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...

You are correct Tweetie, we are Turkey virgins who are dipping our toes there in June, I did my homework and looked at various resorts and the one the not only sounds the nicest for us but in fact sounds ideal is Dalyan.

It is important to look at various resorts to ensure that what you book is what you are looking for in a holiday not what is perhaps the cheapest or what a travel agent wants to sell you, this of course applies to so many destinations not just Turkey.

Really looking forward to going, in fact I almost booked to go back in October but thought we should perhaps wait until we have at least been to Turkey once just in case

Thats a new one for me jay trip....

(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)

How would you go about doing that.....tweetie

Tweetie, there is a ferry from Rhodes to Marmaris, so I'm pretty sure it would be quite easy to do. Don't think you'd have much trouble getting accommodation in Marmaris, once you got there, or there are alternatives like getting the dolmus or taxi boat to Icmeler or Turunc and staying there for a few days. I would say go in a bar and get talking to a barman and knowing the Turkish, they'd probably be more than willing to help you get somewhere to stay.

we are off to Dalyan this Aug for our first time in Turkey. We have also spent summers in Rhodes and then last year in Samos looking across at Turkey but have never fancied a manic day trip to a market.

Dalyan comes highly recommended to us and I cannot wait!

The only reason we went to Rhodes was because we have never done the day trip from Turkey.
We always thought 1 day would not be enough to see Rhodes Town.How wrong we were!
It was beautiful but could have seen it in one day.
The minute we got off the bus we were pounced upon by time share touts!My husband just told them where to go!Politely I might add.
We watched the ferries coming in and I would have loved to go over to Icmeler and would have had no bother finding a place to stay for a few days.
Ive been to Dalyan but only for the day.Its lovely but its on a river and I am a mossie magnet and I also like to walk to the beach and the beach is a boat ride or Dolmus trip away.

hi all

another turkey virgin tempted to dip a toe or 10 I will be looking at visiting in april, the only thing holding me back is what weather i may experience? Will is be sunbathing weather in the daytime? resorts are alanya that i am considering.

thanks for reading

Normally April is a nice month but this week they have had terrible storms and floods!
The photos are videos are on TA.

Weather can be unpredictable in April, a bit like our English summers. You can get some wonderful hot sunny sunbathing weather, but some days might be cool and raining. However the area you are considering has the best climate for that time of year. The storms this week were unusually bad for this time of the year, and I'm not sure whether they were in all the tourist areas. I know the resorts around Dalaman/Marmaris area were affected but not sure about Alanya, its a few hundred miles away. It seems the area you are considering is more geared up for tourism in March/April, but around the Dalaman area the holiday season doesn't start till May.

I think around Alanya/Antalya is the best place to go in April. The weather should be better than the more Western resorts and you should find places open. I know around Bodrum the season really doesn't start until May.

hi i have read this thread with interest alyhough they sat the weather is unpredictable in april we have always had lovely weather even swam in the sea last april and were planning to do the same in 5 days time when we arrive back in icmelor.the web sites also state that the season does not start till may dont let this put you off. there are plenty of bars open, if the evenings are a bit chilly the bars have wood burners going so its all very nice .

Don't be worried about visiting Turkey and don't be worried about AI

We went Turkish 2005 - 2010; various resorts all AI (but always trips out) - always Whit school hols

Majorca 2011 - good AI resort - again Whit school hols - crap weather!!! (I know it's in the lap of the Gods!!)

Turkey 2012 - back again

Your £ goes further and higher class AI

You have to do your research. Someone who loves Marmaris would probably dislike Fethyie - Turkey is such a big and varied country that it is quite possible to get it wrong and what should be a great holiday turns out only average

Turkey is the only place I wouldnt go AI.
The lower priced AI can be dodgy and most folk end up eating out anyway.
The 4 and 5 star AIs are lovely but expensive.Many are popular with East Europeans and I would rather spend my meal times in a lovely peaceful restaurant than doing battle getting to the buffet!
In over 20 years of going to Turkey I have only been AI twice,once to the Hemera in Side in March 2005 and the Club Turban in June 2007.
The Hemera was good as its a German owned hotel,the Turban was a nightmare and we ate out quite often.
For anyone who hasnt been the first thing to decide is how much you want to spend,what board basis and then which resort.
One of my best holidays was spent in an apartment last October in the old village of Icmeler in spectacular surroundings.
It was so relaxing and was lovely to see the locals going about their everyday lives.
There were 2 local weddings when we were there and chairs were put in the streets and everyone in the village was invited.Tourists were welcome to and that is down to the wonderful hospitality of the Turkish people.

thanks all for your information its much appreciated the more research i do the more appealing it is becoming.

i am off to marmaris on June 26th just me and hubby. Anyone got any tips or advice as its our first tiem in Turkey
Tracey

Yep!

Have a tenner in each of your passports ready for immigration, don't lose your temper while queuing for immigration, then enjoy it!

Tracey

Give us a clue to where your staying etc and perhaps we could mention things nearby. In general it will be very warm at that time of the year so high factors are the order of the day. Are you staying in an apartment and eating out ? You can get about the resort on a Dolmus (small minibus) which are very cheap. Taxi's are expensive. Not the best beach in Marmaris but lots of watersports to pass your time. Enquire about a lazy day boat trip, they are fabulous. Your age group may help too, there are Night Clubs and of course Bar Street which is just one long street of music and bars. Entertainment is different in Turkey than say Tenerife. Lots of the restaurants put on their own entertainment as do the Hotels and Apartments. Plenty of trips to go on too. You should try a Turkish Bath also.

Wilson

hi all
we are in our late forties and we are stayong in the kaan apartments which is in the siteler area of marmaris, we have already booked a couple of trips the rest we thought we would do why we are there. is food and drink expensive. is it best to take lira with us or take sterling and change whilst we are there.

Tracey

kelixargold,

I've never found Turkey expensive. If you go to the main bars and restuarants on the sea front, you'll pay for the location as well as the drinks / food. If you go a street back, things are cheaper but you don't have the views. I've always found Turkey reasonable though. In terms of currancy, I normally take a small amount of lira to get by for a day or two then change sterling in resort as and when needed as you'll generally get a better rate. It's around 2.8 L/£ at the moment. Sterling is widely accepted as well.

Darren

Hi Tracey

One of the first things to do is to have a turkish bath.

The harbour area is lovely so have a walk around there. If you're feeling fit you can have a walk up to the castle. The bazaar is a must for a first timer but prepare yourself for the hassle in there.

It's well worth a trip to Icmeler. The beach there is better than Marmaris. You can get there by dolmus (these are colour coded - Icmeler is the orange one) but you can also get there by water taxi although this is more expensive than the dolmus. Of course if you are feeling very fit you can walk all the way to Icmeler along the promenade. A lovely walk with lovely views and plenty of watering holes along the way.

If you catch a dolmus anywhere the fare is the same whether you are going 1 mile or 5. The fare is displayed inside the dolmus. If you happen to be at the back just pass your money forward saying 'two persons' and your change will be passed back in the same way.

The food is really good. Turkish kebabs are quite varied, some casseroles, some on skewers and some in wraps but all called kebabs so be sure to ask the waiters if unsure and do try them. They are delicious and most are not spicy.

You will also find that you can change sterling in many restaurants and bars. Currency exchanges and banks may offer a slightly better rate but they also charge commission.

I'm sure you will love Turkey. Please let us have a review of you holiday when you get back.

Patsiej