Extremely cheap All Inclusive holiday on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey
Turkey, Antalya, Alanya
After our several-week working visit to the Arctic Circle in the harsh and cold climate of Lapland, we were thinking of taking a rest somewhere warm by the seaside. There were several affordable tourist destinations available - Greece, Malta, Sicily, southern Spain, Canary Islands, Azores, Turkey. But we did not want to spend the whole vacations laying on the beach either. Besides favorable prices, we were also interested in the possibility of exploring and learning about history and culture.
During the search, we encountered an absolute deal for a few bucks - the region of Antalya on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. I loved the idea of traveling to Turkey since I already had traveled across this country (Istanbul to Kurdistan) 10 years ago and enjoyed it very much.
So what do you get for your money?
From Prague, but also from other European destinations (Stockholm, Copenhagen, etc.), you can get very good deals on low-cost Pegasus flight tickets (Pegasus is a Turkish company).
Specifically, on the route Prague - Istanbul, Pegasus one-way prices start at an incredible 62 EUR per person (71 USD, October and November 2017). This price is final and includes all charges, hand baggage up to 8kg and checked baggage up to 20kg!
This whole fun is not over. After a few days of exploring the historic Sultanahmet district in the heart of Istanbul, you can continue for even more unbelievable
12 EUR (final price, 8kg hand baggage, 15 kg checked baggage) to the touristy region of Antalya!
Book your flight tickets directly on the Pegasus website (https://www.flypgs.com/en). International debit cards are accepted.
For your ticket search, you can use Skyscanner (https://www.skyscanner.co.uk/, most updated information) and Kiwi (https://www.kiwi.com/en/search/, occasionally high commissions).
The main season lasts in Antalya till the end of September. Most tourists arrive in Antalya during the summer months. Perhaps due to a certain level of Western tourists distrust, Antalya is now empty in mid-October 2017. This is reflected very positively on the prices for accommodation.
I definitely recommend traveling during offseason. You pay less while the October temperatures in Antalya are still around 30 degrees.
In this period, hotels suffering from a tourist shortage are trying at least to cover the fixed and staff costs and offer their rooms at almost dumping prices.
To search for hotels I recommend the Expedia website (Expedia.ie, Expedia.de, etc. - exclusive deals and discounts for each regional mutation may vary) and Booking.
We found these ultra deals on Expedia.ie:
At Lara Hadrianus in Antalya, we paid in total for an 8-night All-Inclusive stay for two people 216 EUR (246 USD).
Read more what a beautiful All-Inclusive life we had in Lara Hadrianus in this article.
At Kleopatra Balik Hotel in Alanya, we paid for an 8-night All Inclusive stay with Sea View for two people 181 EUR (206 USD)
For your information, I attach an example calculation of a possible trip in October / November 2017 (1 person):
1st version: 15 nights, 26.10. - 10.11.2017, Prague - Istanbul - Antalya - Prague, stop in Istanbul
26.10. Prague - Istanbul SAW, Pegasus, 62 EUR (final price, including taxes and luggage 8kg and 20kg)
4 nights in Sultanahmet Istanbul, 40 EUR (the standard rate is 20 EUR per room for two and night)
30.10. Istanbul SAW - Antalya, Pegasus, 12 EUR (final price, including taxes and luggage 8kg and 15kg)
30.10. - 10.11. All-Inclusive stay (11 nights)
Kleopatra Balik, Alanya, All Inclusive, 205 EUR (102.5 EUR / person), 11 nights (web)
Lara Hadrianus, Antalya, All Inclusive, 11 nights, 324 EUR (Expedia, EUR 162 per person, All Inclusive), 348 EUR (Booking, EUR 174 per person, All Inclusive) / 238 EUR only breakfast (119 EUR per person, web)
10.11. Antalya - Prague, Pegasus, 74 EUR (final price, including taxes and luggage 8kg and 20kg)
Total cost of return flights, 4 nights in Istanbul and an 11-night All Inclusive stay: 62 EUR + 40 EUR + 12 EUR + 102,5 / 162 EUR + 74 EUR = 290,5 EUR (333 USD, Kleopatra Balik) resp. 350 EUR (401 USD, Lara Hadrianus)
2nd version: 11 nights, 30.10. - 10.11.2017, Prague - Antalya - Prague, without visiting Istanbul
30.10. Prague - Antalya, Pegasus, 108,5 EUR (final price, including all taxes and luggage 8kg and 20kg)
(cheaper date 4.11. Prague - Antalya, Pegasus, 83.5 EUR)
30.10. - 10.11. All-Inclusive stay (11 nights)
Kleopatra Balik, Alanya, All Inclusive, 102.5 EUR, 11 nights
Lara Hadrianus, Antalya, All Inclusive, 11 nights, 324 EUR (Expedia, EUR 162 per person), 348 EUR (Booking, EUR 174 per person) / 238 EUR breakfast only (119 EUR per person, web)
10.11. Antalya - Prague, Pegasus, 74 EUR (final price, including taxes and luggage 8kg and 20kg)
Total cost of return flights and 11 nights All Inclusive stay: 108.5 EUR + 102.5 / 162 EUR + 74 EUR = 285 EUR (327 USD, Kleopatra Balik) resp. 344,5 EUR (395 USD, Lara Hadrianus)
Search regularly. From time to time both airline companies and hotels publish very exciting online deals! Just like we saved almost EUR 110 on our Lara Hadrianus All Inclusive stay. South East Turkey is very cheap, so do not hesitate and go out and have some fun! You will have a lot of new experiences and adventures for a handful of dollars.