What about CIRALI on a DYI holiday or a resort in the Antalya area ??? Book your flight and hotel separately. Might work out even cheaper. There a lot of good 3 star hotels with all types of board included. From self catering, half board, to AI depending on your wishes.

Easy Jet or Thomas Cook flys to Antalya with good deals. Located 80kms southwest from Antalya. Most hotels have either private transfers or are arranged with the package deals.

http://www.flythomascook.com/skylights/html/deals.shtml
http://www.xl.com/

Cirali has it's own local color and is a more traditional village. Wonderful 4 km secluded beach. The beach it is a mix between sand and pebbles. It is a quiet village with a few bars and great beach restaurants. Not to forget the history of the ancient site of Olympos and the fact that it is also located in a section of the Lycian Way. The historical flames of Chimaera are also located in the village of Cirali. But it can be to quiet for some. It does not cater to the loud and brass of other resorts. If you are looking to party then Cirali is not the place. Cirali has a mix of European and Turkish travellers.

Have a look at previous posts about Cirali ( not too many people know about this area ) http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=71706&highlight=cirali

Have a look at these links for more info

http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/mediterranean/news/stories/index.cfm?uNewsID=15130
http://www.cirali.org/index_eng.html
http://cirali.com.tr

You could try Olu Deniz, its quite a 'British' resort, but it has lots of bars and restaurants and the lagoon with its beaches. The main beach is a mix of sand and shingle.

It's quiet out there at present, and many of the B&B and HB hotels have vacancies so you might be able to get them to send a taxi for you to Dalaman at minimum cost if you book their hotel.

Hi Caretta - can I get to these places from Dalaman airport? I'd be a real fool not to go there for the flight prices I've found with XL. I found prices from Cardiff for less than £300 for the 2 of us. I just looked at similar flights with flythomascook and they are £463. As we're only able to go away for a week the difference would almost pay for accommodation.

Hi Doepsmc - I'm curious about Olu Deniz. I read (on this site) that the main beach is shingle/sand mix, but what's the Lagoon area like - is it sandy or shingley? I've gotta say the pictures I've seen of the sea at the blue lagoon look lovely. I've looked and there does appear to be a huge number of hotels showing availability, so finding somewhere shouldn't be a problem - good tip about transfers

Anyone know what Calis is like. Also what's it beach like and can I get there from Dalaman airport.

Hi Again

The main Lagoon beach is a bit of a mix as well. However on the far side of the lagoon there are 3 or 4 private beaches that lots of the hotels run mini buses to (also you seem to be able to 'flag them down') and these are more sandy.

The mini buses are free however you are expected to hire sunbeds/parasols and buy food and drink there (well we bought drinks and ice creams) to cover the costs of the free mini buses.

I was in Olu Deniz last week and the rep at our hotel said lots of the hotels are half empty as they are having a quiet season so you should be able to strike a good deal.

Didn't go the Calis but I did see it from a boat trip round Fethyie harbour, I've got a feeling the beach there is also a mix of sand and shingle, but someone should be able to confirm this.

i also love olu deniz area but we have just come back from akyaka and that is so lovely, fab beach, turkish village with a few bars ,restaurants etc and 50 mins from dalaman, its 20 miles from marmaris if you want a day out there too, have a look at this website i know the lady that runs it and you could book accommodation through her, think it just depends on what type of holiday you want to what place would suit you

http://akyaka.com/index.php

Hi Caretta - can I get to these places from Dalaman airport?

Hi yes you can get to Cirali from the Dalaman airport but it would be a long drive about 5 hours and a more costly transfer ( about 200 Euros for 2-4 persons). XL flys to Antalya but if they have really good deals I am not aware of. These seemed to me like great deals from Thomas cook if you can find the dates.

Antalya Birmingham from £61.99 27 August
08 October

Gatwick from £38.99 27, 31 August
07 September
26, 28 November

Manchester from £41.99 29 August
26 November

Stansted from £44.99 27 August
26 November


It's too bad that other companies that fly to Dalaman do not offer great deals to Antalya. So much to see on this side of the med. Where ever you go have a great trip.

i know you have found cheap flights to dalaman but thomson holidays are doing the whole package in sept for !89 including transfers that takes all the worry out of finding accommodation.

Hi again,

Here is the link http://www.thomsonfly.com/en/index.html and it lists Antalya as one of the destinations.
Antalya* from £ 31.40

just have a good browse through the forum and check all the link pages out there is alot of hotels and apartments that are not full yet due to it being a bad season check out for airport transfers these range fom 70 gbp return dalaman to hisaronu ,olu deniz private transfer

We have just come back from Olu Deniz. It is a gorgeous resort, very friendly, VERY cheap day trips, very idyllic.

The Belceciz beach hotel is right on the Belceciz beach about 5 mins from the lagoon, the beach there is a mix of sand and then stones by the waters edge, at the lagoon it is fine shingle. The sea is really rough though, as I know to my cost, as myself and 9 year old got swept under a huge wave!!

We will definately be returning to Olu Deniz asap, and it is great now the new tunnel is open, it cuts off all the scary windy roads up the mountains!!

Go and enjoy, feel sure once you/ve been you will enjoy.
I am so jealous of everyone going there this summer, it really was my best holiday ever!!

Ended up hesitating on the flights and lost them - awww! But been to the travel agents tonight and booked Olu Deniz, Hotel Majestik 23-30/08.

Well done. Hope you have a briliant holiday and like Olu D.

Hi westglam,

Have a great holiday