The Maldives-Like Destination Perfect for Autumn Sun
Ancient Engineering Meets Modern Luxury
Side features a surviving Roman forum, a theatre, and a restored Greek fountain. This fountain highlights ingenious methods used to channel water from the mountains into the city. Much of the settlement remains unexcavated, yet the visible infrastructure could easily guide modern urban planning. Roman builders integrated pipes directly into the walls rather than beneath streets, avoiding major disruptions during repairs. Local guide Ismet notes that this 2,000-year-old drainage system remains fully functional. It recently passed a test following heavy rainfall. „This is the centre of the world,”Ismet says, highlighting Side's historical importance as a trading hub.
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France's independent hotels earn the most per room in southern EuropeI am among many tourists exploring the Turkish Riviera. Located roughly a four-hour flight from London, the region boasts 320 days of sunshine per year according to Ismet. „Autumn is the best time,”he states, noting that daytime temperatures hover around 27°C while the sea remains delightfully warm. Furthermore, October and November bring far fewer crowds than the summer months.
I stay just a five-minute drive from Side at a resort called Bijal. The Turkish Riviera often carries a reputation for cheap package holidays, but Bijal aims to change that narrative. It brings a touch of Maldives-inspired luxury to the coastline. The owners, the Gürok Group, also manage the Joali and Joali Being resorts in the Maldives. Similar chic, tropical influences appear at this Turkish branch, which officially opened in the spring of last year. Bijal feels delightfully quiet compared to the outside world. All 19 villas feature private pools, meaning guests can avoid other people entirely if they choose.
While I admire the ancient engineering nearby, I certainly appreciate modern comforts like heated pools and a state-of-the-art gym. Art classes represent just one of several on-site activities designed to entice guests out of their villas. Over three sessions, London-based painter and ceramicist Venetia Berry helps spark creativity through pottery and painting classes. Easels are set up with stunning views of the beach and sea.
Unplugging and Unwinding by the Sea
Though I lack artistic talent, it proves to be a low-pressure environment. Venetia teaches a more surrealist style that grants beginners plenty of freedom. „It’s very meditative,”Venetia explains. „You’re looking at a beautiful view and painting, without thinking about your phone or your scheduled meetings.”She is entirely right. Sometimes we must force ourselves to put down our smartphones to realize how wonderful it feels to disconnect. „People leave school and don't paint for 10, 15, 20 years, and that inner child is still there,”Venetia adds. Bijal staff report that previously inexperienced guests have taken an impulsive class and subsequently enrolled in art courses back home.
When I am not painting, I alternate between my private pool and the sandy beach. The beach is a five-minute walk or a two-minute bicycle ride from the villas, complete with a beach club and shaded cabanas. Table tennis, dartboards, chess sets, and various games prevent me from wasting hours scrolling through my phone.
Within just a few days, I realize the Turkish Riviera matches the appeal of the Maldives—without the exhausting 10-hour journey and jet lag. I might even need to look into some painting classes to extend that holiday feeling into the coming months. Resort stays at Bijal start from 850 euros per night for a one-bedroom villa on a bed-and-breakfast basis for two people.