.
Black Sea (Istanbul)
Book a flight aboard one of Turkish Airlines luxurious airplanes, serving in over 150 airports, these planes are equipped with comfortable seating and well trained staff that will have you leaving the plane feeling as if you slept in your own home.
Kaleici/Old Town city centre
Visit the Amazing city of Antalya. Bordering the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by mountains that will take your breath away you can play on some of the most riveting and challenging golf courses you will ever encounter. If you really want to dive right in play “The Sultan” course at the Antalya Golf Club.
Antalya Golf Club
This 6411m David Jones designed course will challenge the best of golfers. With the astute golfer in mind, its narrow fairways and strategically placed bunkers this course will have you choosing your clubs wisely.
12th hole, Antalya Golf Club
Try you hand at the 12th hole known as the Eucalyptus Drive but to some possibly the toughest par 4 in Europe.
Lykia Links
Hopefully you can make it through these 18 holes without throwing one of your clubs.
If fear is not in your vocabulary, try the 18 holes at Lykia Links.
Mediterranean Sea
Do not let the breath taking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains that line four of its holes take you away from the task at hand.
With its extraordinary sand dunes you never know which way your ball is going to roll. If you it straight in the fairway the dunes can benefit you by keeping it rolling toward the flag. If you are not careful you may find yourself stuck in a very deep bunker that may cost you a stroke or two trying to get out.
Gloria Golf-Resort in-Antalya offers excellent Greek and Chinese cuisine.
While in Antalya u must stay at the gorgeous Gloria Golf Resort. Here you can enjoy all the amenities a luxiorious hotel has to offer. With a unique design, the walkway does a complete circle so that you never get lost trying to find your way back to the lobby, the spa, and restaurants.
Step outside the door and you are greeted with a view of the Mediterranean Sea where you can walk down to the beach and take a swim. Of course you must try out the golf course. The Gloria “old” course is a 6181m 18-hole course designed by architect Michel Gayon.
Old Gloria Golf Course
This course proves to be very difficult and challenging with its narrow fairways, 63 bunkers, and 7 lakes. Or you can take your golfing skills over to Gloria “new” which is a 6239m 18-hole course. With 67 bunkers and 4 big lakes you might want to warm up a bit at the practice range before taking this course on. There are numerous golf courses here for you to put your skills to the test.
Roman amphitheater at Aspendos
You cannot visit Antalya without visiting its historical ruins. A must see is Aspendos which is an ancient city that is located about 25 miles outside of the modern city. It is also home to one of the worlds most well preserved theatre.
Visit Perge which at one time stood as one of the most riches and beautiful cities in the world. Here you can take a walk back through time and see the ruins where great city once stood on. You can see archaeologist piece back together this historical city. There is so much to see and do here that you have to choose your time wisely between golfing and touring.
Istanbul skyline
Take a flight up to Istanbul, a city with exciting tourism that could match that of New York City. People from around the globe travel here to visit some of the most amazing historical sites in the world.
With places such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque you literally step inside the history books. Instead of bringing home the usual souvenir stroll through the Bazaar and buy a few hand crafted items or pick up a Turkish carpet.
The principal mosque of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia
As you walk through you cannot help but notice the smell of spices in the air. The Mediterranean cuisine here is rich in fresh vegetables, herbs and fish, all of which are local here. You will enjoy the taste of the food with its unique and fresh flavors, not to mention healthy.
Turkey is defiantly a destination that should be on all golfers list of places to play. Not only can you enjoy your favorite pastime, but while doing so you are able to truly see what the rest of the world has to offer.
For more information visit www.pamfilya.com.tr
www.thy.com
