To be quite honest with you I wouldn’t consider anywhere like that at the moment
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
We're currently looking at booking a couple of weeks in Turkey in the summer. We've previously stayed in Dalyan (2years in a row), which we loved, but feel we now need to stay elsewhere. My wife has come up with a short list of the following places.
Turunc
Bitez
Kas
Patara
Can anyone offer any thoughts/opinions etc of them? We will be travelling as a family of 4 (16/13 yo girls) and we like a mixture of beach/pool days, water park if there is one, day trips to other beaches/sights, jeep safari/adventure type jaunts.
Thanks in advance
Pete
To be quite honest with you I wouldn’t consider anywhere like that at the moment
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Kuşadası was nice (haven't been in >20 years), but the proximity with Efes makes it a very valid destination regardless if you are a bit in your Ancient Greece history.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
I’m about to book Bodrum for Sept but was also wondering about a few nights in Istanbul as a city break. I don’t see the issue with going to Turkey at the minute.
The way things are going with the Lira you might even get a real Rolex for a fiver!
We have had a place in Bitez for the last 16 years, and spend 3 - 4 months there a year. Obviously with the exception of the last couple of years. My wife is going in April for 2 weeks with friends, and then I will be going June and September with her.
We love it there.
We’re away in Turkey in the last 2 weeks in August at Dalaman with a 13 year old. I don’t worry about the problem in Georgia.
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
Side, Barut Acanthus and Cenet. Fantastic place, walks along the promenade to Side and plenty of stuff going on on the beach. We go twice every year
Icmeler is a great family/couples place- you can walk or get the dolmus into Marmaris as well.
I have been to Turunc a couple of time and its a nice place but I dont know if It holds enough to stay there for a couple of weeks, however the reverse applies in that you could always get the dolmus/ water taxi to Marmaris or Icmeler.
We are going to Icmeler in June,Putin permitting obviously. It is as cheap as chips when you are there.
We visited Belek in Antalya a few years ago before Covid disrupted our lives. It was honestly one of the best holidays we’ve ever had.
Great beaches, a theme park nearby to keep the children happy and some absolutely great golf courses, to highlight just some of the pro’s.
We stayed at the Calista Luxury Resort, which I can honestly say is the best place we have ever stayed. The service was exceptional, the villa was beautiful and the all inclusive food was nothing short of Michelin star standard.
Easy to understand why President Obama chose this resort when attending a G20 meeting, a fact the hotel unashamedly likes to make one aware of.
It may be worth you looking at Belek as an option, in addition to those already on your shortlist.
I disagree that Turkey should be avoided, I have always found it a very hospitable, safe country, with food to die for and the exchange rates mean it gives you a great bang for your buck.
Love Turkey. Been 10 times. Icmeler (5 times) and Ola deniz (4 times) have been my favourites.
Sent from my CLT-L09 using TZ-UK mobile app
Turkey's in the Middle East. There's have always been plenty of reasons to be scared of going. Not to mention the terrorist massacres at the tourist spots and the airport of Istanbul.
Another vote for Icemeler had some of our best holidays here - easy reach to Turunc (which is very very quite!!)but also to Marmaris if you want more action
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Whist I agree there could be plenty of reasons for one to be scared, I contend that those reasons are not applicable to Turkey alone and could be applied to most countries around the world.
I personally refuse to let the actions of a cowardly few taint my view of the majority, or allow for it to instil behavioural changes in me, to the extent that fear governs my decision making.
I don't feel apprehension at the thought of visiting Turkey any more or less than I do at the idea of visiting London or New York, though I accept it is a personal thing and totally subjective.
With respect, had Turkey (Asia & Europe) been in the Middle East as you state, it would not negate the fact that there are at least 7 countries in that continent that are considered infinitely safer than my country and yet the danger of that reality never enters my mind.
We enjoyed a very pleasant week last November at the Hilton Dalaman in Sarigerme.
The area is much quieter and less developed than Belek, and is a short connection from Dalaman airport.
Having stayed previously at the Voyage Belek hotel, and queued for hours to clear Antalya airport, we will certainly choose the Dalaman area going forward.
Without wanting to start another thread, ill ask on this one.
Thinking about going away for a week in the summer holidays next year (late august) for a week all Inc. holiday (2 adults + 3 kids). I had quick google and there's hundred of websites offering deals - what's the reputable ones I should be using?
We used TUI last year (for the first time) for a holiday in Bodrum at a Magic Place hotel - couldnt fault it tbh & the all-inclusive nature for booze was much appreciated.
Bodrum is pretty nice too with a lovely harbour - we hired a boat for ourselves for a few days whilst we were there - absolutely gorgeous waters for swimming & snorkelling not too far away.....
Question for those that have been.
The return flight is at odd times 11.30pm or 2am etc. if you have to check out of the hotel at 1pm for example - what do you do up until the flight?
The hotels are quite accommodating and will let you check out in the morning and use the facilities for the rest of the day. So you can swim , lounge , they have luggage stores and showers to freshen up too.
We found a flight every Tuesday to turkey that’s a 9.30am outbound and 5pm inbound. Perfect for us. TUI
If anyone's thinking of booking a trip to Turkey I can recommend Liberty Fabay in Fetheye.
Here's a video of our summer holiday there:
https://youtu.be/MJNwagHNTN4
I can't offer the OP any specific recommendations on the places he's shortlisted, however I can offer my opinion on Turkey per se having visited there a number of times in the last few years, the last being November in Istanbul and Bursa.
For me the combination of people, hospitality, weather and cultural mix makes it's a great country to visit.
It's very affordable there and I don't see the politics of that area causing any concerns from a personal safety pov.
My personal disappointment of Turkey is the proliferation of fake stuff being sold absolutely everywhere, from back street shops up to hotels and malls. Taking watches as an example, whereas once you'd see mainly fake Chinese Rolex (and easily discernible fake ones at that) being offered there's now also every other prestige brand name - and the quality of the 'AAA' super fakes is IMO certainly good enough to fool 99% of the public (these being made in Turkey according to the sellers).
Hi Chris,
that's the best 'family holiday video' I've ever seen - and I've see far too many of them over the years!
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
Thanks Ralphy and awright101, it's the first time I've not taken my camera on holiday so decided to take a small drone and my iPhone for video clips. I got told off by hotel security for using the drone so most of the footage is from my phone. It's nice to be able to look back on video more than photos so looks like I'm going to be doing the same after each trip.