The Maldives is a high-class resort, but it is too far from Europe.
The small island country Maldives in the Indian Ocean offers a premium beach holiday, which is considered to be almost the standard in the world. But Turkey has long been known as a budget destination for vacationers. However, in recent years, the Turks have been trying to attract more affluent tourists, according to the Independent.
Everyone knows the Turkish province of Antalya, which is sometimes called the “Turkish Riviera”. Here, in particular, are the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Side, dating back to the 7th century BC. Every year, thousands of tourists come here to combine a beach holiday with excursions to the ancient ruins, which are surprisingly well preserved.
Antalya in general and the Side area in particular offer 320 sunny days a year, where even in October, the air temperature can reach 27 degrees Celsius. It is no wonder that there are always a lot of foreigners here.
However, in addition to budget tourism, the Maldives has recently been trying to develop a more expensive service sector.
According to the Independent, there is a resort called Bijal, which is located five minutes away from Side. It is owned by the Gürok Group, which operates the Joali and Joali Being resorts in the Maldives. Last spring, they opened a branch of the Maldives in Antalya.
“Bijal seems pleasantly quiet and peaceful compared to the noise outside its walls. All 19 villas have their own private pools, so you really don’t have to meet anyone else if you don’t want to. And while I took the time to admire the ancient technology [in the ruins of Side], I can’t help but appreciate the benefits of modern living in Bijal, such as the heated pools and high-tech gym,” the author writes.
Bijal offers a wide range of activities for its guests, including sports and art courses.
The Independent notes that Bijal could indeed compete with the Maldives, especially considering how far the Indian Ocean is and how long it takes to get there.
However, the cost of a holiday in the ” Turkish Maldives “is not at all the same money as in a typical Turkish” all inclusive ” hotel. Accommodation in a two-person villa with one bedroom and a minimum set of bed and breakfast services costs from 900 euros per night. Obviously, not everyone will be able to afford such a holiday.
