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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Never travelled alone before - turkey?

171 replies

fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft · 06/09/2023 23:17

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

OP posts:
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Original poster
fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft · 07/09/2023 01:42

I've been to santorini in early sept but I'm looking at late sept / October and Greece is definitely out of season then

I'm not booking anything yet . Need to check with my dd she can have my dog

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 07/09/2023 01:43

All the reviews look good

They sure like listing the names of the entertainment staff.

Original poster
fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft · 07/09/2023 01:45

They like listing the names full
Stop

I aren't going for foam parties tho Grin

OP posts:
geoger · 07/09/2023 03:10

I wouldn’t go to Turkey for the reasons stated by pp. Go to Greece or Cyprus - the weather is gorgeous and the sea is still warm (we went to Cyprus in October half term and it was fab)

FloweryName · 07/09/2023 03:21

You’ll be fine OP. I did a similar holiday as you’re planing to turkey alone just before the pandemic and it was lovely.

I did feel quite conspicuous in the hotel restaurant eating alone and got a lot of attention from the waiters but I also felt well looked after and perfectly safe. I’d planned on staying in the resort but got bored so I used pubic busses to visit a couple of towns and it was fine. It’s just like being a tourist anywhere that you need to be a bit more alert but I felt safer as a woman alone in turkey than I did while travelling as a family to Rome, Madrid and Barcelona with all the pick pockets they have.

Toddlerteaplease · 07/09/2023 03:27

I'd go somewhere you can leave the resort safely if you wanted too. But I can't possibly see the point in going all that way, and not exploring the country.

BorrowedThyme · 07/09/2023 03:27

You will get pestered and threatened by men in Turkey

Original poster
fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft · 07/09/2023 04:19

I've done Rome with dd and we were absolutely fine . (In one restaurant the as i descended the stairs to use the loo the waiter came over saying "she's the mamma " and they all gave me a thumbs up because my dd is very beautiful even if I do say so myself which I found funny and not in the least bit threatening, and I used the metro, walked around at night - never worried about pick pockets and wasn't ever harried with or without dd

OP posts:
Original poster
fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft · 07/09/2023 04:26

Toddlerteaplease · 07/09/2023 03:27

I'd go somewhere you can leave the resort safely if you wanted too. But I can't possibly see the point in going all that way, and not exploring the country.

Well I might explore but I'd do the ludicrously expensive guided trips with tui if I do

OP posts:
suburbophobe · 07/09/2023 04:41

OP, go for it. Sounds like just what you need.

Do go for a day- trip organised tour though. Highly recommend Ephesus if anywhere nearby.
It will also get you out of your comfort zone which you need if travelling solo.

You'll come back empowered.

I've travelled solo for years, with my DS as a kid too.

No-one can guarantee true love for ever.
We've all been brought up on fairy tales....

Always good to follow your dream.

Like the Buddhist Lama said (my mantra lol)
No-one will be lying on their death bed saying "I wanted to see the world but nobody wanted to come with..."
True that.

BuddhaAtSea · 07/09/2023 05:38

fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft · 07/09/2023 00:38

Even staying in resort ?

Show quote history

Look, you do you, I gave you my opinion. My holidays are hard earned (and I’m not saying for a minute yours aren’t) and I resented having to be en garde 24/7. It’s not a holiday if you double check your hotel room is locked and you put a chair in the door before you go to bed. Or you can’t look up, because some idiot thinks you’re up for it.
I do hope you prove us all wrong and I wish you a lovely time 🤗

Original poster
fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft · 07/09/2023 05:55

If I feel I have to
Barricade myself into a five star hotel room I'm afraid the rep will be getting it up em

It seems a little dramatic. I'd assume if every lone woman was barricading themselves into their rooms at night it would lose business fairly rapidly

This would be my first holiday anywhere for what will then be 6 years so yes my holiday will be very hard earned .

People are making a 5* resort sound like a holiday in Cambodia during the reign of pol pot.

OP posts:
Aposterhasnoname · 07/09/2023 05:58

I’m in Turkey right now, and there’s a number of lone women here. No one is bothering them. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second about coming on my own. You’ll have a fab time.

yogasaurus · 07/09/2023 05:59

leccybill · 06/09/2023 23:53

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

I was going to say the same. There were many solo travellers at the resort we were at this summer.

I wouldn’t go to Turkey alone.

AgentProvocateur · 07/09/2023 06:04

Go. You’ll have a great time. I love Turkey and have travelled around it a fair bit and I’m still here to tell the tale!

TheYear2000 · 07/09/2023 06:10

Greece isn't shut in September! Even late September. Islands like Crete and Rhodes are still lovely into October, so late September would be fine. As would Cyprus.

NotDonna · 07/09/2023 06:10

Go for it!

My 19 year old (blonde blue eyed) DD and I traveled all over Turkey last Sept/Oct for around 12 days. Flew to Istanbul then to Capodoccia, ankara, all along the south coast & up to Pamukkale. I asked a Turkish company to put the itinerary together with drivers/guides taking us from place to place. We had a blast. No one was ever inappropriate. The two of us went out in the towns and villages with no issues whatsoever. It’s an absolutely stunning country! Oh and it was hot!

Shame you’re not exploring BUT 10 days being spoilt at an AI sounds just what you need! Early October will be very warm - late October/half term it’s quite a bit cooler ~ ok for exploring but not for lazing on a beach and pools often not heated. Go book it!!!

tara66 · 07/09/2023 06:41

Can you not go as part of a group - I know you're too young for SAGA but something similar?

Nemesias · 07/09/2023 06:42

tara66 · 07/09/2023 06:41

Can you not go as part of a group - I know you're too young for SAGA but something similar?

Saga is 50+

Original poster
fabmaccawhackythumbsaloft · 07/09/2023 06:45

tara66 · 07/09/2023 06:41

Can you not go as part of a group - I know you're too young for SAGA but something similar?

I actually want to do it alone , I'm very sociable and I'm sure I'll get chatting to people but I want solitude and just to chill and do my own thing

And I want to be able to do it alone including the drive to and from the airport

I want to know I have the freedom to travel and not be tied to numbers

OP posts:
SoSad44 · 07/09/2023 06:48

Magic life are not 5 star resorts (been to two jn Turkey before). They are ok but not 5 star. I would never go to Turkey alone as a woman even in resorts, you get hit on by staff and animation guys. I have been back recently with family but it was soulless and boring in the AI resort and the town full of fake brands. Honestly just choose another country where you won’t get hassled eg Greece or Cyprus.

Charliebong · 07/09/2023 06:51

I was in Turkey in August with my 18 year old daughter…we stayed in very similar accommodation with a package deal (so transfers included) and it was absolutely fabulous. Do it.

BlueisthenewGrey · 07/09/2023 06:51

I wouldn't go to that hotel as a single guest as its kid orientated, but I would travel alone to a high end hotel. If you want a TUI hotel, try Sensatori Sorgun, fab Adults area and lots of UK reps onsite.

Other hotel brands I would travel to alone in Turkey are Voyage Belek or NG Phaselis, the staff are amazing. Never been to Maxx, Regnum etc. But wouldn't hesitate to them too. Avoid cheaper AI, my friend and I had horrendous times at some.

Enjoy your hol.

hurlyb · 07/09/2023 06:56

We've been to Turkey many times. We've just returned from the Balearics where I was on my own a good deal of the time exploring and swimming and felt entirely comfortable all the time.

No hassle whatsoever. I would not go to Turkey solo. You can get amazing 5 star all inclusives in the Balearics and Greek islands where you also have the option of leaving the resort. Why risk it?

TiredandLate · 07/09/2023 06:59

Everything I've read about men in Turkey puts me off going. But, if you are doing a Tui transfer to the resort and back it sounds fine. I was going to suggest a cruise, then saw you've done long cruises already. I've never been more relaxed than on that balcony looking at nothing but the sea. Bliss.