Thanks Alfie & Patsiej, I think I am starting to look forward to Turkey now. Even if it is 5 months away!

Any tips from you would be fantastic.

Thanks again.

Hi Lisa

I see you are going all inclusive. Whatever you do please make sure you get out and about a bit. Check the restaurants 'on the outside' and have at least one meal out. I have never been to the area you are going to - I usually go to Icmeler - but speak to the locals when you are there and really get the feel of the place. I hope you have a wonderful holiday - I'm sure you will get the Turkey 'bug'.

Yes I agree with Patsie - it seems a bit of a shame that people go all-inclusive in Turkey because the restaurants, places to go and whole atmosphere is so good, seems like they are missing out a bit.
I also don't know the area where Lisa is going, but I believe it is more geared up to Germans and Russians than other parts. I am sure it will still be great, loads of Brits on here love the area.

Thanks again PatsieJ & Alfie.
This will be our first all inclusive holiday. It's not a holiday we would usually go for as we always enjoy trying the local dishes in the restaurants. But because we have never been to Turkey we were advised by a few friends that the all inclusive maybe the best option. We will certainly venture out and about too.
Thanks again for your advice.

Hi there we have visited Turkey with our youngest 7x and have just booked this years...Marmaris 4x ,Side x1, alanya x1, Bodrum x1.
We found Side small and fairly quiet we found plenty todo the trips are not as cheap as other parts of Turkey but it's cheaper than Menorca so it's win win...loads to do.
There's plenty of trip booking offices in the town centre and if you want to exchange money the post office is smack bang in the middle of the town for a good rate.
If you go to the post office over on the left corner if he's still there ,there's a lovely old man who makes amazing gifts out of leather..check him out.
Beautiful place lots of interesting ruins and amphitheatre to visit and lots of nice resteraunts.
If you enjoy this holiday and i'm sure you will try Bodrum, dalyan, hisaronu etc plenty of wonderful recommendations on this forum..we'll all look after you.

We first went to Turkey in 2010 and took our 4 kids (9,12,12,& 14). We loved it! We came back and changed the holiday we had booked to Fuerteventura for 2011 to Turkey as we felt that Turkey just had more to offer. The kids love the waterslides, beach and sea. We had another wonderful holiday in 2011 and didn't regret our holiday change! The food is wonderful and the Turkish people are just so lovely.

This year we are off to Lara Beach in April and the Pegasos World in Side in August. We just love Turkey and its people. I've started looking for 2013 hols and wonder whether we should have a change, but I know we'll end up back in Turkey somewhere! Kusadasi is on the cards.

You will have a wonderful time!

Lou

Funny how it gets you! We first went to Turkey with our kids in 1996, then 1997 then we thought we should have a change and went to Greece, Spain and Portugal but then we realised none of them had a patch on Turkey, and now we've lost count of the number of times we've been there. The difference is we now go with our kids and our grandchildren! We still love to see other places around the world, but often find ourselves thinking of Turkey while we are there.

Thanks again everyone for replying. You have certainly put my mind at ease.
Alfie, we used to holiday in Greece many moons ago before kids came along and I fell in love with the different islands there.
Lets hope Turkey has the same effect which after reading everybody's messages is more than likely.

Does anyone have any tips e.g. Which currency should we take/ shall we tip even though we are all inclusive...etc

Thanks again,

Lisa

Hi Lisa, if I were you I'd take a small amount of Turkish lira with you to tide you over until you can change your sterling in resort - you get a better exchange rate over there. Having said that, the exchange rate has dropped a little of late - is this drop going to continue, your guess is as good as mine.

Jak xx

They seem to prefer Euro's. We tip the bell boy who takes our bags to our room (don't get that in Spain anymore) and then we tip the waiter & bar staff at the end of the holiday. I know some people tip at the end of week 1 and then week 2 but it's up to you.

Louise

As you are going AI,I would tip the barman on your first night.They usually have a top box on the bar.
My husband did this in Side and found he didnt have to wait long at the bar.

Good tip Jay trip I will get the hubby to try that one.

Thanks lou uk, I was thinking of tipping each day but maybe I will end up broke
So will take your advice and maybe tip at the end of each week.

Hi Gumbet Jakki, we were initially thinking of taking Lira so will keep an eye on the rate. Thanks again.

When we head out we take £100 worth of lira..got mine yesterday so i got 262tl and i take any euro's imay have left from our yearly anniversary w.end in europe and the rest is sterling.
Ipay for my trips and shopping in sterling/euros but work out the best local rate myself and just buy lira every other day as and when i need it. I do it all this way as i get better deals sometimes when i offer sterling.

But for your first time and for ease defo take some with you then get rest there as it'll be abetter rate. Bythe way if you can get a £100 worth now you will get more lira as average exchange is 2.628 so you'll get same as me, if you wait you may only get 245tl !
And don't forget post office best rate.
And double check your cash before you leave the exchange in Turkey as mistakes are made...get used to converting your rate as it will help you get an idea of cost in our money.

Sorry if i sound like i'm talking to a child going to their first school day...just want you to get the best of our fav country.

Travel FX has the best rate today at 2.72.
M&S is only 2.66

Hello and welcome , we visited Side 2 years ago and found it to be very lovely its full of life without the normally silly behaviour, theres plenty to do and see, food all around is very good catering for most eaters and they will be happy to help, the excursions around the resort are great also if you fancy it try the Unimog safari its a cracking day out full of fun , we went late sept early oct and it was boiling , Have fun

hi you lot....Ive plans to dip my toe in the water next year.....plans are just for a week at the moment...but see what comes up....over the years bringing up the kids a one main 14/17 holiday has been more practical...but now the youngest is 17 and his idea of a holiday will be changing...and wont want to be spending 2 weeks with us old foggies... 2 x 7 day holiday each year will nicer for us...and if the lads want to come they will be welcome...but there will be no school dates to bother about and so we will be in a good position for the early and late bargains..

This year its pefkos/rhodes for a week in july/alreadt booked ...me and 3 of my lads going ...and the plan is for a return visit with hubby in sept...

Next year is ideal time to try turkey....hubby has always wanted to go....will be me hubby and one of the lads maybe 2...in july....for a week...

Already know where ect as a few years ago I spent ages on here picking brains...thing with turkey is its so big and so varied....that its important to do your homework...before booking ...not afterwards.

when people say theyve tried turkey and it wasnt for them...I think its because the holiday wasnt right ...not turkey...as it can be whatever you want it to be...you just need to go the right place at the right time...

Would be turkey virgins would enjoy the topic I started when I was nervous about trying turkey out....go have a good read ...by the time your finnished...you will be a well educated would be turkey virgin...have a real good idea of where to think is best for you....and can come back on the turkey forum and get in depth information on your ideal holiday...or ask more questions

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=140713&hilit=+turkey

dont know if this link will work.....but incase not...its WHERE AND HOW...take me there ....its on turkey forum....in 2009....you will need an update for some of the information ...but its a great place to start...and a good read...

My hubbies best mate loves turkey....we are one small step away from being family...and we do like holidaying together....so when turkey is discussed for next year...wouldnt be surprised if my holiday turns into 2 weeks and a bus full .....tweetie

Tweety Pie

You are so right

'[when people say theyve tried turkey and it wasnt for them...I think its because the holiday wasnt right ...not turkey...as it can be whatever you want it to be...you just need to go the right place at the right time...]

I have been to a few different places in Turkey and one in particular (I won't name it as I know a lot of people love it) I just hated. Had it been my first visit to Turkey I wouldn't have ever returned.

I don't think people realise just how big and varied a country Turkey is.

Patsiej

hi patsiej....what youve said....

I have been to a few different places in Turkey and one in particular (I won't name it as I know a lot of people love it) I just hated. Had it been my first visit to Turkey I wouldn't have ever returned.

Thats why Ive put a link to my old topic....so people can a good idea of where suits them first...and make balanced choices after reading the suggestions on here ....tweetie

I have been going to turkey since 1990 and my first visit was to Kusadasi.
The hotel and area we were in wasnt that good but we loved the people and returned 10 months later to Marmaris.
It was very different from the Marmaris of today but we still visit several times when we are in Icmeler every October.
I have visited many resorts in Turkey and it was only after visiting them that made me realise they are all different and Icmeler is now my favourite.We go B&B or SC as the food is wonderful in the many restaurants and excellent value,all served with a smile.
We are going to Calis Beach in 3 weeks which we have never been to before but the people,weather,food and beautiful scenery will guarantee a lovely holiday.
I went to Fuerteventura last month and was ill for 2 days which spoilt the holiday.I have never been ill in Turkey.
Last may we went to Rhodes and everything was a lot more expensive than Turkey.
Every time we went into Rhodes town we could see the Turkish mainland a few miles away and I wanted to pack my bags and go over for a few days but my OH wouldnt go!
I always go to Turkey in May and September/October as the weather is too hot for me in other months.
When deciding where to go its best to read the reviews of the month you are planning to go.