First timers

[Hayzees]

Hi all. We are coming to Icmeler for the first time this summer with our daughter (9). I have been stalking the board for some time to get a feel for the place and the people and it all sounds fantastic. We can't wait!

We are staying at the Pinewood so it has been useful to read the comments. Small rooms aren't too much of a hardship as we usually only use holiday accommodation as somewhere to lay our heads and have a shower/drink before heading out for the evening.

I have a few questions though:

Where is the Turkish baths and are they easy to find?

Is the Turkish shave with matches for nose/ear hair) as scary as it looks? My husband is a little concerned!

Is it worth hiring sunbeds and a parasol on the beach or should we buy our own mats and brolly as we do in Greece? Is the sea good fro snorkelling?

Which is the best restaurant serving Turkish food for a good family night out?

Is there anywhere we should avoid?

How long does it take to walk to Marmarus?

How much is a bottle of wine or are we better off sticking to beer and spirits?

Are there any 'must do' trips and how much should we budget for?

I have already tried to post this once but I think my computer crashed so apologies if another version of this is already ont he firum and thanks, in advance, for help!

[salford_steve]

Hi

Turkish Baths are easy to find, you will walk past them in town there a quite a few, or you could book with ICR, they will pick you up from the apartments I think.

Turkish shaves, yes they do light some cotton wool on a stick but it's not sca you only feel a little bit of heat it's not near your face long enough to feel it.

Walk to Marmaris I don't know as never done it but I would suspect about 30-40 mins. r you could just get the Dolmus (local bus) it costs you 1.75 Lira each which is not even a £1 and they run a night service if you want to go in the evening, last bus home 1.30am.

Upto you about the beach but parasols are cheap enought I think we paid when we were there 2 lira for the whole day. Not sure about the pinewoods you may even find they have there own spot on the beach and it may be free, as aot of hotels have there own spots on the beach for guests to use for free as long as you get a drink or lunch from there bar on the beach.

Everyone will tell you different on here about places to eat. For me it's the Love Boat butto be honest I never had a bad meal both times I was in Icmeler last year.

I would stick to local beer with your meal if you want to keep the price of your meals down. Wine can be fairly expensive in Turkey as can imported spirits, the local spirtis are reasonably priced, but the local lager is cheap and a nice drink.

Hope this helps.

Steve

[bec]

Hi there welcome to the forum

Sure you will love Icmeler like the rest of us

Also adding to the dolmus ride into Marmaris,there are taxi boats which go over to Marmaris too..takes longer than the dolmus but its very relaxing with a gorgeous breeze too...

Yeah getting sunbeds on the beach is very cheap for the day..
You can do boat trips also (good for snorkelling) as they stop off so you can go into the sea etc..get in touch with ICR they will be able to sort this for you along with offering you other 'must do' trips.

There are plenty of good restaurants and evreyone has their own favourite,there is a thread going on currently take a look
http://www.icmeleronline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4516

Bottle of wines can vary around the restaurants..we've been charged between 12-20ytl which works out to about £5-£10

Hope this helps
xx

[arinsal]

Sorry first of all, as I posted quite a negative review of Pinewood. On a more positive note. The apartments are very clean. It has one of the biggest pools...great for children....and it is clean. Beautiful garden area, which is well maintained by the owners...just the sun bed problem, but does have parasols. Pinewood is in the Old Village and not near the beach. It is in a quiet area, and no noisy bars to worry about. It is only a 10 to 15 minute walk to the beach. I have been to Turkey and few times but only once to Icmeler. Last year we found a bottle of good wine costing 30 to 40 lira in restaurants and 16 to 18 lira in supermarkets. Wine in Turkey will not have the same labels you will be used to at home, but just ask, even in Supermarkets. There is a good supermarket near Pinewood....only opened last year. Come out of Pinewood by the bottom exit, turn left, then right, and left and it is the first shop....less than a one minute walk. Although Tansas supermarket is only a few minutes away and is cheaper. Not sure if you are aware that apartments in this area of Turkey only provide the first loo roll...you have to buy the rest yourself. I am sure you will have a great holiday like us.

[steve.crowe]

Hi Hayzees and welcome to the forum

I'm sure you will love Icmeler.
To be honest I have never been brave enough to have the shave, haircut etc. In fact I always get my hair cut here before I go. Doesn't stop them asking if I want a haircut though!
Sunbeds on the beach are cheap enough and there are "free" ones in front of Harmony bar and Deniz Kapsi.
The sea at the beach is not great for snorkeling. Best done out on a boat trip (must do trip) and as Bec says, ICR can sort you out there.
The walk to Marmaris takes about 2 1/2 hours. You don't say when you're going but best to avoid doing it in the mid-day heat. Though there are plenty places to stop for a drink.
There are so many good restaurants but if you want authentic you should try Cafe Ann in the old village.
Hope you enjoy Icmeler as much as the rest of us

[polly]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

If you want to do something a bit different one day try the jeep safari,
its a really good day out. Dont wear best clothes though because it's
very dusty.
You will not be disappointed with Icmeler it's lovely

Polly

[geordiespurs]

definately do the jeep safari your daughter will love it and its a great day out for adults aswell.

as for the shave tell your hubby to go for it personally i dont take a razor on holiday, i prefer to get someone else to do it for me for a couple of quid each time

you ll absolutely love icmeler and wont want to go anywhere else

[WOMBLE]

[quote="Hayzees"]Hi all. We are coming to Icmeler for the first time this summer with our daughter (9). I have been stalking the board for some time to get a feel for the place and the people and it all sounds fantastic. We can't wait!
[quote="Hayzees"]

First of all can I welcome you to the forum
We went in April it was our first time to Turkey
You will def like Icmeler the people will be so friendly towards you and your family
You will be welcomed so warmly by them Whatsmore THEY MEAN IT is nothing like the costas
You have to try their food its out of this world
Hoping you enjoy the forum and most of all fellow Icemelite HAPPY hols

[LynnJenny]

you will have a wonderful time your daughter will love it their is a waterpark in mamaris she will love that have a great time lynn

[mazz]

You are sure to have a fantastic time which will leave you wanting to go back.

I would suggest getting a sunbed and parasol on the beach - it's only about £2 a day per sunbed - well worth it.

As Bec said the wine in restaurants can vary in price - but Turkish wine is delicious, my favourits are well chilled Muscado (white) and I drank a lot of Rose wine last time I was there which was lovely, very refreshing. It's worth bearing in mind that the local beers and spirits are cheaper than the imported variety. I don't normally drink lagers here, but find the Efes very moorish!

Mazz

[RON STEWART]

Turkish shaves are scarey first time.
RON

[art deuchars]

just aline to say hello .
just joind today ,was in icmeler last october for the first time ,was at mitos .Going back in july for 2 weeks.
staying at hotel private this time.
with my wife and 15 year old daughter.
went on the jeep safari guide was a guy by the name of rooney/ruhi kanak .driver went by the name of bekam, had ablast two great guys.

[dotty]

Hello from a fellow Fifer! We've been going to Icmeler for the past 6 years, just love it. We go 7th June for 3 weeks and then again on 26 August for 2 weeks - soooo looking forward to it. Hope you have a great time in July. Dotty

[art deuchars]

Thanks dotty enjoy.
we were in Alanya last year to another good place to go
o well never minde 11 weeks on sunday and counting.