Strictly NO dancing!
Kristina Rihanoff relaxes at a Turkish resort that offer so many activities for children of all ages
Some people are reluctant to go to Turkey these days, due to safety concerns, but a friend had recommended the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort and Spa in Belek, near Antalya on the south coast, for a family holiday. It turned out to be an absolutely fantastic destination.
I went with my partner, Ben Cohen, his twins, Isabelle and Harriette, nine, and our little one, Mila, 13 months.
It can be difficult on holiday to find somewhere that caters for such an age range, but the Cornelia was perfect for all the children.
There were amazing kids’ play areas, with slides and little carousels, as well as a gorgeous nursery next to the pool, where Mila could have her afternoon nap in one of the lovely cots.
This gave us time to enjoy some watersports with the twins.
We were spoilt for choice with activities. There were boats, jet skis… you name it, plus there were the hotel’s pools and slides for all ages, not to mention a pier where everyone was diving into the sea.
I don’t normally go in the sea as I hate how cold the water can be, but in Turkey it was really warm, so I didn’t hesitate.
The fitness classes helped make the trip more enjoyable. I love yoga and went every day to the step-aerobics classes, which were held outside.
Although we didn’t play, golf is one of the main sports the resort offers, and there’s also mini soccer, archery, tennis and water polo. Meanwhile, the spa offers Turkish baths, saunas and treatment rooms.
We were all-inclusive and spoilt for choice when it came to food. The resort had nine à la carte restaurants, including Mediterranean, Cuban and Asian cuisine. Our favourite was the Turkish restaurant, called Sumach. We loved it. I try to be vegetarian and the resort catered well for dietary requirements.
The evenings were packed with entertainment at the incredible amphitheatre in the grounds.
Every night at 9pm, there was a 45-minute show for the children featuring different plays and clowns, and then afterwards the performances for older children and adults began. It was superb.
During our stay we had a magician’s show, a talented tango performance from Argentina, a Cuban band with salsa dancers who brought everyone up on the stage to dance, and also a roller-skating show, which was fascinating. Then, after 10.30pm, when the children went to bed, there was a disco by the pool. Cornelia ticks all the boxes. We were looking for perfect break where we could relax and have fun and we definitely achieved that. I’d 100 per cent go back there.
Thomas Cook (thomas cook.ie, 061 775 835) offers seven nights all-inclusive at the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort and Spa (corneliaresort.com) from €620pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.