Antalya

[maryb]

Hi has anyone been to Antalya? i go to Icmeler every year and will be there again in three weeks.But found a great bargain for Xmas and new year in Antalya has anyone got any information about weather at Xmas or Antalya itself ?

[JT]

There are always bargains for Antalya for Xmas time as it is out of season and most of the stuff advertised in the brochures are not open

Do your homework before you jump in and check out the reviews on the hotel for that time of year

[Canli]

Antalya is one of my favourite winter holidays. We stay in the Kalieci (old town) area and it's lovely. Not quite the same as Icmeler old village, but still nice. The weather is a bit hit or miss. One year I was in the sea on boxing day, last year it poured non stop for 3 days and it was quite cold. The beach part of town is very quiet and you struggle to find places to eat at night, but if you go into the town centre it can be quite lively, with people sitting outside bars with the heaters on. You're more likely to be spoken to in german than english, as they get a lot of germans in summer. I'd say go for it, just don't think it will be like Icmeler.

[janeypoos]

I've stayed in Antalya about 5 times but never in wintertime so I cannot comment about the weather but there is plenty to see there, it's a real cultural trip.

The last time we stayed there we stayed with my Turk husbands friends a bit out of the town, loads of character but not much to do if you're on your own looking.

Have you had an xmas in Turkey away from the tourist areas? If not I'd urge you to really think about it, the only time we have was when we lived in Kizkalesi, impossible to find anything slightly seasonal (as you'd expect), no celebrations or atmosphere at all, unless you have a husband who's prepared to go chop a tree down on xmas eve and decorate with cotton wool as a surprise like I did

New year is big though so you can certainly celebrate that big stylee, lol!

Antalya is very expensive though, the dearest place I've been to in Turkey.

[RebeccaAx]

Antalya is fabulous! Although, as Janeypoos says - certain places can be expensive. I stayed with a friend when I went in October last year, but we stayed in the very Turkish kind of places, and whenever we did venture out into the town it was lovely, a lot more modern than I would have though! No doubt you'd have a fantastic time!
All the best.

Rebecca x

[maryb]

Thanks for your replies it is at the Topkpi palace Lara beach,there are 4 or 6 of us so hope we all have a great time.But Icmeler in 3 weeks.

[juju]

We stayed in Antalya a few years ago in the old town at a hotel called Alp Pasa...an ottoman boutique which was quite lovely but very expensive......................!We found a few Turkish bars that we could afford to have a drink in but the town was very expensive and if you didnt keep your eyes open could be ripped off. A few years ago we holidayed in TRNC Northern Cyprus and the guy who owned the place was a Turkish Cypriot.He had stayed at the same place as us but in the winter and been genuinely shocked by the prices.Where you are looking at is out of town...city really...I mean out of city and probably mostly all inclusive.Have a look at the old town and also the city,lots of interesting things to see. As for the weather I dont think Christmas is great anywhere in Turkey.

[janeypoos]

Thanks for your replies it is at the Topkpi palace Lara beach,there are 4 or 6 of us so hope we all have a great time.But Icmeler in 3 weeks.

My cousin went to Lara Beach in May, don't know what hotel though. I'll ask her if there's much to do there outside of the hotel.
But please if you can visit the old town, some wonderful tiny shops selling authentic everything

[janeypoos]

As for the weather I dont think Christmas is great anywhere in Turkey.

We spent Christmas and Boxing Day 2000 on the beach in Kizkalesi, lol!