Top Places to Party in Turkey and Bulgaria

Try to picture Turkey's nightlife. You're probably thinking of belly dancers and hookah pipes, right? Well, that's not the whole story. True, you can still soak up the time-honoured traditions after dark. But it's a bit like Greek plate smashing - something for the tourists. Turkey's real nightlife is based around the restaurants and bars - and there's nowhere better for that than Bodrum. By night, this place rocks - it's buzzy bars, neon nightclubs and open-air discos will have you swaying 'til sun up. The Fora Bar's always popular round these parts - and with good reason. Whether you've come for the latest sounds or superb views sea views, this beachside hotspot's always a winner.

But it's Halikarnas that grabs all the attention. Dubbed 'the most amazing and beautiful club in the world' by the Evening Standard, this place has been graced by some real A-list guests. Forget Callum Best and Jodie Marsh - think more along the lines of Mick Jagger, Dustin Hoffman, and even Princess Margaret. This open-air palace churns out tough tribal house from the likes of Seb Fontaine, and boasts a light show that's nothing short of world class. Altinkum's another treasure of the night that attracts a real mixture of people. You'll find cheesy discos swimming in alcopops, sitting alongside swish cocktail bars playing cool house music.

Holiday in Bourgas or Sunny Beach and you can expect your nights out to be lively. After dark the coastline lights up like a line of neon fireflies. Big club beats spill into the night, disco glitterballs light up the sky and if you listen carefully you can hear the distant clatter of the roulette wheel. Bourgas has got quite a happening club scene. You'll find plenty of clubs pumping out the latest in house music, as well as a few underground spots spinning tough European techno. And with a kicking out time of around seven am, you can party well into the small hours.

One place that dares to be different is Sofia's Hristo Botev. It's billed as four different clubs in the same venue, each with very different music and very different punters. It's currently the most talked about spot around, so check it out for yourself. Sunny Beach, meanwhile, is the place to party with a huge collection of clubs and bars that boom through the night.