With the current recession, many holidaymakers in the UK are opting to rein their travel in close quarters this summer, than travel quite so far afield. This may mean staying in the UK instead of travelling to Spain or France, or it may mean travelling to a paradise closer to home instead of somewhere such as the Caribbean.

For those looking for a luxury holiday, and more specifically, luxury beach holidays, the UK doesn’t really have anything that compares with the more exotic climates in the world. But this doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune travelling to the other side of the world either. Destinations such as Turkey have just what you’re looking for, without the cost associated with a Caribbean holiday.

As an example, the Turkish resort of Kalkan has many holiday villas available for British tourists, and the town is largely unspoiled by tourism too, so you’ll still feel like you’re getting away from it all.

Kalkan has been likened by the Guardian to the Italian Riviera, but without the ‘poseurs’. This should tell you something of the type of luxury holiday you can expect in Kalkan, Turkey.

Some of the best holiday villas in Turkey can be found in Kalkan, with their whitewashed walls set off by the shimmering sea and the beautiful fishing village and there are many other destinations in Turkey where you can find a Caribbean standard holiday for a European standard price.

For more information on a beach holiday in Turkey, contact Tapestry Collection, the travel specialist in luxury holidays to Turkey, Crete and Kefalonia.

France is a huge country with a fascinating history, which makes it perfect for cultural weekend breaks for those looking to absorb some of the country’s beauty and history. There are also many regions of the country that offer villa holidays, as France has some of the most luxurious villas available.

Popular destinations for villa holidays in France are Languedoc Roussillon, Provence & Côte d’Azur. The Côte d’Azur comprises of areas such as Nice and Cannes, where the Cannes Film Festival is held every year in May and if you are lucky, stars such as George Clooney and Julia Roberts can be seen walking down the street.

Cannes is a very bustling, glitzy town with bright lights and many American influences. In contrast, Nice is relatively unspoilt by its nearby neighbour and features historic buildings and a beautiful coastline.

Languedoc Roussillon is in the south of France, just west of the Côte d’Azur. Languedoc Roussillon features miles of sandy beaches making it ideal for a large family holiday. It has also attracted many luxurious yacht clubs and resorts for sailing enthusiasts.

In addition to the beaches and sailing opportunities of Languedoc Roussillon, the area is also famous for its wine, with the famous Côtes-du-Rhône produced there.

France is a large country and as such has contrasting regions, from the sunny holiday resorts and beaches of the south of France to the museums, art galleries and hustle and bustle of Paris, there’s something for everyone in France.

If you’re interested in cultural weekend breaks around Europe then you needn’t look any further than Paris, the capital of France. From London via the Eurostar you can be in Paris in just over two hours, making Paris a convenient destination as well as a cultural one. Paris has art galleries such as the Louvre, where you can see the famous Mona Lisa, and landmark attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, from which you can see the whole of Paris.

If it’s a large family holiday you need then the south of France has what you’re looking for, with many holiday villas available in areas such as the Côte d’Azur and Provence.

Villa holidays in France in the Côte d’Azur allow you to spend time on the glorious beaches of Cannes and Nice, enjoy the friendly nightlife where children are always welcome and even visit the millionaire’s playground of Monaco, which is just a short drive away.

As if that wasn’t enough, every area of France has its own story to tell in the wine it produces, with Provence producing the Côtes de Provence. France has such as great variety of holidays available, there is something to suit everyone.