It would be interesting if you write how many peopel and what is the price for this early booking and sure if includes flight

I had a fantastic time at The Grand Aquarium in Icmeler, I'll be booking to go there again next year (August 6th to be precise - just 364 days to go lol).

I went with Thomas Cook this time but will try Jet2 for next year - 22kg luggage and apparently more legroom than most flights.

This year I went with my wife and 15 year old daughter - next year my 25 year old step-daughter wants to come with us lol.

Already checked out prices and looking at about 3k for 4 people in 2 rooms (The Tuesday flight time is better with Jet2 - 9am I think)

Just been looking at prices for Grand Aquarium with Jet2 from 30th July for 2 weeks.

Looking at about £2,000 for three of us in a 1 bedroom apartment. A little more than last year but that was only for 10 days to be fair.

Will be booking it on September 19th (pay day) or at least paying the deposit (£60pp).

My stepdaughter won't be coming so at least that's saved some money as we only need one room now.

My 15 year old daughter has already started counting down the days lol

To be honest, I'm rather looking forward to it but need to get Christmas out of the way first...

Having children we have booked the Holiday Village for the second time, but we do like to get out and explore the surrounding area and looking forward to see what has changed in the @5 years since we last came to visit. We are coming in May.



P.S we are not loud or have tattoo's!

20th july for us to club greenworld icmeler

just booked 3 weeks BB in Turgetries beginning 4 th Sept for wife and self.
At just under £800 I am well suited
there are some really poor flight times for next year to Bodrum.

del949 wrote:

just booked 3 weeks BB in Turgetries beginning 4 th Sept for wife and self.
At just under £800 I am well suited
there are some really poor flight times for next year to Bodrum.

I'm looking at Jet2 flying from Manchester to Dalaman and the times are pretty good (at the moment).
30th July - 9:30am going out
13th August - 5pm return.

These are perfect so hope they don't change after I've booked. We had night flights this year but never again - it kind of ruins your first day as we didn't get to the hotel until 6am - that was a very long day.

Hello,
Have been looking but at the moment flights are so pricey. At this rate we won't be going next year!

ruth24s wrote:

Hello,
Have been looking but at the moment flights are so pricey. At this rate we won't be going next year!

Spend less - save more

It can be done Ruth, think positive
I even managed to persuade my wife to put the new kitchen on hold that she so longingly wants, just so we can go back to Icmeler next year

We will be going to Turunc for 2 weeks on Monday, 27th. Can't wait to get some sun and good food.

Oops sorry, this should have been on the 2012 blog!

Yes, maybe your right, we going to Istanbul after Xmas so that to look forward to.

I have kind of falled out with Icmeler this year. Just got a lot a hassle for bars, trips, beach etc... Some were quite rude and never had this in the past... Feel a bit sad really. How did you find it this year? (Maybe not right topic to dicuss on please feel free to remove)!

ruth24s wrote:

Yes, maybe your right, we going to Istanbul after Xmas so that to look forward to.

I have kind of falled out with Icmeler this year. Just got a lot a hassle for bars, trips, beach etc... Some were quite rude and never had this in the past... Feel a bit sad really. How did you find it this year? (Maybe not right topic to dicuss on please feel free to remove)!

OK Ruth, as no one has moved this yet I will answer
The hassle wasn't too bad, definitely worse in the market on Wednesday but that's how they sell so was to be expected really. Every shop and restaurant asked us to go in but we just give a firm 'no thank you' and keep walking. They soon give up and move onto the next person.

Same with excursions, we just say 'we've bought some already' and again, just keep walking. No worse than other places I've visited (both Turkey & Crete) so not sure why you got 'extra' hassle.

Thing is, I don't let it bother me really but I think with the current economic climate, they are employing hard sell tactics as I suspect less people are going abroad - it must hit them hard as it's their livelihood. Worse thing you can do is stop and talk to them though - they almost expect a purchase then.

Anyway, enjoy your hols to Istanbul after Christmas

Justin x

Hello,
Thanks for your reply. Yeah I agree, a firm no tends to work, I think I allowed myself to get drawn into the conversation...!! Oops! When my oh arrived after 2 weeks it did get better though as I tended to let him (unknowingly) walk on the side where he needed to say no! Even though he is Turkish he did get hassled just the same as I did when I was alone with a little one. I don't think it was 'extra' hassle, more like I was a little bit weary and less tolerant!

Yeah I agree re climat and having it hard. Local's we spoke to felt that the Olympics has had an impact on the number of Brit's in resort, but I'm not certain. A Local I was talking to had said that what Brit's were in resort did not seam to be spending like previous years and that kind of reflects how our pockets have changed maybe. There were comments made that other nationalities (who I won't mention) had been stealing from shops, from beach bags and that there were more people in resort who, well did not eat out etc like 'we' do!

Don't get me wrong I love Icmeler and I will return, but think next year we will go somewhere else.

Yeah really looking forward to Istanbul and am looking at the La Blanche Resort in Bodrum (?) for summer, but am put off by terrible flight times! We will find something, oh wants Cesme or to fly to Izmir and travel for 3 weeks, but not sure this is my thing!

Enjoy your hol's and keep us posted re how you all find resorts and if there are any differences as I had found.

Ruth.x :-)

ruth24s wrote:

Yeah I agree re climat and having it hard. Local's we spoke to felt that the Olympics has had an impact on the number of Brit's in resort, but I'm not certain

I think the Olympics did have a big effect on the number of people. It did seem fairly quiet (than usual) in the resorts.

Also, the restaurant manager at our hotel was saying that it wasn't half as busy as the same time last year. He said he'll probably leave if it doesn't pick up. I did explain that to us Brits that the Olympics back home were a 'once in a lifetime' experience and although I'm not really into watching sport there are a lot who are.

With some of the prices for tickets to the Olympics, I guess some people would have to go without a holiday this year.

Justin.

I'm not convinced and nobody can say for certain that it was due to the Olympics, I guess maybe activity in resort next year will give a better indication.

I dunno!

Can we stick to the topic heading please. General posts and chat about Turkey can be made on the Turkey chat and holiday discussion topic.

Thanks,

Darren

Dazbo HT Mod wrote:

Can we stick to the topic heading please. General posts and chat about Turkey can be made on the Turkey chat and holiday discussion topic.

Thanks,

Darren

Oops sorry Daz, but Ruth did ask if you could move it

july for us... ata lagoon hotel oludeniz...looking forward to that....

Booked last night for end of august 2013 going to Gokce Hotel in Turunc. Usually do DIY, but saw a good deal with Jewel In The Crown, costing £424 each incl. flight, transfer and b&b for 3 weeks. Stayed at same hotel this year, and really enjoyed it, so at this price didn't think it was worth waiting to see how much the Easyjet flights are going to be for that time of year!