Lara Holidays
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Lara Holidays – Luxury hotels and an endless golden beach
Boasting one of the longest and prettiest stretches of coastline in all of Turkey, Lara is a fantastic beach holiday destination. Think endless golden sands shelving gently into warm Mediterranean waters. This purpose-built resort consists primarily of 4 and 5-star luxury hotels that are offered on an all-inclusive basis. People who book to stay here are generally after the full package experience, with most evening entertainment confined to the hotels; the town does not have an independent bar or restaurant scene to speak of. Take a taxi or bus the short 12km journey to Antalya, however, and you can explore a host of bars, restaurants, cafes, markets and nightclubs.
There are plenty of excursions available around the area which you can book at nearby Antalya or at your hotel. These include trips to Perge, the Duden Waterfalls, the ancient amphitheatre at Aspendos and the Koprulu Kanyon.
When to go
Being primarily a beach holiday destination, the biggest crowds will be drawn to Lara in the peak summer months of June-August. This period sees the hottest weather and the most expensive prices. Given that there are a limited amount of hotels in the resort, accommodation might sell out quickly during this time. Spring and autumn are better for those who do not like the soaring temperatures and fierce sunlight, and these seasons have the benefit of being cheaper.
Holidays to Lara benefit from Antalya’s close proximity, with a range of events occurring at the larger nearby town throughout the year. September sees Turkey’s oldest and most prestigious film festival, the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, with a carnival atmosphere and numerous cinematic screenings. The Antalya Painting Festival also occurs in September, while in October the Mediterranean International Music Festival, Antalya Piano Festival and Beachpark Rock Festival are all held. Earlier in the year, the Antalya Honey Festival is held in August, as is the Antalya International Folk Music and Dance Festival Competition.
The weather in Lara
Like the other resorts located on the Turkish Riviera such as Alanya and Manavgat, Lara enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate. The spring (April-May) will see temperatures ranging from 21-26C, with between 8-10 hours of sunshine a day. June-August is the summer period, with very hot temperatures of 30-34C on average, and around 12-13 hours of sunshine daily. The hot weather continues throughout September and well into October, with the mercury hovering between 27-31C. November sees the start of the winter period with temperatures between November and March ranging from 15-22C. Lara’s mild climate means a winter sun holiday here is possible; bear in mind that some days may see rainfall, temperatures are considerably lower than the ‘peak season’ months and the resort will be quiet.
Getting the best deal
The best deals to Lara are to be had by booking as early as possible. There is limited accommodation at this resort, and popular hotels are likely to sell out fast, especially during the peak season; as such, it pays to get in there quick. If you have the flexibility, avoid peak times such as Easter and half-term, school holidays. Travelling during the spring and autumn months will see some excellent deals. All-inclusive holidays to Lara are a great way to save money; the majority of hotels here offer accommodation primarily on an all-inclusive basis.Find the best prices we have to offer by looking at the deals below or alternatively by visiting our late deals offers here.
Airport and transport need to know
Lara has the benefit of being close to one of Turkey’s main flight hubs, at around 20km from the Antalya International Airport (AYT). It takes around 20 minutes to reach the resort. Antalya International Airport consists of two international terminals – T1 and T2 – and a domestic terminal. It is a large, spacious and clean place, with plenty of shops and restaurants servicing the lounge, Arrivals and Departure areas. You’ll find cash machines at Terminal 1 and money exchange facilities at both T1 and T2 (note: the exchange rate here is notoriously bad however).
Antalya International is accessible from various points around the UK, including London Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh and smaller hubs such as Bristol and Bournemouth.
The best way to get to Lara from Antalya Airport is by taxi or shuttle bus. Taxis wait outside the terminal buildings and operate on a fixed price basis – make sure you establish the price before you leave to avoid any nasty surprises when you reach the resort. A taxi to Lara for up to 3 people will cost around €30 or €10 per person, while a taxi for up to 5 will cost around €50 or €10 per person. You can pre-book taxis from companies such as Transfer2Hotels.com. Shared shuttle buses cost around €5 per person for a single fare and cane be pre-booked through companies such as Shuttle Direct.
The best beaches in Lara
Lara is located right in the middle of the Turkish Riviera, which stretches from just east of Alanya, all the way up to Cesme on the western Aegean Coast. There are some fantastic beaches in the vicinity of Antalya/Lara, characterised by long, sweeping golden sands, warm turquoise waters (this is also known as the Turquoise Coast) and beautiful views out across the sea.
Lara beach
Lara resort has its own beach, the aptly named Lara Plajı (Lara Beach). Beginning just past the Lower Düden Waterfall east of Antalya’s cliffs, this is a long, golden sandy beach that stretches for several kilometres westwards. The main public part of the beach is known as Lara Halk Plajı and has beach services such as lifeguards, public toilets and sun loungers organised by Antalya city council. You’ll find numerous beach bars, showers, parasols, deckchairs and commercial services here. You can get into to the centre of Antalya and back from the beach by catching a dolmus – numbers 18, 30 or 77.
Belek beach
Around 30 minutes’ drive from Lara you’ll find the resort of Belek, with one of the finest beaches on Turkey’s southern coast – no mean feat for an area that is renowned for its beautiful beaches. Belek beach is 10 miles of glorious, soft white sands, shelving gently into warm aquamarine waters. A great spot for families with children, it’s also home to a colony of loggerhead turtles. There is a selection of watersports son here, from pedaloes to parasailing, as well as sun loungers, parasols and beach bars. This is a Blue Flag Beach with toilet facilities, car parking nearby and showers.
Olimpos beach
If you’ve hired a private car during your holiday and you don’t mind a coastal drive to get there, Olimpos beach is well worth a visit. Located to the west of Antalya, around 1 hour and 20 minutes’ drive from Lara, Olimpos is great for those who like their beaches secluded and tranquil. This is a small, pristine cove backed by a fragrant pine forest which is dotted with ancient Roman ruins of temples and villas. You’ll also find intriguing tree-house hotels nestled in the forest and the Chimaera - flames springing from the hillside that have burned continually for millennia. An excellent place to explore. There is plenty to do here, from kayaking to yoga sessions on the beach at sunrise. At night, low-key DJ’s play ambient music on the shoreline.
USEFUL LINKS:
http://www.taxfreetravel.com/Antalya%20Airport
http://www.flightmapping.com/europe/turkey/antalya
