MoneyWeek

Where to get more holiday for your pound - Swap Italy for Turkey

With the euro still riding high against the pound, holidaying in the Eurozone will be painfully expensive this year. But don't worry – you can still enjoy cheap summer sun without having to fly halfway round the world.

A great way to escape the euro is to go to Turkey. "For too long, holiday makers to Turkey have been willing to put up with decidedly average hotels because of the backdrop, the cuisine, the value, and the people," says Paul Gogarty in The Independent on Sunday. But now top-notch small hotels have opened in the country.

Beyaz Yunus is in the beautiful resort of Olu Deniz on the southwest coast of Turkey. The resort is home to one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean, and Beyaz Yunus has featured on The Times's list of the "hottest rooms on the planet".

The hotel is set on a series of terraces, giving great sea views from almost anywhere on the property. Each suite has its own private terrace and a hot tub to laze in.

Should you prove capable of dragging yourself away from your terrace, the hotel also offers a spa, infinity pool and "one of the best seafood restaurants in Turkey", says Tom Chesshyre in The Times.

There is no menu – the manager checks ahead with hotel guests that they are happy with that day's suggested dishes. "Notwithstanding the advance warning, each evening is still a revelation as to what Turkish cuisine conjures from 'barbecue meats', 'grilled red mullet', or 'a lobster dish'," says Gogarty.