never been to Turkey...

[kitchenmares]

Hello! wondering about visitingTurkey..looks good value and also looks beautiful..main question I suppose is; is it safe to hire a car out? Any answers on Turkey and your experiences would be very welcome, thanks!

[Gromit]

Turkey is an excellent place to visit.

The people are nice and friendly, the food is good. It is cheap to eat out (do not go full board). The weather is excellent (I would recommend May/June or Sept/Oct. It is too hot in the summer months). The Beer is Efes (check it out at wetherspoons) or Tuborg). Wine is expensive.

I would recommend a place called Dalyan. It is in a nature reserve and is quite small. It is half an hour transfer from Dalaman airport. Here are some pictures.

Dalyan panorama

Iztuzu Beach

Dalyan town and boats

Dalyan Market

Dalyan Rock Tombs

I do not usually drive in Turkey. There are plenty of boat trips and Dolmuses (Bus). I personally avoid Marmaris.

[Gromit]

Sorry, last two links don't work. Try again with tombs pic here...

Dalyan tombs at night

[ConfusedCH]

I've been to Turkey every year for the last 10 years. So obviously I like it. If you're after a cheap holiday where Sun is guaranteed, then it' s the place to go.
BUT, don't go anything under 4 Star. That is the main tip I can give you. Try and get something in the SIDE area of Turkey. It's about an hours drive from Antalya Airport, but well worth it. The surrounding villages are cheap for drinks etc. We always go All Inclusive, so we don't end up paying that much for the whole holiday. As a tip check out the Miramare Queen Hotel. It's a really nice place, right by the beach. Have fun!!!

[kitchenmares]

Thankyou so much, great info, I`m learning! Sounds good..hope to go end of August begining of September ish.

[kitchenmares]

Thanks Gromit, thanks ConfusedCH, pictures are beautiful, definately taking all your advice.

[jno]

pretty hot in August. And I wouldn't hire a car, some of the driving is pretty innovative.

[Ice.Maiden]

Turkey's a fabulous place to visit, although some of the touristy places are getting a bit overwhelming now. Hope you visit the Ephesus and go to Pamukali. The people are lovely and friendly, the food's fantastic, the leather stuff's a bargain (especially from the leather goods factories) - but some of the roads are awful, and unless you like people driving straight at you, I personally wouldn't bother with driving yourself!! Hope you have a fantastic holiday.

[markja]

don't go to marmaris!!!
rest of turkey may be ok but marmaris is horrid. you get pestered all the time by the resteraunts and shops. " come in , look at this, 'scuse me have a look, and ( best one ) 'scuse me you dropped something' it gets very irritating when you want a quiet holiday. my son nearly smaked the grape seller when he harrassed my wife, he didn't know my son was behind him!
also , i have since found out from a turkish mate, it's illegal to harass people in the street and the police can close a premisis down for a day or more if they continually hassle peeps.
and as others have said, the driving is very third world.!!

[dot.hawkes]

We went to Alanya last year and it was absolutely lovely, the food was great, the accomodation was not great but we went short notice 3 star (cos of Thomas lippin Cooke) try to go to Aspendos it was brilliant, like River Dance but in the open air setting of an ancient Amphitheatre!!!! (does that mean open air lol)

[kitchenmares]

Wow great answers..thankyou all so much. Your answers seem to mirror what a lot of other people have said. I`m certainly learning. The thing that puts us off the most is the being harassed especially if you are a woman and I sometimes like to go shopping on my own when hubby is having a pint! That may be out!
Well, thanks to; jno..ice.maiden..markja..&dot.hawkes

[mojomaz]

We went to marmaris last year for the fisrt time. 4 adult & 2 teenagers & we had a great time. The weather, the food & drink were wonderful. The turkisk people are really friendley & they cant do enought for you. You will love it.

[kitchenmares]

Thanks mojomaz! inspiring..feel a little more uplifted about going now! Cheers