Icmeler/Akyaka May 26-June 6

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Moderator: blondie

Icmeler/Akyaka May 26-June 6

Postby blondie » 14 Jun 2015 12:48

Hi all - this year, we decided to spend a few days in Akyaka before coming to Icmeler. After a somewhat turbulent flight from Edinburgh to Dalaman, we arrived and were whisked off to Akyaka by our private transfer to the Ayka Otel. As we were arriving somewhat late, we had asked if they would be able to provide some food for us, and we were greeted with a warm welcome before sitting down to a lovely meal. Unfortunately, that first night, we had a terrible thunderstorm with thunder, lightning and torrential rain all night - and when we finally did fall asleep, we were woken rather early by the Turkish alarm clock next door (cockerel!). The hotel iitself was beautiful - small and friendly, just how we like it. Breakfast most mornings is in the form of a self-service buffet with ample choice. Our first full day was a bit overcast so we just enjoyed walking around, getting our bearings and taking in all the scenery. Akyaka is a beautiful place with lovely beaches and is very quiet and Turkish. We were the only non-Turkish people in the hotel - so my very limited Turkish was stretched to the limit at times. We hopped on the dolmus to Mugla one day, which is a nice journey over the mountains with some great scenery. It was market day in Mugla - it is a huge working market which sells almost everything you can think of - from spare parts for hoovers to fresh fish and chickens!
On to Icmeler itself - we were staying once again at the Sun Village apartments in the old village, and arrived to a warm welcome there too from Mama, Mehmet and Jamie. Sun Village is a lovely family-run little complex of apartments in a nice quiet part of Icmeler - again, small and friendly which suits us down to the ground, and they can't do enough for you. Our apartment was cleaned every day and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, including Mama's excellent menemen for breakfast! We went along to the Turkish night on the Wednesday at the sister Club Sun Village, which was a good night out with a delicious three-course meal and entertainment from break dancers, belly dancers and Turkish folk dancers - all for £10!
We did find Icmeler quieter than usual for the time of year - and everyone we spoke to in the shops, bars and restaurants remarked on the same thing, citing a variety of reasons including the proliferation of all-inclusives, high price of flights, fines for taking children out of school outwith school holidays and even the perceived threat from ISIS on the Syrian border. Who knows, maybe it is a combination of all these factors, and I hope things do pick up as the season goes on, or I think some businesses will genuinely struggle this year. The quietness didn't bother us at all - we prefer it that way - but I do feel sorry for the businesses and the effect it will have on them.
We were self-catering, but as usual, didn't make as much as a cup of tea during our stay, preferring to eat out. Breakfasts usually consisted of menemen, which we sampled at various places and we tend not to have much at lunchtimes. We had some fantastic evening meals - eating out at Kayra Pide, the Holiday, Alin's and Cafe Rose, but the undoubted highlight was Meryem Yemek Evi, where the food was so good that we ate there three times. Owner Cihan is very passionate about his food and happy to explain dishes and recommend things to you. They made us a beautiful mixed grill and even went to the butcher specially to get fresh liver, which my husband had requested. Now I normally hate liver with a passion and refuse to eat it at all, but was persuaded to give this a try - and it was absolutely gorgeous. If you like proper Turkish food, please give this place a try - the food is superb and such great value too. In fact, we felt all the meals we had this year were great value and didn't find prices much different from last year. Alcohol has increased in price, yes - but there are still some good value set meals to be had, and if you eat in the little Turkish places, they are even better value for money.
We didn't do any trips this year, just enjoying a nice relaxing holiday and wandering around the resort taking it all in. All too soon, it was time to get picked up for our return trip to the airport and back home.
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Re: Icmeler/Akyaka May 26-June 6

Postby JT » 15 Jun 2015 11:07

Thanks Jill
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Re: Icmeler/Akyaka May 26-June 6

Postby gez45 » 22 Jun 2015 18:48

Great review , we too are staying at Sun Village in 3weeks can't wait, will also give Meryem a look at too, thanks Blondie. :D
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Re: Icmeler/Akyaka May 26-June 6

Postby blondie » 06 Jul 2015 19:02

blondie
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Re: Icmeler/Akyaka May 26-June 6

Postby JT » 07 Jul 2015 07:08

Thanks for the pics Jill
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Re: Icmeler/Akyaka May 26-June 6

Postby juju » 07 Jul 2015 14:09

Lovely review and lovely pictures. Thanks for taking the time!
Julie x
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