Turkey

[GSDfan22]

I just booked a holiday in Olu Deniz in august. Has anyone been to that area. Is stuff in the bars and shops expensive? would you recommend hiring a car? and what trips did you go on while there. Any useful information would be greatly appriciated.

[jb190281]

hi! not been to turkey personally, but i always find TripAdvisor really helpful for stuff like that - not just reviews on your hotel, but the areas also.

[slinkycat]

Went to Olu Deniz a couple of years ago, its in a beatiful spot. We didn't hire a car, its easy and quite cheap to hop on the bus (dolmus) to get up and down the coast, but I suppose it depends on how far you want to travel.
We did several trips and enjoyed them all. Saklikent gorge is pretty spectacular, but be aware of the young boys who grab your hand to help you wade across the river, they do expect payment!
The natural mud baths are a great laugh although very smelly, and don't wear your best swim stuff!
The abandoned village of Kayakou (not sure of spelling) is worth a look round, we walked there from Olu Deniz, but it was quite a trek. If you like walking though i'd recommend you do a bit of the Lycian Way, it starts up the hill from the resort and the views back over the lagoon are spectacular. Might be too hot in August for too much walking though.
Don't use your rep to book trips, there are plenty of local travel agents who tend to be cheaper.
The boat trips from the beach are good value, the touts will try and sell you a trip as you leave the beach, if you seem reluctant to book they may reduce the price.
As for the bars and shops, they were pretty reasonable when we went, but I read the other day that prices in Turkey have risen by as much as 40% recently, as the shop and bar owners are taking advantage of the increase in tourists avoiding the eurozone.
Finally, if you've not done it before, try a turkish bath, I was so relaxed afterwards I felt like my legs had turned to marshmallow!
Have fun!

[vignon]

Slinkycat Well reported,don't forget the £10 to get into the Country.

[slinkycat]

Had forgotten that! As vignon says you will need £10 for a "visa" to enter Turkey. Make sure you have a seperate tenner each, I heard if you try and pay for two people with a twenty its not accepted, and you won't get change. Willing to be corrected on that but we decided not to risk it!

[ELVIS68]

Went to Kusadasi on my honeymoon, was an eye opener to say the least, slinky is right about the dolmus, small van cram packed but very cheap

I just hope the hotels have sorted out their sewage problems, ie, wipe ur elbow and put the paper in a bin and hope it`s emptied rather than flush it and come home to a room full of "Shish"

Going out in the towns at night is a thrill, don`t be put off by everyone trying to drag you into their bar or restuarant, just say "NO" and walk past

[puzzled54]

Found eating out reasonably priced, but petrol is expensive. Didn't have a car, but every time we went past a petrol station and tried to work out petrol prices we thought we must have the conversion rate wrong! Can't remember now how much it was but it was more expensive then here (uk).

[GSDfan22]

Thanks for all your help. The traval agent told us about the 10 pound visa cost. I will put a tenner in each of our passports soon as a reminder.