Turkey or Greece? Villa or All-Inclusive?

[kansasmum]

We've decided to have a week's vacation at the end of August but can't decide where to go!!
Currently the choice is between a Greek Island or Turkey.
We've always gone self catering in a villa with private pool but as it's just me, Dh and ds(7) and not our dd's (20 and 18) we feel perhaps an AI resort would be better as he would have other kids to play with.. Have only done AI in the Caribbean when dd's were little and it was fabulous.

So we are looking for:
Family friendly resort that's not huge or really busy.
Near to beach.
If AI want decent food!
If not AI then location near small town with good restaurants etc - don't want nightclubs/ loads of bars etc!
Not particularly bothered about kids clubs.

So any recommendations?

Both Turkey and the Greek Islands are lovely but I have spent more time in Turkey so I will give you a few suggestions.

There are 3 airports so if you fly into Bodrum you could look at Bitez, Yalikavak or Turgutreis. Flying into Dalamn try Olu Deniz, Dalyan or Calis Beach. And from Atalya airport Side, Kas or Kalkan.

They are all family friendly and not too busy but still have plenty of shops, and some bars and restaurants.

We always go for a villa or apartment. AI in Turkey can be good but you have to pay a lot of money for a good one and the cheap ones can be really bad. To be honest I think you miss out a lot by being restricted to eating in the hotel. Turkey is good value for money (as is Greece) and it is so nice to eat out.

If you want somewhere for your youngest to find friends why not go for an apartment complex? That way you get the benefit of other children around but still get to go out and enjoy all the lovely Turkish food

I would go for a small villa complex with a shared pool - which enables kids to make friends.

Kaplan doesn't have a beach, although is lovely place apart from that

I really enjoyed staying at The Hillside Beach Club in Turkey.

I go to Marmaris and wouldn't bother going AI as there are so many places to eat and it's really cheap
Depends where you are going ExMil is currently in Gumbet on an AI and is saying the food is terrible. Never been to Greece

Icmeler is really nice, quieter than Marmaris but you can get the Dolmus along or a taxi and it costs a couple of quid. Can get boat trips from Marmaris pier for about £15 including food and drink. Can get boat trips from Icemeler but not sure how much they are. There is Icmeler market on a couple of time a week and the Bizarre in Marmaris.

My DB has been here in the hills of Marmaris and said it was nice. I just normally go in SC apartment's.

Marmaris

The Sani resort in Halikidiki could work as there are activities for all the family and also lots of choice of restaurants.

Thanks - will have a look at the places you've suggested and thanks for the info re food in Turkey, good to know restaurants are probably better idea than AI.

A clue of weeks ago I was looking at a love looking villa on trip advisor near I cemetery I think it was and it seemed reasonable. I'm not sure how much villas are though as never booked one but will try and find the one I was looking at although it's probably a bit big for your party

this is he one I was looking a. We were looking to see if it worked out cheaper as we haven't done it like this before but the flights out of Newcastle to Turkey are quite expensive.

Oops stupid phone on aurocorrect

Woah lol. Near Marmaris not near the cemetery

Kalkan DOES have a lovely beach in the village/several great beach clubs /glorious sandy beaches nearby /gorgeous restaurants and shops - it's fabulous

Last summer we went to Gloria Golf Resort in Turkey, AI, 5*, and bloody amazing it was too, all round, with delicious abundant food.