This is your reminder to always be yourself, because honestly, I never thought that me openly complaining about the issues we had with TUI would lead to something so unexpected. After I shared my experience publicly on my IG Stories, an agency reached out and asked if I’d like to review a trip with Turkish Airlines Holidays.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The Land of Legends and Antalya were already on my travel list for October half term, but instead we were offered the chance to go at the end of August — and of course I said yes!
So, here’s my honest review of our first holiday with Turkish Airlines Holidays: flying business class for the very first time, visiting Turkey for the first time, and exploring everything Antalya has to offer.
Turkish Airlines Holidays flies from Heathrow Terminal 2. We had a super early flight at 6am which I don’t mind though, I’m an early bird. Business class check-in was simple, the staff were friendly and everything ran smoothly. The only downside to arriving that early is that most of the shops and restaurants are still closed, so we ended up napping until it was time to board. Heathrow Terminal 2 has play areas for kids which makes the wait much easier when you’re travelling as a family. This was also my first time doing a connecting flight, travelling from Heathrow to Istanbul and then onwards to Antalya.
Business class with Turkish Airlines was honestly such a treat. The seats turned into beds, the legroom was great and the staff were so friendly and attentive. We were given blankets, headphones and plenty of food and drinks. I didn’t eat on board because of my nut allergy, but my daughter and my friend enjoyed their meals and my daughter is now apparently a big fan of swordfish. Usually, I book seats right at the back of the plane, but sitting near the front was a game-changer. You can get off so much quicker and I loved not having to wait around.
Istanbul Airport is huge, so be prepared to walk a lot. The signs are easy to follow and we found an arcade and soft play area for the kids while we waited for our next flight. The Turkish Airlines app made it simple to keep track of boarding passes and gates. The first flight from Heathrow to Istanbul was around three hours and then Istanbul to Antalya was about an hour. Those seats turning into beds made all the difference and before we knew it, we’d landed in Antalya. Collecting luggage was easy and we were met by our driver who took us to Akra Hotel, which was about 30 minutes away.
Akra Hotel is perched on cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean and although there isn’t a sandy beach, you can still swim in the sea. It’s a really beautiful hotel. We stayed in a Deluxe Sea View Room which had three single beds, a balcony with gorgeous sea and mountain views, a minibar, a safe and lots of little touches like toothbrushes, shaving kits and toiletries which made the stay really comfortable.
The hotel has six swimming pools in total, including indoor and outdoor options. Two pools are for kids, one is adults-only and three are open to everyone. They’re even heated in winter to a cosy 28 degrees, which is great if you’re travelling outside summer. There’s also a kids’ club, a playground and even free bicycles to use if you want to explore more of Antalya. Every morning we enjoyed the huge buffet breakfast which had an incredible amount of choice and everything was fresh and tasty.
One of the highlights of our time in Antalya was visiting the ancient ruins of Perge. I’d seen photos before but nothing prepares you for how incredible it looks in person. Walking through the site really felt like stepping back in time. Perge was once a thriving city and you can still see the remains of streets, columns, gates and more. With a bit of imagination, it’s easy to picture what life would have been like centuries ago.
Our guide was fantastic and made the whole visit even more enjoyable. She explained the history of the city in a way that was easy to understand, sharing stories about how people would have lived and traded here. It gave us a real sense of just how important Perge was in the region’s history.
It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down and really take in your surroundings. My daughter enjoyed exploring the ruins too, especially the more open spaces where she could wander safely. For me, it was one of those experiences where you feel completely connected to the past while still being amazed by how much of it has survived.
If you’re someone who loves history or just wants to do something a little different from the beaches and waterparks, I’d definitely recommend adding Perge to your Antalya itinerary. It’s fascinating for adults but also easy enough for kids to enjoy, especially if you go with a good guide who brings the stories to life.
We also visited Düden Waterfalls, which are absolutely stunning and so relaxing to listen to. There’s even a little bat cave there. To finish the day, we did a mosaic lamp workshop which was really calming and creative, a bit like crystal art but with a Turkish twist.
The next day we went on a six-hour yacht cruise along the Antalya coastline. The water was crystal clear to the point where we could easily pot fish and even see a turtle. The crew cooked us a fresh lunch with chicken, fish, salad and fruit, and it was such a lovely way to spend the day soaking up the Mediterranean sun.
On our third day we finally visited The Land of Legends, which has been on my list for the longest time, and it was even better than I imagined. It’s a theme park and a waterpark combined, and honestly one of the best parks I’ve ever been to. I knew my daughter would love it, but I think I enjoyed it even more.
What surprised me most was how little queueing there was, especially compared to places like Disneyland Paris or Universal. The SpongeBob area was incredible and really felt like stepping into Bikini Bottom, and if your kids love PAW Patrol they’ll be thrilled with the themed sections.
The waterpark is definitely where I’d recommend starting because it’s the busiest part of the park. Everyone wants to cool off, especially in the Antalya heat. The Turtle Coaster was absolutely insane—probably one of the wildest water rides I’ve ever been on. It was so much fun, but be warned: there’s a lot of water splashing in your face, and it might feel overwhelming for some people. Still, it’s definitely worth doing. Alongside that, there are plenty of other slides, a lazy river, a huge wave pool and a splash park perfect for younger children.
There’s also a dolphin show, which is a big hit with families, and character meet-and-greets scattered around the park. I didn’t notice long lines for these either, maybe because we went in late August. It really felt like you could do so much without spending the entire day queueing.
The only part I wasn’t too keen on was the food and drink system. You need to buy and top up a wristband to pay for anything in the park. I personally prefer the kind where you just tap your wristband and settle the bill at the end of the day. Having to top it up if you run out was a bit annoying, but at the same time it’s convenient not having to worry about your phone or card getting wet.
Overall, The Land of Legends was such a fun experience for both adults and kids. Between the rides, the waterpark, the shows and the themed areas, it’s a place I would definitely go back to, and I can see why so many people say it’s a must-do in Turkey.
Turkey had been on my travel list for such a long time and now I can finally say we’ve done it. Antalya is beautiful, the weather was perfect, the people were welcoming and there’s so much to see and do. Flying with Turkish Airlines Holidays made the whole trip easy and enjoyable. I’d definitely book with them again, maybe to explore more of Turkey and definitely to return to Antalya because I need more time at The Land of Legends.
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Antalya, I highly recommend checking out Get your guide. If you download the app here, you can use my discount code KIDDOADVENTURES5 on anything you like!
@kiddoadventures AD | Our first trip with Turkish Airlines Holidays and I’m honestly still buzzing 🇹🇷✨ We flew business class for the very first time and it made such a difference — comfy seats that turned into beds, amazing service and the smoothest journey from London to Istanbul and then onward to Antalya. Such a game-changer when you’re travelling with kids. ✈️💺 We stayed at the beautiful Akra Hotel, perched right on the cliffs with unreal Mediterranean views. Six pools, kids’ areas, gorgeous rooms, the dreamiest breakfast buffet and even free bikes to explore Antalya. The perfect base for our trip. 🌊🌴 We packed in so many incredible activities — exploring the ancient ruins of Perge, visiting the stunning Düden Waterfalls, making our own mosaic lamps, and going on a 6-hour yacht cruise where we spotted fish, swam in crystal-clear water and even saw a turtle. 🐢💙 And of course… The Land of Legends. The theme park + waterpark combo I’ve had saved for YEARS and it did NOT disappoint. From the water rides to the SpongeBob area to the minimal queues — we loved every minute. 🎢💦 Antalya has officially become one of our favourite destinations. Beautiful weather, friendly people and so much to see and do for families. And Turkish Airlines Holidays made the whole experience so easy from start to finish. Would 100% travel with them again! 🇹🇷✨ #turkishairlines #turkishairlinesholidays #goturkiye #visitturkiye #turkeywithkids turkish airlines holidays | antalya travel | akra hotel antalya | land of legends turkey | antalya with kids | turkey family holiday | antalya travel guide | turkish airlines review | business class travel | visit antalya | things to do in antalya | turkey travel 2025 | family holiday ideas | turkey with kids | antalya attractions
♬ Don’t Speak – Loaded Honey
