Walking back at night

[icemeler5]

Hi, already thinking about 2013 holiday and cannot believe place we usually stay doesn't have any 2 bed apartments available for July/August. We are thinking about staying in the old village as we have been around there during the day and think it is lovely. We have also read lots of good reviews about accommodation there, (we are considering the Senem apartments). The only hiccup is I was wondering how safe it is to walk back at night. I always feel safe in icemeler and the people are lovely etc.. but you never know, things can happen anywhere if you put yourself in a bad situation. There are 5 of us, me, hubby and 3 kids (13, 11 & 9) and usually get back to the apartment anytime from midnight to 2.00 ish
Just interested in anyones opinion as I don't know how busy or quiet this part of icemeler is after a certain time and how dark it is. Thanks for any help...

[JT]

Which place doesnt have 2 bedroom aparts available

[silverbeard21]

We have been going to Icmeler for 13 years and never at anytime felt unsafe when walking at any time of the day or night. I can honestly say that the only problems that I have heard about, and I do mean heard not seen, has been between tired waiters at the end of the season when tempers get a little frayed. I have never heard of any problems involving tourists. I live in a quiet village in the UK but I would not wander about in the wee small hours on my own. If I wish to I would have no problems doing so in Icmeler. Must be the safest place on earth that I know of.

Enjoy

David

[Katiehutchinson_1991]

always stayed in the old village
just use your common sense and do what you would do in the uk
xxx

[wilts]

We have stayed twice in Icmeler now, 3rd time coming up. We stayed at apartments high up through the market place. We walked back every evening from the centre and never once felt unsafe. Leading up to market day there were often men sleeping with their vans near the toilet block, they would always lift their heads and say goodnight to us as we walked past. Also one year they were refurbing the toilet block and the workmen would also have a chat late at night, after midnight, very dark yet always a smile and a see you in the morning. Feel safer walking through the market in Icmeler in the dark than I would walking through our local market at night at home.

[noodles1609]

We've stayed at the Mola apartments which are a fair way back in the old village, didn't once come across anything that would cause concern walking late at night - we walked back most nights of our 2 weeks there. There aren't many people about but you do see a few.

Personally, I wouldn't want to stay up there at that time of year, but that's only about the heat plus the walk rather than any safety concerns.

[dksbbs]

We stay in the old village and feel safe walking back, in fact our children have often walked back on their own (Since the eldest was 16) if they want to go back to the apartments to read a book or something, the only thing we tend to do is keep to the main roads in the early hours rather than walk down the quiet roads.

I also prefer the banter with the restaurant staff on the way back as they are not trying to pressurise you into eating in their restaurant and you can look at the menus without the hassel.

Dave

[helen2904]

We have been up in the Old Village now for nearly twenty years, and never yet felt frightened. In fact my husband always reminds me of how it does not bother me to walk by myself into the centre, and yet I would not think about walking alone at home.

[Brownie1]

We have been staying in the Old Village for abour 6 years now and we always walk 'home' at night. We have never experienced any problems. Even if we have encountered anyone whilst walking back through the market place, they have always been pleasant. The only advice I would give is maybe take a small torch with you as the pavements can sometimes be uneven.

[Jay Trip]

The Senem apartments are lovely but only sleep 4 at a push as the sofa beds in the lounge would only sleep 2.

[Jeanette]

Have to agree with all the comments about walking back to hotel/apartments at night. I have stayed in the old village and always felt safe walking around day or night. Remember though if you don't feel like walking back the bar or restaurant you are in will normally give you a lift back and there are always cabs which are not that expensive.

[Bankielass]

Hi,

Have to agree with Jay Trip Senem apartments are lovely we normally have a 2 bedroom apartment and decided to try a 1 bedroom last year at Senem. There are 2 single beds and either a double sofa bed or 2 single sofa beds in lounge area the problem we found was the lack of storage space for clothes for 3 adults. We have never felt unsafe walking in Icmeler at night we leave my brother-in-law to people watch while we go wandering.

[toonarmybarmy]

Same as all above. But would add that I have found bars and restaurants, if you have been there all night, will take you home at the end of the evening.

Tim

[sophia]

I often stay just a few minutes into the old village but last year I booked an apartment quite a long way back (purely by accident) and although we were fine most nights, we did have one incident. We had left the apartment about 10pm as we ate indoors and decided to go for drinks later that night so it was already dark outside & we took a shortcut down a road that had no lights (extremely stupid) and two men were walking past and said something to us so we simply smiled and said we only speak english. We carried on walking & they shouted something to us but we just ignored them, then when I turned around they had stopped and were just staring. So i said to my friend, lets walk a little faster & then next thing I know, they had both started running after us! We broke into a run ourselves and as soon as we got on to the main road, that was lit by street lights, they stopped running.

I have to say, these men weren't turkish. They may have been german & looked slightly older, perhaps about late 30's, early 40s but not entirely sure. Anyway, as we are two twentysomething girls on our own, it scared us a bit and we told some of the lads we know in the restaurants etc, after that they always insisted on giving us a lift home from the restaurants or from Pleasure so we didn't have to walk on our own. It was realy nice to know that if we felt unsafe on any night, we could get someone to pick us up/drop us off.

Don't be put off though as I've been going since I was 14 and thats the only incident I can think of! And like someone else said, don't do something you wouldn't do in England, I wouldn't have walked down a small, dark road late at night in england alone so I'm not sure why I thought I should do it in Icmeler!

[shortie1964]

Have stayed in the old village many times and have never experienced any problems walking back late at night, never seen any trouble in 15yrs. Hope you find somewhere nice to stay.

[Southampton_Girl]

Some restaurants offer a "take you home" service...

I think you may have to let them know in advance - but if you eat , drink and stay with them all night, they are only too happy to make sure you get back.

I stayed at Mola Apartments last year and did not have to walk back any night I stayed there. One restaurant even picked me up some evenings even if I did not eat / drink in their restaurant.

The Turkish people are very polite and they care for the tourists.

SGx

[icemeler5]

Thank you to everyone for your helpful comments, we have decided to give it a try in the old village this year, we just need to find apartments that have 2 bedrooms........happy hunting

[keileyoneill]

Club Sun Village have spacious 2 bedroom apartments - not sure if they will have any availability though.
Keiley

[silverbeard21]

The easy way is to PM or email JT. I am sure he will know where all the 2 bedroom apartments are and can advise you on availability.

Good Luck

David

[JT]

Yes I have done that and named the apartments but as yet the lady has not spotted it