Hi
We went to Lara this summer and while the hotel and grounds were nice, the general area outside the front of it was disappointing. It was very barren, which I suppose is not surprising in that heat, but it was also dirty in the sense of litter etc and generally not very attractive.
I just wondered, is this typical of Turkey or are there 'prettier' resorts elsewhere. We like AI and that is why we were attracted to the Lara area, but we also like to go for a wander outside of the hotel and to be honest unless you had a purpose eg going to the shops Lara really isn't the sort of place you would want to do that.
I left feeling that Turkey really wasn't for us, but perhaps we got a misleading impression of it by having gone to the wrong place. If we were to go back, where should we look at going? Wouldn't necessarily need to have AI, but just be covered by the major tour ops if I'm not brave enough to do DIY.
Pam
for a setting with the wow factor it has to be olu deniz it is truly stunning and also kalakn and kas 
Agree with maverick .Olu Deniz gets my vote pam . 3 A/Is right in the centre there as well. you wont find the vast array of facilities as in lara beach but for location , great holiday vibe and quality you cant beat the Belcekiz beach hotel.
Lykia also sounds wonderful too if you can afford it but again it is a few miles outside of olu.
Lykia also sounds wonderful too if you can afford it but again it is a few miles outside of olu.
Another vote for Olu Deniz! In particular the Belcekiz Beach, very pretty.
Lynne, I am not stalking you, promise! we just both have good taste!
Lynne, I am not stalking you, promise! we just both have good taste!
Thanks everyone- had a look, does look lovely!! Keep the votes coming in, some votes for good s/c would be good as well. What is there to do in the area for 'active' families? Don't really like to sit by the pool for the whole holiday- it's me that gets bored more than the kids!!
Thanks again
Pam
Thanks again
Pam
Lynne, I am not stalking you, promise! we just both have good taste
theres a few of us with good taste on HT Minone and we all stalk each other round the various hotels in Turkey .
Although Side is my favourite resort,I have to say Icmeler is very scenic,especially the view of the bay from Cafe de mar,as you come along the beach path from Marmaris.
Oludeniz beach and lagoon is stunning but in my opinion the town is, well just a town. Not picturesque I don't think.
I think Kalkan is beautiful. Old buildings, cobbled streets and flowers absolutely everywhere.
I think Kalkan is beautiful. Old buildings, cobbled streets and flowers absolutely everywhere.
I think Gumusluk is lovely, a very pretty little fishing village. I just love it there.
My favorite like many have here is the village of Cirali...very picturesque but I would not call it a ''tourist resort ''
here is a photo;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/canmom/2661052486/in/set-72157602793492234/
Heading southwest from Antalya...lots of touristic places with lovely settings and I know what you mean about Lara is more barren..but the other side of antalya is more picturesque with the mountains and sea..
as seen here;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/canmom/2307707272/in/set-72157602793497166/
here is a photo;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/canmom/2661052486/in/set-72157602793492234/
Heading southwest from Antalya...lots of touristic places with lovely settings and I know what you mean about Lara is more barren..but the other side of antalya is more picturesque with the mountains and sea..
as seen here;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/canmom/2307707272/in/set-72157602793497166/
i agree i didnt like the lara beach area either. having travelled to most resorts in turkey over 26 years , i like olu deniz ,but my favourite place for scenery is akyaka, there isnt any all incs as its in a conservation area so no big hotels are allowed, but it is truly stunning, have a look at the photos i have listed in the gallery and the akyaka link below
http://akyaka.com/index.php
http://akyaka.com/index.php
Thanks so much for all the replies everyone. Unfortunately my husband was made redundant yesterday, so for now holiday plans are very much on hold. 2009 could be the year of the tent!!
Thanks again
Pam
Thanks again
Pam
Very sorry to hear that Pam 
. I hope everything resolves itself quickly for your hubby. No doubt stressful times ahead but im a firm believer of everything happens for a reason . hopefully that reason will become clear shortly
lyn
. I hope everything resolves itself quickly for your hubby. No doubt stressful times ahead but im a firm believer of everything happens for a reason . hopefully that reason will become clear shortly lyn
If you want an active holiday I would recommend Icmeler very picturesque with plenty going on in the area water parks a 10 min bus ride into Marmaris boat trips some nice places to visit within 30 mins of the resort and accomodation is quite cheap we use a company called ICR who are based there have been to a number of places in Turkey Akyaki is nice but too small for a family holiday hope this helps you can only try.
Geovil
Geovil
geovil i totally disagree with your comment that akyaka is too small for a family holiday, there was 10 of us that went a few weeks back, 4 adults, 2 teenagers and 4 kids from ages 8-13 and we all had a fab holiday and the kids loved it, they went canoing in the river, spent days in the sea and pools, dived off she small rocks, theres an out door cinema. we are all going back again next year and i go every year and have been since ellie was 4, so sorry but your comments are wrong, unless you want a holiday full of fun fairs and water parks
There are no funfairs in Icmeler as for water parks that is the sort of thing kids love as well as funfairs,Akyaki is a lovely place for a quiet holiday but they were asking about an active holiday and that is all,we are going on holiday with a gang of children and I would not take them there.
Geovil
Geovil
I too would have to say that our family (2 adults 1 9 yr old )much prefer Akyaka to the larger resorts and it is our perfect "family" resort but I totally understand that we all love different things so what is perfect for us would not be so for others and vice versa The important thing is to do your research so that you find the type of place that is right for your needs and that is where forums like holiday truths are invaluable
geovil im fully aware having been to turkey for the last 26 years up to 6 times a year theres no fun fairs in icmeler it was meerly a comment. also as fionay says her family enjoy akyaka so what suits 1 family doesnt suit another, akyaka is suitable for some families and certainly is for my family and my friends family that came with us a few weeks back, but i was pointing out that your comment re it not being suitable for families isnt correct, i thought she wanted a beautiful resort with nice scenery which why i mentioned akyaka
Hi
Thanks for the new suggestions. Ellie-meg, you are right, primarily I wanted some where 'stunning' for want of a better word, the sort of place you go to and the stress just disappears. Geovil, you are right too in a sense we do want to be active, but in the exploring, canoeing, scuba/snorkelling sense, not really wanting bright lights and night time action. We're a bit sad in the evenings, happy to sit with a drink and play 'table' games with the kids, from the games bag that goes everywhere with us!! Waterparks if they are there are always a bonus though, as they are a guaranteed hit with the girls.
Really appreciate all the insights from everyone and am hoping the job situation turns around so we can actively do something with them!!
Pam
Thanks for the new suggestions. Ellie-meg, you are right, primarily I wanted some where 'stunning' for want of a better word, the sort of place you go to and the stress just disappears. Geovil, you are right too in a sense we do want to be active, but in the exploring, canoeing, scuba/snorkelling sense, not really wanting bright lights and night time action. We're a bit sad in the evenings, happy to sit with a drink and play 'table' games with the kids, from the games bag that goes everywhere with us!! Waterparks if they are there are always a bonus though, as they are a guaranteed hit with the girls.
Really appreciate all the insights from everyone and am hoping the job situation turns around so we can actively do something with them!!
Pam
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