Turkey

Tracey Blackman on 08 November 2013
I have just come back from a lovely week away with my husband Roy. We went to a place called Ozdere which is about 45 minutes from Kushadasi. We stayed in a very nice five star hotel called Poloma Pasha which we could not fault. The food was superb and everything was very good quality. It was overlooking the Aegean coast, the sea is just so blue and clear, the only thing is it did feel a little chilly.

I have been to Turkey about seven or eight times now. I just love it, the reason being that it doesn't matter where you go in Turkey (it is a large country) each place feels different. I love the hustle and bustle of the markets. I love the bartering for goods and I love all the fake designer things you can get. The phrase was "this is genuine fake "if there is such a thing!

Also there are so many wonderful things to see. You have Pumukala, the natural salt deposits which just look like snow from a distance. You have Ephesus, the ancient ruins which is a good place to visit from where we stayed, about three hours away.

We went in October which is a really lovely time to go as its still warm enough to get a tan but not too hot. Also, the trees were full of oranges (mandarins) which always remind me of Christmas, and I saw a Pomegranate tree which I’ve never seen before along with lemon trees and loads of lovely herbs as the hotel has a little herb garden.

Food in turkey is wonderful with lots of fish, chicken, fruits, pulses, salads, stuffed peppers, cheeses, local honey, baklava (a sweet pastry) and of course Turkish delight. You could even have that for your breakfast!

The local market is well worth a visit with very good quality clothes, leather, and shoes. You have to haggle - they expect you too apparently. Halve what the price is and go from there. The hotel had a really lovely spa and Roy and I had a Turkish bath (it is just the best). You feel so good afterwards; they massage you with olive oil soap which is put in a cotton pillow case with water. This then puffs up and they put the foam all over you and work their magic.

The local transport is so cheap to get around costing around £1.50 equivalent to go miles. It’s a little mini bus called a Dulmus which is an experience as they cram you in. We were sitting on a wheel arch on a box but it gets you from A to B and is again the charm of Turkey.

Also a lovely boat trip around the coast is well worth doing but be careful as you do catch the sun. It’s very cheap to do.

If you haven't been to Turkey yet then try it out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed. If you would like me to have a look for you to see what’s available or any advice please give me a call or email me. I would be more than happy to help. Happy Travelling.