Top Five Beach Holidays in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is a popular hotspot for holidays in the sun thanks to its great climate and wide variety of things to see and do across many different countries.

So where are the best locations to head to for a fun-filled beach holiday? Here are five suggestions to provide inspiration for your next beach break in the Mediterranean.

Spain

Spain is the British favourite when it comes to beach holidays - and it is little wonder. The south coast of the mainland is something of a haven for pleasure-seeking holidaymakers, particularly locations along the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca like Torremolinos, Malaga and Marbella.

The Spanish islands are also well worth checking out when it comes to beach holidays. The two main sets are the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, with both offering a similar mixture of sun, sea and sand to mainland Spain - along with a host of cultural and natural attractions unique to each island.

Greece

Greece's ancient history, warm climate and stunning natural scenery make for the perfect destination for holidays in the sun. If you want to stay on the mainland, just a few of the locations you might want to consider include Halkidiki and Kalamata, from which various beach resorts can easily be accessed.

Like Spain, Greece has many islands that rival the mainland in terms of beach holiday fun - popular options include Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Kos, as well as several smaller islands that offer sun-drenched breaks in relatively secluded, unspoilt settings.

Cyprus

Cyprus is a large island boasting something for everyone - whether you want a party-filled beach holiday or something a bit more family-friendly, you can find it here.

Popular destinations include Paphos and Limassol in the west and Larnaca and Ayia Napa to the east. Mountain ranges, historic monuments and fine wineries all offer great potential for day trips when you want to get away from the beach for a while.

Turkey

Turkey's Mediterranean coast attracts crowds of travellers every year keen to soak up the sun and enjoy the country's unique east-meets-west culture on their beach holidays.

Bodrum, Antalya and Marmaris are all popular locations for Turkish holidays in the sun.

Portugal

Like its neighbour Spain, Portugal has plenty to offer travellers looking for beach holidays that combine sun-soaked beaches with a fantastic culture and equally great cuisine.

The Algarve coast is a particularly attractive destination for holidays in the sun thanks to its beautiful beaches and wonderfully clear blue waters. There's plenty of golf to be had here, making it a great location for fans of the sport.

iWantSun.co.uk is a site dedicated to news about holidays in the sun. If you're looking for holiday inspiration and travel tips, such as finding beach holidays, then head over to iWantSun.co.uk.

Turkey Holidays on the Mediterranean Riviera

The Mediterranean Riviera

The beautiful southern coast of Turkey makes an arc around The Gulf of Antalya, where the sea washes the shores of some of the best seaside resorts in the Mediterranean. The Riviera is where you'll find the top destinations for Turkey holidays of Kemer, Lara, and Belek.

Kemer's Turkey Holidays

On the west of the Antalya Gulf is the resort of Kemer. Perhaps the best of Turkey's luxury hotels in the area takes the name of the region as its own: The Kemer Resort Hotel. This is the foremost family, all-inclusive hotel on these western shores, and Turkey holidays here benefit from the region's fine scenery. Kemer has beautiful views all around with its beach looking east over the sea towards Asia, and behind - looking inland - are the magnificent Taurus Mountains.

The Kemer Resort Hotel is as grand as its backdrop, and modern too. The interior is stylish and vibrant, with giant glass doors, trickling indoor fountains and halls twinkling with lights. The lobby atrium has a high ceiling with a glass lift that ascends a central column. From here you can explore the hotel during your Turkish holidays, taking a tour of the hotel's five restaurants - which include French and Japanese - each styled to match the cuisine.

To make sure your Turkey holidays are relaxing, the hotel has a selection of spa treatments available, but it's the variety of activities on hand that make the hotel great for family Turkish holidays. As well as the pool with its water slides, there is mini golf, tennis, bowling, billiards, water polo, beach volley ball and a cinema, to name a few. And if you feel like leaving the hotel, there's a water park and a dolphinarium not far away.

Turkish Holidays in Lara

Moving clockwise around the Gulf to the north takes us to Lara. This resort is not far from Antalya, the city after which the gulf is named. From here you can see the Taurus Mountains in the distance across the gulf.

In Lara, you'll find The Marden Palace Antalya, the venue of maybe the finest luxury holidays in Turkey. This is a five star deluxe hotel that ranks among the most opulent luxury hotels Turkey and the Mediterranean has to offer. The hotel combines Ottoman architecture with a stylish imitation of a Turkish palace, including hand-painted ceilings, gold leaf adornments, rich fabrics and marble floors.

If you treat yourself to Turkish holidays here you can enjoy a restaurant that has aquariums for walls, filling the dining area with watery blue light. There are fish close by outdoors too, with eagle rays in the reef adjoining the Marden's beach. If you don't want to snorkel with them, you can enjoy the gondolas on the hotel's canal, or take a dip in one of the world's largest swimming pools.

Belek: The Best Luxury Hotels in Turkey

Following the bay away from Lara to the East will lead you towards Belek. The Turkish holiday town of Belek is positioned in the centre of The Gulf of Antalya, halfway to Manavgat. The Kempinski Hotel - the Dome, The Gloria Serenity, and the Rixos Premium Hotel are the three best Belek luxury hotels in Turkey's central Riviera.

You will be blown away if you choose the Rixos Premium hotel for your luxury holidays in Turkey. When a hotel is rated as Five Star Deluxe accommodation, you know you'll be happy with the luxury part of your luxury holidays. Turkey becomes France here in a mall area of boutiques known as "French Street", which looks like an outdoor street scene, but is in fact under cover. The rest of the hotel also has a spacious and open feel, with giant indoor palms along polished tiled hallways, and pretty walkways, bridges and gardens outside.

On the beach, a wooden pier extends into the sea with a decking area of sun-loungers at the end for attaining that Turkey holiday tan. As well as the beach, the Rixos has its own water park with steep and spiralling slides, river channels, fountains and a wave machine.

Whichever side of the Antalya gulf you choose to stay we know you'll enjoy your Turkey holidays on the Turkish Mediterranean Riviera.

Jane Wilkinson is the marketing manager for Cadogan Holidays. This multi award winning travel company has been providing tailor made Turkey holidays [http://www.cadoganholidays.com/destination.aspx?Id=F516853E-8911-49CB-B3FB-90180B00618B&show-tips=false&type=country] with inspirational experiences and the very best luxury hotels in Turkey.