Young couple holiday outside of the Eurozone

Pee

If you are going for a last minute deal, flexibility as to where you go is probably the key.

If you don't have a better plan, Morocco might suit your requirements in October should you not get away before then.

never_enough

Pee wrote: »

If you are going for a last minute deal, flexibility as to where you go is probably the key.

If you don't have a better plan, Morocco might suit your requirements in October should you not get away before then.

Morocco is fab, I love it, however, I would avoid both Morocco & Tunisia in September. Ramadan this year runs from approx 20th August until approx 20th September & is then followed by a few more days of general disruption during the holiday of Eid al Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan).
It's not the best time to be in a Muslim country for the first time. Things run slower, shops & restaurants are closed, it may be differant in very touristy places but I just wouldn't advise it (& I have been to Morocco at least once a year for the last 10years). So do as Pee says & go in October, it's a great time of year to visit Marrakech, ah but you want a beach, sorry, there isn't one. I forgot to include Turkey in the above, whilst a secular state obviously the majority of the population are Muslim. In very touristy areas things will be differant, it's likely that you would be able to find food etc during the day.

El_K

Thanks everyone for your help. We have finally decided and booked!! Flight and accomodation of £240 each at Olu Deniz, Turkey, 30m away from the beach (good times), for the 2nd week of September. Will let you know how it is.

If anyone knows of any must sees let me know.

Thanks
El

zzzLazyDaisy

Good choice! You'll have a great time, I'm sure! Try to learn a little of the language, they really appreciate it! Good staples are Merhaba (hello) Lutfen (please) and teşekkurler (thanks) [ş is pronounced 'sh' ]

Turkey is a muslim country so you may come across some disruption due to ramadam but because it is a secular state, it is less likely to cause you too much bother especially in the tourist areas.

Must sees... the Tuesday market in Fethiye, there's a large tourist market, but also don't miss the local fruit and vegetable market on the same site. Don't let anyone persuade you into forking out for a trip - just jump on the local bus (dolmus) and enjoy the ride.

If you get chance and want to go a bit further afield, take a trip to saklikent. It is worth going on an organised trip as they tell you about the area and show you sites of interest along the way that you would otherwise miss. You'll find plenty of competition for the trips in Hisaronu (up the hill from Olu Deniz - take the dolmus)

If you are really daring you can take a tandem paraglide off the mountain onto the beach. If you are less daring, you can have great fun watching them as they come down!

Also, the lagoon. If you walk down the beach you reach a barrier, where you have to pay to go onto the lagoon side. But if you take the road to the left instead, you will come to some cafes. They will let you use their sun loungers free, provided you buy drinks, icecreams, lunch or whatever. Also they have toilets and showers free for customers to use. Watch out for the sand flies, though, they can give you a nasty bite, so if you are susceptible, its a good idea to take mossie repellent.

El_K

OO thanks for your advice, getting very excited now. What is your advice on money? I have heard it is best to exchange your money over there. If so where are the best places to exchange? Is it best to take debit card, credit card or travellers cheques, obviously we dont want to take a big wad of cash whether it is english sterling or turkish lira.

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi, I don't bother getting Turkish Lira here. Lots of places over there will accept sterling, and also euros. I take sterling, keep it in the safe, and just change it as I need it. I pay for any hotel extras, trips and the occasional larger purchase, with my credit card, and I take my debit card just in case I need to withdraw extra money, although I think I've only done that once.

You will find a Bureau de Change in Hisoranu, and others in Fethiye, but to be honest the last few times I have been, there wasn't much difference between the hotel and the Bureaux de Change.

You will need local money for the buses (dolmus) and local cafes and bars.

I take a few loose £1 coins or odd Euros for tipping the baggage boys at the airport, and the porter in the hotel when I first arrive.

OH! And don't forget to take £10 each for your visa on arrival. Scottish notes are not accepted, and they do insist on a £10 note per person. I normally slip £10 into my passport wallet so I'm not scrabbling around when I get there.

One other tip - Turkey is outside the eurozone so mobile calls and texts can be expensive. Check with your mobile provider and if necessary disable your voice-mail (with some providers, there is a cost when the call is received onto the voice mail and another cost when you pick the call up). If you need to phone home you can get a phone card at lots of shops, for a couple of quid, which you can use in the phone boxes and you do get a lot of talk time on them for the money. Personally I don't bother....

greenface

I'm in icmeler now just got back from the market £ is king at the moment and prices at the end of the Market day is mad ! Got 6 genuine fake designer bags for a tenner and six good quality genuine fake but very good polo tops for 15 gbp fred perry lacost etc marmaris just asgood offering 2 4 1 meals in decent restaraunts or kids eat free busy but people are not spending so their are bargains out there enjoy turkey and the Turkish people are very friendly

greenface

240 is great price btw just think of the price alone being around 200 mark well done and good bargain finding

MrsE_2

El_K wrote: »

We have been thinking Egypt as an option, I would love to snorkel in the red sea. Sharks bay and Nabq bay have been recommended to me, but again i wanna stay clear of the drinking culture.
.

Cheap & outside the Euro Turkey or the Red Sea.

I was in Sharm last year, the Red Sea is fab.

Its as busy or as quite as you want it, I wouldn't stay in central Sharm anyway, its a bit smelly & noisy & busy & mad.

MrsE_2

El_K wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your help. We have finally decided and booked!! Flight and accomodation of £240 each at Olu Deniz, Turkey, 30m away from the beach (good times), for the 2nd week of September. Will let you know how it is.

If anyone knows of any must sees let me know.

Thanks
El

Olu Deniz:D

Lovely place, have your Haman (bath) the day you arrive;)