Akdeniz Go Kart

In Karaman, in central Anatolia, Akdeniz Go Kart runs an open-air track that stays open late, from late morning right through to midnight, which leaves room to drop by after work or in the evening. The venue is all about the immediate fun of sliding and speed, with sessions charged by the clock, from five to thirty minutes as the mood takes you. It is a lively spot with a strong social-media presence that has drawn together the town's thrill-seekers.

You come along with no licence and no preparation: a briefing, a helmet, and you set off for a few timed laps where everyone tries to beat their friends. The short format suits beginners trying it out as much as regulars working on their lines. Prices by the clock and opening times are kept up to date on the venue's pages, and it is best to check before dropping by, especially at weekends when the crowds grow. People rarely leave after a single run: the urge to set a better time soon takes over.

Karaman is a town steeped in history, once the capital of the Karamanid principality, famous for having seen Turkish proclaimed the official language in the thirteenth century, which the town celebrates every year. The surroundings hold fine surprises: the Byzantine rock-cut churches of Binbir Kilise on the slopes of the Karadağ volcano, and the cave monasteries, speak of a rich past. Konya, with its Seljuk monuments, is only an hour away by road, and the apple orchards that made Karaman's name dot the plain. The town is easy to reach by road from central Anatolia, handy for a sporting stop on a tour of the region.