As there is a large party of you don't be afraid to organise your own trips.
We did the Donkey Island trip from Cesme which was very good, so we signed up for the JMC equivalent at Kusi. What a mistake. We complained and were told we were the only people to have complained ever so I doubt they have changed it.

We had a chat with the boat owners by pidgeon island and we could basically have had a boat to ourselves complete with shaded seating areas as well as the "tanning" areas. The bays they visited sounded much better for general consumption. The downside for some of our party was that there was no alcohol included but they had no objections to us bringing our own if we wanted to. We didn't discover these boats until later in the holiday by which time we had little free time and many had been put off another trip by the first one, so we never got around to it.

From the hotel, look out to sea and you will see the boats on their trips. The one that looks like a tramp steamer is probably "allegedly" the "Diana" one. (no shelter - no seats)

Some of our party went to the local "travel shops" and booked jeep safaris, village trips etc and still negotiated the prices down so if you all get together you should get much better deals. They enjoyed their trips and ended up in "real Turkish village houses" etc.

The trips will mostly all pick up from the hotel (included in the price), and sometimes it is even the same coach that the "official tour" uses as there is often little take up.

From what I remember the JMC trip to the Caravanserai was cheaper or the same price as a direct purchase and included the coach both ways.
However not to be out of character they managed to get the coaches confused and not everyone managed to get on going. Then we had the little fiasco about sitting together which meant that one party couldnt as the tables didn't split right so they walked out. If you go anywhere make sure they know you are a large party and want to stay together. At Cesme they constantly put us on separate coaches for the trips.

Behind the reception area in the Tusan is a large lounge which is cool and peaceful, so if you take your own cards/ dominoes etc it gives you something to do if you sit in there in the evening.

We found that most of the area was priced in pounds or Euros and they didn't like taking lira so the price went up. You do need lira for the Dolmus's though. There also seemed to be a limit on the total number of people carried (the drivers had to go past a "checker") so we often had to split over 2 buses and meet up. As the drivers were in radio contact they just shouted for the next dolmus to come and help out, which is probably why their Public transport system works and ours doesn't.

thanks so very much that is fab, the more info the better

Did some of your group do the jeep safaris, what was it like, Im worried about this one having heard how bad the roads are, but we love the jeeps

thanks

Cathy

none of my family did the jeep safari but one of the other families in the party did. They booked through a town agent, I have a feeling it was the one where you get off the dolmus (you'll see it) but I think they probably all sell the same rides. We saw one of the jeep convoys on the way back from their day out, not exactly jeeps more like Suzuki baby 4x4s. Our friends thoroughly enjoyed their day but did mention it was worth getting the front one because of the dust. I believe the other "village trip" was the one where they went into the real Turkish Village house (not forgetting to take of their shoes first of course)
Our intention was to all get together and try and do major deals on the rides but before we could, some of the families had already met the agents on their night out and done deals on the spot. We never did quite get it together after that so some did this and some did that etc.

Thanks very much for all the usefull info on the Tusan Beach, we are off there on 22nd August for 2 weeks, and your information certainly made us look foreward to it even more, a couple of quick questions
First of all what exactly is the "Caravanserai" and is it worth going to?

What are the markets/bazaars like in kusadasi (we were in Marmaris about 5 years ago and enjoyed walking round the bazaar and the weekly market)?I am thinking of taking enough T-shirts etc for 1 week with the intention of buying quite a few shirts etc for the second week and to bring back.
Thanks in advance for any information.
RG

The caravanserai, if Ihave spelt it right, is a landmark in its own right. It is an old hotel in the middle of Kusi. In the centre is the courtyard and that is where they host the entertainment. You can wander around the place during the day. Shows were on a couple of nights a week. The show we saw consisted of a few cabaret acts and then Turkish Folk dancing followed by the Belly Dancing all well choreographed. The food and (as much as you can) drink are included and as I mentioned previously the salad was very English in taste if not appearance. I think we paid the same through the JMC rep as the price advertised outside, but our price included the coach both ways.
Well worth going to if you enjoy that sort of entertainment.

There are many shops and side streets and for the most part theyare the normal friendly crew, however to our surprise my daughter went shopping for a particular T shirt and when she didn't buy it from a shop that didn't actually have it, the salesmen got extremely nasty and started following the girls around the town badmouthing them wherever they went. Luckily it was the last day of the holiday so it didn't ruin the stay and the girls just shrugged them off for the prats they were.

When we stayed in Cesme they organised a day trip to the Kusidasi Market, but when we stayed in Kusi, I didn't see anything advertised and not being a market person, I didn't go looking so you may have to ask when you are over there.

We stayed at the Tusan with TC and JMC although they were trying to change the name back from JMC to TC at the time.

My only gripe was the little rip off they run regarding their trips.

They price the trips in £s so you think you are paying one price. I assumed as they were pricing in £s and I was paying by card the fee would go through as £s and get converted in the banks, but no...

The infamous currency converter comes out. This is like the one most banks and hotels use but is heavily weighted in the JMC favour. This magic number of lira then gets charged to the card or you pay in cash. Later you may realise that the prices are not the same.

When I got my card statement the £189 had risen to £217 and it wasn't the bank charge. It appears the only way to get their price is to do what we did accidentally in Cesme by using sterling travellors cheques.

ie if they say the ticket is £25 and you give them a £50 travellers cheque for 2 they can't claim another fiver without being exposed as they were hiding behind the lira conversion necessitated by the banks!

Apart from them, the only other problem was the Turkish shops not wanting Lira so if you check this forum before you go to find the current position you may find it is better to take wads of tenners just for shopping.

Re the trips
The same thing was tried with me. When I questioned the exchange rate they tried to tell me it was only pennies but is was more than a few pounds, so I insisted upon paying in cash. Reluctantly this was accepted.

Cathy 201

When are you going, we go on 21st june for 2weeks. two adults 5 kids, boy 17 and 15, girls 15, 13 and 2yrs. looking at posts all seems ok.

Hi

We fly out on the 26th July, 24 of us ranging from 70 yrs to 6yrs, reading all this Im getting really excited

Its so nice to read what other people think thanks everyone

cathy

When we stayed at the Pomelan in Cesme, the hotel provided as many free bottles of water as you wanted, but everywhere else I have been this has not happened.
At the Tusan you can buy bottles of water in the shop (you'll see it).

While we were there it was allowed to take bottles into the dining room and fill them from the water dispensers in there.

If you are getting soft drinks you have to get them in pairs, one to knock back in a gulp and the other to savour because for some reason they won't do them in large "glasses". if you are sitting on the beach and go for a soft drink you will find that by the time you reach the beach the plastic cup will be empty and you will still be thirsty!

We had a similar age spread and the 74 yo came with us on the trip to Pumukalle, all around the town, around the Waterpark, on the boat trip etc. Just remember the water bottles.
If the older ones go to Ephasus it would probably be easier if they Taxi to the top gate and saunter on down through the site. I think you have to pay for toilets in Ephesus as well.

At the hotel Try and get as many TOMs ( I think it is their official name) as you can for the party as that is what you need to get food drink games etc. but don't mix them up or lose them as it can cause problems. I don't think they will issue extras when you book in as there is generally a bit of a free for all with confusion reinging so in keeping with many hotels they do the minimum that they have to and sort out the rest later.

If your room light doen't work you will need to put your key fob in the "saver" holder next to the switch. We were lucky as ours hadn't been converted or someone had "fixed it" for us. Again watch out for the mini bar as those drinks are mighty tempting after the long journey, but even that is confusing as some of our party had empty fridges or partially empty fridges. I don't think anyone "lost" an argument over the bills with the hotel though.

Thanks

What are TOMS do you have a wrist band as well or a card, I have had both indifferent hotels

So to work the lights we need the key, oh that can be a pain, lets hope some nice person has sorted ours out. Do they do water behind the bar!! will have to remember our bottles at lunch time.

Did any of yours use the hotel kids club, mine are to old but my sister had three under 9 and is hoping to use it

We nearly booked into the Pomelan instead but read a bad report on so decided on this one, all sounds very good thanks

Cathy

Last year we got a velcro wristband with a silver blob, looks like a large battery. The hotel bought them at an extortionate price and so have to use them, at least that was their excuse to me when I was having a general moan one day. They are programmed with your room number and so every transaction you make is recorded. If the Tom doesn't work you don't get whatever ( or do depending on how the member of staff is feeling at the time) you then have to go back to reception to get it fixed. It is all to do with fraud control, which probably seemed a good idea at the time.. We tried to get the info on what we had used for the holiday to see if it was worth it, but they couldn't do the report so what they use it for I don't know.

We booked into the Pomelan in 2001 and then found it on holidays from hell, bad reviews the whole lot, a real nightmare as it was our first holiday. Through this board I made contact with someone who had stayed there who gave us a few pointers such as where to get the bottles etc. We all went and had a fantastic holiday. We were there when we did the famous 5:1. The cafe owner threw the locals out for us to get the big TV and they just popped the beer crates and said tell them how many we had drunk each at the end. Fantastic place, fantastic people, which to us showed that much of the holiday is what you make it (within reason of course). I can not vouch for the Pomelan now as it all may have changed.

We went to Tusan last year as the good trips from Cesme all ended up in this area so we decided to base ourselves there. We were very disappointed with the JMC boat trip and would definitely recommend you all checking out the Boats by pidgeon island for the one that best suits your needs. Our OAPs had nowhere to sit for the entire trip and no shade, whereas most of the "real boats" had covered dining areas etc. They just look more exotic too.

I think some of ours used the kids club. They all appeared to enjoy themselves and a lot of the (better) evening entertainment was provided by the kids from the club.

BTW the hot chocolate in the Deli (corner of reception) is addictive.
Don't forget to throw the "tesekula" about and I also tried giving the numbers in turkish which gave them great amusement as my yokel accent didn't help. Beer is one so Bir Beer meant I kept getting two!

Thats great

did you have problems getting rounds of drinks or did everyone have to go up for there own, is there a bar on the beach

The closest bar to the beach is the one under the large swimming pool. This area also has the snack bar. What you have to do is "buy" the snacks at the bar using the TOM and then take the chit of paper to the snack bar where they cook and give you your food. I can't honestly remember if there was a limit on the number of drinks you could get in one go I could only carry 4 at a time. Easiest thing is to make friends with the staff as it is probably down to their discretion.

A word to the wise: watch out for the steps down to the snack area from the large Pool; when wet they are slippery and they were not often dry! the doctors room is at the bottom probably to save time.. i must admit we have never seen so many casts on holiday, but they could have already been on when they arrived!

There was some sort of kiosk type thing built into the beach wall but there is public access to that part and so we could not be bothered to find out if you had to pay or not. It was definitely not a bar.

Thanks great thanks

We have reviews here :- http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/turkey/bodrum-region/kusadasi/tusan-beach-resort-hotel/

Anyone who has been we would be grateful if you would add your review also to assist our members.

Many Thanks

was there in 2002 had great time \Aquapark especially\ food nothing special, only 3 brands of beer, market harassment boring, 40 degrees C in August but cold sea water with high salt content, will stay in Bulgaria this year, much cheaper here, seems the place has changed not much thanks for all info
P.S. although high appreciated info on good caravan campings in Turkey thanks in advance

CM

Hope you read this when you get back - also hope you had a great time - we are going to Tusan Beach mid july (12th) with 14 yo girl, 15yo boy. Any comments/tips you have will be greatly accepted.

That goes for anyone else reading this - anyone going same time?

Steve

Great amount in your pieces. We have been to merit view a few years ago - remember Tulip well. good food & staff.

a couple of questions to you if you dont mind.

Exactly how long did it take you to get to Pamuluke?

The charge on the room fridge - did you ask the rep why you were being charged in an all inclusive - seems wrong to me but hey - thanks for the warning.

What is Tesakula?

where the rooms big enough for 4?

how much were you charged for the internet?

I take it from one of your comments that getting drinks for 4 was not to bad?

The 'special' restuarants - how many times were you able to use them.

Did any of you have a Turkish bath if so what was involved - any costetc.

Thanks in advance for any comment you can make to us

Graham

Sorry about the delay I have been occupied elsewhere!
I don't worry about time as such when abroad unless it impinges upon me severly so the times are very approximate
I can only speak for the JMC trip to Pummekale. We started at something daft like 6 in the morning. We drove for a couple of hours and stopped at a cafe for a drink. We then drove on to Aphrodisias arriving between 10 and 11. We wandered around there for about an hour and then drove on to the Diana owned hotel for lunch stoping again for about an hour. The food is free as part of the trip but they make it up on the drinks, even the water costs. From there we drove on to Pumekale. I reckon it was gone 2 by then as we just had time to walk down to the cliff edge and go down about 2 levels. By the time we got back into the Pool area we had about 30 minutes left in the pool before we were due to leave. ( about 4 pm) We got back just in time for the last meal, but there was a slight diversion as the driver and guide both dived into a cotton field to pick some cotton buds for the travellers.

The stadium at Aphrodisias was awe inspiring but we could quite easily have given the rest of it a miss. Check with the town tours to see what their itinery is before committing.

Everything states that the mini bar is extra, but I was hoping it was a welcome pack! As for moaning at the rep, I spend the rest of the year banging my head against brick walls so I only have a go when riled, like after the boat trip.

the rooms by default appeared to have a double, single and seating area.
The extra beds were brought in and took the seating area. I don't think there were many complaints apart from the ones about heat, stuffiness etc

I didn't use the Internet, I had every intention of keeping in touch with work but when I saw the PC I decided to have a hot chocolate instead and never got any further. The charges were marked clearly although I can't remember what they were and we couldn't figure out how they monitored it, which probably led to the problems. As the hotel staff were also getting fed up with the complaints about mischarging, I hope they would have resolved it by now.

There were a couple of peak times where the queues for drinks were large and closing time was a good example, other wise we just sauntered up, got served, in turn after a couple of minutes and sauntered off. I have waited longer in the UK.

tesekula is my phonetic spelling for the Turkish word for Thank You. They all tried to get me to pronounce it correctly and it caused more smiles than grimaces. If you get it right it can trigger an automatic effusive Turkish response which involves lots of words none of which I could catch, the meaning of which is "you're welcome". I printed of a crib sheet of simple words before I went and eventually plucked up courage to try them.

We only went to the greek restaurant and although it was OK I wouldn't have gone back. I think the limit is once per trip, booked at reception, but just act uncertain and appeal for their help etc..

The Turkish bath is hidden in the leisure suite. There is a very strong sales presence trying to sell the service, but a polite refusal is enough.

A couple of ours had the Turkish bath and mud wrap option, which cost just under £20 (again they like sterling) but it was not up to much. It didn't seem warm enough to me.
You can use the Turkish bath on your own, along with the sauna, free.