Turkey in October

Jay69

Hiya Everyone

Looking for some advise/guidance for the above.

I have decided to take the family (wife and 4yr old son) to Turkey, it will be our 1st time there.

We have decided to go around the 15th of October, this will mean our son only misses school for a week before half term. (I've already cleared this with his school).

We want to fly out from Birmingham and can get flights out on 15/10 for 2 weeks to Bodrum. Dalaman and Antalya seem to be either earlier or later.

My budget is around the £1500/£1800 mark and i am essentially looking for a beach holiday as my son is really looking forward to making the biggest sandcastle. My wife and I just want to relax do a little bit of sightseeing and also take a trip to Kos. Oh she also wants to pamper herself with a nice Spa/Massage.

So my question is this:
1) Is it worth going AI or would it be better to go half board?

I have seen a good price for the Ersan Resort & Spa with First Choice, is this hotel any good? Can anyone advise. The information regarding this hotel states that it is located in Icmeler. How far is Icmeler from Bodrum?

I've also seen a deal for 2 weeks half board at the Hotel Parkim Ayaz in Gumbet. Can anyone advise here?

Another question i would like to ask is whether Bodrum/Gumbet and Icmeler are in shutdown mode at the time of this trip. Or would we still be able to have a holiday as such.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jay

Incapuppy

Check the likes of Trip Advisor, Holidaysuncovered, Holidaywatchdog, holidaytruths etc for hotel reviews - and read them with an open mind (as some people will complain about anything! :rolleyes: )

stw48

This is I think pretty much the very tail end of the season and I believe a lot of the resorts may be closing down. In the Antalya area a lot stay open all year now so may be busier. The weather in October can be really nice but it can also rain, and I mean rain.
I often use all inclusive hotels in Turkey and as long as you do the research as suggested by Incapuppy you will be OK.
I hope you have a great holiday, I am certain you will love the Turkish people.

littlereddevil

Turkey still very much alive in october.

Pollycat

littlereddevil wrote: »

Turkey still very much alive in october.

Of course.

It's not until Christmas that they're under threat.....:rotfl:

Sorry, I couldn't resist it. :rolleyes:

Jay69
I personally dislike AI but I can see the advantages it offers, especially for families with young children.

We recently stayed in Turgutreis, which is at the bottom of the Bodrum Peninsular.
There are a number of AI hotels there, including The Mandalinci, La Blanche and Aegean Dreams.
La Blanche has a private beach which looks to have a breakwater built to make a lagoon where the water seems more shallow than on the public beaches.

You mention Gumbet.
Our rep told us it was 18-30 territory :eek: so do check this out.

I'm not sure about ferries to Kos from Icmeler but most definitely they go from Bodrum.

Incapuppy gives good advice about checking on holiday specific websites for hotel reviews.

Hope you find what you're looking for and have a great holiday.

cubegame

We went in October last year to Side (lovely place by the way) and it was stingingly hot. It was getting close to the end of the season though and a few people said they were shutting down the week after.

Jay69

Many thanks for the replies so far.

Pollycat what is La Blanche like?
Initially this is the hotel i was looking at until price increases took it out of my budget. However a lot of people have been saying that it is a very good hotel.

Can you get to Bodrum from Turgutreis quite easily? Also what is Turgutreis like in the evening are there many places to go and have a bite to eat and drink?

Pollycat

Jay
we stayed in a 26 room hotel on B&B basis so my comments about La Blanche are based on what we could see from outside the hotel.

It does look very nice, the grounds are lovely, some of the balconies on the seaward side are tiny - only big enough to get a couple of chairs on.

The dolmus (minibus) from Turgutreis to Bodrum run frequently (i.e. when they get fairly full).
It takes approx 45 minuters and costs 3.50 Turkish Lira (less than £1.50).
You can also get dolmus direct from Turgutreis to Gumusluk/Yalikavak and Akyarlar in the opposite direction.

You can reach most of the other resorts on the Bodrum Peninsular via Bodrum bus station.

We really enjoyed Turgutreis centre, there's lots of restaurants and bars and a maze of alley with shops.

You can get boat (gulet) trips from Turgutreis harbour, full day including lunch for approx £12 - £14 per person.

BUT - we stayed there 22nd June - 6th July.

I really would advise you to ask specific questions on Tripadvisor and HolidayTruths about what is likely to be open for what will probably be the last 2 weeks of the season.

Let us know what you decide.