judyian,

It's just as easy to book them once in resort, there's plenty of places so you can shop around and probably barter a few £££ off!

Darren

I would just add a word of caution, especially if you're thinking of something like the jeep or quad safaris. While most of the trips are very reputable, I have seen a couple where the vehicles in question didn't look all that safe, so check them out carefully before you book. Cheapest may not always be the best, especially where safety is concerned. I've always found ICR's trips to be well organised and good value.

It is best to book in the resort, you can have a look round and compare the prices while you are there and as Blondiescot suggests you can have a look at any vehicles if you facny a jeep safari before you book.

I can't recommend anywhere in Icmeler but I'm sure someone will let you know the best places to book.

Kedi

We are also thinking of doing the 2 day Ephesus / Pammukkale trip when we go to Marmaris in August (1st timers to Turkey). Can anyone give me a bit more info on this trip - in particular, where do you stay overnight and how long to you actually get at each place? (I appreciate there is alot of driving)
Thanks

personally i wouldn't book any excursions with the tour reps - the prices are so high for what they are

we always book with a local "travel agency" (makes me laugh them calling themselves that lol!!)

we stay in marmaris and have, the last 3 times, booked our trips with David (situated underneath Kocer club) can't remember the name of his agency!! But most of them are all the same to be honest - all charge the same prices for the same trips but for the boat trips you may be better going to the marina and looking at the boats first because some are pretty small and wouldn't really want to go on one of those - from Marmaris we go on the Mega Diana - fabulous!!!

jeep safari's are just such amazing fun! laugh right from the offset!! be prepared to get absolutely drenched through and if you moan or are miserable you are targeted all the more! we had two right miseries on our jeep last year and oh my did they cop it hahahaha!!

Carol,Ephesus is amazing but it will incredibly hot in August!
When we went it was the last week in October and the temperature was 97f

We are also thinking of doing the 2 day Ephesus / Pammukkale trip when we go to Marmaris in August (1st timers to Turkey). Can anyone give me a bit more info on this trip - in particular, where do you stay overnight and how long to you actually get at each place? (I appreciate there is alot of driving)

Ephesus and Pamukkale, two day trip with over night stop.

This was great value for money and I would recommend this trip too anyone.

Day 1 - Pick up at 06.30 with other pickups in Icmeler, we stopped for breakfast in Mugla and then continued our journey, we stopped at a new dam being build and the continued to Selcuk where we visited a ceramic factory (30 Minutes Stop), from here we went to the Virgin Mary's house which was quite special (60 Minutes), we lit candles and drank the spring water, we then visited Ephesus (2.5 Hours), boy was it hot, we were warned to take water as no water is available for purchase inside the site, we took 6 Litres between 4 of us in and we needed it. We had a great guide who was very informative. Following a late buffet lunch we then continued to our hotel in Pamukkale for the overnight stop.

The views during the days drive were spectacular but it was a long day not arriving at the hotel until 19:30, all hot we went for a swim in the pool and then a Jacuzzi. The hotel was basic but acceptable for one night however some of the hotels look really nice, I think it depends who you go with and what you pay.

Evening meal was buffet style (See above) and then we were entertained with Turkish dancing, we retired early at 23:00 ready for the 07:30 alarm the following day.

Day 2 - Following breakfast we all checked out by 08:30 and it was around the corner for the walk up the cotton castles. Again is was delightful, a gentle up hill stroll paddling in the pools along the way. Between two points you must remove your foot wear during the walk so not to damage the calcium deposits. At the top there is a museum (Entry 3TL) and Cleopatra's Pool, to swim it costs an additional 23TL for an Adult 15Tl for a child, if you go this trip do take the chance to swim, it was the best part of the holiday, also take goggles with you so you can dive down at the end of the trench and view the toppled remains of the city in a cave behind a grill., Under 16's are not allowed in the deep area due to the current and depth, however I felt no current so maybe it is only certain times. Following the pool we had a drink at the Café and the walked along the top of the cotton castles taking pictured before leaving at 12:45 and going to a nearby restaurant for the most fantastic lunch. It was time then for the journey home which included a visit to an Onyx factory (30 minutes) and Carpet Co-operative (45 minutes), we finally arrived at out hotel at 19.15 following another break in Mugla.

Cost was £60 per person this included the following.

Coach Transport
Services of guide
basic breakfast day 1
buffet lunch day 1
Entrance to Virgin Marys House
Entrance to Ephesus Site
Evening buffet meal at hotel
Overnight accomadation
Breakfast day 2
Entrance to Pamukkale site
Buffet lunch

Would I do it again, yes maybe in a few years time.

Dave

thanks for ALL the replies ,you guys are great,,thinking back,,last year i saw a few [ dodgy ] looking jeeps/landrovers in gumbet,whizzing about,,so checking the vehicles out is GREAT ADVICE..
i know about icr,,i was thinking about going to them to book a lazy days boat trip,,simply because they limit the numbers on board as over the years doing boat trips, you do get sick of being packed in like sardines
we booked a few trips from an agency in gumbet last year+they gave us a free turkish bath,,but it still ended up costing because our lass HAD to have the face mask,,oil massage+ the pedicure ,,so this year i want to go +have a turkish bath,,at a genuine hammam,,BUT i am a little worried,,as i have had surgery on my back+dont think i could take a PROPER going over,,when i had it done in gumbet ,,the lady put a yellow [ i think ] bead neclace on me,,she said the different couloured beads would let the man know to take it easy with me,, he did,,so is that a system all over turkey ???,,or would i be better off just informing the receptionist,,or the man who was washing me,,thanks for all the replies so far.,;
JUDYIAN.,;;,.

As a few others have said,ICR are good for trips,they have an office in Icmeler by the square and you can have a chat with them.Go to http://www.icmeleronline.com lots of info on there and reviews of their trips etc,the 2 day pamukale and Ephesus trip is £65.