~ Newcomer to Turkey ~

[dotty]

Welcome to the Forum Haydrew. I'm sure anything you want to ask on here can be answered as most people go to Icmeler more than once a year so are experts.

As for the best restaurants and bars, depends on what you're looking for because there's something for everyone in Icmeler. Read some of the previous topics and you'll maybe get a better idea. Local transport is excellent, the dolmus to Marmaris is every few minutes and taxi boats to other resorts available at the harbour.

You need to take sterling travellers cheques for the majority of your spending money and some Turkish lira to do you the first day or so.

The food is excellent, never had a bad meal in the 5 years we've been going. Our fav restaurants are The Waterfall, Chef, Mandalin and Venice.

Hope this helps, but sure you will get loads of replies from other Icmelerites.

[GeordieLass]

some problems with taking travellers cheques is when going to exchange places they charge a big % so I'd ask around first before going to the first place to use them.

I've been to alot of resturants and never had a bad meal yet, depends what you are looking for, quiet resturants? there are alot of resturants with waiters dancing about with lots of entertainment. Only take enough lira to last the first day or so, in england you dont get a good exchange rate.
When using taxi's for any reason always ask for the price before getting in, taxi's arent all that cheap. The local dolmus price never changes and runs until midnight.

There are lots of things to do through the day, why not look at the Icmeler online page and see what takes your fancy and they organise everything for you.

anymore questions we'd be happy to answer for you.

[zoe_clark]

Hi,

Me and my boyfriend (madnesstiger on the forums) went for the first time last August for a week, and are flying out for a fortnight on the 13th of this month.

As it was our first time, we went on a few of the excursions they had to offer, so will be relaxing a little more this time around. We went on a day trip to the mud baths/turtle beach which was well worth the money (even if we didnt see any turtles!). We also visited Marmaris market on the Thursday, had a go on the jet ski in the sea, and went on the jeep safari (another recommended trip).

We found Icmeler was about a 45mins walk from Marmaris along the seafront, which gives you a choice of 2 resorts for a start! Icmeler is the quieter of the two, although there are still plenty of bars/restaurants open all day long (often with theme nights).

To answer some of your queries from our view...

If there's only the two of you, I would say you wouldn't really need to hire a car, as taxis/minibuses pick you up from your hotel to take you to the excursions, and if you get tired of walking to Marmaris every day, there are the dolmuses (mini buses) available for very cheap fares (about 50p i think we paid per trip). Also, i believe there's a boat you can take as an alternative. There are plenty of things to do without the need for your own car.

I can't really think of anywhere to compare Icmeler to in the UK. You could maybe compare Marmaris to a hotter/friendlier version of a typical UK resort, and Icmeler a smaller version without the McDonalds etc. There's some great scenery, and we couldn't believe how mountainous it was as to what we expected.

Erm... as for decent restaurants and the like, we enjoyed Captain Bulls**ts food (best chinese my fella's had... ever!). We were 'all inclusive' last year though and had lots of meals in the hotel so didn't eat out all that often. It's only B&B this year though as we had chance to see what was on offer last year and compare prices of meals. There are loads of restaurants available (I'm sure someone else will be able to give you further suggestions on this topic). The average 3-course meal in Icmeler seemed to work out at about £8 per person which sounds very resonable and is why we're going B&B this year.

Lastly, we changed all our English to Lira before we went last time, and will probably do the same this time too, although it looked like you could easily change money while you were there (the rates seem better there too). I think also, you have very little problems using Euro's/UK pounds for most things on offer too. Again, the more experienced of the forum members will maybe give you a better idea.

Hope this has helped a teeny weeny bit, it's just what we remember ourselves.

[Erik The Viking]

Is there such thing to be had in the 'meler? we went to Kingsland it it was dire - the crispy beef was tiny wedges of hamburger in breadcrumbs!

[juneflo]

You're chosen an excellent resort for your first trip to Turkey. As previously said between Marmaris and Icmeler there's something for everyone. Icmeler is in my opinion the best of the two - when you get back let us all know what you preferred.

There's a post called virtual holiday (amongst many others) that has some holidaymakers examples of what people do - you might want to have a look at that.

One thing is for sure, you won't be disappointed. Have a briliant holiday

[Hayley]

Im sure you will have a great time in Icmeler, when about in Sept are you going.

The people are so friendly and will always make the effort to talk to you nothing is too much trouble.

I would definatly recommend Love Star Resaurant/Bar it is towards the Old Village you can just jump on a dolmus for about 60p and they will drop you off anywhere.

This restaurant is amazing with a wide range of delicious food from the FULL MONTY BREAKFAST, sandwiches the steaks are brilliant.

I would definatly reccommend the traditional ANATOLIAN KEBAB, IT IS SERVED WITH ONIONS, TOMATO,PEPPERS AND SERVED TO YOUR TABLE IN A GAS WOK amazing.

Don't worry about the hassle because the police are always around to keep and eye on whats going on.

There is also a market on Weds, which is worth going to for bargains here they take both English and Turkish money.

[Marm]

The best place to change your travellers cheques is the supermarket next to the Chill Bar (in the main square. Also if you take a debit card you can get English money from the HSBC ATM. Our bank doesn't make a charge for this service. We are going on 24th Sept. when do you go.

[welshdoll3]

You most certainly can get sour cherry juice in Turkey as I love to drink it in the daytime myself. If you have a Lidl anywhere near, they have around August, September time but not for very long as its seasonal

[Hayley]

The kebab is brill.

They also do brilliant English food any type of chicken, steaks and even your ROAST DINNER on Sundays, the chicken with traditional local honey is fab.

Don't forget your FISH BOWL either, even your Efes is served in a frozen glass straight from the freezer great when it is so hot, there is even Becks if you fancy a change.

The dolmus is really good value for money it will stop anywhere you tell it.

Im going the 5th Sept.

[juneflo]

Haydrew - I'm in Bournville - just off the Bristol Road that runs from Selly Oak to Northfield.

[Hayley]

Just head for the Old Village and you will see Love Star your garanteed great food with a variety of music for a very enjoyable night out, anything is possible.

You will be sure to find me there so pop in and say hello.

You will have a great holiday so much to do and see.

[bec]

Good Morning- Gunaydin
Good Evening- Iyi aksamlar
Good Night- Iyi Geceler
Thank you- Tesekkurler
The bill please- Hesap lutfen
Hello- Merhaba
Good bye- Gule Gule
See you later- Gorusuruz
How much-Ne kadar
Yes-Evet
No-Hayir

Hope these help

Bec xx

[juneflo]

http://www.icmeleronline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3164

try this thread for language.

Haydrew - in a newer property but yes all part of Cadbury's vision. Even luckier though I work in a college that is an old Cadbury home www.fircroft.ac.uk if you want to have a look.

[bec]

Yeah some are pronouced how they look

Good Morning- Gunaydin ,Goon-aydin
Good Evening- Iyi aksamlar- Eee-y-e Ak-sham-lar
Good Night- Iyi Geceler
Thank you- Tesekkurler , Te-she-kur-ler
The bill please- Hesap lutfen
Hello- Merhaba
Good bye- Gule Gule , goo-le goo-le
See you later- Gorusuruz
How much-Ne kadar
Yes-Evet
No-Hayir

[juneflo]

Thanks Becs, never could get the hand of pronouncing "see you later" . If you download the before you know it software, it's in audio too so you can practice pronunciation.