And the winners is.....

[Blyth Spirit]

This summer we did 2 week long holidays to places we had not been to before, Turkey & Portugal - Icmeler & Albuferia.

And the unanimous winner is Icmeler.

Fair enough there different resorts size wise & holiday type/styles, we always intended on doing one 'large ish' resort don't get me wrong we had a great time in Portugal and loved the old town area of Albuferia but as a resort we didn't think is was a patch on the other big resort we love Playa de las Americas in Tenerife.

But the real reason we didn't quite get Albuferia was, as my wife put it she/we just didn't connect with Albuferia in the we felt a connection with Icmeler.

The people are much friendlier in Turkey and it has a far better feel, we had read on here about the 'magic' feel it has and now know exactly what they mean't.

After returning from Icmeler in July we even tried to change Portugal to Turkey but Jet2 would only let us change flight times not destination without a ridiculous charge.

Don't fear we'll be back in Icmeler next year (had initially thought maybe June but now thinking September), the bug has bitten us.

[Sami]

Glad to hear the Icmeler bug has bitten yet more people. I know what you mean about the feel of the place and the connection that you feel when you arrive. I feel like I'm home when I land at Dalaman and driving from the airport to Icmeler is so familiar, I love it. Some people don't get it when I explain and I think people who don't like going back to the same place year on year really don't understand at all. I cannot think of anything better than dropping off your bags in your apartment and knowing exactly where you are and where you want to go, and how to get there. Though saying that, wandering around the old village and getting 'lost' has a certain appeal too.

I have booked for 3 seperate times next year, one of them will be on my own and though I thought I wouldn't do a single traveller thing again, Icmeler wins every time when it comes to being there alone. I know where I am and feel safe enough to wander around by myself (more than I do back at home to be honest).

happy holidays I say