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]

Cons ... none that I discovered.

Where are you going?

[dotty.]

I went in 2007 and it was ok, nothin like the caribbean but ok, food was good but the shops try to rip you off we went to antalya airport then a 3 hour coach transfer to alanya, big resort but that journey was a killer,

[DTCwordfan]

great food and friendly people.....some beautiful countryside and coast.

Istanbul fascinating and really the x-over between Europe and the ME.

Muslim religion but not in your face.....and good to visit the Great Mosque etc etc

can be a shock re cleanliness if you get off the beaten track - bottled water and make sure that you are up on tetanus and hep if you are intending to explore a bit more than the average beach bum.

[Purple_Popple]

Yup, be very careful if you go shopping! Be wary of the markets....you can haggle...but if you so much as touch something or any item then its as good as sold! I did this just to look at something and the guy who's stall it was got really nasty when I didnt buy it....really kicked off! Shouting and threatening police....stealing.....he kept telling me to pay....quite scary....my partner and I just ran off....didnt buy anything...

[sherrardk]

Hi Naz - my husband is doing the looking (I havent got the patience for it all) so I have no idea. We have a friend who loves it there (don't know which bit he goes to though). More concerned that it is suitable for the kids really.

[DTCwordfan]

yes to the kids......the only kids that get eaten are goats.....

[sherrardk]

Thanks all - your posts weren't there when I started my original reply. Is it essential to have the jabs?

[NazNomad]

"but if you so much as touch something or any item then its as good as sold!"

Nonsense ... haggle, have a laugh with the locals. No pressure except that which you make for yourself by taking bad advice from Internet forums.

:-))

[DTCwordfan]

And if they offer you tea or coffee (small glasses), take it and enjoy it and have some fun with them.

[VHG]

Why not have a look on the TripAdvisor Turkey page.

http://www.tripadviso...Turkey-Vacations.html

Also ask on the TripAdvisor Turkey forum

http://www.tripadviso...3969-i367-Turkey.html

[NazNomad]

How old are the kids?

Marmaris might be a bit 'mental' with little kiddies in tow (just because of the amount of people there - still 'safe' though)

Icmeler is gorgeous, much quiter.

Be prepared for black sandy beaches, lol

[sherrardk]

Hi Naz - the kids are/will be 11, 7, 5 and two 2 year olds. We are looking at villas as we are not overly keen on the kids being in an adjoing room (as it's not always guaranteed).

[NazNomad]

I'd go back to Icmeler tomorrow, and I'd always recommend it as a first visit.

[dotty.]

Side looked a great family resort and not too far from antalya airport, about an hour, and on our last day we went on a boat trip the other side of antalya where there are huge resort hotels and that was stunning with the mountains behind the beaches

[Purple_Popple]

Naz, I am just putting my experience of Turkey, the markets were an awful experience for me and my partner, and some other people I know who have also visited Turkey, yes you can by all means haggle, but they get quite pushy.....and forceful.....I didnt say 'Dont go to Turkey" lol.....we went to Antalya

[dotty.]

My daughter wanted some fridge magnets from a souvenir shop in alanya, we'd seem lots whilst shopping and she knew what the prices had been but these weren't actually priced, she asked for 3 of them and the guy wrapped them up and then asked a ridiculous price so she changed her mind, he got abusive and pushed her, she was 22 and used to working in a bar, she's not big built but she squared up to him qwith her shoulders back and told him to 'bring it on' and these blokes came in from the back so we scarpered , but it was frightening, we went straight back to the hotel as it shook us up,

[pink-kittens]

don't forget and £10 note for each person going for your visa - including the 2 year old
Has to be a tenner for each person not £20 note for 2

[Purple_Popple]

They are very scary scary dotty! They do single women out and grab, push and pull your hair, arms, clothing, its like being mobbed ! Anthing to get you to part with your money, they love the british pound too !! Not so much their own currency....

[sherrardk]

Sorry, you've lost me. Do you mean a £10 bribe for each us to get through customs?

[dotty.]

no it;'s a tax, you pay it at the booth when you go through customs.