You're more likely to get warm weather in the Antalya area rather than Dalaman.

The boys will make friends where ever you stay so i wouldnt be looking in mostly English hotels.
Our grandkids allways made friends with every nationality and does them the world of good as they get to know different people.

hi Angela . If you want to guarantee good weather Personally I wouldnt choose turkey at easter . With a family of 5 and the expense involved i would hate to see your holiday ruined by rain ,May half term is always a good time weather wise but Im assuming that would only give you a week . We had this same problem a couple of years ago due to eldest sons GCSE,s and I researched a fair bit at the time and unless you want long haul really the only options on a budget if you want quaranteed weather would be the Red sea and the canary islands or maybe tunisa or morocco. there are 5 of us also (boys 17,15, 11) We chose the Red sea in Egypt because of the good weather there at that time . We now go there every easter as the boys love it there and there are always plenty of older children . its very popular there now with the british over Easter and then turkey in the summer .

Never been to Turkey but thinking about trying it out, so I would appreciate any help. What is the weather like in April round about the 22nd? We have a choice of hotels but can't find a review for any of them so I'm wondering if they have been renamed and if anyone can help the hotels are LItara de luxe in Icmeler, Litara Labranda Bodrum and the Litara Royal Marin in Gumbet.

We got married in Turkey in the first week of May last year. We were lucky with the weather the day we got wed as it was over 70 degrees and sunny, but towards the end of the first week it did cool down considerably and we saw a fair bit of rain.

For guaranteed sunshine you need to go in July/August really.

That said May is my favourite time to go because I can't bear it really really hot. End of April will be much the same - however it will be very quiet in resorts!

Up until last year we have always holidayed in Turkey end may and the weather has always been very good , hot and sunny everyday but not unbearable as it is july /august . I would have to disagree a little with hayman though and say you are practically quaranteed good weather End may - Beginning Oct. July and august can be unbearably hot .April and early may you are down to luck weather wise . you could get 1 week sunny and the next rain . If this is your main holiday and good weather is important to you I personally wouldnt risk it in April.

I have been to Marmaris last year in April and the weather was warm enough for sun bathing. I would say it did get pretty chilly in the evening though. The resort is very quiet and just gearing itself up for the coming season a this time.

Margaret

We were in Icmeler last week in April last year weather was fantastic

We have been to Lara Beach Antalya several times in April/May. We have wonderful weather for the last 5 years. It is much warmer in Antalya than Marmaris. With Antalya being a year round resort it is always open. Denny

Hi, I have to agree with lynwestie on this one! End of May in the Dalaman area is mainly fine with lots of hot(but not un-bearable) sunshine, although last year at this time, we experienced one afternoon where it went very overcast and the wind got up, but it was still warm. It then broke into a terrific rain storm ( very amusing trying to sliiiiide back to the hotel in flip-flops

Saying that we have been at the end May many times before and it has been brilliant sunshine all week.

I think I'd opt. for Antalya region in April.

Wherever you decide, I'm sure you'll all enjoy it and joan is right about the boys...they will make friends with any nationality.

Have fun! and let us know where you decide.

KH

I agree ,to minimise the risk I would go for the Antalya region. We have only been to the Dalaman area but the Antalya region as already mentioned is sold and more geared towards an all year year destination.

i think that everything lynwestie has said is correct and myself if i was looking for april would look at antalyia region

we have been to the marmaris palace at easter and avoid it , it was horrendous, most things were closed so only 1 restaurant open with very limited food choice, it was mainly salads with a choice of 2 hot dishes and that was it, desserts were not recognisable and were awful. we had good weather around 11-3pm about 4 days out of the week and around temps of 21-23, but it did get cooler over night, saying that im going to turkey again this easter as the weather is better than the uk, we are going to marmaris, i have also been to antalya at easter and again temps were hit and miss, maybe 1-2 degree higher but hardly noticable difference, this is only my comparison when ive compared easter temps to both resorts from year to year we have been going

Tobe honest I have been to Marmaris in May a few times, the weather was fine but cool at night as already been said, I would go early June or even late September.

wgipk.

Hi again, Thanks for all of the replys, We are still undecided!! If we dont go away at easter it will be the end of June before the eldest leaves school and then we would probably just have to have a week as it means taking the other 2 out of school. There is no way we could afford the school holidays and we always go May every year anyway so July/August seems years away to me! Ive been looking at the Antalya area although the flights are 2 night flights and I hate them, and the hotels within our budget have bad reviews. Ellie_Meg, I have read your reviews of the Marmaris Palace on other websites and take your comments on board however all of the reviews are mixed and after all the cost of accom is only £600 for 2 weeks for 5 of us so I wouldnt be expecting too much, but can I ask, was there still entertainment on and were the pools too cold to swim in? Were the slides open? Will keep looking, but again thanks for the replys they have been very helpful. Angela.

sadly most things were closed, so when we booked this we thought the entertainment including slides would be open but all the slides were closed, the entertainment was terrible about 30 mins of a show that was rubbish in the evening and quite rude for kids. the only plus for us was the hotel situation was good and the ice rink was open and certain times of the day it was free for residents when we were there. the pools were way too cold to go in , sea was slightly warmer but still cold. im sure this hotel has got mixed reviews due mainly to out of season as the quality and choice of food was horrendous and everything mainly closed.my daughter went in november even though i warned her , but as it was the only all inclusive open and shes not as fussy as me being only 21 she risked it and even she said it was bad and they ate out most of the time. I think if youre using it just as a base and intend eating out lots and making your own entertainment etc it will be fine for the price as thats very cheap, and if you go with an open mind and expect around 2*-3* standard you will be ok. it might be better for you to look at sc , as im sure this time of year it will be very cheap. we are staying with my mother when we go so havent got that problem this time, ive got a few more hols booked for turkey this year.

where did you get the £600 price from as that seems cheap and normally kids over 12 are adult price for all inclusives

If you choose the Marmaris or Bodrum regions these will be very quiet with many many places not opened or just getting ready for the May opening, Antalya region will be more busier as it's more or less an all year round resort, Dont get me wrong in Marmaris their are plenty places still open for custom eg, Bar's, Restauraunts, Shops etc etc.

Hi again and thanks for the replys. Ok after much thought we now have decided we like the look of Lara Beach and after looking at all of the hotels my 3 boys faces lit up when they saw the aqua park at the Royal Wings hotel. Has anyone been in April and was the aqua park open. I would hate to book only to find it closed. Thanks again.

Hi again, well we have finally booked. Got a great price for the Concorde in Lara beach so cant wait, going Arpil 1st for 2 weeks. Thankyou all for your suggestions and I will post a review on our return. Thanks again, Angela.