Is Turkey a good choice for a single mum

creditpunch

Hi all

I'd welcome some advice please? I'm hoping to go away with my 9yo son for the first time in 6yrs on my own. I'm very nervous and I'm looking for a good cost effective deal. I've found a hotel in Turkey that seems to offer everything I'm looking for to ensure we both have a nice holiday (all inclusive, kids club water park, spa nearby beach etc). I've reserved the hotel separately as its shaves a good £1k of the packages that the Thomas Cook ilk offer. I will be booking budget flights, transfer and adequate insurance too.

The resort is in Marmaris, Turkey. My question really is if this is a wise choice given the disturbances in that area of the world and generally is there anything else I should be thinking about?

Sorry if this sounds sill or patronising I really don't mean it to be but as a single mum traveling alone with her child I'm a bit nervous.

Thanks in advance.
CP

Obviously_the_best

What particularly about Turkey makes you think twice? I can't really see Marmaris being considered any more dangerous than any other big resort, and if the hotel's got everything you want the kids shouldn't be too scary a prospect .

balletshoes

All of the Turkish resorts where British tourists go, including Marmaris, are still a long way away from any unrest in that part of the world.

Please don't worry about that aspect of your trip, as long as you've checked out your hotel and you're happy with that, I'm sure you'll have a great time .

creditpunch

Thanks OTB

I'm probably being silly I was just looking on the GOV.co.uk site on travel advise and freaked myself out. Also since it's been an age since I've gone on holiday and this time with the ds I'm worried I might miss something that I need to consider.

Help appreciated.

CP

balletshoes

creditpunch wrote: »

Thanks OTB

I'm probably being silly I was just looking on the GOV.co.uk site on travel advise and freaked myself out. Also since it's been an age since I've gone on holiday and this time with the ds I'm worried I might miss something that I need to consider.

Help appreciated.

CP

the current FCO advice for Turkey is this -

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:

• the remaining areas of Sirnak, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Kilis and Hatay provinces
• Siirt, Tunceli and Hakkari provinces.

Over 2,500,000 British nationals visit Turkey every year. Most visits are trouble-free."

Marmaris is nowhere near (and by that I mean hundreds of miles away from) any of the named areas/provinces.

lea2012

Marmaris is around 20-30hours away from the Syrian border (depending on which of the areas above you'd be travelling too).

It's also the biggest tourist resort in Turkey and is extremely popular with Brits so everybody speaks english. The turkish people are very friendly and you'll find that they will go out of their way to make your holiday a good one.

Which hotel is it in Marmaris? (I used to live there). There's plenty for you to do in the area, two waterparks, a weekly market, lively nightlife if you want it, plenty of boat trips and even water taxis / buses to nearby resorts of Icmeler and Turunc which are worth a visit.

The beach stretches for several miles, although it's not particularly wide. It's a pretty shingly beach so I would recommend picking up a pair of 'sea shoes' that you could wear if you go in the sea. (they usually have them in Sports Direct for less than a fiver).

Only other recommendations are to make sure you keep yourself hydrated whilst there, it can get very hot in the summer months and it's easy to get dehydrated. And it's also worth bearing in mind that even though you're all inclusive it's still really cheap to eat out so worth going out for lunch or dinner a couple of days too.

jonesMUFCforever

Went to Marmaris a couple of years ago - the area is very nice but be aware of people trying to tempt you into their shop and restaurants etc. A firm no thank you and walk on works well.
They seem to know newbies as been white coloured when you arrive as we were left alone as we developed a bit of a tan LOL

Don't forget you need an electronic visa now - don't be fooled by the scam websites.

Have a good time and enjoy.

creditpunch

Thank you all so much this is all very useful stuff.

My son and I are Black British is that a consideration? While traveling before when I was younger I did have slightly different experiences from my friends, that I would like to avoid when travelling alone with my son.

I am aware of the eVisa and will get on the case nearer the time.

Thanks again

CP

PlymouthMaid

I have found Turkey to be a pretty stressful holiday destination unless you are travelling with menfolk as there seems to be the perception that all Western women are there to be chased and harassed as we are 'easy' apparently. You may not get this if with your son but when I went with a female friend we had so much hassle that we couldn't eat out etc.

balletshoes

creditpunch wrote: »

Thank you all so much this is all very useful stuff.

My son and I are Black British is that a consideration? While traveling before when I was younger I did have slightly different experiences from my friends, that I would like to avoid when travelling alone with my son.

I am aware of the eVisa and will get on the case nearer the time.

Thanks again

CP

in Marmaris being Black British won't make any difference to your holiday experience, compared with any of the other tourists there .

kloana

Being black will not pose you a problem.

Proximity to Syria (which is not proximity at all, Turkey is bloody massive) will not feature as part of your holiday in any way.

Being a lone female...you need to take Marmaris and its cheeky-chappy waiters with a pinch of salt. The stereotype does have a shred of truth.

Yes I have been, and no I am not racist/xenophobic/Islamophobic in any way (I travelled there with my Arab Muslim partner)...I experienced some low-level sleaze - minor flirtation which I could have easily shook off if I wanted to. Never felt threatened or properly uncomfortable, just slightly annoyed on a couple of occasions.

That said, this was 10 years ago and I was a very young woman out there to have fun (albeit with a man in tow!). It's a perfectly acceptable family destination, whether you're a lone parent or not.

Another Turkish stereotype that rings true is that they love children, and are family-oriented. You and your son should have a ball! Speaking of balls (!), if your son is into English premier league football and wears a football top (of almost any team), expect lots of (positive) attention and playful banter from local men - who go nuts for all things premier league