Visiting Türkiye

[spitfire]

We're off on our first ever all inclusive holiday next week, (first actual holiday for 15 years, first ever proper holiday for Mini Fire).

We're going to Turunç, south of Marmaris.

Just wondered if anyone had been recently or had any tips about visiting Türkiye and/or all inclusives? Been poking about travel blogs etc. so hopefully aware of most of the obvious pitfalls (I won't be wearing my bikini in a mosque). Going to try and pick up the basics Hello, thank you, 2 beers, more vodka please.

Teşekkür ederim.

Last thread is + 10 years old so we go again.

 

[ElizabethofYork]

Take mosquito repellent!

Enjoy.

 

[spitfire]

Take mosquito repellent!

Enjoy.

Oh god I was worried about that.

I usually buy when local as I have a theory that the local mosquito repellent is tailored to the local mosquitos but I may have just made that up.

 

[ElizabethofYork]

Oh god I was worried about that.

I usually buy when local as I have a theory that the local mosquito repellent is tailored to the local mosquitos but I may have just made that up.

I'm always a bit obsessive about insect repellent because I get a very bad reaction to mosquito bites. I have to smother myself in the strongest stuff I can find - make sure it contains DEET.

But apart from that, I've had some lovely all inclusive holidays in Turkey.

 

[kalidarkone]

I've always wanted to go.
Have a great time and don't forget photos....

 

[spitfire]

I've always wanted to go.
Have a great time and don't forget photos....

Thanks Kali.

The What's your current view thread will be insufferable.

 

[kalidarkone]

Thanks Kali.

The What's your current view thread will be insufferable.

I look forward to it

 

[tommers]

After the fifth day of cake and cheese omelettes for breakfast you start to want just seeds and maybe some fruit. Just a glass of water please.

 

[tommers]

Those first four days are glorious though.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Do not rent a car, because the roads are a nightmare. The correct way to travel in Turkey is by dolmuş, a bus that turns up whenever and doesn't leave until it's full.

 

[scifisam]

We got back from Türkiye, just south of Marmaris, three weeks ago!

We weren't all inclusive, and we found it hard to find decent places to eat. If you do have dinner outside the hotel, a place called Nil Balik in Marmaris itself is very nice. And don't miss Marmaris castle.

You'll probably need wetsuit shoes to enjoy the beaches.

The boat trips are well worth it, especially title island. The boat taxi to Turunç is also a good day out, and the market there is much better than Marmaris.

The "Turkish Delight and gold centre tour" is not worth it - they're just shops! I wouldn't recommend the mud bath trip if you have kids with you - the steps are hidden and a kid was hurt when we were there. Plus it's a very long day.

Everything is more expensive than the internet says due to a combination of a weak £ and rampant inflation. It's basically London prices. Tipping culture is a big thing.

It's quiet despite having some relatively lively pubs - it feels very safe and clean, and the people are friendly.

The taxis are really safe, not the cheapest ever but very reasonable. I think it'd work out the same as a bus for three people.

Towards Içmeler the pubs and bars are a bit posher and more expensive - we didn't really go out drinking, so I can't recommend anywhere.

The locals will be very surprised if you speak any Turkish at all, but they appreciate it; I learned some very basic phrases (and responses, like numbers) and they did at least let me use them. It's a fascinating language, actually; we watched a Turkish soap in the hotel every day while getting ready, etc (it seemed to be on the entire day), and it sounds very much like Japanese or Korean spoken by people with either Cockney or Geordie accents.

 

[spitfire]

Do not rent a car, because the roads are a nightmare. The correct way to travel in Turkey is by dolmuş, a bus that turns up whenever and doesn't leave until it's full.

Cheers, we probably won't venture beyond the tiny town other than on boat trips. Although I do have an eye on a buggy safari that we may need to get to, they do shuttle buses from Marmaris but not sure from Turunç so that's the only out of town venture we're looking at.

 

[spitfire]

Found this boat trip that has amazing reviews, they look legit as well.

MUSTI'S BOAT (Turunc) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

 

[spitfire]

We got back from Türkiye, just south of Marmaris, three weeks ago!

We weren't all inclusive, and we found it hard to find decent places to eat. If you do have dinner outside the hotel, a place called Nil Balik in Marmaris itself is very nice. And don't miss Marmaris castle.

You'll probably need wetsuit shoes to enjoy the beaches.

The boat trips are well worth it, especially title island. The boat taxi to Turunç is also a good day out, and the market there is much better than Marmaris.

The "Turkish Delight and gold centre tour" is not worth it - they're just shops! I wouldn't recommend the mud bath trip if you have kids with you - the steps are hidden and a kid was hurt when we were there. Plus it's a very long day.

Everything is more expensive than the internet says due to a combination of a weak £ and rampant inflation. It's basically London prices. Tipping culture is a big thing.

It's quiet despite having some relatively lively pubs - it feels very safe and clean, and the people are friendly.

The taxis are really safe, not the cheapest ever but very reasonable. I think it'd work out the same as a bus for three people.

Towards Içmeler the pubs and bars are a bit posher and more expensive - we didn't really go out drinking, so I can't recommend anywhere.

The locals will be very surprised if you speak any Turkish at all, but they appreciate it; I learned some very basic phrases (and responses, like numbers) and they did at least let me use them. It's a fascinating language, actually; we watched a Turkish soap in the hotel every day while getting ready, etc (it seemed to be on the entire day), and it sounds very much like Japanese or Korean spoken by people with either Cockney or Geordie accents.

Brilliant info thanks Sam, I had hoped it would be a bit cheaper than that but I guess that's why we're doing all-inclusive, takes the sting out of it, (I guess).

I fucking hate Turkish delight anyway and can't afford gold so that's an easy swerve. Good tip on the mud bath, I had been thinking about that. Also had been humming and hawing about wet suit shoes, I have some somewhere...

 

[scifisam]

Found this boat trip that has amazing reviews, they look legit as well.

MUSTI'S BOAT (Turunc) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

We didn't do that specific company, but ours was exactly the same. There are about ten companies all offering the same thing. Bear in mind that none of them really offer a barbeque, but the food is OK. You can bargain with them a little btw.

Turunç is lovely, you've picked a nice place to stay - it's where we'd go if we went back there again.

The island I mentioned is Turtle Island, btw (I shouldn't post on my phone while distracted). Would definitely recommend that - some of the boat trips offer it.

 

[spitfire]

We didn't do that specific company, but ours was exactly the same. There are about ten companies all offering the same thing. Bear in mind that none of them really offer a barbeque, but the food is OK. You can bargain with them a little btw.

Turunç is lovely, you've picked a nice place to stay - it's where we'd go if we went back there again.

The island I mentioned is Turtle Island, btw (I shouldn't post on my phone while distracted). Would definitely recommend that - some of the boat trips offer it.

Looks like we got lucky then, it was the pictures of the BBQ being used at the front of the boat that swung it for me, apparently they do a mean sea bream. Good to know we swerved a fake BBQ, they wouldn't like me when I'm angry!

 

[petee]

if you're going to get by you'll need to pick up some Hittite, so just say "URU-an zahhiyaz katta dahhun" if you get into a pickle and you'll be fine.

 

[spitfire]

if you're going to get by you'll need to pick up some Hittite, so just say "URU-an zahhiyaz katta dahhun" if you get into a pickle and you'll be fine.

Can't find that on Duo Lingo so I'm just going to speak SLOWLY AND LOUDLY in English.

We didn't do that specific company, but ours was exactly the same. There are about ten companies all offering the same thing. Bear in mind that none of them really offer a barbeque, but the food is OK. You can bargain with them a little btw.

Turunç is lovely, you've picked a nice place to stay - it's where we'd go if we went back there again.

The island I mentioned is Turtle Island, btw (I shouldn't post on my phone while distracted). Would definitely recommend that - some of the boat trips offer it.

What was the deal with cash/card out there, and if using cash did you use TL or €?

I've booked the boat trip, £90 cash on arrival for the 3 of us.

 

[Elpenor]

I’m pleased to see the correct spelling used in this thread

 

[scifisam]

Can't find that on Duo Lingo so I'm just going to speak SLOWLY AND LOUDLY in English.



What was the deal with cash/card out there, and if using cash did you use TL or €?

I've booked the boat trip, £90 cash on arrival for the 3 of us.

A lot of places accepted cards - nearly all - and everywhere accepted lira and euros, and didn't have different prices or rates for them. They also accepted £ nearly everywhere, US dollars too. We took lira but wouldn't bother next time.

We paid a fair bit less for our trip, but it might just be the rampant inflation (and we were able to negotiate on the day).

 

[JimW]

it sounds very much like Japanese or Korean spoken by people with either Cockney or Geordie accents.

Japanese is thought by some to be derived from proto-Altaic, so that makes sense.

 

[Riklet]

I've always wanted to go.
Have a great time and don't forget photos....

Direct flights with easyjet to Istambul starting later this year. and cheap!

Sounds great Spitfire, hope you enjoy!

 

[spitfire]

We got back from Türkiye, just south of Marmaris, three weeks ago!

We weren't all inclusive, and we found it hard to find decent places to eat. If you do have dinner outside the hotel, a place called Nil Balik in Marmaris itself is very nice. And don't miss Marmaris castle.

You'll probably need wetsuit shoes to enjoy the beaches.

The boat trips are well worth it, especially title island. The boat taxi to Turunç is also a good day out, and the market there is much better than Marmaris.

The "Turkish Delight and gold centre tour" is not worth it - they're just shops! I wouldn't recommend the mud bath trip if you have kids with you - the steps are hidden and a kid was hurt when we were there. Plus it's a very long day.

Everything is more expensive than the internet says due to a combination of a weak £ and rampant inflation. It's basically London prices. Tipping culture is a big thing.

It's quiet despite having some relatively lively pubs - it feels very safe and clean, and the people are friendly.

The taxis are really safe, not the cheapest ever but very reasonable. I think it'd work out the same as a bus for three people.

Towards Içmeler the pubs and bars are a bit posher and more expensive - we didn't really go out drinking, so I can't recommend anywhere.

The locals will be very surprised if you speak any Turkish at all, but they appreciate it; I learned some very basic phrases (and responses, like numbers) and they did at least let me use them. It's a fascinating language, actually; we watched a Turkish soap in the hotel every day while getting ready, etc (it seemed to be on the entire day), and it sounds very much like Japanese or Korean spoken by people with either Cockney or Geordie accents.

Had a chat with the local caff owner, he is Turkish, also said stay away from the mud baths.

He mentioned Kizkumu was good, looks interesting, will take a view when we are there.

Kızkumu Plajı · Orhaniye, Marmaris Boz burun Yolu, 48700 Marmaris/MuÄla, Türkiye

âââââ · Beach

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[pogofish]

Oh god I was worried about that.

I usually buy when local as I have a theory that the local mosquito repellent is tailored to the local mosquitos but I may have just made that up.

It is but on a wider/more regional basis rather than local, so anything formulated for the species prevalent in the Mediterranean/Balkans/Near East should do you fine.

Even the big/international brand repellents vary their formulas for regional markets. Which is why a repellent bought in one part of the world can be virtually useless compared to its equivalent product back here with our mozzies/midges.

 

[spitfire]

It is but on a wider/more regional basis rather than local, so anything formulated for the species prevalent in the Mediterranean/Balkans/Near East should do you fine.

Even the big/international brand repellents vary their formulas for regional markets. Which is why a repellent bought in one part of the world can be virtually useless compared to its equivalent product back here with our mozzies/midges.

Thanks pogofish.

 

[spitfire]

Cross posting but it’s a lovely spot!

 

[May Kasahara]

Ahhh. I want to be there.