First Turkey Holiday

Deception

Deception

Deception

Soldato
Joined
23 Apr 2006
Posts
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Location
Nottingham
I have just booked a week at Orka world Hotel and Aquapark in Olu Deniz, Turkey, flying out mid October from EMA.

This would be our first time in Turkey, so i was just looking for some tips on what to expect and possibly good spots to visit close by.
 
you are not worried about travelling to Turkey - riots after erdogen, russian sympathies ....
(I initially saw the thread title popup and thought it was a light hearted xmas meal related thread)

Reissued after periodic reviews with minor edits.

Exercise increased caution when traveling to Türkiye due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel To:

  • Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area within six miles (10 kilometers) of the Syrian border due to terrorism.
Country Summary: Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Türkiye. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations. Be cautious in transportation hubs, markets, malls, and government buildings, as well as hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, and parks. Be careful in airports and at major events.
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jpaul said:
you are not worried about travelling to Turkey - riots after erdogen, russian sympathies ....
(I initially saw the thread title popup and thought it was a light hearted xmas meal related thread)
Click to expand...
OP is going to a beach resort in Turkey, not North Korea. Aside from the obvious advice not to travel to the Syrian / Iraqi border, which is about 1,000 miles from OP's destination, the above is the same as the UK government's France travel advice:

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France.

Terrorism attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by tourists and foreign nationals such as:
  • shopping centres
  • entertainment establishments and nightlife venues
  • sporting and cultural events
  • public transport and national and international transport hubs
  • places of worship
  • crowded places and public gatherings

Methods of attack have included knife attacks, shootings, bombings and vehicle attacks. Be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local French authorities.
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jpaul said:
you are not worried about travelling to Turkey - riots after erdogen, russian sympathies ....
(I initially saw the thread title popup and thought it was a light hearted xmas meal related thread)
Click to expand...

Lol, tell me you've never been to Turkey without telling me you've never been to Turkey.

@Deception it's an amazing country. The people are generally some of the most hospitable you'll ever come across, and their over-friendliness can often be interpreted as scrounging for tips. They're very appreciative of tips which is why you'll see tip jars literally everywhere, but it's not an expectation. They are still paid employees.

The food is amongst the best in the world, but do yourself a favour and find somewhere that the locals go to for a proper authentic Turkish experience. It's fantastic.

Don't be shy to try a shisha if offered, they usually cost £10 or so and are quite nice.

Ask the hotel for their tourism desk, they'll have a rep somewhere who moves from hotel to hotel for a few hours every day and will tell you all the local tours and whatnot. These are generally really good rather than the terrible tourist traps we have here and are quite cheap.

Haggling is a thing in Turkey but generally only at markets.

Don't eat or drink anywhere that doesn't have prices on the menu, they'll rip you off.

Don't stray from the beaten track, a common trick is for someone to offer to take a photo of you and your family, they'll then lure you off the beaten track and take more photos of you, then ask you for money. Very common trick, be careful.

Have your wits about you just like in any country, there will be people who will want to take advantage of you.

Don't wear bling in public, something like a fancy Rolex could make you a target.

If you're married, buy your wife a fake Gucci/Versace/Whatever handbag. She'll say it's tacky and that she doesn't want it but then you get back to the UK and it comes up in conversation a few months later with some friends and then she'll mention it and get irritated at the thought and why didn't you consult with your crystall ball to know that despite telling you that she doesn't want the handbag she actually really wanted the handbag and why didn't you buy her the ******* handbag David, WHY!!!!
 
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jpaul said:
you are not worried about travelling to Turkey - riots after erdogen, russian sympathies ....
(I initially saw the thread title popup and thought it was a light hearted xmas meal related thread)
Click to expand...
He's going to Olu Deniz, not shacking up with rebels on the Syrian border.

Olu Deniz is really beautiful, you'll have a great time. Turkish people are generally extremely welcoming and friendly, sometimes it can be a bit much to be honest but you get used to it soon enough.

Take my advice about safety with a pinch of salt mind you, I'm traveling through Ukraine in a few days so what do I know :p
 
Members of my family have been several times over the past few years but they like all inclusive-never-leave-resorts and have loved it.

Sounds like a nightmare to me but each to their own.

E: Resorts sound a nightmare, not Turkey just to be clear.
 
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Olu Deniz is amazing, just watch out for the paragliders landing on the sea front lol only issue for me is the long transfer time from the airport.

Can’t beat the views though.

Food is excellent, very hospitable people.
 
We did Turkey all inclusive - mistake. The best food and sights are outside the complex. We've been back a few times since and each time have got a villa. Private pool, cabana etc and the food outside is both excellent and a decent price :) Olu Deniz was the best location for us.











 
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I go to Turkey every year its an amazing country. I’m going for 15 nights this year in late September/October. We always go to Dalyan. I can echo what has been said about Turkish hospitality they are lovely people. Where we go we see a few Russians maybe 10% ish of the other holiday makers. But believe it or not they are not carbon copies of Vladimir Putin hell bent on starting world war 3. Just normal people enjoying a holiday.

If there was one downside,i would say it’s the mozzies they eat you alive so go prepared with some jungle formula and some antihistamines and you will be good as gold.
 
Also another tip i heard on a travel podcast and worked for me. If a restaurant has a menu outside with pictures of the dishes on it. The food is usually bad and best avoided.
 
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henry hoov3r said:
Also another tip i heard on a travel podcast and worked for me. If a restaurant has a menu outside with pictures of the dishes on it. The food is usually bad and best avoided.
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If you're in a tourist resort then that strategy will rule out about 90% of restaurants in places like Greece or Turkey...
 
Turkey can be extremely dangerous!!! I know a friend who had a terrible experience. He even ended up in hospital!

Thing is, he was told not to stare them out eye to eye!!
 
Turkey is a wonderful country, crystal clear sea, clean sandy beaches, and mountainous terrain. My parents used to own a place out in Kalkan, a vibrant fishing town on the med around 70 miles south east of Dalaman. Lovely place with lots of amazing eateries on the harbour front. I Wouldn't dream of going all-inclusive as there's so much choice to eat out and the people are so friendly.
 
Diddums said:
If you're married, buy your wife a fake Gucci/Versace/Whatever handbag. She'll say it's tacky and that she doesn't want it but then you get back to the UK and it comes up in conversation a few months later with some friends and then she'll mention it and get irritated at the thought and why didn't you consult with your crystall ball to know that despite telling you that she doesn't want the handbag she actually really wanted the handbag and why didn't you buy her the ******* handbag David, WHY!!!!
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I thank my dad for teaching me this rule as a child. Thank you for the information

Thank you for all of the information everyone, it puts my mind at ease reading through most of your replies and I'm sure me and the family are going to have a great time!
 
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