What to expect
Beachfront Location
Relax on the private beach
Excellent Facilities
Bars, spa, gym & Turkish bath
Four-star Hotel
Blue Xanthe Resort & Spa Hotel
Optional Excursions
Castles, mountains, markets & more
About this trip...
Join your fellow Solos in the Mediterranean side of Turkey where the modern resort town meets the ancient ruins of Side. Staying at the four-star Tui Blue Xanthe, we can explore many historical sites the region has to offer on an optional excursion, and enjoy the hotel's amenities such as the indoor pool, gym, sauna, bars and daily live evening entertainment. A fantastic choice for those seeking a sociable winter holiday with a ready-made group of solo travellers.
Activity Level:
What's this?What's Included
Return flights and transfers-
Airport taxes and charges
Twin/double room for single use with private facilities
All Inclusive Board
Welcome and information meeting
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Fully Financially protected
What's extra:
- Insurance see here
Side, Turkey
Winter relaxation
Staying in the modern resort town of Side and our four-star hotel, the choice to explore the beach and old town or relax and make use of the excellent hotel facilities is all yours. The evenings offer live entertainment and good food and drink to enjoy with your new Solos friends.
A great combinationan
Side offers a great combination of beautiful beaches and the history of a Roman-inspired resort at Side musuem. There's an untouched old town and crumbling ruines to explore combined nearby with a chic harbour with waterfront restaurants and lively bars.
More to Explore*
- Alanya Castle and Cave Winter Tour with Lunch
- Phaselis & Tahtali Mountain Day Tour
- Antalya Old Town Tour with Karpuzkaldiran Waterfall
- Manavgat Market & Waterfall Tour with Riverboat Cruise
*Any excursions bookable in resort are subject to availability. Details can be found below on the 'Optional Excursions' dropdown.
Accommodation
Four-star Tui Blue Xanthe Resort & Spa Hotel
Tui Blue Xanthe Resort & Spa is a beautiful four-star hotel located in Side, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It's seaside location, private beach and mile-long walking trail that takes you right into the bustling centre of side, makes it the perfect base to enjoy some winter sun and enjoy the facilities and dining options this resort has to offer.
Facilities Include
The property offers a diverse range of facilities including indoor and outdoor pools, gym, Turkish bath, sauna, evening entertainment, a buffett and an A'la Carte dining option, numerous bars and a coffee shop. Spa treatments, tennis, yoga and pilates are also available for a fee.
Room includes
Rooms include French or twin bed, balcony, shower, hairdryer, tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, safe and WiFi.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Transfer Time
The transfer from Antalya airport to the hotel is approximately 55mins.
Optional Excursions
These are just a few of the tours, which may be available to you depending on the time of year and the numbers interested. Full details of all the excursions available will be advised at the Information Meeting. Prices may vary, depending on numbers etc and are only a guideline.The exact amount will be given at your Information Meeting. Your Tour Leader will help arrange these for you but may not necessarily accompany you.
Please note:- Optional excursions are not guaranteed and are based on minimum numbers. The prices quoted are guideline only and may involve other non-Solos holidaymakers.
Alanya Castle and Cave Winter Tour with Lunch - £55
A tale of two cities, Alanya is a true mix of the old and the new. It's a bustling resort that's home to a medieval castle and picturesque old town, where you'll have free time to explore. To top it off, there are visits to the Damlatas Caves and a shop where gourds are crafter into decorative lamps. Our exper local guide, Aylin, says "this tour factors in lots of different topics, so everyone will find something to catch their attention regardless of their interests. Plus, Turkish culture's on show almost the entire time, so you'll be like an expert by the end of the tour."
With this winter tour, you'll start the day at the Damlatas Caves. Filled with stalagmites and stalactities, the cylindrical chamber within is said to cure asthma - that's not a cue to leave your inhalter at home, though. Next up is Seljuk Castle. Topping a headland jutting into the Mediterranean, it was built in the 13th century on the remnants of Roman and Byzantine castles. Explore its watchtower-studded battlements and peer though the holes from where hot oil was poured onto enemies when they were trying to invade the area.
Then you'll continue on to a craft shop where gourds are carefully carved into lamps, with great results. After lunch, the afternoon is yours. Go shopping in Alanya bazaar - market day is Friday - or relax in a cafe. Or go for a stroll on the gulet-crammed harbour or promenade before it's time to head back to your accommodation.
Phaselis & Tahtali Mountain Day Tour - £66
'This tour is steeped in mythology,' says Muzzafer, on of our guides. 'Alexander the Great spent a winter in the ancient city of Phaselis, while from the top of Mount Olympos the gods and goddesses looked down, wishing they were in his place.' It's quite a calling card but this tour lives up to it. You've got history at Phaselis and panoramic views from a ride on the Olympos Aerial Tram. What's more, there's time to visit some of Antalya's most secluded beaches and a mountain-top lunch.
First up is the ancient Greek and Roman city of Phaselis. IT's scattered around a woodland and three little bays on the Lycian coastline and boasts impressive relics from classical times. Hadrian's Gate, the theatre and the aqueduct are among the standouts of the guided tour. Plus, you'll get to stroll among the ruins of former shops and the main street. There's also free time to visit the beaches, so bring your bathing gear. And all this is framed by the Bey Mountains National Park in the distance - your next destination.
You'll ride through the clouds to the summit of Mount Olympos, also known as Tahtali, on one of the longest cable car rides in the world - it's more than 4km long. At the summit, which is 2,365m above sea level, you'll have plenty of time to soak up 360-degree panoramas from the viewing platforms, just as the ancient gods and goddesses did. To round off the experience, you'll get to sit down to lunch with a side order of spectacular scenery.
Antalya Old Town Tour with Karpuzkaldiran Waterfall - £40
Thundering over cliffs into the Mediterranean, the Karpuzkaldiran waterfall is a sight to behold. They're the appetiser before heading into Antalya old town for a guided walking tour and some free time to explore. Derya, one of our expert local guides, says, 'Aplace I always recommend is the bazaar, a great spot to soak up local culture while you browse for souvenirs. Walking through the busy lanes you can find traditional Turkish craft products like ceramics, textiles and jewellery, as well as loose tea, spices and lots of clothers and accessories.'
After a photo stop by the waterfall, we'll head into Antalya old town, also know as Kaleici. You'll have an hour's guided tour through the maze of narrow streets lined with traditional Ottoman-style houses, before enjoying free time to explore. The area is full of history and culture, and there are a few standout monuments to look out for. Hadrian's Gate is an ancient Roman fortification built in honour of Emperor Hadrian, who visitied the city in 130 AD, while the Yivli Minaret Mosque, dating back to the 13th century, is a fine example of Seljuk architecture and boasts an iconic redbrick fluted minaret.
If you want to grab some lunch, look out for typical Turkish dishes such as gozleme, a savoury stuffed pastry, and doner kebab. For dessert, try baklava, a sweet pastry made with layers of file dough and honey. And if you want sea views as a side, head to harbour, where there are plenty of waterfront restaurants.
Manavgat Market & Waterfall Tour with Riverboat Cruise - £37
Sightseeing and a relaxing river cruise - there's something for everyone on this full day tour, exploring Manavgat bazaar and the beautiful surrounding area. Visit Manavgat Falls and enjoy a riverboat cruise.
Everything begins at the Manavgat Falls on the River Manavgat. They're known as the 'Little Falls' as their fast-flowing waters crash down a ridge into a bubbly, foaming fresh-water pool. Next, you can grab a bargain at a multi-brand outlet store, before heading inland for Manavgat's open air bazaar for more retail therapy.
You'll hop onboard a riverboar cruise along the Manavgat next. Sit back and relax in the sunshine as you sail past reed beds and sandy beaches. After lunch on board, you'll moor at a beach, where the sea and the river meet. A perfect swimming opportunity ends this jam-packed day out.
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection to cover drivers, porters and hotel staff of €15.00.
Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
Passport & Visa Information
Turkey E-Visa - From 2 March 2020, British nationals travelling for tourism or business purposes will no longer need a visa to enter Turkey for visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The Turkish government advise that your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter Turkey and that there is a full blank page for the entry and exit stamps
Health Requirements
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Travel Health Turkey
Dress Code
Whilst there is no formal dress code, warm layers are recommended for the evenings and comfortable shoes for any optional excursions.
Dressing up is encouraged for Christmas Day and the New Years Eve Gala if staying over these dates.
Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY)
