All Inclusive Turkey Holiday Unexpectedly Fabulous Getaway

Hello everyone, I’m back and as you can imagine, I have a lot to report so I can only be brief today. While we were away, many of you saw me on Instagram for a brief appearance and wondered where we were since I wasn’t tagged. The truth is, I didn’t want to share it there because there’s such a hidden gem there for such a low price that I’d prefer it not to go viral if I can help it. I used to talk about Kalkan back in the days when Instagram was a big part of my life and learned from it. Now every summer, every online celebrity is swarming with them, and it’s a mixed blessing for me. It’s not entirely up to me, of course, but it’s certainly unfortunate that a place I’ve loved since the 1990s is overhyped and overpriced. That said, I’m always happy to share my great discoveries, so let me tell you a little bit about our all-inclusive Turkey vacation. To clarify first, the trip wasn’t a gift from anyone else – we booked and paid for it ourselves through a standard travel agency.

As you know, this was our first attempt at an all-inclusive vacation. Typically, we prefer to travel independently, such as a Greek round-the-islands tour or a self-drive tour with Airbnb accommodation. I think it might have something to do with the fact that I’m studying languages and I’ve always felt the need to explore on my own, so booking through a travel agent always felt like a shortcut. But this March, after returning from a self-drive trip to the Valencia region of Spain, we were exhausted. Coupled with last year’s French road trip and Greek island adventure, we were ready to try something different. So, on a dark Friday night, as Mal headed to the dojo, I decided it was time to book a ‘real vacation’.

Mal knows that it usually takes me weeks of research, spreadsheets and tweaking to come up with the perfect vacation plan. So when he came back three hours later to find me quietly reading a book, he thought I had just started narrowing down my list of candidate countries. Little did he know – I was already booked. You see, there’s only one thing my heart yearns for: a sandy beach surrounded by mountains, fragrant pine trees, and sunshine. For me, that always points to Turkey.

However, Kalkan is too closely associated with the boys’ memories for me. Also, as many who have been there this summer have said, it’s getting expensive. With demand so high, there’s nothing wrong with local businesses raising their prices, but I didn’t want to pay them. So, I decided to look for a new destination. On top of that, I think 2024 could be a challenging year for retail, so I wanted to pay for everything in advance – which is why I decided to try an all-inclusive vacation.

All inclusive vacation in Turkey – how about it?

Beach dress (SS24 collection giveaway); silver leather sandals

So where did we end up going? A stunning place called Zera. Nestled in two private coves along Turkey’s Aegean coast, it’s a sprawling resort tucked between the cliffs and the sea. Unlike many similar places, it has been carefully designed to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape. The architecture is skillfully integrated with mature trees, lush greenery and dramatic rock formations.

Zela describes itself as an “ultra all-inclusive resort” and it lives up to its name. There are two beautiful beaches and two spacious swimming pools. Yoga platforms gracefully extend into the water, there’s a range of tranquil massage rooms, and the state-of-the-art gym boasts stunning sea views. If you like to stay active even when you’re on vacation, you may be inspired by some of the ways to keep up your fitness routine here, such as home training for sprinters.

All Inclusive Turkey Holidays – Food and Wine

When it comes to dining, the Zera Resort offers five stunning restaurants, each with stunning sea views that make you feel like you’re in a charming seaside town. There are also two restaurants at an additional cost, offering menus prepared by Michelin-starred chefs.

The main restaurant is not as atmospheric as the others, but offers a wide range of delicious dishes. The only thing that could be improved is the lighting and ambience, but the quality of the food more than makes up for it.

The Zera All-Inclusive Experience – A Feast for the Senses

It’s hard to summarize the excellence of the Zera All-Inclusive Experience in one post. I’m not usually a fan of buffets, but this experience wowed me. The setup is completely different from a typical restaurant, instead featuring multiple live cooking stations where all the dishes are freshly prepared right in front of you.

The seafood station was the standout for me, offering a variety of fresh seafood such as sea bass, snapper, salmon, trout, calamari and giant prawns daily. If meat is more your thing, the grill area is the place to be, with steaks sizzling over the coals, as well as kebabs, chicken breasts and meatballs. The pasta section is another highlight, where the chef will create a sauce to suit your taste preferences. There are also pizzas and pide, which come straight from the wood-burning oven with melted cheese bubbling on top.

The Turkish food section is a treasure, offering ten different traditional dishes every day. And the salad hall? It’s like a dream – there are hundreds of salads and appetizer-style vegetables to go with them.

Health-conscious guests won’t be disappointed either – there’s a detox juice station, perfect for those coming for yoga and wellness retreats. Parents, on the other hand, love the baby food counter, which offers fresh, blended meals made-to-order using a variety of meats and vegetables. Desserts are also a highlight, with the patisserie offering a variety of delectable desserts, traditional Turkish sweets, an ice cream counter and plenty of fresh fruit.

And that’s just dinner! Breakfast and lunch are equally sumptuous, and there’s even a “midnight snack” to satisfy late-night appetites. It’s all-inclusive, with unlimited food – the ultimate indulgence. To be honest, I don’t feel like weighing myself for a while, as I’ve probably put on a few pounds! There was only one meal that we didn’t really enjoy, and that was at a very traditional Turkish restaurant that served a variety of offal dishes that weren’t quite to our taste. Not to worry though, we just went back to the buffet for something more familiar.

There was a good selection of drinks, with Majestik wines, a good choice for those familiar with Turkish wines. The beers were mostly lagers and Mal found it a little disappointing that the spirits were all international brands rather than local ones. We appreciated that bottles of wine were not left on the tables but glasses were refilled by attentive waiters, which helped to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. Cocktails and spirits were also served in moderation, and while the drinks flowed freely, we didn’t see anyone drinking or behaving inappropriately – a concern I have with all-inclusive accommodations.

Zera activities – something for everyone

Zera’s activities program is impressive. Guests can enjoy sailing, scuba diving, Pilates and various yoga classes. There is also volleyball, tennis lessons, table tennis, aqua fitness and a variety of fitness classes to choose from. For guests who love to dance, there are salsa, bachata and even disco classes. In the evenings there was entertainment and although not usually our cup of tea, we were treated to some great performances by several Turkish bands.The DJ’s were excellent and played at different venues throughout the week. My personal favorite was the moonlight beach party – dancing!

There was entertainment in the evening and although it wasn’t our strong point, we were treated to a couple of Turkish bands which were fantastic.The DJ’s were excellent and played at different venues throughout the week. My personal favorite was the Moonlight Beach Party – dancing under the stars was simply amazing.

Zera Guest Mix – Redefining Relaxation

Zera’s guest mix is very diverse. About 75% were German/Dutch, 15% Turkish, 5% British and a few French, Italians and Russians. We stayed at the adults-only resort, which has its own beach and restaurant, but we frequented the family area.

The atmosphere here is calm and laid back. Although people were courteous, most were there to relax so we didn’t engage in too much small talk – unusual for us, but perfect for complete relaxation. It was refreshing to be surrounded by languages that I didn’t fully understand; it made it easier to block out outside distractions and really relax.

All in all, Zera Resort combines luxury, indulgence and serenity in the most perfect way for an unforgettable all-round experience. Before you leave, you’ll already be longing for your next trip.

Zera All Inclusive Turkey Vacation – Rooms

Rooms at the Zera are very comfortable with soft beds and pillows that are like lying on a cloud. The bathrooms are very modern, stocked with local organic toiletries, and the views …… are simply breathtaking. Imagine: looking out through the trees over a peaceful bay with the sound of waves gently lapping in your ears. At night, we turn off the air conditioning, open the windows, screen them from mosquitoes, and let the sounds of nature lull us to sleep. Waking up to a serene view in front of us was sheer bliss.

The mini-bar is restocked daily, but only offers a small amount of beer as alcoholic beverages, with a light focus. It felt like Zela was subtly encouraging us to consume in moderation, for which we were deeply grateful. After years of self-catering vacations, having room service every day was a real treat. We stayed in a quieter area of the resort, away from the hustle and bustle of the main area. Although the resort offers golf cart transportation, we preferred to stroll the wooded trails and explore new hidden spots along the way.

Adapting to all-inclusive living

I’ll admit, I was skeptical of this concept of being all-inclusive and staying in the same place. Like many people, I always felt the need to stay busy and productive even on vacation. But Zela Resort worked its magic. I arrived with big plans, intending to experience the sports facilities and sign up for various classes. Spoiler alert: I didn’t take any of them. Instead, we found a new beach bed or poolside spot every day, and every day felt like a vacation. I read, swam, and totally relaxed. For the first time in my life, I felt completely relaxed and unburdened.

The beauty of Zera all-inclusive is that it feels like a return to childhood and rusticity. Upon arrival, we booked all the restaurants through the app so there was no need to plan or think about meals. The biggest decision I had to make each day was which bikini to wear and what to wear for dinner. It made me feel incredibly free.

Is Zera right for you?

Here is some key information to help you decide:

  • Ideal for relaxation: if you want to completely unwind, Zera is ideal. The resort offers a variety of activities – from sports to art classes, jewelry making, wine tasting and even cocktail making – but you can also do nothing at all. However, if you’re looking for an immersive cultural experience, this may not be the place for you. The Turkish influence is subtle, and the resort feels like it could be anywhere in the world.

  • Non-Ultra-Luxury: If you’re after the manicured, whitewashed, ultra-luxurious aesthetic of Marbella or the Balearic Islands, then Zela may not be able to satisfy you. It sits comfortably between four and five stars and has received rave reviews. The atmosphere is immaculate yet inclusive, the dress code is relaxed and the focus is on comfort rather than luxury.

  • Quiet and intimate: the Hotel Zela is not the place to make a large group of vacation friends. Most of the guests we encountered were couples or families with young children, and it was refreshing to see everyone playing their own game. No rowdy groups or exaggerated antics here.

  • Exploration is limited: if you’re adventurous, be aware that there’s not much to see nearby. We toured the local towns briefly, but there was nothing particularly worth seeing. It is possible to travel to places like Ephesus and Cotton Castle, but since we had already been to these places, we decided to stay put. A day trip to Izmir was tempting but the £150 cab fare put us off.

  • Family friendly: Zera has a large water park with slides for children and adults. It was quiet during our off-season visit, but we imagine it might be busier during the school holidays.

Summing up.

Hotel Zera is the most vibrant of the places I’ve stayed. It is the perfect getaway, where serenity and understated luxury are perfectly balanced. It’s close to the airport, it’s stress-free, and it’s hard to imagine a better place to truly relax and regroup.

A half-hour flight and 45-minute transfer made our recent trip very smooth, and the affordability of the Turkish economy delivered unbeatable value. With this experience, I can’t understand why anyone would choose to travel long distances to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, where similar services are two to three times more expensive. The food at Zera, for example, was way ahead of the game.

If we ever feel exhausted again, we will undoubtedly return. I can’t say enough about Zera’s restaurant, but let’s keep this a secret, shall we? This place is just too good to spread around!

Exclusive Event with Claudia Bradby

If you’d like to attend the event I’ll be co-hosting with Claudia in London on October 31st, please purchase your tickets through Eventbrite. Please keep checking your inbox (and spam folder, just in case). You have 24 hours after receiving the email to confirm your place or the place will be handed over to the next person. If you haven’t heard anything yet, don’t worry – it will be your turn soon.

Charity sale to be held next week

Before I left, I cleaned out my closet again. Next week, I’ll be launching a new fall collection of secondhand items, as well as samples that were only worn on the shoot. I will also be supporting Blood Cancer UK again, a cause that has always been very close to my heart. This disease has left a deep mark on my life, taking the lives of my mother and niece, and now affecting my old friend who is currently suffering from multiple myeloma. On the bright side, she is undergoing groundbreaking treatment and is getting better, which is even more incentive for me to donate to charity and fund this vital research.

For now, I’m enjoying the holidays as much as I can. I’ve never felt so relaxed. mal even said it was the best vacation he’s ever had. It made me realize the importance of truly resting. I didn’t immerse myself in the contemplation of my vacation as much as I usually do, but I did learn something valuable – that it’s okay to stop sometimes.

Working for yourself often makes it difficult to take time to rest, but I came back with a new mantra: “Life Essentials.” It’s my way of giving myself permission to be lazy once in a while without feeling guilty. After all, if you’re self-employed, there’s no vacation or sick pay – flexibility is the only perk. If you don’t take advantage of it, what’s the point?

Having said that, I’m getting busy again next week with business trips to London and Newcastle. I’ll be sharing some interesting stuff on Tuesday night, so keep an eye on my Instagram stories!


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