Pros and Cons to holiday in Turkey.... or... why am I not keen?

[Kbear]

Looking for a holiday in August... two adults, two kids 13 and 10. All we want is to laze by a FABULOUS pool and let the kids have fun.

We obviously have a set budget and what I want in my head (LOL) and what I want to spend are two different things. Except when I look at Turkey.

Me and DH not keen on Turkey but we don't know why. Can anyone tell me fabulous things about Turkey for all inclusive holidays and where is the best place to go and what to avoid?

Ta muchly.

I wasn't keen either but a friend recommended a hotel in Belek and I can honestly say it was amazing. www.palomahotels.com/grida

Fabulous restaurants, huge pools with watersides and a great entertainment team looking after everyone.

Probably other peoples idea of hell but for us it was perfect.

Have a look at other hotels in Belek or Lara beach, most are very good. I would try and get a 5* though.

thanks for that - who did you book with?

Thomas Cook. The facilities were very good for teenagers, we did white water rafting, paragliding (the one with speedboat) banana boats and jet skis.

Probably the best all inclusive food I have ever had as well.

the turkish resort looks lovely, but for the 5 of us would cost over 4k for 1 week (in only 2 rooms). is that normal for a package holiday? Am i missing something? Seems an awful lot of money. we usually hire a large villa and i thought 4.5k for 2 weeks, with a car, was a lot, but this now looks quite cheap.

we really enjoyed our holiday in turkey -wasn't all inclusive though

I've never been AI in turkey but have been 3 times b&b and love it. It's a fascinating country if you did want to go on trips, the people are warm and friendly and the food is very good. No euro means its better value than some and the blue lagoon in olu deniz is 1 of the best in the world.

I know a lot of people have the same reservations about turkey as you but I'd recommend it to anyone.

any more thoughts or suggestions?

We went to Lykia World last year and I have to say it was perfect for a family holiday - tbh though you could have been anywhere - no need to leave the complex - loads of pools, lovely adult only infinity one which we actually managed a couple of mornings at even though we had a 6, 3 and 6m old. That to me is a fine holiday. Loved Turkey.

Pre-kids we were indian ocean 5 star all the way (ex-airline) - Turkey - Lykia World really, compared surprisingly well.

I have been to Hisaronu nr Olu Deniz, Alanya and Turunc and have had wonderful holidays there. August can be very very hot - 40C plus - that would be a drawback for me. May/September best times to go.

We love Turkey - although were also unsure about it before going.

Go to Olu Deniz - mainly pedestrian and not overly built up (in a preservation zone). The lagoon/beach is lovely - you can swim out to a small rocky island and snorkel in very safe calm sea. Avoid Hisaronu - thats like magaluf.
Fetiye nearby is great for shopping and restaurants ( fish market where you buy you fish and take to surrounding restaurants for them to cook for you) also for taking boat trips - ensure you go on a traditional type sailing boat - you go all day and have meals and stop off to swim etc.
Never been all inclusive as went as a couple first then with stepdaughter and stayed in small B and b with a pool (the lemon tree hotel - who pick you up from airport for direct taxi transfer. nice!). lack of supermarkets though but eating out quite reasonable. some nights just a simple kebab sufficed to save money.
Nice bars along the seafront for nighttime - and all child friendly. Gets quiet about midnight.

We have been three times - returning for our honeymoon - that time to Kalkan though and a boutique place on the coast near Olu Deniz.(which is pricey).

Could not recommend more if I tried!! Always been early June or September and still very hot!

Not sure of price but exclusive escapes have a good hotel in Kalkan - kalkan regency - that kids are allowed at and lots of nice villas. May be pricey though.Some rooms have their own pools. Also the villa mahal on the other side of the bay.
they have a good website to get an idea of the places - then you might find something cheaper!!
We did our honeymoon with them.

Just about to go on my 3rd hol to Turkey, so I say, go for it!! Went to Olu Deniz first time in a 4 * hotel right by the beach. It was just lovely... My daughter was 4 at the time and we all had a great time. Did not just stay in the resort, went off for a couple of days and stayed at at Tara beach in a pension (B&B).
Second time, we went to Marmaris (wasn't for me) much more touristy, but the hotel was very good, food, water slides, kids club etc, but it's not my thing, so again we went off for a few days in a hire car and found somewhere else for a few days that was 40 miles away and very chilled out with hammocks etc.
This time, we going to Kusadasi to the Aquafantasy Hotel and Spa (have a look on trip advisor), it looks amazing! Lots for the kids to do, all-inclusive food drink etc, brilliant reviews!!!
We love Turkey!! xx

3k for 4 people in a 2 room place - rocket. per week. i'm now feeling much happier about the amount we spend on our hols which i thought previously was a bit steep.

Only been twice. Bitez. Not keen on it. Then side. Really liked it. Lovely beach

We were on holiday a few weeks ago, seems like a distant memory!! We went to Baia Lara at Lara Beach. 5* all inclusive, was brilliant.

Going back next year to The Voyage, Belek, Golf and Spa 5*. As it gets even better reviews on trip advisor.

Weather was gorgeous and only 4.5 hour flight from the UK. The transfer to Lara beach is about 20-30mins add an extra 15 for Belek.

Can get reasonable prices through Thompson's, Thomas Cook or First Choice.

Turkey is amazing.

I was like you op, never fancied it but didn't know why. Then we went and I fell in love with the place.

I love Turkey, it is an amazing country, very beautiful and there is so much culture. It is very clean, very child friendly and the people are so friendly.

I have been going to Turkey for 20 years now and I lived out there for 3 years :) I even married a Turkish man

Cons - the only downside to me is that I can't spend as much time as I would like to out there, one day I hope we will buy a second home there.

Go, I'm sure you will fall in love with it too when you get there :)