Has anyone been to turkey?

DigForVictory

Spent a week in Kusadasi which was very tolerant as it had cruise ships visiting regularly - but we did try to go when it wasn't full blast sweltering & us gals stayed fairly covered (English rose complexions can burn, so harem trous & baggy T shirts long enough to cover the elbows kept us covered cool & comfortable) & we had scarves in case there were any religious types who felt they ought to remind us how to behave.

The traders were cheerful hagglers & as most of our meals were at the hotel that wasn't an issue - I've still got a purse & a pair of slippers I bought as do several of my relatives. (Lovely leather-work being about all I could afford but noone minded us looking & dreaming along the metalworking & jewellery areas as they may have hoped we had plastic &/or sugar daddies!

If you can get to Pamukkale, do! It isn't UN ticketed by accident, it really is a wow destination. Make sure your camera is charged and just flood out your blue & white sensitivities! The traders can be a bit more vehement but they do get "no!".

Pollycat

movingon wrote: »

Hassle really, feeling uneasy about people stealing etc. Having said that I was pickpocketed in Spain some years ago:mad:

And I was mugged in Greece by a scumbag on a motorbike. Lucky not to be badly injured, I was dragged to the ground and had enough presence of mind to let go of my bag.
I've never had anything stolen from any S/C accommodation in Greece or Turkey.
They usually have safe deposit boxes anyway.

Re 'hassle', we've always found that if you smile, shake your head and carry on walking, it's pretty hard to continue 'hassling' you.
But then again, we've experienced sellers in Tunisia, Egypt, Thailand and India so don't find it an issue.
I'd say if you are feeling uneasy, maybe look at a different country.

maman

movingon wrote: »

Would you be able to recommend any SC places to stay? I have worried about Turkey not being safe outside the hotel and considered AI for this reason, but you have inspired me to consider SC.
Is Fethiye one of those places where you get accosted by traders when you leave the accomodation?

Sorry, I can't recommend as although I've been to Fethiye I've not stayed there.

As others have said, Turkey is really safe. Absolutely no problem going out in the day or night.

Yes, market traders and restaurants will try to get you to buy but that's just their way. I've just come back from India where you dare not show an interest and they'll follow you down the street.

In Turkey, they have people outside restaurants to try and encourage you to go in. I just smile and say 'maybe tomorrow' or 'not tonight' and they're happy. If you're worried, look at the outside menus during the daytime and make your choice. Then you can just head straight there. They'll probably offer you an apple tea even in the afternoon.

They do put prices up to compensate for inflation but it's still cheaper than here.

maman

movingon wrote: »

Would you be able to recommend any SC places to stay? I have worried about Turkey not being safe outside the hotel and considered AI for this reason, but you have inspired me to consider SC.
Is Fethiye one of those places where you get accosted by traders when you leave the accomodation?

Sorry but I assumed you were the OP who had to go to Fethiye for dental treatment.

Where to stay would depend on what you want from a holiday. There are many resorts catering for different people. It depends whether you want child friendly (I don't) or nightlife or beaches or whatever.

Doobedoo

I’ll be flying out to Olu Deniz on Saturday so I’ll post back after my holiday and let you know how I found it.

My boss has been a few times with his family and absolutely loved it. Hopefully the weather will be nice forecast predicts plenty of sunshine :j.

suki1964

Turkey is changing at the moment , it cant be denied

My wonderful memories of Turkey - 80's to mid 00's was of a very tolerant safe country

We have made many friends over the years there, still send cards and messages even though we no longer go to Turkey ( more for the flight and transfer time then any other reason )

My experiences have been

As a first timer and wary about food, finding some of the best cuisine in the world for a pittance , served from kitchens cleaner then my own

Finding the most hospitable people I have ever met, being invited to family gatherings

A country which is I think is beautiful, a country where travelling around is safe, comfortable and cheap

Where "star ratings" regarding hotels means diddly squat. Yes you can pay for a 4/5* hotel and be a sheep. Book a smaller family owned place and get treated like royalty

Never once have I felt I have been hassled, a polite no thanks always works and as soon as the tan shows, the hard sell stops. Return to the same resort a couple of years on the trot, and you are remembered and left alone

During the years I visited Turkey it was pretty acceptable to go topless around the hotel pools - whilst sunbathing. stand up and cover up. Beaches ( other then a few) were always use a bit of decorum . I never felt uncomfortable waring shorts and vests around the towns during the day, unlike say Tunisia where I wouldn't dream of leaving the hotel without keeping covered and would only wear a one piece at the pool and beach

Pollycat

That was our experience of Turkey, Suki - around the same time too.
We've not been for 7 years.

Re hassle - some friends of ours went on a boat trip from Rhodes (to Bodrum?) and found the 'hassle' unbearable.
We loved the buzz of Bodrum.
I think it depends on how laid-back you are or how tolerant.


We've noticed a lot of people scurry past restaurants in case someone speaks to them but we find it's good to speak first - with a 'good evening' in Turkish and a big smile. Usually, by the time they've recovered from the shock, you're past and greeting the next one.

We've learned over the years not to say this:

maman wrote: »

In Turkey, they have people outside restaurants to try and encourage you to go in. I just smile and say 'maybe tomorrow' or 'not tonight' and they're happy. If you're worried, look at the outside menus during the daytime and make your choice. Then you can just head straight there. They'll probably offer you an apple tea even in the afternoon.

as these people have very long memories - and incredible facial recognition skills.

maman

Pollycat wrote: »

as these people have very long memories - and incredible facial recognition skills.

They do indeed and that's why we have a friendly greeting and, if we've each got the time, a chat. Some we've known for many years and ask about each others families. When I've said 'maybe tomorrow', I've genuinely meant it. We'll be there for 3 weeks soon and that's an awful lot of restaurants we can patronise.:D

Pollycat

maman wrote: »

They do indeed and that's why we have a friendly greeting and, if we've each got the time, a chat. Some we've known for many years and ask about each others families. When I've said 'maybe tomorrow', I've genuinely meant it. We'll be there for 3 weeks soon and that's an awful lot of restaurants we can patronise.:D

As regular (twice yearly) visitors to Goa for many years, we got to know the beach sellers very well
I was happy for them to sit on the end of my sunbed and chat, a welcome rest for them from trudging up and down the beach. They'd get a bottle of water or pop.
Other tourists would swear at them and shoo them off
I used to save our empty water bottles for the Rajasthani ladies who collected them for recycling.

Lots of people say 'tomorrow' but don't mean it and wonder why sellers aren't happy when tomorrow comes and 'no business'.
'Perhaps', 'maybe' and 'tomorrow' are not in my vocabulary on holiday.

maman

Pollycat wrote: »

'Perhaps', 'maybe' and 'tomorrow' are not in my vocabulary on holiday.

Your words will haunt me when I'm there in a few time. :rotfl: