Turkey-opinions and advice
Turkey-opinions and advice
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Elroy Blue

Original Poster:

8,842 posts

222 months

Wednesday 26th January 2011
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Having just picked myself up off the floor at the price of package holidays these days, we've done some searching and found a hotel with universally good reviews (apart from lots of criticism of the Russians) in Kemer, Antalya. It'll be all inclusive and has a supposedly 4* rating.

Never even considered Turkey before so has anyone been to the area and what tips are around for visiting the country in general. We are breaking the habits of a lifetime and going to do the 'sitting around the pool/beach' for 10 days. The AI package looks good and means the kids can gorge themselves to their hearts content, without constantly badgering us for cash.

The price is still a good chunk of cash and I'd hate to make a major mistake.

(Other tips on taking cash/credit cards etc welcome)

Edited by Elroy Blue on Wednesday 26th January 15:20

scirocco265

421 posts

206 months

Wednesday 26th January 2011
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I personally quite like Turkey, good value for money and good service in the places I have been.

One tip for money - don't bother with Lira, everywhere has prices in Euro and if you did need it, exchange your money at your hotel for a much better rate than over here.

TimJMS

2,584 posts

281 months

Wednesday 26th January 2011
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Antalya is very Russian heavy. Dalaman and it's environs less so.

Melman Giraffe

6,794 posts

248 months

Wednesday 26th January 2011
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Turkey is a dump!!

Don't go there!

SB10

558 posts

196 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
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Melman Giraffe said:
Turkey is a dump!!

Don't go there!
Lovely positive post smile

Elroy Blue

Original Poster:

8,842 posts

222 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
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Well 'er indoors bullied me and it's booked. Possibly going to be eating stewed cabbage for two weeks. Fingers crossed.

alfa pint

3,856 posts

241 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
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My experiences of Turkey were very positive - they brew beer (Efil) which isn't bad for a muslim country. The people were very friendly and open. The food was generally excellent and not too different from what you'd eat in Greece. The wine was ste and very expensive though. We stayed near Bodrum, not sure how far away that is from you.

.Mark

11,104 posts

306 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
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We stayed in Antalya a few years ago and had a great time. Turkey is one of my favourite destinations. There's plenty to do within a reasonable drive, if you want me to I'll look up the names because my memory is rubbish, but along the coast is a pretty impressive Roman amphitheater, a nice area where the locals tend to gather with a walk by a river and a massive waterfall you can walk right behind. My favourite trip out was to Chimaera where the legend allegedly took place; it's a walk up a mountain that I did with the daughter, it's a pretty hot trek especially if you did in the middle of the day like we did rolleyes but worth it at the top where flames lick out of fissures in the rock.

The town is nice too, the locals will give you a bit of hassle but we hooked up with a guy there who gave us a 'locals tour' where we got to see Antalya properly. Lovely place and I'd visit again any day.

5potTurbo

13,682 posts

198 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
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It's true that Antalya does appear to attract more Russians, but they were no problem in comparison to the, sadly, stereotypical Germans that stayed in our hotel.

The Russians will sit at the bar all night drinking free booze and wearing all the fake designer clothes they've bought locally. They pile up the food at all inclusive places too.

Other than that, they're easy to ignore - as are the Germans.




Broomsticklady

1,095 posts

235 months

Tuesday 8th February 2011
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Stayed in the old town a few years back, which is a bit different to an AI, but loved the place - very friendly, lots of back streets to explore - would go back no problem. Take a trip to Aspendos, an amazing Roman theatre which is still used for concerts. also try the museum - air conditioned which you might be glad of in July and has some of the best marble sarcophagi I've seen.