The Marmara Region - Turkey with Your Family: From Bustling Bazaars to Historic Sites - page 98

outdoor pools and baths, plus a
park, forest and restaurants. Even
if you and your family don't wish
to take a dip in the hot springs, a
visit is worth the short drive
uphill so you can enjoy a
panoramic view of Yalova. Twenty
minutes away, lies the quiet holi-
day resort of Çinarcik with its
long stretches of sandy beach,
tourist accommodation and a
good choice of restaurants, so it's
nice and convenient for a stop.

child-friendly, offering menus
suitable for small appetites, ice
creams and juices, as well as pro-
viding facilities like high chairs,
buggy stores and baby-changing
areas.
Gulf of Edremit

★
A string of beaches and bays
along the coastline of the Gulf of
Edremit lie in the shadow of
olive trees beside the holiday
towns of Akçay, Edremit,
Altinoluk, Ayvalik, Ören and
Burhaniye, where restaurants
make ideal stops if your children
need to freshen up a bit and take
a drink or snack.
Kerpe Beach
On the Black Sea coast, to the
east of Istanbul and north of
Iznik, long stretches of sandy
beach can be found at Kerpe,
Kovana g zi and Kefken. All have
a good selection of small hotels
in which to stay. Kerpe beach is
especially child-friendly with
fine sand and good swimming
waters, plus small cafés as well as
toilets a short walk away.
Kumla Beach, Gulf
of Gemlik

Best Beaches
Avsa Islands, Sea of Marmara
The Avsa Islands are a much
sought-after holiday destination
and a little bit select. Along with
wide, sandy beaches and safe
swimming waters, the islands are
noted for their fine cuisine, vine-
yards and wine cellars. There's
also a Byzantine monastery, the
Meryem Ana Monastery, at
Manastir that is worth a visit.
Biga Peninsula Beaches
Karabiga, Kemer and Sahmelek
are the largest holiday centres
along the Biga peninsula. Each
has long stretches of beaches, plus
a good selection of amenities
such as restaurants and water-
sports. Nearby are hot springs.
Erdek Beach, Erdek
Your children will love this
beach - it's long and sandy, and
because it nestles alongside Erdek,
one of the Sea of Marmara shore's
busiest holiday resorts, there's
every amenity needed for a day
or two spent relaxing, building
sandcastles or swimming in the
sea. Restaurants and cafes are all

★
A whole host of beautiful
beaches and holiday resorts lie
on the shores of the Sea of
Marmara, among them is the
wide and sandy Kumla Beach in
the Gulf of Gemlik, a particular
favourite. It has good facilities
such as parking and restaurants
with children's menus, and yet
the beach manages to retain a
relaxing feel. It is ideal for all
the family. Others in the area
include the beaches at Çinarcik,

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