I went to the ‘Turkish Disneyland’ theme park – with country’s tallest rollercoaster & nearby resorts right on the beach
DEATH-DEFYING rollercoasters weren’t the first thing on my mind when I booked my getaway to laid-back Belek.
Known for its twinkling turquoise waters and balmy resorts, this gorgeous town on Turkey’s southern coast is home to jaw-dropping beaches.
And with the British weather still not able to make up its mind, I couldn’t think of anything better than kicking back in the 28C heat, listening to the lapping waves of the Mediterranean.
But it turns out that beaches aren’t the only thing that make Belek special.
Just a five-minute drive inland from the sea sits The Land Of Legends, known among Brits as “the Turkish Disneyland” with dare-devil rides and water park attractions that would satisfy the biggest thrillseekers.
And after a few days lazing about in the sun, this adrenalin-packed theme park was calling out to be explored.
We were staying just a 15-minute drive away, at the five-star Rixos Premium Belek resort which offers free shuttle bus runs between the hotel and The Land Of Legends.
It really was the perfect spot for parents wanting to catch some R&R while also keeping the kids entertained.
After getting your kicks on the park’s Hyper Coaster — a loop-the-loop ride which climbs to 62 metres (200ft) and travels at a stomach-lurching 70mph an hour — you can head back to Rixos and flop on a sun bed with a cocktail, away from sugar-fuelled screams of ride-loving youngsters.
It was the famous Turkish hospitality that we noticed straight away on arrival at the resort.
Bottles of fizz lay waiting for us, freshly uncorked in the lobby, while the concierge subtly whisked our bags to our room.
The hotel is all shiny marble floors, soothing water features and opulence, all of which was enhanced by the view of calm blue waters from our room’s balcony, which beckoned us to come down for a dip each morning.
There are plenty of sun loungers, which meant we did not have to get up at the crack of dawn to bag a decent spot.
That Turkish hospitality is on display again at the resort’s private beach, with friendly waiters on hand to offer drinks or snacks (free of charge!) whenever you feel the urge.
That’s the real beauty of going all- inclusive — once you’ve forked out for the initial cost, you needn’t panic about spending a penny.
That means you can take full advantage of the well-stocked beach bar.
But be warned, the alcohol servings are generous!
In the day, it has a laid-back vibe with chilled music lulling you into a sleepy fuzz, while freezers full of ice creams keep the kids happy, and at night it turns into a vibrant live music venue.
When we were there, a Europop band belted out frothy pop covers as staff, dressed like Alice In Wonderland characters, danced and mingled with punters.
Not a fan of the beach?
There are six pools on site — the massive one just behind the beach which tends to be where families decamp for most of the day.
Golden sunset
When they’re not at the pool, little ones and teens can head to The Rixy Kids Club, jam-packed with activities like arts and crafts, kids’ yoga and boxing, film showings, mini discos . . . the list goes on.
Helpfully, each morning the Rixos team sends a Whatsapp message to guests, setting out all the entertainment being laid on for both kids and adults.
Adult fun includes darts, football, fishing and visits to the Anjana Spa, which has an array of steam rooms, saunas and plunge pools as well as treatment rooms for massages, face masks and manicures at an extra cost.
Post-treatment, head to the heated spa pool, which has a cocktail bar in the middle, so you can take a dip followed by a sip of pina colada.
All that booze needs mopping up somehow — and you are spoilt for choice.
There are a staggering 19 restaurants, bars and coffee shops around the resort, serving every type of cuisine, from Asian and Italian to Mediterranean.
We stuck mainly to the main Turquoise Restaurant where we tucked into Turkish classics like mouth-watering kofte, chargrilled vegetables, sweet tomato salads and creamy hummus.
Sit on the outside decking if you can, where you can watch the golden sunset behind the blue sea.
Of course, if you tire of mellow days by the sea with pretty views, a trip to the nearby Roman ruins at Perge will give you your fill of culture.
Just a 30-minute drive from the resort, the archaeological site is home to remains of a vast ancient amphitheatre, which once seated 12,000 people and is one of the best preserved in the country.
Roman baths and ancient mosaics are also on display.
St Paul himself is said to have visited here in 46AD, as he sought to spread the Christian faith far and wide, as well as Alexander the Great, who once strolled through the gates with his army.
It’s a stark contrast to the whirling rides at The Land Of Legends.
But that’s what makes Belek so brilliant — history, thrilling entertainment and golden sandy beaches all sandwiched into one sun-drenched town.
GO: BELEK
GETTING THERE: Wizz Air flies from Gatwick to Antalya from £40 each way. See wizzair.com.
STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Rixos Premium Belek is from £612.50pp, based on a family of four sharing.
Deluxe Rooms with a garden view cost from £900pp, based on two adults sharing and on an all-inclusive basis. See rixos.com.
OUT & ABOUT: An all-day ticket to The Land Of Legends costs from €49.50pp online.