Holiday in Turkey - Where is good?
Discussion
I'd like to start looking at booking a summer holiday and quite fancy Turkey. Where are the nice parts. Some where non-chav but not in the middle of nowhere, somewhere that has the potential for exploraton.
The missus is a teacher so we'll be paying August prices and so we'll be slightly more budget concious than those travelling in June/July.
Ben.
The missus is a teacher so we'll be paying August prices and so we'll be slightly more budget concious than those travelling in June/July.
Ben.
Dalaman and Olu Deniz are both nice, small resorts, with strict government limits on construction (i.e. no buildings with more than two storeys allowed)
Olu Deniz is right on the coast, so the best if you're a beach fiend. Para-gliding from the cliff tops down to the beach is out of this world.
Dalaman is a short way up a river; half way between the coast and a huge lake, so lots of great trips to do if you're more of an adventurer and into site-seeing.
ETA: Both are handy for Fethiye, which is the nearest 'proper' Turkish town. Has a great market, scenic port and is good for buying gold and diamond jewellry.
Olu Deniz is right on the coast, so the best if you're a beach fiend. Para-gliding from the cliff tops down to the beach is out of this world.
Dalaman is a short way up a river; half way between the coast and a huge lake, so lots of great trips to do if you're more of an adventurer and into site-seeing.
ETA: Both are handy for Fethiye, which is the nearest 'proper' Turkish town. Has a great market, scenic port and is good for buying gold and diamond jewellry.
Edited by V8mate on Sunday 22 February 18:53
Marmaris as said above is mostly a cheap British resort, filled with 2* B&B's and the odd larger Hotel but does offer something for every one of all ages. Icmeler a few clicks away is much nicer with a great selection of 4/5* Hotels.
Olu Deniz is pretty, but there really is not much there at all, the famous blue lagoon and that is about it, also Olu Deniz is probably one of the more expensive resorts in Turkey. You need to head inland to Dalyan to see some wonderful scenery and local culture. Fethiye town is nice in the summer with good markets; I would say avoid Gold unless you can haggle over 50% the starting price as it is much cheaper in no tourist resorts in Turkey. Local Turks prefer the resort of Calais around the Fethiye area.
Antalya is Turkey's 4th Largest city and about 20 minutes outside are the resorts of Lara and Belek, both literally have a string of 5* All Inclusive resorts, most have some sort of theme and have countless swimming pools, spa's, private beaches and many different on site restaurants, I know of one with a bloody snow room ! If you want to relax and do nothing but sit by the pool/beach and eat copious amounts of food and drink all day long then these Hotels are for you. But check the reviews on trip advisor as some are better than others.
Alanya is a bit far out, being 2+ hours from the airport but has a lovely beach and nice mix of culture around the town.
Side comes highly recommended, it has some great sites to see and some of the best beaches around, predominately a German resort with many brits now flocking there, brits tend to get on with Germans in Turkey, it's the Russians that cause the problems. Have recommended this area to quiet a few people and they have all come back with glowing reports - but horses for courses what one loves another will not.
Bodrum area, vast peninsula, Main old town of Bodrum is chic and tends to come highly in various paper/magazines places to visit. Becoming expensive but where isn't. Not much of a beach so you’re best bet is to stay in one of the many small towns outside of the main town. Avoid gumbet town centre, unless you love karaoke and fry ups, but some of the hotels around there are very good. Bitez and ortakent smaller resorts with great water sports. Turgutries is a bigger resort with a good market and some nice beaches. Torba has some of the biggest and best hotels in the area. Yalikavak is a very small un-spoilt town, but very little there. Turkbuku is the place for rich Turks, June to July it his rammed, Uber expensive and is now being called the Turkish St Tropez ! Quiet a few prolific Americans have started to anchor there huge boats in this bay.
Kusadasi, old run down, bit of a dump if you ask me; 10 years ago it was the place to go but not now.
Altinkum is a small bay full of brits who all seem to own a 2 bed apartment there, stunning beach and clear blue sea but little else.
That’s about it - was meant to be brief but I got a bit carried away, need any more info drop me a mail.
P.S Value for monmey this year Turkey cannot be beaten due to the awful Pound to Euro. The Pound to Turkish Lira is very strong at the moment.
Olu Deniz is pretty, but there really is not much there at all, the famous blue lagoon and that is about it, also Olu Deniz is probably one of the more expensive resorts in Turkey. You need to head inland to Dalyan to see some wonderful scenery and local culture. Fethiye town is nice in the summer with good markets; I would say avoid Gold unless you can haggle over 50% the starting price as it is much cheaper in no tourist resorts in Turkey. Local Turks prefer the resort of Calais around the Fethiye area.
Antalya is Turkey's 4th Largest city and about 20 minutes outside are the resorts of Lara and Belek, both literally have a string of 5* All Inclusive resorts, most have some sort of theme and have countless swimming pools, spa's, private beaches and many different on site restaurants, I know of one with a bloody snow room ! If you want to relax and do nothing but sit by the pool/beach and eat copious amounts of food and drink all day long then these Hotels are for you. But check the reviews on trip advisor as some are better than others.
Alanya is a bit far out, being 2+ hours from the airport but has a lovely beach and nice mix of culture around the town.
Side comes highly recommended, it has some great sites to see and some of the best beaches around, predominately a German resort with many brits now flocking there, brits tend to get on with Germans in Turkey, it's the Russians that cause the problems. Have recommended this area to quiet a few people and they have all come back with glowing reports - but horses for courses what one loves another will not.
Bodrum area, vast peninsula, Main old town of Bodrum is chic and tends to come highly in various paper/magazines places to visit. Becoming expensive but where isn't. Not much of a beach so you’re best bet is to stay in one of the many small towns outside of the main town. Avoid gumbet town centre, unless you love karaoke and fry ups, but some of the hotels around there are very good. Bitez and ortakent smaller resorts with great water sports. Turgutries is a bigger resort with a good market and some nice beaches. Torba has some of the biggest and best hotels in the area. Yalikavak is a very small un-spoilt town, but very little there. Turkbuku is the place for rich Turks, June to July it his rammed, Uber expensive and is now being called the Turkish St Tropez ! Quiet a few prolific Americans have started to anchor there huge boats in this bay.
Kusadasi, old run down, bit of a dump if you ask me; 10 years ago it was the place to go but not now.
Altinkum is a small bay full of brits who all seem to own a 2 bed apartment there, stunning beach and clear blue sea but little else.
That’s about it - was meant to be brief but I got a bit carried away, need any more info drop me a mail.
P.S Value for monmey this year Turkey cannot be beaten due to the awful Pound to Euro. The Pound to Turkish Lira is very strong at the moment.
V8mate said:
Dalaman and Olu Deniz are both nice, small resorts, with strict government limits on construction (i.e. no buildings with more than two storeys allowed)
Olu Deniz is right on the coast, so the best if you're a beach fiend. Para-gliding from the cliff tops down to the beach is out of this world.
Dalaman is a short way up a river; half way between the coast and a huge lake, so lots of great trips to do if you're more of an adventurer and into site-seeing.
ETA: Both are handy for Fethiye, which is the nearest 'proper' Turkish town. Has a great market, scenic port and is good for buying gold and diamond jewellry.
^this Olu Deniz is right on the coast, so the best if you're a beach fiend. Para-gliding from the cliff tops down to the beach is out of this world.
Dalaman is a short way up a river; half way between the coast and a huge lake, so lots of great trips to do if you're more of an adventurer and into site-seeing.
ETA: Both are handy for Fethiye, which is the nearest 'proper' Turkish town. Has a great market, scenic port and is good for buying gold and diamond jewellry.
Edited by V8mate on Sunday 22 February 18:53
I went to Side this year though. That was crap. Dont go there.
Turkmeister said:
Marmaris as said above is mostly a cheap British resort, filled with 2* B&B's and the odd larger Hotel but does offer something for every one of all ages. Icmeler a few clicks away is much nicer with a great selection of 4/5* Hotels.
I agree with that - Marmaris is the sort of place best avoided but Icemeler is well worth a visit. I'd try to get one of the hotels in the centre of the town, near the beach rather than one of those further back.Recommend Antalya - few nice 'boutique' hotels in old town if you don't want the 5* all inclusive stay there all day hotels - see Trip advisor for a few recomendations - we stayed at Tuvana which was great.
One thing tho - have you checked the temperatures there in August? It's VERY hot!
One thing tho - have you checked the temperatures there in August? It's VERY hot!
Yes Kalkan and Kas are both very beautiful places to stay, small fishing towns that have like most places grown with the Tourism, but they have kept their character and have amazing views of the med.
There are lots of resorts in Turkey, there really is something for everyone, you just have to find the best resort and hotel to suit your needs.
Just remember the old saying, do not expect champagne for lemonade prices.
There are lots of resorts in Turkey, there really is something for everyone, you just have to find the best resort and hotel to suit your needs.
Just remember the old saying, do not expect champagne for lemonade prices.
Turkmeister said:
Marmaris as said above is mostly a cheap British resort, filled with 2* B&B's and the odd larger Hotel but does offer something for every one of all ages. Icmeler a few clicks away is much nicer with a great selection of 4/5* Hotels.
Olu Deniz is pretty, but there really is not much there at all, the famous blue lagoon and that is about it, also Olu Deniz is probably one of the more expensive resorts in Turkey. You need to head inland to Dalyan to see some wonderful scenery and local culture. Fethiye town is nice in the summer with good markets; I would say avoid Gold unless you can haggle over 50% the starting price as it is much cheaper in no tourist resorts in Turkey. Local Turks prefer the resort of Calais around the Fethiye area.
Antalya is Turkey's 4th Largest city and about 20 minutes outside are the resorts of Lara and Belek, both literally have a string of 5* All Inclusive resorts, most have some sort of theme and have countless swimming pools, spa's, private beaches and many different on site restaurants, I know of one with a bloody snow room ! If you want to relax and do nothing but sit by the pool/beach and eat copious amounts of food and drink all day long then these Hotels are for you. But check the reviews on trip advisor as some are better than others.
Alanya is a bit far out, being 2+ hours from the airport but has a lovely beach and nice mix of culture around the town.
Side comes highly recommended, it has some great sites to see and some of the best beaches around, predominately a German resort with many brits now flocking there, brits tend to get on with Germans in Turkey, it's the Russians that cause the problems. Have recommended this area to quiet a few people and they have all come back with glowing reports - but horses for courses what one loves another will not.
Bodrum area, vast peninsula, Main old town of Bodrum is chic and tends to come highly in various paper/magazines places to visit. Becoming expensive but where isn't. Not much of a beach so you’re best bet is to stay in one of the many small towns outside of the main town. Avoid gumbet town centre, unless you love karaoke and fry ups, but some of the hotels around there are very good. Bitez and ortakent smaller resorts with great water sports. Turgutries is a bigger resort with a good market and some nice beaches. Torba has some of the biggest and best hotels in the area. Yalikavak is a very small un-spoilt town, but very little there. Turkbuku is the place for rich Turks, June to July it his rammed, Uber expensive and is now being called the Turkish St Tropez ! Quiet a few prolific Americans have started to anchor there huge boats in this bay.
Kusadasi, old run down, bit of a dump if you ask me; 10 years ago it was the place to go but not now.
Altinkum is a small bay full of brits who all seem to own a 2 bed apartment there, stunning beach and clear blue sea but little else.
That’s about it - was meant to be brief but I got a bit carried away, need any more info drop me a mail.
P.S Value for monmey this year Turkey cannot be beaten due to the awful Pound to Euro. The Pound to Turkish Lira is very strong at the moment.
Sorry, I think I need some more info please! Lol, thanks all for the effort, good to have some proper recomendations.Olu Deniz is pretty, but there really is not much there at all, the famous blue lagoon and that is about it, also Olu Deniz is probably one of the more expensive resorts in Turkey. You need to head inland to Dalyan to see some wonderful scenery and local culture. Fethiye town is nice in the summer with good markets; I would say avoid Gold unless you can haggle over 50% the starting price as it is much cheaper in no tourist resorts in Turkey. Local Turks prefer the resort of Calais around the Fethiye area.
Antalya is Turkey's 4th Largest city and about 20 minutes outside are the resorts of Lara and Belek, both literally have a string of 5* All Inclusive resorts, most have some sort of theme and have countless swimming pools, spa's, private beaches and many different on site restaurants, I know of one with a bloody snow room ! If you want to relax and do nothing but sit by the pool/beach and eat copious amounts of food and drink all day long then these Hotels are for you. But check the reviews on trip advisor as some are better than others.
Alanya is a bit far out, being 2+ hours from the airport but has a lovely beach and nice mix of culture around the town.
Side comes highly recommended, it has some great sites to see and some of the best beaches around, predominately a German resort with many brits now flocking there, brits tend to get on with Germans in Turkey, it's the Russians that cause the problems. Have recommended this area to quiet a few people and they have all come back with glowing reports - but horses for courses what one loves another will not.
Bodrum area, vast peninsula, Main old town of Bodrum is chic and tends to come highly in various paper/magazines places to visit. Becoming expensive but where isn't. Not much of a beach so you’re best bet is to stay in one of the many small towns outside of the main town. Avoid gumbet town centre, unless you love karaoke and fry ups, but some of the hotels around there are very good. Bitez and ortakent smaller resorts with great water sports. Turgutries is a bigger resort with a good market and some nice beaches. Torba has some of the biggest and best hotels in the area. Yalikavak is a very small un-spoilt town, but very little there. Turkbuku is the place for rich Turks, June to July it his rammed, Uber expensive and is now being called the Turkish St Tropez ! Quiet a few prolific Americans have started to anchor there huge boats in this bay.
Kusadasi, old run down, bit of a dump if you ask me; 10 years ago it was the place to go but not now.
Altinkum is a small bay full of brits who all seem to own a 2 bed apartment there, stunning beach and clear blue sea but little else.
That’s about it - was meant to be brief but I got a bit carried away, need any more info drop me a mail.
P.S Value for monmey this year Turkey cannot be beaten due to the awful Pound to Euro. The Pound to Turkish Lira is very strong at the moment.
ywouldi said:
...quite fancy Turkey. Where are the nice parts.
I cannot recommend Kalkan and Kos highly enough! I've been to both (they are about half an hour drive apart) - if you like a bit of adventure then you'll be blown away:
Places near by:
Chimera, the place where flames come out of the rocks (gate way to hell!)
Kayakoi - ghost city / town - abandoned city ruins
Saklikent - A massive gorge... great place to eat, take a walk up the gorge
Patara Beach - Massive beach with no one on it, loads of roman ruins if you know where to look
Xanthos - Amphitheater ruins & remains of an ancient city - there are quite a few in that area.
+ A roman city that is mostly underwater that you can swim around, but I forget the name...
...basically its one big open are museum, but without the fences.
Also the food is great, LOADS of fresh fruit grown in that area, and the local people are brilliant too.
If you like driving I would STRONGLY recommend getting a hire car and getting involved! The roads are a bit crazy, but there are some awesome drives. Think I put over a 1500K on ours in two weeks.
If you fancy a really nice place to stay have a look at 'Simply Travel' - its worth the money, they do quality holidays for like minded people.
First, you really need to spend a a day or two in Istanbul. One day in the old city on the European side, and one day shopping in Taksim Square on the Asian side. You will almost certanly have to make connections through Istanbul anyway.
I spent a weekend in Kalkan scuba diving. The diving was excellent, but I didn't think there was much to do in the town to entertain you beyond a day or two.
Marmaris, as said above, is a total tourist town. It could be pretty much be any beach town, anywhere on the planet. No feeling of being in Turkey at all.
I spent a weekend in Kalkan scuba diving. The diving was excellent, but I didn't think there was much to do in the town to entertain you beyond a day or two.
Marmaris, as said above, is a total tourist town. It could be pretty much be any beach town, anywhere on the planet. No feeling of being in Turkey at all.
V8mate said:
ywouldi said:
Turkmeister said:
Stuff
Sorry, I think I need some more info please! Lol, thanks all for the effort, good to have some proper recomendations.
No-one else's advice 'proper' then?
Edited by ywouldi on Monday 23 February 22:53
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