Icmeler 2012

[angelus]

Just back from Icmeler. Weather was very hot and most welcome. There is a big BUT, though. I dont know whether it is just that we have been there so many times but this time, coming back, we felt that it was different from any other time we have been there. There are many changes, one of which is the canal area. Even with the new stalls, there is no atmosphere and is still pretty dead, apart from the music from Vemice and Majestic. I think the prettiness of the canal has been lost, even with the new paving. I think Icmeler as a whole is being overtaken by the dreaded all inclusive. This is the way it is going unfortunately. We still used the same restaurants (although they were emptier than I have ever seen them) and they were still good. Its just something that I cant put my finger on this year. We usually go twice a year and will still return in September, but as for next year, I think we will be trying somewhere else. It really upsets me to think I would ever be considering this but this time was different. The square has been done very nicely and all credit to the council, this is one of their better ideas. I think the seafront, although easier to walk along, has lost some of its charm. As for the beach, the sand that has been imported is rough and very unkind on the feet. With the hot weather, the sand has been so hot that you cant walk on it without shoes. Going into the sea was a chore in itself, as there are stones all the way in. I hope something is done or that the kids that go in July and August will need shoes to go in and out of the sea.

I am really sorry to be so negative and as I have said, we will be going back in September, mainly to see our friends who go at that time. I have never said this before, but I wasnt at all disappointed to come home.

[armstrong]

Hi , Angelus , sorry to say it but we found it the same as yourselves , we were there in early may and found it very disappointing this time , the weather didn't help as it was very cold and wet most days. but in general I to could not get as excited as I have in previous visit's .is possible that we have been there to many times .

Terry

[angelus]

I think you could be right there. Also, it didnt help that one third of the beach is a public beach now, although saying that we watched the guy who allegedly is a a masseur who had set uphis massage business in the sea on the public beach began to put, at first, four sunbeds on there and was charging and getting people drinks and then by the time we left he had ten sunbeds. I couldnt believe this was happening on a "public" beach. What is the difference from when the beach boys rented from the council and charged to this guy being allowed to put sunbeds on the beach, charging and getting people drinks, still this is Turkey!!!!!!!!!!! I did see him clearing the rubbish bins so may be he is the beach attendant, but somehow I doubt it, lol!

[kirky]

i first went icmeler 10 years ago have not been anywhere else this august be my 20 th visit ,over the years ive seen lot changes mainly good but the canal shops big miss alot bars restuarants down there trade must be taking a hit.on my first visit there was only handfull all inclusive hotels now there everywhere come 10 oclock night its busy.i feel sorry guys restuarants who work so hard and every year i see less people in these places,10 years ago 7 familes and ourselves came icmeler aprox 30 people this year its just ourselves minus my daughter i keep returning due to the nice people in icmeler and warm welcome we get without them i probably look at going somewhere else roll on 6 weeks time

[redrhino12]

I went in early June and can honestly say my experience was completely different.
This holiday was one of the best we have ever had.
We did our usual bars along with a night at the Stella show and a fantastic evening in the Majestic Restaurant.
Spent our days on Yakamoz beach and enjoyed some ice cold Efes and tasty lunches at 12 oclock on the dot at the Yakamoz Bar.

We did the Akyaka Trip with ICR,a wonderful experience sailing up the Azmak river and sharing the jeep with friendly people.

I Agree the Canal has lost its fairytale charm with the loss of the stalls and fairylights,but the New square is amazing,as is the new underground market.
Roads are all paved now right up into the village.

I think I am an "Icmeler convert",we are booked to go in September and we have already booked for June next year 2013 we got some good flights with TC.

This year for me was a Love Re-Born.

"Icmeler I cant get enough of you"

Gene

[noodles1609]

We would live in Icmeler if we could - no idea what we'd do for work, and it's a bit of a commute! I have to agree with Gene on this one, but do recognise everyone views things differently, wouldn't do for us all to be the same - if we were Marmaris would be empty!!

I do miss the atmosphere of the canal stalls, but I do think it will return, given the chance, when the new stalls get established. I definitely don't miss tripping on the uneven pavements, twisting my ankles in the pot holes and walking into the poles holding the stall roofs up just cause I'm a bit clumsy with shocking periferal vision! I was a little despondent last year seeing the underground market, how Seyhmus kept his business going in those conditions is beyond a miracle, it honestly looked like it had been bombed. To see the transformation this year is wonderful. The new square has to be seen, it's beautiful.

I can't wait for our next trip (got a sneaky one in in 5 weeks and 6 days.. and counting) to see it all again and bask in the whole atmosphere of our "home". I may well be wrong but I for one do thing that AI will be short lived, too many people in too many bars and restaurants with their AI bands on looking like they've stumbled on a little piece of heaven away from the confines of their hotels, I think Icmeler will ride out this particular fashion

[waynesworld]

What with the rain outside and reading the first few stories,I feel a bit depressed this morning.

[angelus]

The rain I understand is depressing but think of the Icmeler weather and the lovely Turkish people there. We are only expressing our own opinions based on our experiences. It wouldnt do if we all were the same. I am going back to Icmeler in September and am looking forward to it.

[carol0912]

We could all go on and on and on.....
I love the place.
Not been going as long as some folks-4 years to be exact, but think I will keep going.
A holiday is what you make it and I have met a good few people whom I now look on as good friends and I really look forward to seeing them each year.
The changes that have happened could happen anywhere.
I don't think they are enough to put me off.
The people are amazing.
7 weeks 5 days and counting.
Can't wait

[madazahatter]

I think most of the changes are to the benefit of the resort. I will agree that the canal area is lacking something but I'm not totally sure it's stalls that are needed. The closure of the stalls has livened the town centre up and the underground market has also benefitted from this.
It seemed a bit strange when I went this year but I think the changing of the spring bank holiday to accomodate the queens jubilee was the cause of that.
Needless to say I have already booked for next year and I am looking for a property to buy out there for when I retire (18years 2months) but whos counting.

[Southampton_Girl]

I've also just returned from Icmeler and although it was very emotional leaving (it seems to get harder and harder every time). I did feel that Icmeler (in general) has changed and did not hold the "magic" it once did.

I agree with the sand not being so kind to your feet, it was a dirty colour rather than the yellow sandy colour it has been in past years....

The new canal market is okay and it was nice to have a look around and purchase some trinkets for home especially the jewellery - I'm a sucker for bracelets.

But again, I agree that the canal strip seems quite empty now apart from Majestic and Venice and then Broadway at the top...

I am however, looking to visit again in September - just for the sun!

[Elayne]

we arrived back on saturday after 2 fantastic weeks and i can honestly say hand on my heart that I love icmeler a little bit more each time I go, 54 more sleeps and we will be back again for 3 weeks.

[Sami]

This thread and subsequent posts were a really good read this afternoon while I sit with a cold, at work!
I arrived back not long ago (22nd June) and I really enjoyed my holiday. It was different for me this year as I had friends come with me whom I have not been away with before but also, they had never visited Icmeler before either. This was a nice experience as it enabled me to show them my piece of heaven and totally gloat when it seemed every restaurant we ate in that someone knew me. Which makes me feel very special.

I have been going to Icmeler since I was 17 (I am now 37) so a long time and though I had a long break in between, I have to say I have not missed a year for about 12 or so. Possibly more. Since meeting JT a few years ago I can sincerely say I will not book with anyone else now as I have used other companies and every time it seems to go wrong some how. Back to the initial subject of 2012 Icmeler, yes, it has changed and I did notice a lot of people with their coloured wrist bands on out at night and sometimes in the day, so these AI's can't be all that can they?

A lot of Russian's and people from that part of the world prefer the AI experience. I for one will not ever go that way in Icmeler. There are way too many excellent places to eat and too many well appointed bars to have an ice cold beer and watch people from to be stuck in an AI hotel. Don't get me wrong, some of the hotel's are very plush looking and are I am sure very nice to stay in as far as luxury is concerned but you do not get the full impact of Icmeler if you stay inside your complex all the time.

The new square does look really good now with the fountains, which I have to admit were tempting when the temperature hit 48 in town! It is sad to see all the good restaurants quieter than normal and seeing that most are having to have one of the guys on the street PR'ing for business. This in turn will start to annoy people. All in all though, I do think most changes are good for the resort and I will continue to visit year upon year upon year. Back again July and September this year, can't wait to get back to my oasis.

[Silverfox BC]

We have not been back long but cannot wait for September to return to our "second home" Agree that the canal area is not what it was but there are other compensations,especially for the husbands who now do not have to get bored watching us wives spending their money. Talking to a couple of shopkeepers they both agreed that the number of English visitors has dropped over the past two years by as much as 40% and there are now more Russians than English and they like the AI . Nevertheless we have made so many friends in Icmeler we feel so at home there and would not dream of going anywhere else, so roll on September.

[sunseeker2011]

Luckily for me, this will be my first time in Icmeler so it will all be new to my wife, daughter and I.
I always look at the pictures that JT posts on his weather thread and must admit, it does look stunning but am also aware that generally photo's don't do places justice so in the hot Turkish sun I reckon theses places will seem amazing.

I'm also going self catering as I also like to get out and about and try different places to eat & drink. We've done B&B mostly in the past but with my fussy daughter's palate I thought we would try S/C. I'll gladly leave the AI to the Russians lol.

I'm so looking forward to seeing all the areas people are talking about, the underground market, the new square, the canals etc...

[steve.crowe]

Sunseeker, I'm sure you will enjoy a wonderful time in Icmeler and discover, for yourself, what makes it so special for all of us.
I'm with Gene and Noodles on this one. I love all of the improvements except the loss of the canal stalls. I still live in hope that the council will, eventually, realise their mistake. The beach front has greatly improved the creekomodern mistakes of a couple of years ago. and, much as we may have slated the planning permission debacle, the improvements have paid off (Deniz Kapisi toilets )
Icmeler is more than the paving and buildings, what you will find is that it is the atmosphere and the friendliness of the people that make this the best place to be