Earlier this year I enjoyed my first foreign holiday since the pandemic. A friend and I visited Marmaris, Turkey, in April for a relaxing break.
We stayed at the TUI Blue Grand Azur. It was the first time I had booked a holiday with TUI and I was incredibly impressed. Everything went really smoothly: the flights from Gatwick, the airport transfers, and the hotel itself, which was amazing. It had plenty of sunbeds both poolside and beachside, was clean and tidy with friendly staff, and an amazing selection of food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all available in buffet form; there was plenty of choice, including vegan and vegetarian options, and everything was super tasty. An ice cream kiosk, a 24-hour snack area, and an afternoon outdoor snack bar were also hugely appreciated. The restaurant at the top of the hotel, which all guests are able to visit once per break, was also a hugely enjoyable experience, and the views were marvellous.
Our room was spacious with a large TV, clean bathroom and even a balcony. The air conditioning made the temperature a comfortable one. The hotel offered various activities including biking, languages and yoga (which I took part in). I signed up for an excursion, but this was cancelled because of lack of numbers – the only disappointing part of the trip.
While we spent most of our holiday relaxing with books beside the pool, we did take the time to explore Marmaris. We visited the historic castle and walked along the seafront. We also went into a couple of shops, and even a bar, but since the hotel bar was all-inclusive we didn’t want to spend money we didn’t have to!
Overall I loved my trip to Marmaris, I would definitely consider returning – I hope I get to go on an excursion this time though!