Anyone been to Turkey?

[sherrardk]

I am going to Google Turkey later, but has anyone got any personal insights into Turkey. Pro's/con's etc - we will be taking our children too (if that makes any diffence).

[NazNomad]

No, the Visa is a tenner.

[dotty.]

we filled the visa out on the plane cos they handed them out and paid for it when we went through customs

[sherrardk]

Thanks for the visa info - probably wouldn't have found out about it otherwise as we won't be using a travel agents.

[NazNomad]

http://www.turkeytrav...ls/BorderFormalities/

[mjwman]

We love it so much we have bought an apartment. The people in Hisaronu near Olu Deniz must be very different to Alanyans that's all I can say

[roslyn251254]

There are some excellent trips to Ephesus, Pamukkale, Lycean tombs on dalyan river + mud bathing. We have been 3 times - once near Bodrum and twice near to Olu Deniz. Turkey is lovely and so are the people. Mostly things are cheap too compared to the med resorts.

[Purple_Popple]

Portugal is nice......

[dotty.]

if you do go take the kids to the night performance at Asdpendos, it;s like river dance, amazing music and dance in an amphitheatre that alexander the great used

[tiggerblue10]

I've been twice. The first time was at an all-inclusive 4 star and the second time was at a 3 star half board. The all-inc was brilliant, clean and loads to do in the complex and out. The 3 star was the complete opposite. It was dirty, nothing worked properly and the food wasn't all that either. Oh and we felt tremors as well but that obviously had nothing to do with the hotel! Lol

[slinkycat]

Go for it Sherrardk, would agree with a couple of the previous posters about Olu Deniz, its quite low key , although we did go at the beginning of the season.
Also as you have kids, the lagoon would be great for them to swim or paddle in, though you do have to pay a fee to get to it, which I think goes towards the areas upkeep.
If you can manage some time away from the kids go to a turkish bath, (theres a good one in Hisaronu) you will come out feeling like your bones have melted! In a good way!

[chazza]

We stayed in Gumbet (near Bodrum) at the end of last year and really enjoyed it, although Bodrum is a nicer resort than the party town of Gumbet. To be honest, we didn't find the resorts much different from the typical European resort in terms of the types of bars and restaurants.

Definitely try and get to a Turkish bath, we found one for 11Euro each, so price around, and make sure you go early on in the holiday as the exfoliation will prepare you for a tan!

Also, they accept both their own currency (Lira) and Euro, but they seem to prefer Euro. Keep an eye on price lists as we noticed that sometimes no currency is stated so you assume it's Lira, to get a shock when you get the bill and it was in Euro!

As for the Visa, that's pretty standard, £10 when entering the country, however you can pay with a £20 if there are two of you going, they accept both £10 and £20.

[arwyn]

The "Holidays uncovered" site has always helped me, you get the odd nutter on there but if you look at what loads of people say ie if they all say a resort/hotel is bad then it will be. Also check the dates of the posts because some are old and things could have changed.

[Bigfellah]

A very family friendly place is Calis Beach near Fethiye. You fly to Dalaman and usually the hotel where you stay will arrange transfer from the airport (about two hours). Be aware that if you arrive at midday it will be very hot in july/August time. Have a look at www.hotelletoon.com - I have stayed there three times with family and friends and thorughly enjoyed the experience. It is also very reasonably priced.

Good luck.

[annie0000]

We stayed in the all inclusive at Belek - hotel was Paloma Grida - I beliee the do large family rooms which may be suitable for you. I would really recommend it for kids. There are raelly good pools suitable for a wide age range of kids - excellent food with a kids buffet and there is enteratinment etc all laid on. As you have paid up front, the kids can go back and forward for drinks 20 times a day if they want - at no additional cost, same for ice-cream, food etc. Looks expensive up front, but actually works out okay as you don't need to spend any money at all when you are there.

[Jocor]

If you are not sure about which month or resort to go to then have a look at ;

www.weatherinturkey.org.uk

I recommend that site as it helped me choose a month to go to Turkey that wasnt too hot, oh and I think they tell you the length of time of the transfers too.

[inafix]

You wont get anything for the kids !!! We took cash and exchanged it when needed ,it was a better rate.Its a lot like Greece we found and the retaurants are very good.

[sherrardk]

The villa we fancy is at Bizet but we are dithering now!