A Turkish Winter

For many, when it comes to family holidays, Turkey is the ideal destination for a beach break. With sun, sea and sand ticking all the boxes for a relaxing destination, it is no wonder so many people head to Turkey for their summer holidays. But if you struggle to be a beach bum, you'll be pleased to hear that there are some aspects of Turkey that are much better seen in the winter.

Snowshoe Tours

The landscape of the central Anatolia region of Cappadocia is a sight to behold in the summer months. However, it is even more so if you choose the winter months to take your family holidays. Turkey's true culture and spirit can be experienced as the snow sets in. The cones and crevasses of the Cappadocian landscape become coated in white powder, but whilst snow ball fights and snowmen will keep the children amused for a short while, a snow-shoe tour will keep them entertained for a whole lot longer. Snow-shoe tours are led by a small, local and authentic company and incorporate a number of traditional villages where you will be invited to stay with families. On the last night of your trip, you will spend the night in a converted monastery at Guzelyurt, where you will dine as the Monks once did, at long tables. Enjoy the traditional Turkish fare, as you listen to the kids swapping ghost stories in this old building, and get a taste of traditional Turkish life.

Going Underground

If it gets too cold for you above ground, then be sure to go underground on your family holidays. Turkey's geological formations are some of the most intriguing, and the various caves you can visit are much more pleasant in the cooler months than in the height of the summer. From the Caverns of Antalya, to the Caves of Zongulduk, there is a wealth of geology just waiting to be explored. The children won't even notice the educational element of your holidays as you teach them about stalactites and stalagmites; they'll be far too busy exploring the dark corners of the cave and letting their imaginations run wild.

The Turkish Slopes

It is true that when you think of planning your skiing family holidays, Turkey is not the first destination to spring to mind. However, that is not to say that there are not some fantastic opportunities for winter sports. Turkey is in fact the perfect destination for young and inexperienced skiers, as the slopes are much less crowded than your average European ski resort. Mount Uludag is the warmer of the ski areas, and also the best equipped. However, Mount Erciyes, standing at 12,848 feet is guaranteed to have snow even in the mildest of winters. Visit in the month of March and you and the family can enjoy the winter tourism festival. Whilst the kids enjoy watching the locals take to the slopes in impressive displays, you can sip on a glass of mulled wine and watch the world go by.

So though it is generally thought of as a summer destination for family holidays, Turkey can be just as much fun in the winter. Swap the beaches and coastlines for the mountains and snow, and treat yourself to a winter in Turkey.

Davide Smith is the Destination Expert for Bargain Holidays Online, a unique holiday website which specialises in cheap, last-minute deals for family holidays Turkey as well as giving you access to over 20 million other bargain holiday deals. Book your bargain holidays with BargainHolidaysOnline.com today and save.