Escape from Turkey: A Journey to Greece

Turkey is reportedly witnessing a 'massive' decline in tourism, with Turkish resorts appearing 'empty' as tourists opt for Greece over the past few years.

Introduction: On my first andundoubtedly last visitto the country, I followed suit. I had never visited Turkey (or Turkiye as it's now referred to), and in an attempt to tick off every countryJet2offers budget flights to, my partner and I decided to give Turkey a go and see if it truly lives up to its reputation.

The Escape to Greece: As it turns out, we weren't particularly fond of Turkey. In fact, we abandoned our Turkish holiday midway and escaped to Greece, mirroring the experiences of many other British tourists. Our journey took us to Marmaris, situated along the Turkish coastline.

Contrasting Resorts: This alone was a tale of two contrasting resorts, reportsthe Express. The upper part of Marmaris is filled with gated, shaded upscale resorts boasting expansive grounds, overlooking the mountains and the sea. The lower end, closer to the city, is quite the opposite. It features run-down water parks, Pirates of the Caribbean themed booze cruises and drag acts.

Rhodes Revelation: By the third day of our holiday in Turkey, we had booked a ferry to Rhodes, costing around £80 each - and the transformation was immediate. Stepping off the boat, it was clear why so many others are making the same choice. Rhodes is a stunning island boasting an impressive historic old town.

Retail Reflections: My main recollection of Turkey's retail scene was the aggressive salesmen trying to push 'free' Turkish delight samples into my hands, then demanding payment, and the endless fake designer clothes shops.

Cottage Industry: On our return journey, we noticed another oddity: a group of about four men all brandishing PS5 consoles they'd purchased in Rhodes. It seems Turkey has slapped a hefty tax on video games, sparking an entirely new cottage industry: games cruisers, who take ferries across the water to buy cheap games consoles tax-free and bring them back to Turkey.

Conclusion: Yes, Rhodes was pricier, but it's true what they say - you really do get what you pay for - and next time, we'd bypass Turkey and head straight to Greece.