Were to go in Turkey?

suemo63

Hi can anyone give me an idea were to go for a weeks holiday in Turkey, never been before. We are a couple in are 40s who like nice beaches, meals and still going out, not like Blackpool though.
We would like to be able to get about and see some sites, but my husband won't drive abroad. I,ve heard Turkeys lovely but been aprehensive about going.
Thinking of going August, but would go the beginning of October if weather was still good and there was plenty to do.:)

Voyager2002

By October the weather is beginning to get chilling, and the people who work in tourism are tired, winding down for the end of the season, and perhaps allow service standards to fall. I think that September would be a better time.

I think that Istanbul is wonderful for meals, going out, things to see... but obviously it is a great city rather than a beach resort. However, there are a number of tiny islands nearby and boats that take day-trippers there to enjoy the beaches, so perhaps that would be a way to get the best of both worlds.

PompeyPete

I'll 2nd Istanbul. One of the world's great cities. It'll be hot and very busy in August though.
In fact August will be v.hot wherever you go in Turkey. I'd go after the UK schools have gone back, late September or early October. My first choice from where we've been would be Fethiye.
Fethiye shares being a vibrant working town and also a resort. It hasn't got it's own beach, but Calis Beach and Oludeniz are only a short dolmus (minibus) ride away. We actually stayed in Calis Beach, but ventured out most days.
The scenery in that area is stunning wherever you go in the area.
Only 60 minutes transfer from Dalaman

Katiehound

My choice would be Dalyan.
A lovely little Turkish town on the river. Very friendly locals.
Go by boat upstream to another market town- Koghez (sp?)with a great market & then to sulphar baths & even mud baths.
Go downstream to the beach through the reed beds where they filmed African Queen- lovely beach
Also ruined cliff tombs
Lots of excursions:
Take the dolmus to Fethiye
12 islands cruise from Gochek

I have been to other places in Turkey but this is my favourite

If you google Dalyan images you will get the picture! (and maps)
It is half an hour from Dalaman airport

gibson123

Kusadasi for Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, St John Basilica, Priene, Miletus and day trips to Pammukale and the Dilek National Park.

It is also a bustling Cruise Port town with lovely beaches, great selection of local and tourist restaurants and a fantastic Marina. Fly into Izmir (closest) or Bodrum.

gibson123

Don't be apprehensive about Turkey, avoid august because of the heat, and don't drink the water, as it has a high salt content. you can however wash and cook with it. The food in Turkey will be very familiar, most local meals are accompanied by salad, rice, white crusty bread and chips (proper not frozen). Main meals are based around grilled fish, vegetables and meat and casseroles. Mashed potatoes are a common accompaniment - they are creamy and re-baked in the oven. Vegetarian food is available everywhere. Turkish people are very friendly and invariably honest, although be wary of shop-keepers, market people, leather and carpet sellers, who will charge whatever you will let them get away with and make all sorts of claims about the authenticity of their goods . a shopkeeper will happily sell you something for 4 times what it was worth, but if you left your purse in his shop would spend days trying to track you down to return it!

littlereddevil

I'm with Pompey Pete, the Fethiye area has everything, too hot in August though but beginning of October will be ok. Istanbul is great but a lot cooler.

SteveJW

I agree the Fetiye area but would avoid Fetiye itself, hot and muggy. Most of the locals don't stay there if the have an alternative in the summer. August will be very hot, Calis always appears windy when we have been there, Oludeniz is very hot during the day. We stay in a place called Hisaronou half way between Fetiye and Oludeniz, about a 1,000 foot up in the mountains, slightly cooler. Someone previously likened Hisaronou to Blackpool, well not like the Blackpool I remember. Yes there is night life in Hisaronu there are also small turkish retaurants where you can get proper turkish food

claire16c

I can advise you not to go to Side! Never been hassled anywhere so much in my life. Worse than Egypt.

apesxx

after going to a tiny town outside of bodrum which was a complete dump i vowed i would never go to turkey again. i had food poisoning, a loose dog attacked me, turkish men would spit in front of you in the street. on the other side of bodrum is a town called gumbet which was even more of a dump. my friend went to gumbet too and she said it was a complete sh!thole too.

although we had such a bad experience i do now really fancy going back but going instead to olu deniz. That place looks absolutely beautiful. I've heard nothing but good things about olu deniz and fetiye x

tiff

Fethiye or Dalyan are both lovely.