Turkey with all the trimmings this Christmas

Budget-conscious travellers can trim their holiday costs with Turkey self-catering specialist Artemis Travel.

Launching its 2009 programme to its three apartment, penthouse and beach villa resorts on Turkey’s Aegean Coast, Artemis will allow travellers to book any length of stay next year, arriving any day they choose.

By offering this flexibility – combined with pricing its accommodation on a per person per night basis - the company believes it will help travellers hoping to keep down holiday costs.

This means holidaymakers can, for example, trim costs by booking a 12-night break instead of the usual 14. Alternatively, the extra flexibility is just as valuable for those looking for tailor-made trips, long-stays – or even for twin centre holidays - as they can book just accommodation with Artemis. Rates start at £4 per person per night.

With 22 UK airports offering scheduled, charter and low cost flights to Bodrum and Izmir, the two nearest airports to the Aegean Coast in the west of the country, travellers are able to shop around for the best fares , which can vary according to the day of the week of departure.

This, combined with expected continuing heavy demand for Turkey as the strength of the Euro makes other traditional holiday spots more expensive, means travellers should book as early as they can, according to Artemis.

“Package holiday bargains are going to be very thin on the ground next year,” says the company’s chief executive, Nigel Harris.

“Major players in the industry have cut back on capacity and although trading conditions are likely to be tough in 2009, many companies have planned in advance for that – so it is unlikely there will be discounts on late availability packages. Airlines, too, have planned well in advance and we all know that low cost and charter flight seat costs now go up the closer you book to your planned departure.”

Harris continued: “Our accommodation rates are fixed and transparent. Look in our brochure and you’ll know exactly what you will pay for a night any week of the year. The savvy traveller will be looking to book the best possible fares to Turkey now and then book accommodation with us to match arrival and departure dates.”

Unusually for a self-catering specialist Artemis is able to offer rates for a ‘bed and breakfast’ and ‘half-board’ option – another bonus for those who wish to budget carefully. Using in the in-resort restaurants, travellers can pre-pay breakfasts at £35 per person for a week, while three-course dinners can be pre-paid at £18 a night.

Artemis’s three resorts – Club Aegean, Aegean Park and Aegean Beach Villas, all offer on-site restaurants, bars, shop and swimming pools. Club Aegean and Aegean Park boast one- , two- and three-bedroom apartments, duplexes and penthouses, while the Beach Villas can sleep up to eight people in beach-front properties spread over three floors. Guests in any of the three resorts are able to use the state-of-the-art facilities at the Apollo Health Spa at Club Aegean – a free courtesy bus operates throughout the summer.

Transfers from Bodrum and Izmir (75 and 90 minutes away respectively) can be booked through Artemis, as can car hire and excursions to a range of world-renowned historic sites in the region.

Artemis Travel is a fully-bonded member of the Travel Trust Association.

For more information, log on to Artemistravel.co.uk.