Traveling with children can sometimes turn out to be a hectic and traumatic experience however it is possible to have a child friendly holiday in Turkey that will ensure everyone in the family, gets the opportunity to relax and enjoy the sunshine. In this article, your local experts at My Destination Aegean Coast outline the top tips to bear in mind when looking at family holidays in Turkey.  

Choose Your Hotel Wisely

It would be easy to assume that all hotels in Turkey are the same however lately hotels are gearing up to the demands of caring parents when it comes to child friendly accommodation and it is worth paying that little bit extra for peace of mind.  Fears of placing children in a hotel room of their own are unfounded since it is now possible to book rooms with inter-connecting doors.

The great aspect of this concept is that everyone can have privacy when they require it but at the same time, parents can keep an eye on their children and there is immediate access should you need it. Some hotels that are run by major travel companies also offer baby-sitting facilities if you and your partner want to escape for a romantic night for two with not a child in sight.

Also consider the many benefits of self-catering accommodation. Parents may at first scoff at this idea as images of cooking and cleaning while on holiday are not something they anticipate doing.  However don’t push this option to the side just yet, as many self-catering apartments are in close distance to restaurants and eating out in Turkey is not going to break the bank. Some self-catering rentals provide cleaners while others ensure that you can hire them at an extra charge.  

Traveling with Babies

Babies require a lot of care and attention and trying to provide them with these key essentials while in a foreign country poses a dilemma for the parent. While Turkey is not publically displaying itself as child friendly, it is important to know that Turkish culture and society is geared up towards looking after children and their mothers. In fact, some people say that Turkey is more child friendly than Western countries.  

If you need to feed your baby naturally and in private, you will not find signs displaying areas where it is possible to do this, however simply asking the restaurant owner will ensure you are given access to a private room. Another suggestion is to bottle feed your baby for convenience and all hotels and restaurants will gladly give you access to facilities to make up bottles.

Don’t expect to walk into the restroom of a restaurant and find changing tables either as Turkey is quite behind in the times when it comes to this concept. Once again, speaking to the owner of the establishment will quickly ensure you are shown a space to change your baby’s nappy.

How to Keep the Kids Entertained

There is a well-known quote which suggests that in order for the parents to enjoy their holidays, the kids have to be kept entertained. We believe strongly that this quote is true as happy children means happy parents. Before you leave for your chosen destination within Turkey, have a look at our “Things to do section” as you will find a wide range of exciting and thrilling activities to keep the kids entertained from water parks to jeep safaris. Also take this opportunity to introduce your children to activities that they would never normally do at home, such as scuba diving and exploring a life under the sea.

Be Prepared for the Journey

As well as making sure the kids are entertained and happy, you should also look into traveling arrangements before you depart.  Research the airport of your departure destination to find out what child friendly facilities they have. Most major airports now have areas to keep the kids entertained while you check the family in. Alternatively, there is also the opportunity to check-in via online booking sites and this ensures that there are no kids tugging at your sleeves, moaning that they are bored.

Consider how to keep the kids entertained while on the flight to Turkey and also the transfer to your Turkish holiday resort. If your child is a bookworm, buy the latest novels by their favorite author to keep them entertained. There are also many hand held gadgets on the market that will keep the kids occupied and ensure you do not hear a peep out of them.

When Is The Best Time To Travel To Turkey With Children?

We realize that parents may be constrained by school holidays and this will mainly predict the time of year that they will travel. Be aware that if you are taking the children to Turkey during the months of July to October, this is when the sun is most powerful and you must make suitable arrangements with sun cream, hats and other ways  to keep them cool. The holiday season in Turkey runs from May to October but places like Istanbul are active all year round.

Two Recommended Destinations for Child Friendly Holidays in Turkey

Marmaris:  This is a large and very active resort that is home to waterparks and a large choice of hotels and self-catering apartments  that are suitable for family holidays.  There is also a cinema that shows films in English, water sports activities and the chance to escape into the mountains with the kids on a thrilling Jeep safari.

Bodrum:  Bodrum is considered a thriving hub of activity and this makes it a great base for the family to experience a wonderful time in Turkey. Within Bodrum there is a large water park and daily boat trips that the kids will love, leave regularly from the harbor front.

Enjoy your family holiday in Turkey and don’t forget the camera!

Natalie Sayin, My Destination Aegean Coast
September 2011