ASK the EXPERT
Stephanie Kapc, a Jet2holidays Resort Customer Helper in Turkey, on her love of Antalya and her top tips for visiting the country this summer
What first attracted you to the role of Resort Customer Helper, and what would you say is the most rewarding thing about it?
‘The most rewarding thing about the role is making sure that customers have a lovely holiday. I’m very much a “people person”, so it’s my perfect job.’
What is the best thing about Turkey as a holiday destination?
‘For a start, Turkish people are very friendly and hospitable. The beaches really are some of the best, too, with soft, golden sands. There are also snow-capped mountains, so in theory you can ski and swim all in one day.
‘The shopping is also excellent here and there really is something for everyone – textiles, shoes, bags, gold, silver and carpets are the best buys.
‘Turks claim their kitchens offer the third best cuisine in the world, and Anatolia is known as the breadbasket of Turkey.’
Where are you based?
‘Currently I am looking after Lara Beach in Antalya, and in the summer I also look after Kemer, which is a resort to the west of Antalya.
‘The Antalya region is very cosmopolitan, and people from all over the world come here in both summer and winter.’
Do you have a favourite bar or restaurant?
‘My favourite beach bar is in Moonlight Park in Kemer. They have live music here summer and winter. You can sit on the beach and feel the sea breeze – it’s somewhere I come to enjoy a cool beer after a busy day at work.’
Do you have any favourite off-the-beaten-track beaches?
‘Olujusu Beach, between Camyuva and Tekirova, in the Kemer area. There are no cafés, no one selling anything – it’s just you, fishing boats and the Mediterranean Sea.
‘Adrasan is a wide, flat, sandy beach with easy access to the beautiful, clear waters.
‘This is traditional Turkey – there are no big hotels, big buildings, not even a petrol station. This is a popular place for yoga and meditation.’
Where is the best place for authentic Turkish food?
‘The best place to enjoy a traditional Turkish dish is ‘Kebab Alley’, at the top of Kaleici, a beautiful town in Antalya. It’s a street of stalls selling mouthwatering doner kebabs, with chicken or beef roasting on rotating spits, and served with fresh flat breads and sumac-covered salads.’
What are your three must-dos for anyone visiting the area?
‘You must see the ancient Greek city of Perge, and Aspendos, a well-preserved Roman theatre still used for open-air performances. Also, take the Olympos Cable Car to the top of Tahtali mountain.’
Which hotels and experiences are best for families?
‘The Eftalia Aqua Resort has everything from pools, splash parks and an aqua park to an amphitheatre that stages great entertainment. Turkey is also amazing for shopping, and it can be found on your doorstep, whether it is at markets, in shopping malls or the cheaper shops in the heart of Antalya.’
What other fun experiences can guests enjoy?
‘Join a Jeep safari to off-road through villages and mountains. Snow World, next to the Aqualand Antalya, is also another fun day out when you need to escape the heat!’
And for a little romance?
‘Head to the heart of Antalya, where the oldest part of the city is called Kaleici – it is even mentioned in the Bible. The streets are cobbled and wind all the way down to picturesque harbour. There are many hidden bars, restaurant and boutique-style hotels.
‘Alternatively, many of the hotels in Lara Beach can arrange candlelit dinners on their individual piers that jut out into the sea.
‘It is believed that Mark Antony proposed to Cleopatra at the Temple of Apollo in Side. So if you are looking for something truly romantic, visit the site at sunset and take a selfie in a place that was special to two of the world’s most famous lovers.’