Which resort in Turkey?
Discussion
Hi
Me and my girlfriend are thinking about going to Turkey for our holiday this year. We'll be going mid/late June.
Last year we went to Paphos, where there was plenty to do, such as visiting the Tombs of the Kings etc. We don't want to just sit on the beach for 10 days, we'd rather be seeing the sights etc.
Is there anywhere people would recommend in Turkey?
Thanks
Me and my girlfriend are thinking about going to Turkey for our holiday this year. We'll be going mid/late June.
Last year we went to Paphos, where there was plenty to do, such as visiting the Tombs of the Kings etc. We don't want to just sit on the beach for 10 days, we'd rather be seeing the sights etc.
Is there anywhere people would recommend in Turkey?
Thanks
Dalyan and Olu Deniz (both via Dalaman airport). Have visted both several times.
Both are in protected areas, so no developments are allowed abovefirst floor level.
Dalyan is a short way up a river. From there, you can take a water bus (or hire a smaller boat with captain just for yourself) and go down river to the beach and sea or up river to a large freshwater lake with various 'things to do' dotted round it; e.g. mud baths.
Olu Deniz is a small village right on the beach. About 400m square. Superb beach, lots of boat trips, very lively nightlife, restaurants etc. They also run the most amazing paragliding jumps from the surrounding mountains down onto the beach. (The jump itself takes over 30 minutes, to give you some idea of the height they are jumping from)
From both places, it's a short dolmus ride to Fethiye, which is a great town. 'Proper' Turkish; some interesting shops and a fantastic market a few times a week.
Lots of history in the area; I'm sure Google is your friend.
If it's just the two of you, I can highly recommend the Oyster Residences at Olu Deniz. No kids allowed; it's a 22-room boutique hotel which is utterly peaceful, in spite of being the closest hotel to the beach. It is owned by a renowned Turkish interior designer yet is cheaper than a UK Travelodge.
I booked it direct with the local travel agent http://www.oludenizbeach.com/oysterresidences.html and then booked my flights separately. Get the agent to sort the taxi connections too; my wife and I had a new 14-seater Mercedes Sprinter luxury mini-coach to ourselves both ways.
Both are in protected areas, so no developments are allowed abovefirst floor level.
Dalyan is a short way up a river. From there, you can take a water bus (or hire a smaller boat with captain just for yourself) and go down river to the beach and sea or up river to a large freshwater lake with various 'things to do' dotted round it; e.g. mud baths.
Olu Deniz is a small village right on the beach. About 400m square. Superb beach, lots of boat trips, very lively nightlife, restaurants etc. They also run the most amazing paragliding jumps from the surrounding mountains down onto the beach. (The jump itself takes over 30 minutes, to give you some idea of the height they are jumping from)
From both places, it's a short dolmus ride to Fethiye, which is a great town. 'Proper' Turkish; some interesting shops and a fantastic market a few times a week.
Lots of history in the area; I'm sure Google is your friend.
If it's just the two of you, I can highly recommend the Oyster Residences at Olu Deniz. No kids allowed; it's a 22-room boutique hotel which is utterly peaceful, in spite of being the closest hotel to the beach. It is owned by a renowned Turkish interior designer yet is cheaper than a UK Travelodge.
I booked it direct with the local travel agent http://www.oludenizbeach.com/oysterresidences.html and then booked my flights separately. Get the agent to sort the taxi connections too; my wife and I had a new 14-seater Mercedes Sprinter luxury mini-coach to ourselves both ways.
Another vote for Dalyan - been there a few times over the years and going again this year. Plenty to see and do.
As suggested above it's wonderful to hire a small boat with Captain for yourself and go down-stream to the gorgeous beach. In the past we've taken our time going down there as we've often stopped when passing through the read beds and slung lines over the side and caught blue crab. With a bottle (or three) of wine (ask your Captain to stock up before you leave and have his cold box on board), these are delicious cooked on an on-board BBQ. Alternatively up-stream Lake Koycegiz (very large and sp?) has many mud baths and volcanic springs along its shores and number of places where you can pull up and BBQ. There's also a small spa vilage with a restaurant and bar. The journey in either direction is wonderful as the scenery is very, very special.
Microlights operate from a field close by - would recommend those, the ancient ruins of Kaunos are right across the river and fun to explore, and the tombs carved from the rock face in the cliffs opposite the town make for a special back drop when lit up at night.
There are plenty of other activities in the local area - diving, climbing, white water, jeep safaries, etc.
It is a protected area as it's where the loggerhead turtles live/breed (you will often see them in the river) so building limited to two stories, no large developments, etc. This makes for a more relaxed and far less commercial feel than some Turkish resorts.
The town itself has a number of good restaurants and bars, many of which are river-side. There is a visiting market on a Saturday (my wife tells me it's good for fake clothes) and plenty of smaller shops/stalls which stay open late into the night.
The best thing is that it's only 30 mins from Dalaman by coach and it's not rammed with charvers in football tops. The worst thing are the mossies but the local spray works wonders in keeping them, away.
You can probably tell I like the place.....
As suggested above it's wonderful to hire a small boat with Captain for yourself and go down-stream to the gorgeous beach. In the past we've taken our time going down there as we've often stopped when passing through the read beds and slung lines over the side and caught blue crab. With a bottle (or three) of wine (ask your Captain to stock up before you leave and have his cold box on board), these are delicious cooked on an on-board BBQ. Alternatively up-stream Lake Koycegiz (very large and sp?) has many mud baths and volcanic springs along its shores and number of places where you can pull up and BBQ. There's also a small spa vilage with a restaurant and bar. The journey in either direction is wonderful as the scenery is very, very special.
Microlights operate from a field close by - would recommend those, the ancient ruins of Kaunos are right across the river and fun to explore, and the tombs carved from the rock face in the cliffs opposite the town make for a special back drop when lit up at night.
There are plenty of other activities in the local area - diving, climbing, white water, jeep safaries, etc.
It is a protected area as it's where the loggerhead turtles live/breed (you will often see them in the river) so building limited to two stories, no large developments, etc. This makes for a more relaxed and far less commercial feel than some Turkish resorts.
The town itself has a number of good restaurants and bars, many of which are river-side. There is a visiting market on a Saturday (my wife tells me it's good for fake clothes) and plenty of smaller shops/stalls which stay open late into the night.
The best thing is that it's only 30 mins from Dalaman by coach and it's not rammed with charvers in football tops. The worst thing are the mossies but the local spray works wonders in keeping them, away.
You can probably tell I like the place.....
Re mossies - go as early in the season as you can, as both mossies and wasps get worse as the summer goes on.
Last year, I wet to Olu Deniz in June, the temperature was high 30s/low 40s and there wasn't a mossie to be seen.
Between the facilities/activities at the two resorts, I'd say that OD is better suited to younger people and Dalyan more to families; though they both attract a complete mix.
Last year, I wet to Olu Deniz in June, the temperature was high 30s/low 40s and there wasn't a mossie to be seen.
Between the facilities/activities at the two resorts, I'd say that OD is better suited to younger people and Dalyan more to families; though they both attract a complete mix.
Do a Blue Cruise on a Gulet.
http://www.bluecruise.org/
Done right at the right time of year this must be one of the best holidays possible.
Another operator: http://www.bluecruise.co.uk/
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2qhmmX2320
http://www.bluecruise.org/
Done right at the right time of year this must be one of the best holidays possible.
Another operator: http://www.bluecruise.co.uk/
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2qhmmX2320
H_Kan said:
What are the beaches in Olu Deniz like? I seem to be finding conflicting things online.
Basically wanting to know if they are sand or pebble.
The beaches are sand, but at the water's edge they become a very fine stone. Complete nightmare if you're wearing those 4x4-sandal type things. You do need to wear something on your feet during the day as the sand can get tortuously hot, but you're probably best advised to dump them just before entering the water and go barefoot, as the tiny stones will just fill up any footwear.Basically wanting to know if they are sand or pebble.
I see the OP has been actively appreciative of all the replies!
Another vote for Kalkan here. Far enough away from either of the two international airports (we usually do it in 90 minutes by minibus) serving the area to be ignored by the package market, and yet very lively from June through to September when there are some 200 restaurants to choose from.
If archaeology is your thang, its ten minutes by car from there to Patara - one of the world's longest unspoilt sandy beaches with all its associated Greek and Roman sites just inland. I would suggest if you enjoy that, or walking / trekking then Kalkan being on the Lycian Way makes a great base, but choose cooler months unless you are particularly masochistic.
If archaeology is your thang, its ten minutes by car from there to Patara - one of the world's longest unspoilt sandy beaches with all its associated Greek and Roman sites just inland. I would suggest if you enjoy that, or walking / trekking then Kalkan being on the Lycian Way makes a great base, but choose cooler months unless you are particularly masochistic.
Little bit O/T, but still with the Turkey theme...
What's the value of Lira out there? Does 100 Lira buy you a car or a Coke? And also, I've heard it's best to keep some sterling on you as well, as some people take it. Is that right?
I'm off to Olu Deniz in late August(!). Never been to Turkey before but it looks very nice.
What's the value of Lira out there? Does 100 Lira buy you a car or a Coke? And also, I've heard it's best to keep some sterling on you as well, as some people take it. Is that right?
I'm off to Olu Deniz in late August(!). Never been to Turkey before but it looks very nice.
B16 RTT said:
Deniz.S said:
Google comes first...
1.00 GBP
=
2.35933 Lira (YTL)
Onviously I checked the exchange rate. But my question was the value of the currency.1.00 GBP
=
2.35933 Lira (YTL)
e.g. GB - £1 buys a bottle of Coke. In Turkey - £1/1Lira may buy 6 bottles of Coke.
Do you see what I'm saying?
Tip: Don't buy anything at Dalaman airport (arriving or departing). The prices are astronomical as they try and claw back the cost of the new terminal. Buy some grub locally before you leave your resort on the homeward leg. A can of pop - local o imported is £3.50-4.00. A burger is £10!
Their Duty Free shop is no bargain either. You can buy most of the perfumes etc cheaper in Debenhams in the UK High St.
B16 RTT said:
Deniz.S said:
Google comes first...
1.00 GBP
=
2.35933 Lira (YTL)
Onviously I checked the exchange rate. But my question was the value of the currency.1.00 GBP
=
2.35933 Lira (YTL)
e.g. GB - £1 buys a bottle of Coke. In Turkey - £1/1Lira may buy 6 bottles of Coke.
Do you see what I'm saying?
Cheers 
We're going all-inclusive, but obviously not planning on staying at the hotel 24-7, so the evenings out will be a 'treat' so to speak. So it's no more expensive/cheaper than going somewhere Spanish? I've been to Tenerife (self-catering) for the last couple of years, and found that to be about right as far as prices are concerned. Although with the £/Euro situation the way it is, sounds like countries with their own currencies are the way to go! Even if the £ is weak against them.
We're going all-inclusive, but obviously not planning on staying at the hotel 24-7, so the evenings out will be a 'treat' so to speak. So it's no more expensive/cheaper than going somewhere Spanish? I've been to Tenerife (self-catering) for the last couple of years, and found that to be about right as far as prices are concerned. Although with the £/Euro situation the way it is, sounds like countries with their own currencies are the way to go! Even if the £ is weak against them.
Edited by B16 RTT on Tuesday 5th May 17:00
Try Turunc (Google it). Lovely relatively little resort outside (thankfully) Marmaris. Plenty of decent places to eat, reasonable bars ( but no other nightlife), lovely sandy (but narrow) beach, very friendly locals. We stayed in a room (with a/c) above a restaurant year before last, and it was one of the most laid back hols we've had, along with very good, cheap food.
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