To ask about holidays... esp Turkey

[emsmum79]

I'm looking for a family holiday (We have a toddler) for next year (decent pool, beach, nice room- nothing too big or fancy) but am shocked by the prices. Any tips?
Any good experiences of Turkey this year? Wee bit wary due to travel warnings for various areas but have loved holidays there in the past.

Can you give us an idea of budget and dates so we can help look for something.

Turkey is vrry cheap to eat out. Self catering is vey very cheap. Dalyan is fab - half an hour from airport, fairly small, beach, boat trips, markets. Wonderful place.

Hate Marmaris and Icmeler - too busy and city like for me.

Icmeler's lovely and food is pretty cheap so you really don't need fully inclusive.
You can get a full english breakfast for a pound, and it doesn't taste half bad either

Sarikiz, we went to Bodrum for a day trip from Kos so there are trips from Greece. We weren't impressed, hated the constant hassling and couldn't wait to get back to Greece though obvs our experience of Turkey was very limited. MIL went to Turkey for years but off the beaten track and loved it.

Have you spoken to a travel agent OP? They an sometimes come up with great early deals, save you wading through thousands of holidays

Try and self cater. We went to Kalkan and had to eat out lunch and dinner. There was some sort of cartel going on we ended up spending Gordon Ramsay prices every meal. Our cheap and cheerful trip anything but. Plus we had pfb toddler so couldn't even enjoy the food just wolfed it down

I second kalkan beautiful place, unspoilt loads to do. A few hotels happy and Kalama very reasonable x

We've been twice and going again next year. Our last hotel was amazing, super clean, huge, excellent service, great food and beverages.

Can't wait to sago next year as looks even better.

Meant to add we visited Marmaris 1st, wasn't our cup of tea.

Antalya is great.

XiCi This is trip from a Greek Island Numbmum83 wrote about crossing a border that to me signifies a land border.
There are no day trips from mainland Greece.
Getting off a boat for a few hours around Bodrum is not seeing Turkey and I too would hate the hard sell.
Also Bodrum is not dirty. Rubbish is collected everyday in Turkey.

sarkiz you can go for the day from Bulgaria www.daytripsbulgaria.com/excursion/94/Istanbul-for-1-day-full-program

I went to Turkey in 2015, stayed in the Hilton hotel just outside Bodrum.

I couldn't fault the hotel, 5* service all round: poolside waiter service; lovely main buffet; Italian/Greek/Sea food restaurant that didn't need reservations; gym and indoor spa pool free of use; opportunity to hire another room after check out to change before travel or use of the spa showers etc; huge hotel room with king sized bed, flat screen tv, walk in shower, corner couch etc; three pools inc water slides and private beach and cove.

We paid the same for a week as we would for a week in a 3* hotel in Spain. We never went out of the hotel as there was no need to (there was a shop, hairdressers etc in the hotel). I would go back but OH wouldn't as he hates flying and it's too far away.

I guess you don't have to go on an organised day trip either. You can just get in your car and drive!

We liked Yalikavak. Friendly, not pushy and easy to get dolmus to other places. Very cheap. We did notice that the water wasn't as clean as Mediterranean resorts, lots of litter in the sea but the streets were clean and the bars kept their beach areas well.

I agree with people saying Kalkan. Best holiday we've ever had. Although it isn't cheap like other parts of Turkey. Flights and accommodation may be but eating out here was no cheaper than at home. But if you self cater and budget for 1 or 2 nice meals out then it shouldn't cost too much. Plus I like a good old barter with the shop keepers but noticed that this wasn't really done in Kalkan as it has been in other parts of Turkeu that I've been to, like Side.

Plenty of places to eat out in Kalkan that are cheap. (I was there this summer). Just don't go down by the harbour, head higher up the hill.

I love Turkey & have been going nearly every year for the last 15+ years.

Go off the beaten track a bit - try the Bozburn peninsula, on from Marmaris & you will have an amazing time.

I've only visited Turkey once, on a Neilson activity holiday with DS. The resort was a ferry ride away from Marmaris, and was on an island. We ate at the resort restaurant for every meal except one, when there was a trip into Marmaris. We didn't want to go, so borrowed mountain bikes and explored the island. We found a restaurant and had the best steaks ever. We also had amazing views from the top of the island.

We didn't see Turkey really , but the holiday was fantastic, and a very easy option for a work stressed mum and her 12 year old.

This is the only time I've ever done full board (other than skiing). The food was incredible; lots of fresh fish and wonderful salads. DS still says it's the best holiday we've had, which surprises me, as we have fantastic family holidays, where we see lots in the countries we visit.

I find people either love or hate Turkey. I know someone who has been every year for 10years. I went when I was 22 and spent 2 weeks travelling the country. I loved Istanbul for culture but not for a toddler. I visited historical sites that were amazing but that isn't suitable for a toddler in the extreme heat. The resorts and tourist areas I hated. They had all English restaurants, sellers harassed me constantly (I was young and blond back then though) and I could never relax. There were some lovely views and I'm sure the hotels are the same as anywhere else if you go all inclusive. I won't be going back though!

We had a family holiday in Turkey a few years ago. It was great in every respect apart from the fact that I found the numbers of stray dogs very distressing. I would never go again for that reason.

We went to a AI hotel in Marmaris this summer with two children. I had my reservations before, but budget wouldn't stretch to other destinations.

We never once felt unsafe, the locals were incredibly friendly to us all and although they tried to sell stuff to us, a firm no was all we had to say if not interested. Kids had a blast. Marmaris was much nicer than expected, the beach isn't great but we preferred the pool anyway. We never once felt unsafe. The security at the airport was very strict.

Thanks all! The all inclusive holidays we were looking at (canaries and balearics) were all around £8000 for 4 adults and one toddler. I felt that was a bit pricey (but please correct me if that is average!) so that's why I considered Turkey. Need to go at start of July due to work. I've normally travelled to Egypt, Asia and Africa but don't fancy long haul for a few years now. Thanks!

We have just come back from a week at Lara beach (antalya). It is most def not dirty and I would love to go back. Very modern and friendly. Service superb. Good prices, weather amazing and lots of things to do for children. We did a big resort for the first time and We all had a wonderful time. I have been to Greece 20+ times and I love it for culture but the Turkey holiday was one of the best we have ever had.

Turkey is my favourite place in the world; I'm well travelled

It's just a little bit too hot for my son, when he's up a bit then we shall spend many a summer exploring this amazing country

Marmaris is my massive guilty pleasure - it's cheap and tacky, but it's so much fun. However, it does lack on the cultural aspect

Cyprus is far nicer than Turkey (protaras compared to marmaris) I'd say both are too hot in the summer for wee ones unless you can go in June or September. I've been to both in August and it was mid 50s.
We were in alcudia, Mallorca a couple of weeks ago and it was great for kids, also think the algarve is good for kids.

£8k is good for AI for 4 adults and a toddler. We were £2k for 2 weeks in Mallorca self catering for 2 adults and an infant who was free - the hotel wasn't even that nice.

Should say we spent a further £2k+ on spends

Have you looked at Croatia?