Turkey All inclusive info ( never been, never done all in)

BerksTraveller

This might help - I believe Turkey has just changed its entry regulations and I don't think British passport holders can pay for a visa on arrival anymore - you have to apply in advance I think. Check with your travel agent and avoid being denied boarding!

wallbash

I like the 'Grand' buffet , often the centre piece of Ai. Gives you the choice of tasting far more varied dishes than at any local restaurant.
e.g, you find a dish, on a menu, you wait , they bring it to you...... and you find out its not what like!At an Ai , just get another plate and try again.

Poster commentating on getting a 'hot plate' is correct, its a culture thing.
Those who say the food is repetitive, you have gone 'cheap' and are paying the cost. Most of the better Ai have also dedicated al a carte separate dining areas, often with a theme.
Also many counters with Chefs waiting to cook to order while you wait.

Comment ...annoyed to pay extra for branded drinks, plastic glasses that were sometimes "too small" and the repetition of food.........
wrong hotel trying on the cheap.
Have always had branded bottled beer available.
Although they were a little tight with the gin when serving a G&T
rectified by asking for two gins and a bottle of tonic, problem solved.
I know the vast majority on this tread are anti Ai, but I bet they have never tried a excellent Ai.

The story which I have posted before on this subject.
I am lying by the pool,engrossed in my book, a girl turns up with a cold drink. I respond by saying there must be a mistake, hadn't got round to asking for one.
Her reply .... the barman had noticed I did not have a drink at hand, and thought I would appreciate one.
Thats 5 * service.

wallbash

BerksTraveller wrote: »

This might help - I believe Turkey has just changed its entry regulations and I don't think British passport holders can pay for a visa on arrival anymore - you have to apply in advance I think. Check with your travel agent and avoid being denied boarding!

Yes things have changed, but the cost has risen only slightly, beware of some web sites that charge a great deal more.
I have spoken to a couple that were ripped off by paying over £70 each.

balletshoes

wallbash wrote: »

I like the 'Grand' buffet , often the centre piece of Ai. Gives you the choice of tasting far more varied dishes than at any local restaurant.
e.g, you find a dish, on a menu, you wait , they bring it to you...... and you find out its not what like!At an Ai , just get another plate and try again.

Poster commentating on getting a 'hot plate' is correct, its a culture thing.
Those who say the food is repetitive, you have gone 'cheap' and are paying the cost. Most of the better Ai have also dedicated al a carte separate dining areas, often with a theme.
Also many counters with Chefs waiting to cook to order while you wait.

Comment ...annoyed to pay extra for branded drinks, plastic glasses that were sometimes "too small" and the repetition of food.........
wrong hotel trying on the cheap.
Have always had branded bottled beer available.
Although they were a little tight with the gin when serving a G&T
rectified by asking for two gins and a bottle of tonic, problem solved.
I know the vast majority on this tread are anti Ai, but I bet they have never tried a excellent Ai.

The story which I have posted before on this subject.
I am lying by the pool,engrossed in my book, a girl turns up with a cold drink. I respond by saying there must be a mistake, hadn't got round to asking for one.
Her reply .... the barman had noticed I did not have a drink at hand, and thought I would appreciate one.
Thats 5 * service.

I agree - but unfortunately I don't think the OP is going to get an excellent AI in Turkey for her budget.

balletshoes

BerksTraveller wrote: »

This might help - I believe Turkey has just changed its entry regulations and I don't think British passport holders can pay for a visa on arrival anymore - you have to apply in advance I think. Check with your travel agent and avoid being denied boarding!

I haven't got round to booking my flights or hotel yet for this summer - but I'd assume the information about getting an evisa beforehand will be highlighted by the companies selling to Turkey, prior to/when you've booked.

Its not a difficult process at all, I've been on the site to see, it costs 20USD (so the equivalent in pounds sterling, or euros, or whatever currency your home country uses).

maman

wallbash wrote: »

Yes things have changed, but the cost has risen only slightly, beware of some web sites that charge a great deal more.
I have spoken to a couple that were ripped off by paying over £70 each.

BerksTraveller wrote: »

This might help - I believe Turkey has just changed its entry regulations and I don't think British passport holders can pay for a visa on arrival anymore - you have to apply in advance I think. Check with your travel agent and avoid being denied boarding!

AFAIK the visas are still £10 per person. This year there was an option between paying at airport on arrival as previously or getting one on-line in advance. I believe that from April on-line will be the only way.

ETA: I have booked my flights for June and no alert from airline.

balletshoes

maman wrote: »

AFAIK the visas are still £10 per person. This year there was an option between paying at airport on arrival as previously or getting one on-line in advance. I believe that from April on-line will be the only way.

ETA: I have booked my flights for June and no alert from airline.

its no longer £10 per person, and you're right, from April there is no option to pay on the day - you must do the application online in advance and print off your visa.

https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

wallbash

maman wrote: »

AFAIK the visas are still £10 per person. This year there was an option between paying at airport on arrival as previously or getting one on-line in advance. I believe that from April on-line will be the only way.

ETA: I have booked my flights for June and no alert from airline.

Only if the £ rises against the $

kitty5

We stay at AI hotels every year. Have been to AI in Spain, Greece and Turkey.
With two boys of 12 and 14 ( and a hungry husband ) it works out good value for money.
We always book as soon as the prices come out to get a good deal.
We still pay a lot for two weeks in the school holidays. We find the last two weeks in August the cheapest of the school hols.
You definitely do need to research what is included in AI at your hotel. It can vary from hotel to hotel. You need to look for how often you can go to the A la carte restaurants, timings for ice creams, international branded drinks. Wether water sports are included. Wether there is a minibar in the room, how often is it restocked. Make sure you know what is included. And read the trip advisor reviews.

Just because you are AI it doesn't't mean that you are completely tied to the hotel. We just try not to spend too much money on food, drinks if we go out of the hotel, some hotels will offer picnics if booked in advance.
We stayed in Limak Atlantis in Belek in Antalya, Turkey last year and would recommend. Not the dearest, not the cheapest. Nice drinks, lovely food, nice beach, great evening entertainment. A tractor ride to the town. The Belek area has a lot of russian tourists but they were fine. We are going to The Barut Hemera in Side this year.

You get more for AI in Turkey we find than Spain and Greece.

We have been Self Catering and Half Board in the past but much prefer AI as a much more relaxed holiday with kids.
But you must do your research!

moneysavvy35

Hello everyone...me again!!

firstly all your hints and tips are great, I've really been reading up alot of AI & they can indeed range from the very cheap to very expensive.

Some of the AI I have been looking at are in the Kusadasi Area..seems lovely but not right in the middle of any action so to speak. The Grand & the Wow & Aqua Fantasy Hotels are one's that seem that they would suit my needs but my budget just can't strecth -maybe some deals will come soon?!!

I've also realised what a la carte means and am certainly reading up on how many times these can be frequented through the stay. So basically I'm looking at about 10-15 before I do the 'x-factor style' cuts and get the last few into the finals

Some of them are:
Surmeli Efes Hotel, Didim Beach Hotel, Fantasia Deluxe Hotel, Garden of Sun (not looking good)Didim, Tusan,Green Nature Resort & Spa & a few others.

I have decided not to venture to Antalya area even though this is where most of the water parks are based.

I am finding Travel Republic a little expensive. On the Beach, Asda, Low Cost holidays, & Holiday Gems seem competitive. Low cost holidays may not be atol bonded, but I suppose I wouldn't be proctected if you done it all yourself anyway - just book with CC & your half way their!!

A couple other things - it may be easier to fly into Izmir than Bodrum for Altinkum & Kusadasi resorts & also if you fly with easyjet you can possibly pay for less suitcases as you can already bring up to 10kg for hand luggage.