Turkish delight

"WELCOME to paradise," beams the maitre'd.

Relaxing in a five-star open-air restaurant, cooled by the gentle evening breeze from the Mediterranean - the Turks know this balmy sea wind as the "meltem" - it's hard to disagree.

Just a few hundred yards away, the water is lapping at a two-mile stretch of private beach.

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A five-minute stroll in the other direction will take you to the first tee of a world-class links golf course.

And we're slap bang in the middle of a million square metres of luxury resort that's packed with the kind of amenities normally only seen in top-notch country clubs or the kind of exclusive spots where you might catch Girls Aloud or Kelly Brook soaking up the sun.

Jet-skiing, yachting or windsurfing? Check. Deluxe spa with steam rooms, saunas and a crack team of fully-qualified staff? Check. Seven - count 'em - deluxe restaurants specialising in everything from succulent steak to freshly- caught sea food? Very definitely, check.

This is LykiaWorld Antalya, the latest word in Mediterranean holidaying.

It's a split-new, fabulously opulent and incredibly versatile complex that's set a new benchmark for the region.

Brainchild of Attila Silahtaroglu - son of Turkish tourist industry pioneer Burham Silahtaroglu - this stunning 449-key development, 12 years in the planning, has been carved out of a gorgeous stretch of isolated coastline an hour's drive east of Antalya.

Accommodation is a mix of villas, lavish suites and lovingly-designed apartments.

They're all centred around the main hotel area, which is where you'll find most of the restaurants, bars and even some upmarket shops if you happen to fancy splashing out on jewellery, designer fashions or Turkish carpets.

And it's all set in lush, impeccably- kept grounds, maintained by an army of green-fingered gardeners.

"We wanted to create something unique," says Attila. "A place where you can come and enjoy any kind of holiday you want."

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To that end LykiaWorld Antalya is split into three distinctive areas.

First is what they call the "active zone" - which is where you'll find all the family-friendly and sports activities including everything from tennis to archery.

Next is the "relax zone", where the get-away-from-it-all types can chill out, soak up the sun and enjoy a string of adult-oriented diversions ranging from spa treatments to meditation and yoga.

And, thirdly, there's that extraordinary championship golf course, together with its academy, pro shop, swing studio and driving range.

Attila, with world-famous course designer Perry Dye and LykiaWorld Antalya's golf director Kieron Morrissey, made a pilgrimage to St Andrews to see the world's top links before work began in Turkey. The results are spectacular.

"It's quite a tactical course," explains Kieron. "And we've had a great many compliments from those who've played here. But it has to be said, looking out over the tee at the Mediterranean is slightly different from Fife, where you're gazing out at the chilly North Sea."

Needless to say, the course has its own superbly-appointed clubhouse, where you can enjoy a cool drink and reflect on your form.

And if your game isn't up to scratch, help is at hand too.

"We've got the latest technology to help you perfect your swing," added Kieron. "If you're already a good golfer, you'll love it here. And if you've never picked up a club and want to learn, we've got everything you'll need too."

But while LykiaWorld Antalya is the perfect destination if you're looking for a state-of-the-art golfing holiday . . . it's got much, much more. Looking for someplace to take the kids that WON'T break the bank? Guaranteed they'll love it too.

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As well as the breathtaking main pool - one of the best we've ever seen - a shallow tot-friendly pond and a family version, kids can take advantage of a special mini waterpark on site, complete with slides, flumes and cool showers in the shape of a giant clown.

There's also a special activity area to keep the youngsters busy while mum and dad are getting on with the serious business of soaking up the scorching Turkish rays. That's something they'll have plenty of time for because LykiaWorld Antalya boasts five separate kids' clubs catering for children from six months up to 16.

Once you've seen the fun the six to eights have - everything from pizza-making to pirate games - - you'll be tempted to slap on the anti-wrinkle cream and pretend you're just a bit big for your age.

And just in case they're not tired out by all that daytime activity, there's nightly entertainment in the complex's own amphitheatre.

Traditional belly-dancing, as performed by the local equivalent of The Pussycat Dolls, goes down a storm with the dads, but kids of all ages are sure to love the first-rate magic show.

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We still can't work out quite how the conjuror managed to fold his lovely assistant into a box . . . never mind the bit where he made her vanish.

One of the most striking features of LykiaWorld Antalya is the waterway that runs through the complex.

It's designed to reflect the contours of the nearby Koprulu River but serves to divide the active zone from the relax zone. So while one side is all-action,

the other is all about peace and tranquillity. Here you'll find the vast spa area, which features traditional Turkish baths, saunas and a beautiful cedar-lined Japanese pool, as well as treatment rooms where you can have everything from slimming wraps to a luxurious chocolate massage.

There's also a spacious, adults-only "relax" pool that looks across the horizon to the Taurus mountains, along with a Japanese-design zen garden.

And if relaxation's what you're after, you're likely to find the rooms themselves pretty special.

"We wanted the villas, suites and apartments to have a luxurious feel," explains Attila, "but I was very keen that they should also be a place to relax - a home from home.

"Often I'm away on business, so when I get back to my family, I like to spend time around the house with them. If that's how I feel, then I'm certain other people will be the same way.

"So we made sure the rooms are a family space - or a space to share with your partner - that's luxurious enough so, if you prefer, you can just relax there and still feel like you're on holiday."

With so much on offer, there's little reason to leave the complex but there's a string of great excursions. White-water rafting on the Koprulu River is a must for thrillseekers, while culture vultures will love the perfectly-preserved Roman amphitheatre at Aspendos.

But the most wonderful thing about all of the dozens of great outings on offer is the moment at the end of the day when you head back through the distinctive golf-ball crested entrance . . . and realise you're back in paradise.

FOR details vist lykiaworldantalya.com

THOMAS Cook Select is offering seven nights at the five-star LykiaWorld Antalya Resort, all-inclusive, from £559 per person (based on two adults sharing a terrace room), departing Glasgow on November 8. During summer 2010, Thomas Cook will be the ONLY UK tour operator offering packages to this resort. For info visit www.thomascook.com or call 0844 412 5970.

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