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.

I spent two weeks in Kalkan and was never bored but we tend to get out and visit archaeological sites etc.

Patara is not the same as Kalkan, which is about 20 minutes drive away and is a harbour resort. It doesn't really have beaches per se but it does have beach clubs. I just googled "Kalkan watersports" and found several companies.

Sorry, should have said there are other beaches within a short distance as well as Patara but the town itself only has one beach.

I love Turkey. My son lives there and dgd starts university in Istanbul next month. Much of the world is politically unstable. Don't wear an 'I hate Erdogan' tshirt or go topless on a public beach. Stick to tourist resorts you'll have a wonderful time 😀

Dalyan is lovely and no AI hotels. Niece was in Turkey this summer and said there was no difference from previous years.

We went to the Hilton Dalaman for the 4tih time this year and had an amazing time. There were hardly any British there mostly Turkish and Russian families.

We can't wait to get back next year food and service are amazing the only downside was due to rules we had to put electrics in hand luggage and an iPad and phone were nicked at the airport after check in. This rule however is due to end apparently.

Meant hold luggage!

Have been to Belek and just returned from Side. Best holidays we have ever had. The standard of AI is superb, delicious food, labelled spirits etc.
We stayed at the Voyage hotels in Belek and Side.
Paid 5k for 2 adults, 1 teen and 1 child. Unbelievable value, would go back in a heartbeat.

I took my kids to turkey last summer, we flew to Antalya and stayed at a resort in Kemer. First time I've ever done all inclusive, and we never left the resort once but we all had a lovely week 😊 The resort we stayed at was full of moneyed Turks, in fact we were the only non Turkish family there (which I quite liked as we didn't have to make conversation with anyone!).

While I understand the reasoning behind boycotting a country because it's president is a fascist, I haven't seen it affecting tourism to the US ortheU.K-- and I think a lot of what puts people off is just media nonsense. I fully recommend it and would love to go back, probably to a different resort though as I'd like to actually see the place properly next time!

Hi I'm here in turkey right now sunning on a lounger

We are in marmaris ( the skegness/ Butlins/ haven/ Blackpool version of the UK)

We are in am AI resort which cost £550 per person and it is a beautiful hotel as well

The exchange rate is currently 4.5 lira to the £

A coke is around 7 lira
Wine 15-18 lira
Water 3 lira

Main meals are around 30 - 40 lira for a main course.

Yes it's a bit tacky, but if your family has grown up with holidays like that then you will be immune

T b. he weather has been 35c plus in the day all week.

The only annoying part is the constant calls from waiters to come into bars, restaurants etc. I just smile say no and walk away. However anxious people may struggle to be fair.

I've not witnessed any negative behaviours either in the hotel or outside. If we go out into the town we stay until about 10pm as I have children.

If you want guaranteed sun and somewhere that makes your money stretch, then I think turkey Is a good option

Been to Turkey about 15 times and absolutely love it. We go to Bodrum and everything was great. I would only not go if the government said we couldnt! I think people are too quick too judge and think its dangerous but millions of tourists go trouble free. I reccomend Bodrum and Antalya. We went to Rhodes for a few nights from the marina in Bodrum which was great too!

Not a place I'd choose to go to at the moment. I'd go to Greece instead.

Kaplan is lovely but more expensive and the transfer from the airport is quite long.
Dalyan is gorgeous and excellent value for money as it's on the river rather than on a beach (you get a boat that takes you to the beach).

Melassa - there is plenty to fo in the area for older kids. The next town up from Kalkan is known as a dive and sports centre. Diving, hiking, Cycling, kayaking, canyoning and paragliding. Also lots of great trips and sites to see.

Thanks Louise and bambambini I will definitely investigate for next summer. I did see the archeological sites near Patara and elsewhere, but to be honest I tend not to visit them much when abroad as I live in a country where there are loads of Roman and other remains and so suffer from ruin fatigue.

One thing I did notice, I did get hit on by bar staff/waiters etc a LOT (and I am no supermodel believe me!) much to the amusement/mortification of the kids! It didn't feel sleazy or creepy particularly though, my boundaries were respected and a polite no thank you was enough.

I think they probably just didn't see many British single parent families in that particular resort.

I stayed at the Otium Seven Seas in the Antalya region near Side.

Also Marmaris Palace between Marmaris and Icemeler.

Next year is Turunc Hotel about 20 minutes drive west of Marmaris. I believe mountainous but on a private little beach as we have to change from coach to minibus at Marmaris. Turunc is small, quaint, touristy but not commercialised like the big towns and there is a five minute walk along the promenade into the town. I have been before on a day trip. It is simply lovely.

We have been to Fethiye and Olu Deniz, lovely areas of Turkey and food lovely too. People very friendly and had a fab holiday. The only downside was hour and half transfer (tour operator) and the heat may be too much with a baby

I'd stay away from Turkey. Yes, most hoteliers aren't Erdogan supporters, but I just wouldn't feel safe there as woman. And staying in the tourist resort all the time is something you can do, but renders it kinda pointless to go anywhere, doesn't it?

Greece needs the tourist money, too. And if you don't want to see any specific sights but just stay at a pool, I don't think there's much of a difference.

Hey don't want to jump on the thread but I have been looking for a week in turkey over the half term for me, my husband and 5yo. I think I've settled on Belek but there is just so many hotels to choose from I'm getting confuddled. Any recommendations?

We've just been to Romania at the black sea. It is wonderful for kids, the sea is shallow for miles in some resorts and it's warm like a bath. It's really cheap to get there and stay there. No one will hassle you and it's safe. We always stay in villas which usually have garden areas with a pool. I am biased being Romanian but it's such a brilliant place

There's a reason that it's cheap OP. I wouldn't go.

I've just paid £5500 for a week next year - brexit isn't helping the situation.

Off to Dalyan soon for the fourth time
We have also visited Kalkan, Olu Deniz and Bodrum
Usually in an apartment or villa but more for the extra room as we still eat out all the time
Never got bored yet, we enjoy a mixture of boat trips, historical sites, diving, shopping and just chilling by the pool
Plenty to do for older teens and young adults

I'm off to Marmaris on Monday, will be our third visit there. We have been to Gumbet and Turgetreis previously (neither of which I'd go back to).

I love it. I love the food, the weather, the beaches. The hard sell does get a bit tiresome but I approach it in the same way I do chuggers in the high street. Keeping walking and say no thank you.
The thing I love about Marmaris is it has something for everyone. I've never set foot in the infamous Bar St but I'm sure the twentysomethings love it. Much prefer a walk round the beautiful marina and ogling the massive yachts moored up there. There's posh romantic restaurants with stunning views of the sea when you want a bit of class, then there are the joints with neon signs, all day breakfasts, BOGOF cocktails and someone belting out Black Velvet on the karaoke.

We did the Sherwood Breezes Hotel in Lara Beach, Antalya this August. 2 adults, 1 child, start of August for £3500.

It's 4*, beachfront, lots of activities, easy walk into town. Food was good, a la carte's were lovely. Staff were great. Very 'international' - met people from UK, Turkey, Iran, Russia (and a few 'stan's), Poland, Sweden and Switzerland.

Flight etc was fine, Antalya airport is very good and the transfer was only 20 mins. We liked it a lot, and would go back - seems to be more expensive next year though.

I've visited both Kos and Rhodes on day trips whilst holidaying in Turkey and definitely felt Turkey was the better choice. I tried pricing up somewhere in Greece for this years holiday, was a little apprehensive given the unrest, but i just couldn't justify the inflated prices. We've paid £1100 for flights, accommodation in a gorgeous hotel, baggage and private transfers. Me, DH and DS.