Would you go to Turkey this Summer?

[Holidaydecisions123]

We are looking to book a holiday this July/Aug. We usually stay in Europe and go to one of the Greek Islands/Majorca.

Looking at Turkey it’s very cheap for an all inclusive. As much as half the price of a similar hotel in Greece/Spain. Obviously we’d be going to somewhere like Boston/Antalya.

Would you go? My concerns are the current situation with the war, and also the extreme heat.

Yanbu - it’s a brilliant place
Yabu - I wouldn’t go

Where is “here” for you @InLoveWithAI ?

I was in Turkey when the missiles were intercepted. Distance wise, it might as well have been in Germany.

Although we did see the Spanish ambassador being cavalcaded past us at one point. Presumably enjoying negotiations from a safe distance.

Yes love turkey. Our fave is Bodrum

Because you are obviously concerned, hence the thread, I wouldn't go, other people's lack of concern aren't going to make you any less concerned. Myself I wouldn't be concerned but wouldn't go because I don't like it too hot.

Ive been to turkey a few times.

The hotels look amazing, but some are not, we went to a "5 star" one last year costing £11k and i hated it, Gural Belek hotel, also hated the area belek.

This year we are going back to a hotel we know and love - Titanc Deluxe Belek and im really excited.

Another thing to note with the turkey hotels is All inclusive generally means just the buffet resturants at night and maybe 1 night a la carte. So its an additional charge of around 30 euros per adult and half per child to use the a la cartes.

My advice is do your research, alot of great FB groups for certain hotels which are helpful

We live in Dalyan most of the year. Might see you there 😝

You hated the area of belek but you’re going back there? Why? @eggsandsourdough

Going against the grain I know, but I find the hotter months in Turkey easier to manage than in many less hot countries I've been to. Yes, it's very hot but I've found that all the tourist areas are designed for this so there is a lot more shade provided and everywhere has fans and/or air conditioning. For example, at water parks/beaches in Spain I have found it really hard to avoid getting burned because it's hard to find any shade and even places to eat/drink are outside with little shade (or all the shady spaces taken in the busy months). In similar places in Turkey I've found there are shades provided all over, all cafes have shades/fans etc. Most of the tourist resorts in Turkey have loads of private beaches where you can use umbrellas/sunbeds for free if you eat or drink there and many have extra shady areas if you want them plus shaded, airconditioned cafe/toilet/shower areas (some even had fine water sprays in the fans for extra cooling). I am an incredibly pale red head and with appropriate sunscreen/hat have never been burned or felt ill in Turkey, but I have in Spain and Greece. I can only holiday in the school holidays so have been in the hottest months.

I agree that hotel star ratings for the same standard are not the same as other countries- you need to be aware that in Turkey the star ratings are based on a checklist of facilities, not necessarily how luxurious the hotel is. So a run down hotel with poor food but a spa/gym etc could be a higher rating than a simple but higher standard hotel. Price and trip adviser ratings are a good indicator.

I am not a seasoned traveller by a long way and as a paler skinned person get more hassle than most in many countries (the assumption seems to be that the better your tan the longer you will have been there so the more open you'll be to hassle, and everyone assumes I've only just arrived). I've been to Marmaris/Icmeler/Oludeniz and Antalya/Side and never felt threatened travelling as part of a family group as well as alone with my daughter. You are likely to be encouraged to go in to bars/restaurants but I've found that a polite no thank you does the trick. If you like history, the old town in Side is an amazing place to visit and there are loads of higher end all inclusive hotels in that area. Antalya/Side tends to attract more German/Russian tourists and Marmaris/Oludeniz more English tourists. There are loads of fake goods shops/brits bars etc in the latter but also loads of more authentic shops and restaurants.

Sorry should have clarified, we dont generally leave the hotels when we go to Turkey but had to leave last year as the food was crap, belek was just full of fake shops with hardly any resturants alsthough the 2 we found and ate in were lovely.

We have been to the titanic before and it was amazing.

Last year’s £11k holiday was a flop and the food was crap.
You hated the area
but love Turkey

You don’t love Turkey!. You love a couple of the hotels you’ve stayed in there! But they could have been anywhere.

I have heard that a lot of the all inclusive hotels are predominantly Russian package holiday hotels particularly around Antalya.

I stayed in Antalya and yes fair few Russians but also lots of Brits and Germans. Made for a nice mix 🤷‍♀️

Why you being a dick? 😂

And show me where i said i love turkey?

You need a holiday 😆

I’ve been to Olu Deniz a few times. Mostly may or October. The one time I did go in July I didn’t like the heat.

there’s good swimming in the sea and the lagoon.

I really do😂

As i say to my husband, i dont care where i am, i want a huge hotel, loads of facilities for the kids, at least 7 resturants ( a la carte) and padded loungers and hot.

OP specifically asked about the hotels and i was answering.

I've had several very nice and very good value AI holidays in Turkey. Hotel standards were as expected for the star rating, so didn't get less because it was cheaper. There are some fascinating sights, particularly if you like history, beautiful natural scenery and gorgeous beaches.
I wouldn't be put off by world events unless there was a government advisory. However, there is no way I'd cope with the weather in july/Aug. We went Oct and that was hot, beach and sea swimming weather, mid summer is ferocious. Although probably simular to Greece?

Going in October and will be going regardless. But it's way too hot there in the summer for me.

Agreed. In a quieter/classier hotel I don't particularly care what nationality the other guests are, as I keep myself to myself for the most part. But the last thing I'd want would be to find myself in a 'lively' resort hotel with primarily Russian clientele. Being stuck in that sort of place with Brits would be nightmarish enough. Suffice to say I'm not planning to book the Kremlin Palace* in Antalya any time soon!

*Yes, really. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JoYFoubV6NyChXh9A

I wouldn't. I did when younger and as others have said I found the hotel and in particular food very underwhelming. I am very pale skinned and was young when I visited, I received a lot of hassle, some of the hotel staff (m) were outright rude, others very nice. The street was not pleasant. I didnt wear anything particularly revealing except when swimming in the hotel, it had its own beach & pools; bikini with a sarong ready as soon as I got out of the water. I wouldnt go back.

This. We went about 2years ago and it was horrid. The heat was unbearable. Absolutely won’t do it again

I'd go without a second thought, the war in Syria never stopped anyone going so why would Iran?

I've been to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Cirali, Bodrum, Fethiye, Olu Deniz and Dalyan.

Olu Deniz was a huge disappointment, a beautiful, beautiful place completely ruined by over tourism and the nearby towns horribly tacky.

Bodrum and Fethiye were a bit meh for me. Bodrum was again too touristy in a negative way.

All the others I really loved (even if they were touristy). Pretty sure we've been in the school summer holidays and been ok with the heat. Hot but not 40 degrees.

I was never hassled. never stayed AI (those areas always worst for hassle IMO), always took local transport (Dolmus and buses) and it is very, very different to Egypt which does have hideous hassle, high chance of food poisoning and I wouldn't go back to.

No, but only because the heat would be unbearable. I’d go Spring or in the Autumn / Winter though.

I went to Turkey last August with my grandchildren (12 & 14).
Had a lovely time, drank plenty of water and went swimming.
Planning on returning this year, wonderful holiday.

I wouldn’t be bothered about the war as such

Id be very bothered about the thought of flight disruptions and cancellations and the threat of potentially being stranded in a foreign airport for multiple days with young kids

i am not going anywhere that requires a flight this year for that reason