REVIEWS Archives - following the funks

TURKEY RESORTS: 10 tips for picking an all-inclusive resort in Turkey

June 3, 2020June 3, 20202020, HOTEL, TRAVELS, TURKEY Catie

I hesitated to post this. It may seem an odd time to read about all-inclusive resorts but I wrote this series a while back and still find it applicable as hotels are reopening! Also, I have added an extra 11th tip just for the COVID-19 rules here in Turkey!

(ALSO, stay tuned for the 3 all-inclusive resorts I would recommend in the Marmaris location! Those 3 posts will be rolling out over the next couple of weeks!)

Maybe you got here by googling “Should I stay in an all-inclusive resort in Turkey?” If so, you are in the right spot. Here I share my top 10 tips for staying at an all-inclusive resort in Turkey. Keep reading to see if you are the type of person that should even stay in an all-inclusive type place!

If you are like me at all, a go-getter, maximizer, see all you can ‘vacationer,’ then this post is maybe not for you. BUT WAIT A MINUTE! If you are the yang to my ying, like my husband who loves to stay in one place for as long as possible, this could help you understand your other half a bit.

Staying at an all-inclusive hotel is NOT MY usual go-to vacation, but it is SO incredibly popular in Turkey with foreigners AND Turks alike.

The foreigners, mostly Brits/UK and Russian, want to come warm up from the eternal winter that should now be spring. They bask in the sun getting the worst sunburns I have ever seen. They could care less about anything in Turkey except pouring mass amounts of vitamin D into their bodies.

Turks on the other hand, women in particular, want to get away for the week and NOT COOK ONE SINGLE THING. While this stigma is changing, so many Turkish women still cook daily elaborate family meals FROM SCRATCH. My Turkish friend explains it to me, “I just want to go relax and have someone else cook for us.”

So, all-inclusive resorts are their salvation providing both non-stop sun in the summer and meals made by others.

But not all 5-star all-inclusive resorts are created equal… BY FAR.

I spent hours making a list of 5-star hotels in the Marmaris region and then strategically went through them. I checked pictures of the room, the property, the services, and prices. I was also writing a couple of articles on the websites and my own. So I spent the appropriate amount of time researching.

Now having stayed or toured four different resorts, I want to share with you my 10 tips for staying at an all-inclusive resort in Turkey:

1. Not all 5-star hotels are created equal.

Do your research. Ask your neighbors, friends, etc. In Turkey, you go on verbal recommendations. It is the best way to find the best resort anywhere.

2. All-inclusive means food and drinks (plus the minibar). It does NOT mean all the services.

Yeah, you are thinking, “of course, Catie, you should know that” but at the same time it’s hard to figure out what IS and IS NOT included on your ‘all’-inclusive pass. Yes, the mini bar in your room is included… no, room service is not. Yes, enjoy the sauna and Turkish bath…. but you must reserve your spot beforehand.

But usually, there is a beautiful little tea time with, of course, tea, but also little treats to ‘tide you over’ until the dinner buffet.

3. Just to add to #2, you get all the alcohol you want. (***disclaimer, drink responsibly)

Jason and I aren’t huge drinkers; we enjoy an occasional wine or beer. If you are a big drinker or just want to enjoy a cocktail any time of day without judgment because you can, this is your go-to place. Alcohol can be expensive in Turkey, so an all-inclusive stay is worth it depending on the amount of alcohol you wish to consume. Although technically you could do that in your vacation, you just may not have all the ingredients to have a margarita one day and a martini the next.

4. All-inclusive does not mean secluded.

Yes, your resort may be on the beach and yes, the pictures may only show ten people enjoy a 1,300-meter pool. In reality, there are usually 100s of people at the same resort during the same time you are there. Fortunately, the resorts are well planned out and are good at creating space for guest to give the illusion of fewer people around. My advice? If you are not a fan of lots of people on your same vacation, a resort may not be for you.

5. Check the kid programs. Not all kids program and activities are created equal.

Depending on the ages of your kids and how much you actually want to see them, make sure to check out what the resort offers. Club Turban has childcare program most of the day and even night parties for kids such as Disco Night. Smaller resorts(like Marti resorts) provide shorter intervals of childcare – morning and afternoon 2-hour activities from ages 4 and up. (P.S. – Maybe sure to check if ice cream is included!!!)

6. Heck. Check the general entertainment programs!

Lots of hotels provide movies, game rooms, and daily activities. Others provide dolphin shows and acrobatic/magic shows for all ages. Even better, the weekends usually mean there are themed dance parties for the guests!

7. Languages: But I don’t know Turkish!

Who cares? About 90% of the guest don’t either. Most of the staff can communicate basic needs and requests in English (which I will say that other guests may also not know!). Be brave, suck it up, and figure out how to communicate via charades, if necessary, what you need.

8. To Valet or not to Valet?

Out of the three hotels, only one of the hotels did valet service every time, and it’s generally because parking is so limited. I am not sure where we would even park, but thanks to them, we didn’t have to worry about it. We also did not tip them. GASSSSPPPP. Well one, they were so crazy busy that we hardly had time to say thank you before they were on to the next guest. Two, that is what they are paid to do.

9. Do I need to tip?

A tip is different in every country. In Turkey, it is only expected more in touristy places because other foreigners have come before continuing to tip like they were back home. It is usually not necessary to do so, but it never hurts to give the valet or bellman a 5 TL tip here and there. Generally, room service staff do not get paid as well and if you can leave a tip at the end of the week stay, it is much appreciated. However, I am never sure if it actually gets shared or given to the right people. I can almost guarantee this is a foreigner idea and not usually practiced by Turks.

10. The laundry scheme.

Want to know what the most expensive thing is at the hotel? Laundry. At 4 Euros for pants and 2 Euros to clean a shirt, you are better off doing your laundry in town… or just bring enough clothes. Nope, laundry is NOT included.

Seriously, Jason and I try to pack light. We also pick apartment-style accommodations when we travel for the soul purpose of having a washing machine to use when we want. What can I say, I love some clean clothes. And so do you – even if you don’t like doing laundry. Our recent trip of one week was extended for three more days which is just long enough to push us over the edge of needed to wash clothes (think exercise, running, yucky clothes). So instead of using the resorts laundry service, I took a bag full of clothes to the local laundromat and paid for a load. One shirt and one pant cost the same as washing all my clothes in town. Not overly convenient? No, but I enjoyed an afternoon in town while saving some money on cleaning my clothes. If money is not an issue, just use the resort’s laundry service.

BONUS: Bring your own snorkels and floaties! With our travel schedule, we didn’t think we would have time for it, but we definitely did! We regret not bringing our water stuff!

11. COVID-19 times:

Turkey has been one of the strictest when it comes to pre-cautions for preventing the spread of COVID-19. I should know – my family has now been until 9 consecutive weekend lockdowns. Our daughter is still only allowed out at certain times during the week…

As hotels have just started to reopen as of June 1, every establishment must undergo strict health and safety measures before reopening as well as continue to abide by government set rules. For example, each occupied room must go several days between occupants for thorough cleaning and airing out. Please consult your hotel of choice to see what rules must be followed, and/or check the hotel website for information (some hotels are still working on posting this information).

So those were my 10 tips for staying at an all-inclusive hotel in Turkey.

Final thoughts, is it worth it?

– If staying at an all-inclusive place for a week is on your bucket list, there is no better place to consider than Turkey. The prices here beat any other tropical area resort, and the staff is extremely warm and friendly.

– If you are an expat living in Turkey, a resort will give you the feel of traveling to a foreign country without having to pay to leave Turkey. Score for not having to take a plane to feel like you left the country.

– If you are a large family with active kids that love being outdoors wanting to enjoy an easy vacation on a budget, resorts are perfect for you because there is something for every member.

Are you an all-inclusive resort-type traveler?

What tips can you add?

Let me know why YOU love spending your vacation here.

REVIEW: Why Glamping is the new way to camp – Our experience with Glamping Hub

November 13, 2017November 13, 20172017, REVIEWS, TRAVELS, TURKEY Catie

Glamping is a new term to Turkey and one I hope that catches on! Glamping is the slang word for ‘glamorous camping’ and it’s a great alternative to being in nature without the nature being on you! This fall we used Glamping Hub and booked a weekend at Saklı Göl Evleri. (Listen in to our podcast episode041 to hear about this experience as well!)

I had considered some glamping locations for our travels through SouthEast Asia but camping in another country can mean different rules and would have to figure out where to even camp. Sometimes the culture of camping can definitely be foreign. Choosing to stay with a glamping hub location meant someone else knows the rules and takes care of the details.

Don’t misunderstand, I am a camping girl! I love the campfire, morning smells of tree and dew, and the sounds of nature. However, when we left the states to move to Turkey, we left all our camping equipment behind. Maybe one day we will bring it over, but even then it would be hard to transport it since we do not own a car. So what do you do when you want to go camping but don’t have the convenience of it?

Our new solution is glamping of course!

Here are a few reasons we loved Glamping over camping:

We don’t have to buy all the equipment!
We don’t have to bring all the equipment!
Never worry about getting cold. Glamping locations usually come with comfy, warm linens and a heater!
Rain? Stay inside your nice warm cabin and enjoy the view… or TV.
Budget friendly!
Food is provided or available for purchase. Well… at least ours was!

Glamping Hub is the perfect blend of comfort in the middle of nature.

Staying with Glamping Hub was not just a place to sleep, but an experience. Jason and I wanted to experience the Glamping sites that Turkey had to offer! The booking process is easy and the website is user-friendly. Sign up, search a location or country for a glamping host, and message the guide to check for availability if needed. Or if you prefer, just book right away. You can save properties you find interesting at a later date.

Just an hour drive north of the popular summer destination of Antalya lies several man-made lakes created by a few electrical dams. For years, the place we stayed at was only used as a daytime getaway for those wanting to spend a day outside of the city in the mountains, enjoy a breakfast or lunch with family, or relax the whole day with friends. Within the last 5 years, the owner has slowly created a weekend retreat by building tents and cabins into the side of the mountain above the restaurant. It has such a modern feel to it that you forget you are staying in a tent!

The tents and cabins are equipped with private bathroom with a waterfall shower (some even have a personal jacuzzi!), a LED TV, a minibar, self-regulated air-conditioning/heating, a hairdryer, a sofa, and 2 armchairs, and a closet to store your belongings. Daily cleaning services are available as well. The best part about the tents and cabins is the balcony because each comes with a panoramic view of the lake where you can watch the colors of sunrise and sunset!

Activities are easy to come by here. Bicycles and canoes are available to rent at an hourly or day rate. Ask for a map of the area from the manager and pick one of the walking/hiking paths and go by foot or bike. If you have a larger group, the owner can organize a boat tour for fishing or one that takes you through the small river connecting 2 of the lakes. For history lovers, Sagalassos, Kremna, and the Ancient city of Milyos are some of the historical places you can visit nearby.

Enjoy ordering Turkish food from the barbecue restaurant. On a hot summer day, the natural spring water infinity pool is the perfect place to sunbathe. The facilities are family-friendly, providing a playground and shallow pool area for children. Multiple sitting areas mean you can enjoy different views of the lake or find solitude away from other guests.

Our time at the Saklı Gol Evleri was amazing. From the friendly greetings and tea offered upon our arrival to the beautifully designed rooms with a view, we loved everything about our stay here. Our room had a panoramic view of the lake where we enjoyed the mornings while our drinking coffee. The self-regulated heater and down comforters on the beds allowed us to always be at a comfortable temperature.

Breakfast was provided for us (although it may not be included with all rooms) but it looks as if it could feed more than just the 2 of us! The gozleme, or Turkish quesadilla, filled with cheese and parsley came to us hot and fresh. We definitely started craving it by the time we left! Lunch and dinner are on your own but there is always a cook on hand to take orders. We found that the delicious Turkish breakfast filled us up until dinner time.

Nature walks and relaxing filled our time here. One day we drove to Sagalassos, the ancient ruins of a city dating back to the Hellenistic period and Roman Empire situated at an altitude of 1450–1700 meters. Another time, we joined the boat tours that weaved through the small river connecting the lakes. The last morning we woke up early and watched the sunrise on the top of the Karacaören mountain!

Our weekend glamping was such a wonderful experience for us. With a unique resource of hand-picked destinations around the world, I’ll definitely be booking with Glamping Hub again! Not only did we find a new place to visit, we found a new way to travel. We suggest that if you want to see the true beauty of Turkey and enjoy the quiet, serene nature, stay at Saklı Göl Evleri!

If you want to see more pictures from different Glamping trips others went on, then go check out the Glamping Hub Instagram. This is where I first went to get some inspiration and became curious about locations near us.

I want to give a huge thank you to *Glamping Hub and *Saklı Göl Evleri for our complimentary stay. It was truly beautiful.

For more information:

Our Glamping Location –Saklı Göl Evleri

Website: Glamping Hub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/localguddy/

Podcast episode about our experience: EPISODE041: When Glamping becomes your new favorite hobby

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[DISCLAIMER: *This post was in collaboration with a brand.* I was not paid for this post. However, I did receive a complimentary voucher from Glamping Hub and a stay from Saklı Göl Evleri a travel writer and expat blogger. One of the purposes of our website is to highlight tours and services for travelers like ourselves. At the same time, we will not recommend businesses/activities we do not think our readers will enjoy regardless of the friendship we create along the way.]

EVENTS: 2017 Izmir Coffee Festival

November 1, 20172017, EVENTS, IZMIR, TURKEY Catie

On October 13-15, 2017, the 2nd annual Izmir Coffee Festival was held at the Izmir Arena. I recently recap our experience from the first ever Izmir Coffee Festival. The same organizers, Next Organization and Ateş Prodüksiyon, of private festivals (also planned the Izmir Chocolate Festival), have continued to produce an even better festival this year. Tickets were 38 TL each for a 1-day pass or 76 TL for a 3-day entry.

Like I mentioned, coffee is no stranger to Turkish culture. Turkish coffee is long steeped in Turkish tradition. Specialty coffee, however, is on the rise! Almost 10 years later, Turkey is home to lots of little startups for coffee roasting and small coffee shops serving not only filtered coffee but also options for pour-overs, Chemex, and AeroPress. In our neighborhood alone I can find 5-6 different coffee shops to enjoy my favorite way to drink coffee! Many of them do their own roasting too.

The first day of the coffee festival was PERFECT. The weather was a breezy, sunny 73 degrees. While last year was crowded and the layout of venues was too close together, this year the layout of shops were much improved giving the guests room to move with ease and vendors more room to work.More vendors were placed outdoors and the whole of the outdoor space better utilized.

Like last year, I anticipated most booths to represent coffee companies, and it proved to be true this year as well. Of course, we made sure to stop by Jason’s favorite afternoon workplace, RAF – Roast and Found, and enjoy our first latte from them. The soon to open LessOrdinary Coffee sold one of my favorites of the festival, a Coffee Sangria for 25 TL. I was surprised at the number of Istanbul representatives such as Arabica Trading House Roasters that service to coffee shops like the new Story Coffee in Istanbul. By far, the most intrigue coffee item at the coffee festival was the Nitro Brew coffee. This carbonated cold brew looks similar to beer in color, but definitely, keeps its taste!

Several small businesses sold miscellaneous items to give the guests some diversity. I met the owner of Basic Jewel again from last years festival. I love her simple yet unique design for pendants and earrings. A couple of new favorites were pastries from Leone Patisserie and Boulangerie and sweet delicious spread from Dulce La Leche in Assos, Turkey. Towards the back of the area, the festival provided an amazing play area for kids! Lounge chairs lined the coast so guest could relax with a gorgeous view of the Izmir’s bay. If you fancy learning more about coffee, the festival offered workshops and held seminars on different topics related to coffee.

When to go

For those who want to visit for the whole day, Saturday and Sunday would give you a full day of wandering the area and watching performers such as DJs, dance instructors, and sports instructors. The program rotates performers on a central stage with a large area to sit and enjoy your purchases and free coffee samples. But if you enjoy lesser crowds, go early the first day as well as first thing Saturday and Sunday morning!

List of activities and services:

– Catering, tasting, cupping
– concerts and music concerts, interviews (pre-registration for some interviews)
– Workshops (Pre-registration is available for some workshops.)
– Children’s play areas, adult play areas, close up shows
– Sports events, dance shows, latte show shows,
– Street art performances, contests, and surprise gifts
– Recreation areas
– Selfie area

We are excited to head back to the 2018 festival and see what they have in store for guest next year!

For more information:

Website: http://coffeefestivalizmir.com

Address: 1649 Sokak No: 107 Turan – Bayraklı / İZMİR

Telephone: 0 232 382 2 382 & 0 232 382 38 28

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REVIEW: Touring Bangkok’s Floating Markets with LocalGuddy

October 23, 2017October 23, 20172017, REVIEWS, TRAVELS Catie

If you are anything like me, you prefer a local’s Airbnb over a pricey hotel, the hole in the wall restaurant with delicious street food over a fancy waitlist restaurant, and biking through local parks instead of a huge guided group tour. If you aren’t from the area and your time is limited, it could be hard to experience the city like a local. Local Guddy was created to help with that.

The new Istanbul-based start-up, Local Guddy, “connects travelers and locals through unique local tour and experiences.” Now, most major cities have a few local guides ready to give you a customized experience for half the cost!

The booking process is easy and the website user-friendly. Sign up, search your city for a tour, and message the guide to check for availability. Much like other ‘shared economy ‘ websites, the guide and the traveler are both able to write a review about their experience and the person. You can choose your tour and guide, just as much as the guide can choose you! We did have a couple of issues with 1 or 2 guddies not writing us back, but I am thankful for that since our guide was so amazing.

Our travels through SouthEast Asia this summer took us to some pretty cool places. While planning our first stop in Bangkok, we knew that we wanted to experience one of the local floating markets. The markets can be crowded and the language and food are definitely foreign. Choosing to tour the market with a Local Guddy guide was the best of both worlds.

Our tour started in downtown Bangkok at a local metro stop where our group of four met our Local Guddy guide named Imp. We promptly hailed a taxi and chatted throughout the half hour drive out to the “Khlong Lat Mayom” floating market. Imp is a university student in Event Management using Local Guddy to do some work and gain experience on the side. The hours allow her to work at her available time and practice one of the many languages she knows with foreigners from all over the world.

After arriving at the market, Imp led up through the narrow single walkways of booths and vendors telling us about all the different types of food. Some of the vendors offered us samples, and other times we just make notes about what we wanted to try more of later. After buying a few Thai teas and finding a table, Imp took inventory of what we wanted to try for ‘lunch’ and went off to gather the smorgus-board of food for us*. She took care of all the money, communication, buying, and questions for us!

Here are all the foods we tried at the Floating Market: (I’m not sure if I can even remember what all of them are now!)

Papaya salad
Pad Thai
Satae grilled chicken
Deep-fried pork belly
Jackfruit
Thai Sweetmeat
Durian
Rice Cracker
Thai tea
Fried chicken wings
Mung Bean Thai custard
Orange dessert in the leaf- Khanom tan (toddy palm cake)
Curry crab
Somboon Seafood
Pad Thai
Krua apsorn Bangkok

After thoroughly enjoying our meal, we took a 2-hour boat tour around the neighboring villages via the intricate canals and waterways for only 100 Baht (appx $3). If I did have my google maps, I would have never remembered where we went! The boat tour took us to a stop where we saw an old traditional Thai home preserved against the tide of modernization. From there, we walked through the villages by foot (definitely no access for cars and very limited access for bikes and motorcycles) to meet the boat at another destination.

Imp was with us all the way and enthusiastically answered all our questions about the Thai culture, the villages, food, and whatever else came to mind. I know for sure that a self-guided experience would never have yielded such an enjoyable time at the Floating Markets!

If you are interested in being a guddy or guide, for Local Guddy, for your local area, the process seems quite simple to sign up. The team even provides training for those unsure about being a guide, the special Guddy Academy to teach you how to be a better guide.

For more information:

Our Tour link

Website: https://www.localguddy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/localguddy/

Email: [email protected]

(*Note: We paid our fee of our tour in cash when we met. Other tours offer an online payment option. Check the tour description for this.)

Read more about others’ experiences with Local Guddy:

Interview with the founders of Local Guddy

Local Newspaper article

LocalGuddy Review in Rome

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[DISCLAIMER: *This post was in collaboration with a brand.* I was not paid for this post. However, I did receive complimentary tours a travel writer and expat blogger. One of the purposes of our website is to highlight tours and services for travelers like ourselves. At the same time, we will not recommend businesses/activities we do not think our readers will enjoy regardless of the friendship we create along the way.]

EVENTS: Arkas Sanat Merkezi’s Landscape of Water Exhibition

October 18, 2017October 18, 20172017, EVENTS, IZMIR, REVIEWS, TURKEY Catie

From September 20 to December 29, 2017, Arkas Art Center (Arkas Sanat Merkezi) is hosting Landscapes of Water (Su Manzaraları) collection. As a member of the IWAI, I attended with a group of ladies on a special guided tour to hear about the collection. You may remember this groups from last year’s Christmas Bazaar or our outing to the Costumn Museum in Doğanbey and Priene.

Located in a beautiful sea view side the French Honorary Consulate Building, the Arkas Art Center was created with the art-lovers in mind sharing collections and art interest with others as the wish of Mr. Lucien Arkas, the President of the Board of Directors of Arkas Holding. The building itself has a long history. Construction of the building started in 1825 and took about 10 years to complete. Throughout the next 100 years, the structure has survived several earthquakes and an even a couple of fires.

The French Government assigned the building to be used for a 20 year period for cultural and artistic purposes, and after renovations, opened in 2011. Now it is one of the first centers in Izmir that has hosted international painters.

Spanning throughout the 10 exhibition rooms over 2 floors, Landscapes of Water contain landscape paintings dating from the first half of the 19th century to the second half of the 20th century. The paintings represented several artistic movements such as such as the Barbizon School, Impressionism, Symbolism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and Expressionism. Artist represented include works of Eugéne Boudin, Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Maurice de Vlaminck, Francis Picabia, Henry Lebasque, and Hippolyte Camille Delpy, among others.

The Arkas Art Center says:

“Landscapes of Water “reflects” the historical evolution of the pictorial medium over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries. Here you will find the remarkable They invite the viewer on a fabulous odyssey through diverse geographic areas, from the banks of the Seine and the Scottish lakes to the summits of the Alps, by way of the warm light of the Mediterranean, the North Sea and the rivers of Europe.”

Being my first art gallery viewing in Izmir, I found the gallery to be well-maintain and beautifully displayed. I found the impressionist pieces to be some of my favorite, similar to a Monet type of painting. Both upstairs and downstairs are projector screen which brings the paintings and movement of the sea to life. I found an area for children to color their own painting to match the ones on display. A favorite of everyone was a luminous sunset painting that looked as if it was glowing, but instead just showed the power of colors and the impressive creations of an artist with oil paints, a canvas, and a brush.

How to get there:

The center does not have any private parking. From the Alsancak Ferry, the center is about a 12-minute walk West along the coast. From the Pasaport Ferry, it is a 7-minute walk East along the coast.

Entrance Information:

Entrance is free. Lockers are available for large bags, belongings, jackets, umbrellas, etc. on the ground floor.

Tours:

Free guided tours are provided in Turkish or English for a minimum of 5 people upon request on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Tours for children are also available in similar form. See information below for contact details and operating hours.

For more information:

ARKAS ART CENTER

Monday: Closed

Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00 (Entrance Free)
Thursday: 10:00 – 20:00 (Entrance Free)

Website: http://www.arkassanatmerkezi.com

Address: 1380 Sokak No:1 Alsancak, İzmir

Phone: + 90 (232) 464 66 00, + 90 (232) 464 60 06

For Guided Tour Reservations: 0232 464 66 00

Email: [email protected]

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