We’ve been to the Turquoise Coast before, but this year are looking for somewhere less visited by Brits, perhaps further up the coast to the west. Are the beaches and resorts any good there? Dave Jepson, Lancaster

A Sunday Times travel expert responds: Turkey's north Aegean coast runs from Izmir to the Dardanelles, and offers a terrifically rewarding holiday experience - a world away from the larger resorts along the Turquoise Coast.

Here you’ll find little bays and coves backed by pine forests and olive groves, a string of atmospheric little coastal villages and town, and great swimming beaches.

Just over an hour's drive north of Izmir is the small seaside town and resort of Foca, which straddles two bays, with a small harbour and many old Ottoman-Greek houses. Two hours further on is Ayvalik, a bustling fishing town and seaside resort with great cove beaches nearby, and around the beautiful Bay of Edremit is Assos, a ruined town on a cliff top, with an exquisite little fishing village below, and beaches just a short drive away.

Distances aren’t too great and the roads are excellent, so driving to the amazing hilltop ruins of Pergamon (once home to a library that rivalled Alexandria’s) is easily done, as is popping in on what’s left of ancient Troy, or taking a short ferry ride across the Dardanelles to the Gallipoli battlefields, or one of the Greek Islands.

Turkish Places (0845 330 2064, www.turkishplaces.co.uk ) has a week’s fly drive from £665pp, including flights from Gatwick to Izmir in May, inclusive car hire, and a range of B&B accommodation along the Ageaen Coast. Or try Alternative Turkey (020 72499800, www.alternativeturkey.com ) or Metak Holidays (020 8290 92929, www.metakholidays.co.uk ).

Times recommends

• Smugshots special: a new perspective
• The 15 best Mediterranean hotels under £100
• Britain's best rivers for swimming