Never travelled alone before - turkey?

[fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft]

I've found an all inclusive for turkey for 10 nights for next year in sept so,hopefully not too many kids around (nothing against them just done my stint !)

It's a 5* hotel

I'm a bit of a wuss about holidaying alone as never done it but I'm assuming this is a safe bet and safe for a lone traveller , I mean it's a package 5* all inclusive, I'm not planning on backpacking through the Amazon or anything

I just want a relaxing break in the sun , nothing taxing , not bothered about even leaving the resort tbh this time , just something to get my confidence up to do more alone , so 10 days in a warm sunny climate with the safety of knowing everything is paid for

I'm in my 50s and this is a big deal for me and not had a holiday for 6 years

Nothing can go wrong can it ......I mean it's a safe bet

I wouldn’t go to Turkey alone. I’d go to Portugal or the south of France

Why not turkey out of interest? The trip advisor reviews are all excellent and my friend has just come back from this particular resort (albeit it was a her her partner and son) and she had nothing but good to say about it....

The appeal is it's still warm in sept and it's a luxury all inclusive, the food looks amazing and the hotel looks great

All the reviews say the staff can't do enough and are professional and friendly

I probably would t go anywhere, so doubt I'd be hassled

If it’s a 5* package holiday, you’ll be looked after from the moment you arrive at the airport - transfer, hotel, meals, everything will be done for you, so you have nothing to worry about. I’ve travelled alone to a number of countries, Europe and further afield and it’s very liberating. It’s a long time since I’ve done an AI holiday tho’, I usually organise everything myself and often book and travel as I go.

Turkey is a beautiful place, but of course keep your wits about you, just as you would going anywhere else.

Thanks that's what I was thinking, it's a pretty soft option .

I had a lovely holiday alone in Dalyan. Two indidents: I went for a run along the beach and a young guy chased after me, asking if I wanted sex. I told him to fuck off, and jumped into the sea to get away. He didn't follow me. The other thing was the guy who ran the ferry was really pushy asking me out. Apart from that, it was fine for 10 days. It was nothing like, say, Egypt, where I didn't dare set foot outside! Mostly the people were lovely, the scenery amazing, the food delicious, etc.

I went to Turkey once and swore I'd never go again (which I fully intend to stick to).

I had various men offering to "buy me" from my male friend (they assumed he was my partner). I was also literally grabbed on the street in daylight by men attempting to drag me off.

The local rep for our hotel (female, Turkish) advised me not to go anywhere alone at any time, particularly saunas/massage places as, "You will get raped".

Horrendous terrifying experience.

Lecherous men at every turn when a friend and I went at 21. I'd never go again.

But, if you're going to be in an AI resort and not leave it then go for it. I'd just want to know if the beach is private or public if you want to use it.

If you stay in the resort it'll be fine. Lone woman you'll be harassed constantly, I've been several times but went last year with DD18; never again, it was miserable being cat called, grabbed, it's not a holiday, you're on edge constantly.

Go to a Greek island. Kos is lovely, and safe.

You can go but you’ll only feel safe if you don’t leave the resort. I was grabbed and harassed constantly when I went to Turkey and ended up cooped up in my self catering apartment until I left because I couldn’t stand the dread of men hounding me.

I had that experience in Marrakesh with my daughter when she was about 16. It was awful and I regretted going with her.

However, it’s important to be aware that these countries, Turkey in this case, is a majority Muslim population. Away from the coastal resorts the citizens are very traditional and religious in their views. Even in resorts women do have to be careful how they dress and behave because women don’t have the same liberties and freedoms that we have in the UK & Western Europe. So we can’t wear the clothes we might wear in Spain etc because the local men (and women in fact) will judge that. This is something that you have to accept in countries that have different social and religious customs.

The resort has a private beach and 6 pools

There's water sports included on the private beach

Tbh I just want a total wind down - not been away for 6 years and been really ill so my plan as lazy as it sounds is lay in the sun at the resort taking full advantage of the all inclusive facilities, take several books , find a spot tucked away somewhere and do absolutely nothing except swim , sunbathe read or listen to podcasts and music . It maybe isn't in the spirit of adventure but for now it would be amazing !

Plus the idea of AI is so I know I won't be spending more save a few souvenirs and if I did go on any excursions it would be with the rep .

That sounds like a perfect getaway OP. Go for it.

Or Majorca or Spain. There’s lots of nicer places. I suppose Turkey’s cheap, is it, for their ‘5 star’ hotel? You need to take those star ratings with a pinch of salt.

Seeing as you have a personal recommendation from a trusted source, a private beach and you're not planning to leave the resort it all sounds very safe.

My friend has just returned and said it's truly 5*

The trip
Advisor ratings are all excellent

It's not cheap - but looks beautiful, surrounded b mountains , lush greenery, private beach , 6 pools , my friend sent videos of the buffet restaurants and they were truly amazing with the variety and quality of the food . Bottled water is free daily , it really looks amazing

I think when you're going AI 5* you could really be anywhere if you aren't leaving the resort

Now as a younger traveller or when I had a partner I was much more adventurous and we did Thailand, Greece , islands in the Caribbean, and off we went - but as a woman alone I just want the first holiday to be absolute relaxation with sun , sea , and a few cocktails

Absolutely love Turkiye and everything about the people, food, culture and quality of the hotels. I spend up to 2 months each year there, with the safety of a travel companion and also have longstanding Turkish friends - however, as an honest caveat I would say that even as an unattractive and pension-aged woman I do have to stay alert and take certain precautions regularly - on beaches and walking, outside of the safe hotel/ town environments.

In short, I have been in situations where I have had to be very assertive, be aware that the men have all undertaken military service and are trained in approaching fast and unobtrusively over rocky terrain / know measures to incapacitate victims (for want of a better word). If approached in remote/beach locations I have learned to ignore, not to respond verbally, not to answer questions, not to make eye contact, feign deafness or even use another language. In extremis I have claimed to be “Polis”, I carry and have used a whistle to protect myself, to alert another lone female, have also gone to the aid of a different lone female and also warned other tourists in remote beach locations where I recognise known repeat offenders who are waiting to make an approach.
(The many problems I have encountered have been very specifically with men in the age group 40 plus, never an issue with younger males)
I don’t want to spread alarm, just to make you aware - to be more alert outside of the hotel and urban areas.

Thanks you - very valuable to know and if I were planning a sightseeing holiday alone I'd give it a swerve but as I'm going for a very lazy option , and not planning to leave the resort , I might chance it

I would recommend cardi wan to Thailand or dubai over turkey id you can afford it

Don't go out on your own at night anywhere that's quiet, otherwise you are very likely to get pestered by men.

If you fancy an evening out somewhere, then probably best to do an organised tour.

I also wouldn't recommend getting in a taxi by yourself either, though statistically you'd probably be fine, I did once and the taxi driver started coming onto me quite aggressively.

Given it's a package I trust the transfers will be by coach from airport to resort and back again . Not planning on an lone taxi rides .

I can handle myself, in that I am confident, but tbh I wouldn't be leaving the resort- I'm not really one for nightlife alone and there is entertainment in the resort but I usually avoid stuff like that anyway .
My plan really is for total rest and relaxation, a period of recovery from illness and coming to terms with being single . (Shitty break up )
I wouldn't mind having a go at some of the water sports on offer as they're are included in the package and it's a private beach . But that's as energetic as I'd get !

Dubai seems too busy and manufactured .

I'm not really after a long haul for my first trip alone - I'd love to go back to Thailand but the journey is gruelling with two flights so turkey seems a good option , still good weather and not a long flight

I love Turkey, I first went there on my own 30 years ago (when I was young and gorgeous)! and I felt totally at ease there.
I have been several times since, the last time with my DGD.
I don’t know which area you are are planning on going to, we personally love Olu Deniz.
Go for it OP, you will love it.

I love Turkey but would avoid it if you are traveling alone for the above reasons. I once stupidly went to Ankara and travelled by bus to Fetiya and my male Turkish friend had to instruct the bus driver to keep me safe and sitting behind him. Then I got to Fetiyah and had no such security. Market stalls with mothers encouraging their sons to marry me. Everyone asking if I was married. It was awful. Western women are seen as easy targets.

The resort is dalaman area - it's this one .....