A guide to Turkey's coastal regions

Many companies are now realising we don’t always want cheap and cheerful. Sometimes we want to spoil ourselves with a truly magical holiday. We don’t want to spend a fortune, but we do want a little extra. If you are looking for a holiday without saving for six months just for the privilege, look no further than Thomas Cook luxury holidays, such as Turkey.

Really, Turkey? Isn’t it all bargain basement seaside resorts catering to families and groups? Actually no; much of Turkey is untouched by mass tourism and even the larger resorts are now catering to a niche market of upwardly mobile individuals looking for the Midas touch.

Generally the exclusive resorts of Turkey cluster around the Lycian Coast in the south west corner. This region developed a little later than its neighbours and tourism is relatively new. This means it avoided much of the 1970s' and 80s' style mass building that lacked character and charm. In fact, most of the resorts along the Lycian Coast are low-rise and in keeping with traditional Turkish design. Aside from the main centre of Marmaris, which was already well established by the time Dalaman airport opened, most of the coast is protected as part of a series of nature reserves so building has been small scale and well planned.

Two of the most exclusive areas of the Lycian Coast are Gunluklu and Gokova. Both resorts are quiet and secluded and have only recently been discovered by non-Turkish tourists.

Gunluklu is 19km from Fethiye and nestled around a small, sandy cove. The surrounding landscape is comprised of gum trees, which give off an amazing aroma, especially during the evening. There are spa and retreat hotels to choose from and it’s a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside.

Gokova has a giant mountain on one side and a wide, sweeping bay on the other. It is a sleepy resort with small boutique-style hotels and family run B&Bs. The area is popular with walkers because of the spectacular scenery and undulating landscape. The small village of Atakoy, perched on a mountainside 6kms away, is a romantic escape, most obviously for its captivating views over the Bay of Gokova.

If you want something a little special from your next holiday, don’t write off Thomas Cook when it comes to luxury holidays. It doesn’t just offer cheap package deals. Through its new My Style range you can find 5-star luxury without digging too deep into your wallet.