Turkey Discussion Forum

Discussions regarding holidays in Turkey.
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Hi Andy & Mel,

I think that if you were to return to Altinkum now, that you will not be disappointed. Yes, the place in general is growing with new shops on Ataturk Boulevard as well as more apartment blocks in the suburbs but remains unspoilt. The busy area is still down on the seafront but go back into the town and you can find peace and tranquility. We bought an apartment in the Didim area last June with a view to emigrating there as soon as we've sold up here. When you refer to Big Nose Eric, do you mean Big Nose Bar ?? If so, this is still going, as is Istanbul Restaurant. If you want to keep your fingers on the pulse in Altinkum then go on website Voices Newspaper Altinkum, this will give you all the latest news.

Les
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thanks for that les it`s nice to hear that it has not been spoilt by it`s expanding size.
and yes i did mean big nose bar but the manager/owners name is eric (with quite a large nose) :rofl and thats what he told us to call him.
we used to love that group of resturaunts at the top i.e everest, istanbul, and summer garden.
There was a bar opposite called connections which was also good, you had some very entertaining staff in there, we also loved seal bar (one of the lads still keeps in touch with my daughter and son in law even now).
There was a resturaunt on the front that used to do 1/2 a chicken and chips so cheap you could not beat it, then up towards the 2nd beach there was a little chip shop that did fish and chips to die for so fresh i`m sure it was still wriggling ;)
Like i said before we have just so many good memories of altinkum were now afraid to go back in case it`s changed for the worst and will ruin all of those wonderful times.

andy and mel
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Returned on the 3rd October and am here to report that Damla and Istanbul restaurants are no more. Here are the restaurants we used - Panormos Hotel, Tulip - Lale, Sofra, Temmuz, Mola, Roka, Altinkum, Pinnochios(Sunday Roast, 27ytl for two courses but was well worth it), Swan Lake, Ocakbusi BBQ Restaurant and Queens Head Music Hall.

Of these, Queens Head Music Hall had the best selection on the menu as well as top quality food plus they do the following nights:- Monday is Italian at 12 ytl for the menu, Wednesday is BBQ but this may be finished now, at 25 ytl you get quiz, music, karaoke and dancing, Friday is Chinese at 18 ytl, Saturday is Indian and live music from the Baker Street Boys at 20 ytl and Sunday is Roast Dinner with apple crumble or ice cream at 15 ytl.

The other restaurants that came close were Temmuz, Altinkum and Panormos Hotel. Had breakfast in Little Britain, Tulip - Lale and Panormos Hotel. Panormos was best value at 8 ytl which included a drink.

Les
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Since my last visit, two more restaurants have gone out of business, these being Altinkum and Swan Lake. The restaurants we used this time were Panormos Hotel, Four Seasons, Saray, Temmuz, Sirin Bistro Cafe, Crystal, Queens Head Music Hall, Domino's Pizza, Roka and The Didim Diner. Of these, Crystal(a former favourite of ours) and Saray were the most disappointing due to the poor quality meat used in their dishes. For this year the Queens Head is doing Italian on Monday, Turkish on Wednesday, Indian on Friday and Chinese on Saturday. Panormos Hotel is still doing a good Full English breakfast at 8 ytl which includes a drink, their evening menu is comprehensive and competitive in price.

Les
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Hi Gulliver, as far as i'm aware, the answer to your question is yes. I went on another Forum whereby someone had an excellent Sunday Lunch for 15 TL back in April. If it doesn't, then call in at the Queens Head Music Hall which is next door, their food is excellent and reasonably priced.

Les
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My friend has decided to go to Altinkum later this year and has decided on 2 hotels.
The Palm Wings and the Tuntas Apart hotel.
Has anyone been to both and which would you recommend?
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Hi Jay Trip, may I suggest that you look at the Hotel Reviews to make judgement for yourself/friend and whilst there, check out Panormos Hotel(B & B). We have stayed at Panormos and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Since this time, we've been back to this hotel for both breakfast and evening meals and not had a bad one yet.

Les
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Thanks,I have read the reviews on here and Trip Advisor but both are mixed.
I have advised them not to go AI in Turkey.
Which Travel company does the Panormos?
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Hi going to the Tuntas on 13th June, heard on another forum that where the tuntas is the nearby street is like a bomb site, anyone clarify this? Is there demolition work going on? building work? I thought building work was suspended during the summer season? If anyone has been to the hotel Tuntas can they tell me why folks prefer the rooms at the front? Sea view? Quieter? Lastly! phew! Are stray dogs much of a problem at this end of the beach?
Alistair and Helen
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We've not stayed at Tuntas but have at Kusmez Hotel which is next door. It is recommended that you take ear plugs with you as there are two places which are open air dance venues which pump out music loudly. I would imagine that people prefer rooms at the front for the views which look out over the bay and beaches. Sorry but I can't help you with any construction work going on, as we approached the beach area at Tuntas via the road which comes by Funky Forest. As for the stray dogs, these are known as street dogs and are harmless, you may have the odd one follow you up the road. We have an apartment in Altinkum and a street dog has formed a bond with us and has followed us all over the resort, patiently waiting for us outside shops and restaurants and has always behaved herself.

Les
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Thanks for your reply Les.The reason i asked was because i remember reading somewhere that the Scots woman who ran the Funky Forest with her Turkish husband,had taken ill,and i think she did most of the cooking.Has anyone got an update on this.
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Hi As regards the noise I understand this year that the open air clubs have to reduce volume after midnight, certainly hope this is the case!

Alistair
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Hi going to Altinkum on the 13th June, whilst there we would like to rent either a 1 bed apartment or small villa for a extra couple of weeks, anyone pm me with likely costs and recommend a local reliable agency?
Alistair and helen
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Just returned from another two week break in the Didim area whereby the temperature was getting up into the high 30s. In addition to the restaurants mentioned in my post of May 30th, we used Anadolu Sofrasi, Burger King and Pizza Pizza.

Les
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Having been out here since September 26th, so far we've used the following restaurants:- Sirin Bistro, Panormos Hotel, Pizza Pizza and The Chippy. Going to Citrus Bar on Sunday for roast dinner.

Les
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Sorry Les, know you mean well but Altinkum was the worst place we have ever been to, ever. :cry Hated it. It was dirty scruffy and full of cheap hassle, egg and greasy chips,made us feel depressed bein there. Anyone going to turkey for the 1st time and going to Altinkum will prob never return to turkey again. Sorry mate. Dont want to offend you but I need to speak the truth. :que

gb
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Hi Groovybaby, if everybody had the same opinions on here, then it would be a very boring forum indeed. As I speak, the Council are setting money aside for improvements for the new season, one of these is the main promenade and so, it is likely that some restaurants will disappear. So there won't be so many egg and greasy chip outlets down there !! The places we use are away from the seafront and away from the hassle. As for being dirty, yes, there is rubbish about and it is embarrassing but it is the fault of people not using the waste bins which are close by. Still, somebody loves Altinkum, in excess of 10,000 Ex-Pats can't be wrong !! On the property aspect, yes it is considerably cheaper compared to say Icmeler or Kalkan and plenty of it. Your pound will go further here, a 4 bed will cost half as much as a 2 bed in the resorts i've just mentioned.

I have nothing but respect for your comments Groovybaby. Just for the record, my recommendations to a first timer/Turkey virgin would be Icmeler or Hisaronu. Hope you are keeping well, all the best to you and yours.

Les
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