How many shopping days to Christmas?
The adults only hotel I had my eye on in the Canaries for early June is now full, and as I've never been to Turkey land thought I might give it a go. I've spotted a place near Bodrum, and quite fancy ten days dipping in & out of a pool, lots of reading and a bit of local exploration.
What's not to like.. Alternatives will be considered
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Bodrum is fun, if you're not going in August, there's not much need to book accommodation, plenty available cheaper than cheap. I'd just get a flight. Sea warm, people nice.
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>> What's not to like
Terrorists with bombs? Although has there been any in/near Bodrum? It is a huge country.
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>> Terrorists with bombs? Although has there been any in/near Bodrum? It is a huge country.
Remember when the IRA were putting bombs in litter bins and blowing up telephone exchanges - we survived!
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Two parties of friends have just returned from Turkey after enjoying great holidays at remarkable prices (one party stayed in Bodrum and brought back some of the area's truly delicious Turkish Delight).
They had no problems, said security was very tight and also made the same comment as earlier in the thread that Turkey is a very big country, with any troubles being some considerable distance away.
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No surprise spanish resorts are full, many brits seem to be switching to there from Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt. security worries mean bookings are well down, i think Greece is affected as well.
Only been to Istanbul and the interior, never made to the med coast. I'd go again if I wanted a cheap beach holiday.
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Just spotted Salmakis Resort & Spa at Bodrum. A week AI leaving next Monday is around £650 with Jet2 hols. Just as cheap as booking it all separately..nice sea views, gym, pool for swimming laps, and a full Kindle.
Usual single occupancy large supplement but I rarely argue with myself so that's ok. What's not to like.
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I'm sure I bought a carpet on Bodrum market once. Well, a big rug anyway. Can't remember what happened to that. Might have left it on a beach meaning to go back for it but must have allowed myself to become distracted. Apple tea sticks in my mind too, and gritty but somehow addictive Turkish coffee. Oh and Turkish Delight of course. Good windsurfing about 3 miles up the coast I want to remember. Long time ago though. Enjoy.
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>> Good windsurfing about 3 miles up the coast I want to remember...
Gumbet beach I think re the windsurfing
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May favourite is Dalyan - not too far from Dalaman Airport and a little bit of paradise on earth. The beach is stunning and the journey down the river to reach it via the river bus is magic. Tempting myself now!
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They used to charge you something to enter Turkey, not much but you had to pay something I'm sure.
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Lots of mosquitos in Bodrum, if they bother you.
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Thanks for the heads up. Will take my Deet in varying strengths!
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You need a visa. they used to stamp your passport on arrival and charge you £10
You can now get a visa on line before you go. Cost USD20
www.evisa.gov.tr/en/status/
Not sure but I think that you can still pay on arrival but I think it cost more now - £20 springs to mind
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Tue 7 Jun 16 at 23:04
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Oh and Dalaman Airport is simply awful. Whatever you do don't buy anything to eat or drink there.
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If you want I'l let you know where to find two weeks all inclusive in Hurghada, Egypt for a little over £500, no single person supplement.
I did it myself in April and the prices are the same now. The flight was about £250 and the all-inclusive was under £20 per night. Guaranteed hotness and the place was only about 30% full so no jostling for loungers.
If SWMBO would have let me I would be going again next week instead of Le Mans, where it looks like I will be camping in rain and thunder.
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To be honest, much as i like Turkey, I'd rather do the camping in Le Mans, even with rain and thunder.
Last edited by: No FM2R on Wed 8 Jun 16 at 00:21
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Thank you for the kind offer smokie but one week will be sufficient for my fix of sun, swimming & sightseeing. I've never been to Turkey and I also have work commitments & elderly relatives to consider.
Probably another week somewhere else in early July before the school holidays ( preferably at an adults only place...Ocean View Suites in Tenerife where I can B&B) before a self contained backpacking and/ or rafting trip later in the year.
Much appreciated though
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No prob. 1 week is looking like £211 for flight (leaving next Tues) and < £20 pn for room so total about £350. I am so tempted...
Last edited by: smokie on Wed 8 Jun 16 at 08:28
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I'm used to flying out of Leeds, my local airport. For my US trips I transit through AMS with KLM/Delta and just hate having to cross the Pennines to Manchester.
Will have a look to see if I can fly to Egypt from Leeds...maybe a week later in the year, but £350 is tempting, although I presume with security issues you may well be confined to the hotel?
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>> although I presume with security issues you may well be confined to the hotel?
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Could be, it saves the terrorists having to look for easy targets.
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A bit like pedestrian crossings in Milan.
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Turkey is about the same level of risk as Egypt and France, according to the Govt site.
Egypt - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/terrorism
Turkey - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/terrorism
France - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/terrorism
I went into town most nights - walked both ways a couple of times (back in the dark, oooo) and taxi'd for about 80p e/w on other nights.
The risk of something happening may be high but your odds of being close enough to be affected are pretty low. So for me it was a risk worth taking.
Mind you there isn't an awful lot to do in Hurghada, couple of bars (Arabic and English style) and I suppose there would be a disco if that's your thing. The shops are open late but the shopkeepers really need to learn to stop pestering people so intrusively.
Lots of people are there for the diving and there are [plenty of cheap day trips on boats. I quad biked in the desert for an afternoon for £15, incl hotel pickup and camel ride!! My hotel was right on the sea (most are) and had it's own beach and coral reef which you could snorkel across and see loads of colourful fish, all for free. Temperatures weer in the 30s then, every day. Hotel had a well equipped gym also hairdressers, sauna, evening entertainment etc etc. Food wa s abit iffy, and I'm not usually fussy but can't complain for the price (all inclusive drinks too!!.
What's not to like, as they say these days!!
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Turkey anyone - Runfer D'Hills
