A POPULAR theme park in Turkey will be home to a new Nickelodeon Land when it opens next year.

Dubbed Turkey’s answer to Disneyland, the gates to Nickelodeon Land and Nickelodeon Hotel & Resorts will open at Antalya’s The Land of Legends in January.

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The park will consist of three unique areas; the underwater Bikini Bottom from SpongeBob SquarePants, intergalactic Star Trek: Wild Galaxy, based on Star Trek: Prodigy, and the open-air Adventure Bay PAW Patrol. 

Guests will be able to enjoy a range of experiences such as “riding the giant Jellyfish Jam swing” in Bikini Bottom, to experiencing an adventure through space in the Star Trek: Wild Galaxy 5D cinema.

At the Nickelodeon-themed hotel, each guest can continue to enjoy hanging out with their favourite Nikelodeon legends.

The hotel rooms have been specially designed in one of five concept themes – DORA, PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Trek.

Each room is complete themed interiors such as Spongebob bedside tables as well as kid-friendly facilities to make each member of the family feel at home.

Younger guests will also be looked after with an array of experiences on offer at the hotel.

There’s Character Dining to Club Nick, where kids can play, learn and develop with their new friends.

The outdoor pool area features an Aqua Tower, Spray Area and in true Nickelodeon style, a chance to be Slimed.

Away from the family areas, parents can find the time to switch off at Anjana Spa.

Inside which will offer holistic therapies, massages and traditional Turkish Hammam or let off steam in the hotel’s fully-equipped gym with yoga and Pilates studios.

The park experience begins at the iconic Chateau in The Land of Legends Shopping Avenue, the centre of nightly entertainment.

Guests can mingle with their favourite Nickelodeon characters and shop for souvenirs, including clothes, mugs, keyrings and toys.

The new park and hotel will open on January 15th.

The Land of Legends in Antalya already has three parks – Adventure Land, Aqua Land, and Tropic Lagoon.

Adventure Land is full of adrenaline-inducing rides, like Typhoon Coaster, Skyfighter and Hurricane,

Aqua Land has a host of water-themed rides, including 40 water slides.

Use these tips on your next theme park trip

Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.

1. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
2. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
3. Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
4. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
5. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.

And Topic Lagoon has one of the world’s longest water slides, a heated pool, wave pool, and plenty of sunbathing areas for relaxing.

The Land of Legends is also located close by to the beachside resort of Belek, with sister properties, Rixos Premium Belek and Rixos Park Belek, for those wanting a day relaxing by the ocean.

The Sun’s Kate Ferguson recently visited the park.

She said: “Known among Brits as “the Turkish Disneyland” it has dare-devil rides and water park attractions that would satisfy the biggest thrillseekers.

“There are six pools on site — the massive one just behind the beach which tends to be where families decamp for most of the day.

“When they’re not at the pool, little ones and teens can head to The Rixy Kids Club, jam-packed with activities like arts and crafts, kids’ yoga and boxing, film showings, mini discos . . . the list goes on.”

Here’s everything else you need to know about the hotel.

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HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned of a looming tourist tax that will see the existing levy raised by 65 percent with the hope of deterring visitors.

The New Zealand government announced in a statement on Tuesday that it has plans to hike up international visitor and conservation fees to force visitors to “contribute to public services”.

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Frequent flyers will need to remember to set aside their savings to ensure they’re not left short for the nation’s entry fee.

Currently, those landing into one of the five international airports across the Māori and English speaking islands contribute NZ$35 towards the “high-quality experiences while visiting”.

However, the government’s announcement confirms that prices will see a 65 percent elevation.

From October 1, tourists will face a NZ$100 tourism fee.

Those boarding from Australia and most Pacific nations will not have to pay the levy which is equivalent to just under £50.

Despite hiking up the cost of the fee, the Tourism Industry Association has confidence that the number of those heading to traverse, bungee or enjoy the incredible scenery on offer will remain consistent.

However, the association’s chief executive, Rebecca Ingram, said: “New Zealand’s tourism recovery [from the Covid-19 pandemic] is falling behind the rest of the world, and this will further dent our global competitiveness.”

The government has backed the decision by suggesting the fee was competitive and would not put tourists off the destination.

Tourism minister, Matt Doocey, explained that the levy was necessary to ensure “international visitors contribute to high-value conservation areas and projects, such as supporting biodiversity in national parks.”

Last year, more than 3.2 million tourists headed to the nation known for offering thrill-seekers ample dare-devil experiences alongside wineries, Hobbiton set tours, active volcanoes and even the Fergburger – if you know, you know.

However, data from Stats NZ last week revealed that visitor numbers are only around 80% of the level before the border closed for the pandemic.

NZ Airports chief executive, Billie Moore, said: “It is a triple-whammy for our sector, which is trying to work hard for New Zealand’s economic recovery.”

AN AWARD-WINNING attraction in Devon is home to the country’s highest man-made waterfall, Lady Exmouth Falls.

Located in Dartmoor National Park, Canonteign Falls has been named a hidden gem by local travel expert, Alex Gwillim, from Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays.

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He said: “Canonteign Falls is a beautiful natural attraction located in the heart of Devon, home to the South West’s highest waterfall.

“If you want to go for a peaceful walk, it’s the perfect location to venture past the waterfalls and lakes, or through the fern gardens and woodlands.”

Despite its name, Canonteign Falls is a set of two waterfalls, Natural Falls and Lady Exmouth Falls.

Lady Exmouth Falls was commissioned by Lady Susan, who was the wife of the third Lord Exmouth.

The aristocrats wanted to build the waterfall to help keep the miners in work following the end of the mining boom in the 1880s.

The former miners worked to divert the leat course, which had previously provided water for the sawmill and the mines, over the nearby rock formations to create the country’s highest man-made waterfall.

Stretching for more than 70 metres, Lady Exmouth Falls still attracts visitors to this day.

To reach the top of the waterfall, visitors will journey through the history of Canonteign Falls, passing the site of the old sawmill and its woodland.

Once at the top of the waterfall, holidaymakers can continue the climb upwards following a set of 90 Victorian steps, which lead to a Fern Garden.

On this route, visitors will cross the bridge at Devil’s Leap, the site of the Natural Falls, before emerging at the viewing platform at the very top of the valley.

Aside from the waterfalls, there are plenty of other attractions to keep families entertained, including a Bee Garden and the old Orchard.

Canonteign Falls is also home to seven lakes, one of those being Swan Lake, which is home to a bevy of black swans.

There’s also a children’s play area on site with a huge wooden galleon, a climbing wall, slide pole and rope ladders.

A climbing frame, a set of swings and two trampolines can also be found in the children’s play area.

Other attractions include a zip wire and a mini assault course.

Canonteign Falls has been praised by visitors on TripAdvisor, with a 4.5/5 star rating from nearly 900 reviews.

One person wrote: “A really beautiful place to explore. The waterfalls are spectacular and the ferns make the place really atmospheric.”

While another added: “Such a beautiful, relaxing, place with lots of little hidden gems to discover around the lakes.”

Entry tickets cost £11.75 for a full-paying adult and £8.50 for children.

OTHER UK WATERFALLS

There are several other hidden waterfalls that can be found throughout the UK, including Batman Falls and Hardraw Force.

Batman falls

Film buffs might not know it, but a piece of Hollywood history can be found in a deep gorge in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales.

The falls are known as “Batman’s Waterfall” after they featured in Christopher Nolan’s hit film The Dark Knight Rises.

Henrhyd Falls is where people can find the caped crusader’s hidden cave.

Hardraw Force

Gayle Beck is found near the confluence of the River Ure and gushes through the streets of Hawes, a tiny market town in the Yorkshire Dales.

It leads to Hardraw Force, one of the most visited spots in the area and one of the country’s biggest waterfalls.

Tumbling more than 100ft, the falls are located behind the Green Dragon Inn, a tavern that has been in its current location since the 13th century.

A northern county made the “world’s best places to visit in 2024” thanks to its great beaches, lavender fields, and dark skies.

And here’s the British national park that’s the best place to see the Northern Lights in the UK.

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