THE MOST CORRECT REVIEW + PRICES FOR EVERYTHING
And again gray night... oh, again Turkey, Kemer!
My friends and I decided to give up on a "weekend" for 3-4 days abroad. As a result, 5 (five) gathered - two of us plus a girlfriend and a couple of friends.
Surprisingly, the choice of hotels was quite small: everything is expensive, so we decided to take it in order to fly from home (Odessa) and fly to where we know (Turkey, but not Egypt, were a month ago) and to be closer to the airport Antalya (that is, Kemer, because Alanya is further away) and decided to take a hotel at the lowest price and as close to the city center as possible, so we chose Idyros Hotel (Kemer). We read the reviews - there is a half-board (only breakfasts and lunches), we thought - it's okay, stocked up at home (lunches, cigarettes and booze) and let's go!
And one more thing: we chose a departure from Odessa, because, according to the schedule, we arrive from Odessa to Antalya at 12 noon, then an hour or two way to Kemer, just at the time of settling at the Hotel (14 noon) - no need to wait cleaning and so on and immediately drop things and run to the sea, then immediately shopping and further according to plan.
At Antalya airport, as they say, constancy is a sign of skill, everything is as usual: they quickly gave out luggage, at the exit there was a “hardly” counter, like “seed sellers” - travel agencies upon meeting, in front of the airport - lush color and greenery, we were served chic huge bus and we went to Kemer.
OVERALL RATING OF MEETING AT THE AIRPORT: 5 (EXCELLENT).
NOTE - the exchange rate of the dollar to the Turkish lira (when we were 06/01/2017 - 06/04/2017) was 3.54-3.57 Turkish lira to one US dollar, and at the airport the only working exchanger offered a rate much lower: only 3.0 and you need to change at least 50 dollars at a time, so BE CAREFUL - it is better to change it upon arrival at the hotel at banks or at ATMs (ATMs), and you will need a small supply of lira (see below). Also, upon arrival in Antalya, the prices for alcohol at Duty free at the Airport are much higher than at home, but at the same time lower than in stores in Turkey, so if you don’t plan to drink wine or beer, but forgot to take strong drinks at home drinks - the last place to buy and not overpay even more is at the Airport.
In general, the TIP is to change some money on the first day and buy Turkish liras (it's much cheaper to travel by transport). Again, it is better to pay for the entrance to the reserves / pools / museums with lira. Sometimes they write that only lira is accepted....Saving 1-2 dollars here and there can be a TOTAL 5-10 dollars (will be for souvenirs).
OVERALL RATING OF THE EXCHANGER AT THE AIRPORT: 0 (VERY BAD) - this is not an exchanger, but some kind of fraud.
On the way to Kemer, we were accompanied by a Russian-speaking girl, Anya, an internship student from Zaporozhye, who asked everyone several times in Turkey - everyone said that it was not the first, so, apparently, she didn’t tell much, so that everyone I had the opportunity to calmly enjoy the scenery: the sea and mountains, class! The journey takes about an hour. The coating is excellent, the asphalt is sent directly to the exhibition. Along the road is decorated with artificial plantings and natural decorations: mountains, fresh air and sea coast.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION: the city of Kemer (note: translated as "belt" or "belt") connects the rest of the resorts before and after it, as if the regional center. Previously, there was only a small village called Eskikoy - "old village". And at the beginning of the 20th century, a city began to be built, which was named Kemer. The name of the city was not accidental. The Taurus Mountains are fortified with a stone wall, which serves as a protection for the Kemeri region from mudflows descending from the mountains, that is, the stone fortification seems to encircle the mountains. Therefore, the name Kemer (belt) arose. Until recently, it was possible to get to Kemer only by sea. Now Kemer is connected with Antalya by an excellent autobahn. At the same time, the sea tram from Kemer to Antalya runs even now (from Kemer to Antalya in the morning - about 9-00 (there is another information that at 10-30) and back from Antalya to Kemer in the evening - about 17-00, the cost is 5 dollars from person (15 lira, which is cheaper)).
OVERALL GRADE OF KEMER: 5 (EXCELLENT).
SAFETY - now in Turkey the rules are VERY tightened not only for staying in the country, but also for simply moving outside the hotel. In addition to the police, a unit was created - the gendarmerie. Gendarmes go both in uniform and in civilian clothes. They can check not only minibuses, but also buses of travel agencies. Therefore, if you even have a passport with you, but there is no voucher with a note from your hotel guide, you MAY be taken to the gendarmerie to find out the reasons for your stay in Turkey. But there is no need to be afraid - your hotel guide will be called to the gendarmerie and everything will be cleared up FAST. We have NOT seen this and have NOT heard from anyone in Turkey, but we decided NOT to take risks and called our hotel guide not the next day, but IMMEDIATELY on the day of our settlement at the Hotel. Moreover, IMPORTANT: the hotel guide puts a mark on the voucher ONLY if there is a person with a passport and air tickets. The mark is just laughter: some kind of stamp. But for us it was VERY IMPORTANT, since the next day we gathered in Antalya on our own, so we decided NOT to RISK - we did everything and went for a free walk both in Kemer and in Antalya.
HOTEL - Idyros Hotel (Kemer) is located in the very center of the city of Kemer: 2 (two) blocks from the White Tower, on the other hand - access to the parking lot and the Central pedestrian street Liman Jadesi with all the shops and the ensuing consequences (shopping).
The hotel has a regular rectangular shape, near the reception there is a staircase to the second floor of the building overlooking the courtyard and the parking lot, inside the Hotel there is an outdoor dining room in the fresh air, the entrance to the second building overlooking the courtyard and the road and inside the Hotel there are 2 (two) swimming pools.
From the reception side (if you stand with your back to the Hotel), on the right hand there is a Carefure supermarket (15 meters from the entrance to the Hotel), and another store right next to the reception (immediately to the left of the Hotel entrance - three meters).
TOTAL RATING OF THE HOTEL: 4 (GOOD), and given that there were 5 (five) vacationers in the WHOLE Hotel, that is, there were ONLY WE IN GENERAL, then the overall rating is SUPER!
STAIRS - do not believe anyone that steep and hard to climb - this is a spiral staircase, there are no problems climbing and descending in any condition - we have checked it 100% in any condition.
TIP on choosing ROOMS - immediately check that the view from the window is NOT on the roadway - do not get enough sleep, we knew this and immediately demanded Rooms with a view only to the pool (into the courtyard). But, since we were 5 (five) people, there are rooms for two people with a view of the courtyard, and there are rooms for three only with a view of the parking lot - we (for three) were given a room directly above the reception. And yet, after the settlement, the managers DO NOT want to change the Rooms to others, so choose everything the first time.
The Hotel itself requires additional care - repairs were done by eye, that way, in the year 2012 maximum, the same applies to the interior decoration of the Rooms, as well as the operation of air conditioners (water from the air conditioner was pouring from the ceiling) and so on. So, when you settle in, at first it will seem that the Hotel has a little less stars than stated, but on the first day, we guarantee that everything will suit you 100%.
ROOMS - we got a triple room with a view of the parking lot, our friends got a double room with a view of the courtyard, but their air conditioning did NOT work at all, but it worked for us, but it leaked a little, so we turned it off at night.
THE KEY FOB on the ROOM KEY is a keychain for the operation of electricians, that is, when there is no electricity, so mobile phones left for charging or a working air conditioner will turn off themselves, after 5 seconds, as soon as you take the key and close the door.
BATHROOM - some wildness: on the one hand - marble is laid on the floor, and on the other hand - a very strange curtain (with hearts) and the window did not open completely, resting on the shower. The water is hot and cold. The pressure is normal. TIP: since the floor is marble - put a towel under your feet - very slippery.
At the same time, in the Room there are CLEAN sheets and bedspreads - they smell of lavender, cleaning every day, soap, toilet paper is always available.
IMPORTANT - there are NO balconies in the rooms. Absolutely not. There is simply nowhere to dry towels after the beach and swimwear / swimming trunks. But you can not dry it - the humidity of the air is such that nothing dries.
CLEANING takes place at will, and not just wipe the dust, but wash the floors - we asked to be cleaned every day. We left one dollar for cleaning. On the third day, our girls received a present from the Hotel - hairpins. How nice... Swans made of towels - also nice, but such that there are gifts - we have the FIRST time!
OVERALL CLEANING RATING: 5 (EXCELLENT).
OVERALL RATE OF THE ROOM: 4- (almost GOOD).
FOOD - the food at the Hotel is excellent. There is a choice. We were supposed to have half board (breakfast and dinner only), but we were fed breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
Meal schedule is available in the Rooms and at the entrance of the Hotel to the patio.
There is a wine stand at the reception of the Hotel - the prices are moderate: 25 lira per bottle (this is about the same price as in stores).
In the courtyard of the Hotel near the Dining Room and the Pool there is a BAR and 2 (two) more devices: coffee and juices (self-service).
We tried coffee and juices and settled on a FREE beer from the bar.
FREE BEER at the BAR: 5 (EXCELLENT).
The food was very good, even excellent:
- breakfasts (boiled eggs, three or five types of greens, pasta, olives, cheese, boiled sausages, cereals, some kind of kefir, but not kefir, cookies and something else)
- lunches and dinners (soups (it was made from mushrooms and tomato, moreover, it was tastier than mushroom, they ate only seafood in Egypt), fried cutlets plus everything that was at breakfast plus new cheeses and salads plus grilled baked vegetables ( peppers and tomatoes are something special) and they also gave sweets (charlotte and chocolate muffins))
- afternoon tea (CHAM: give coffee and biscuits)
FOOD: 5 (EXCELLENT).
DINING ROOM and POOLS - located inside the courtyard of the Hotel. Everything is in greenery, lemons grow and a great view of the shutters of the Hotel Rooms opens up - just mesmerizing... Turkey!
The POOL is small - 2 by 3 meters in size and 30 centimeters deep, we decided that this is a foot bath... But warm - the water warms up to 30 degrees!
The main POOL is a regular rectangular shape, clean, the water is not cold, there are a lot of sunbeds around the perimeter, and in the shade of a ficus a couple of sheds like tea houses with low sunbeds and a table. Again, everything around is green and there is enough light and there is an opportunity to hide in the shade. Near the pool there is a shower. There is also a toilet on the ground floor near the reception. In general, cool!
TOTAL RATING OF THE DINING ROOM AND POOLS: 5 (EXCELLENT), and given that there were 5 (five) vacationers TOTAL in the WHOLE Hotel, that is, ONLY WE, then the overall rating is generally SUPEREEEE!
BEACH - there are several options:
The first option is not to go to the Beach at all and bask near the Pool and Bar in the Hotel with free drinks, but this is NOT our option.
The second option - the State Beach is a little far from the Hotel (up to a kilometer), on foot 20 minutes, but there are pebbles, the toilet is free, but beer at the bar for $ 4 is also NOT our option (walking far).
The third option is the nearest beach (800 meters) from the Hotel, walk about 10 minutes along the main Central Street to the park and towards the sea, go through paid places and just lie near the shore. Here, too, pebbles. The prices for drinks are generally incomprehensible (very expensive).
By the way, there are pebbles on the beach at night: we went to check - the sand was not delivered....
The fourth option - through the administrator of the Hotel, when checking into the Hotel, we immediately ordered trips to the paid beach for 3 (three) dollars per person. The transfer includes a trip from the Hotel to the beach and back plus entrance to the beach plus sunbeds with a mattress. This is all. But there is sand here. There is an option to take cool sunbeds on cables. Drinks are overpriced: natural juice $8, beer $10. And everywhere there are signs: IT IS FORBIDDEN TO TAKE YOUR OWN DRINKS, but who will obey them...
Knowing all of the above from our own experience and from other reviews, on the first day (immediately after checking into the Hotel) we moved to the nearest beach (Option No. 3, see above), then in the evening to the Hotel for dinner and after shopping again here the same (swim at night), and for the next two days they have already ordered a paid beach with sunbeds and sand (Option No. 4, see above).
Moreover, the paid Beach has several advantages, well, firstly, it is SAND, secondly, you are immediately given places either on sun loungers or, as we are, as a reward for impudence, in VIP places in the gazebo, and there are also animators: boating, bananas, and so on, and you can still buy excursions (about EXCURSIONS - read below separately).
We chose to ride on a banana catamaran and did not fail. The cost is $10 per person. This is not just a banana, but a type of catamaran: it consists of two bananas and is very stable. Everyone is wearing life jackets and there will be 2 (two) managers with you: a captain on a boat that drags a banana catamaran, and a photographer. Many vacationers were with children. The trip is very fun. Two baths. And the MOST important thing: they bring you near the WHITE SANDY beach of the ancient city of FAZELIS and on the way you are allowed to swim in the CAVE.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY: FAZELIS is the oldest city in Turkey, located at the very foot of Mount Tahtali. The centuries-old history of these places allowed them to see different empires and be part of a single state. According to legend, the city was founded in the 7th century BC, its foundation is attributed to the colonists who arrived in these places from the island of Rhodes. There are traces of the emergence of civilizations of the past, their life and fall. The local territories are famous not only for the ruins of the city of Phaselis, but also for their beautiful nature, breathtaking views and many attractions. You can see the ruins of the ancient city in a pine forest. From here, from almost anywhere, you can see the sea through the pine branches.
The WHITE SANDY BEACH is not allowed, but we enjoyed the beauty of the white sand from the side and the greenery on the rocks around, shouted "bourgeois" and quickly shouted to our captain "burn the balalaika" went further to swim in the Cave.
CAVE - inside a rock, hangs directly over the sea, the height of the vault is twenty meters, the water is clear, there is a line of divers around, in general, BEAUTY, therefore, taking into account the echo in the cave, as well as our stocks of drinks and self-esteem, some of our company sang a lullaby from the performance of the Perm KVN team "ParMa" (Perm):... Blood was shed, the devils are dragging our souls... Why listened to the evil one, This murder was committed. I'm afraid to fall asleep and not wake up... then, we barely climbed back onto the banana catamaran and went to the Beach.
When returning back to the Beach, the photographer, probably also out of self-esteem, will try to sell you photos at a price of - ATTENTION - 5 (five) EURO for one, but we laughed and left.
OVERALL EVALUATION of the BANANA-CATAMARAN excursion: 5 (EXCELLENT)
And another BONUS on a paid beach - after all, we, like real Odessans, everywhere want to write, like Ostap Bender, something like: “Osia Kisa was here”, but you can’t, so at the Bar on the Beach you can ask for a piece of chalk manager and we left our autograph - ODESSA 2017, : )
TOTAL BEACH ASSESSMENT: 5 (EXCELLENT), and the view, both on the sea and on the mountains, is the same everywhere, both on paid and free beaches.
In general, ADVICE from us - pay 2-3 dollars for a paid Beach and everything will be OK.
Further, since we had only 3 (three) days to rest, we decided to split the weekend at sea, shopping and 1 (one) excursion.
Another ADVICE from us - look for a representative office of the GINZA excursion company - they have everything cheaper and, as it is not funny, I buy an excursion somewhere else, the probability is 99% that GINZA will pick you up and take you on this excursion, therefore, why overpay?
So, given the limited time of our vacation, there was a choice:
PAMUKKALE - (we were told 50 dollars per person) to be above everything! To be in Turkey and not go to Pamukkale? ! There is an expression in Turkey: Whoever has not been to Pamukkale has not seen Turkey! About the price: it's kind of strange: last year (May 2016) we also went from Ginza for only $25 per person!
TAHTALY - (there is something strange in the scene: we were told $ 250 per person: climb to a height of 2365m above sea level (altitude difference - 1639m) on the longest cable car (4350m) and parachute descent with an instructor right on beach (45 minutes to flutter)). We said that it was very expensive, so they began to suggest that this excursion could be divided into several cheaper ones, for example, just a cable car ride or a walking tour to the mountain in general, or everything, including a parachute, but still , even some parts of the tour were still expensive. . .
Hamam - ($10 per person) Turkish bath.
We chose HAMAM and we recommend EVERYONE to go on the very FIRST day of vacation after lunch to get a gorgeous tan.
We, like all normal people, knew that we had to go exactly on the FIRST day of the vacation, so, naturally, we went on the LAST, a couple of hours before the plane.
Therefore, after we saw how our tan was washed off with impunity and also for our money, now we recommend EVERYONE to go on the very FIRST day of the vacation!
HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The name "Hamam" comes from the Arabic word "Ham" - "Hot". Hamam is an integral part of the culture of Turkey and the traditions of the Turkish bath are rooted in the mists of time. Hamam will bring you cleansing, healing and even some rejuvenation of the body, relieve accumulated fatigue, activate vitality and become an unforgettable experiment.
Departure every hour. Pick up directly from the Hotel - no need to go anywhere. The total duration is about 2 hours. There are 3 (three) types of programs and Thai massage and face masks were added to Hamam for separate money.
Standard program (two hours):
- no time limit - sauna (dry)
- no time limit - hot sauna (hot steam)
- no time limit - cold shower
- maximum 30 minutes - swimming pool
- maximum 20-30 minutes - Hammam
- maximum 20 minutes - aroma massage
If you want, you can order additional services for additional money (such as a cleansing face mask) or buy attributes in the store (a towel, soap or a mitten for Hamam, called "Kese").
IMPORTANT: during the massage, an interpreter will come and, laughter is simple: according to the Russian-speaking massage therapist, you will be offered additional services, because the massage therapist found out SUCH PROBLEMS that can be corrected, but only here and for some money - stupid divorce, DON'T get fooled: there are cases when people went to Hammam for $10 and left $200 each. . .
But we were adamant - $10 per person for the standard program and home (although one of our company chatted the massage therapist so much that everyone decided that there was an additional program with an additional payment... hehe).
By the way, after the end of the procedures, you will be offered FREE tea and a place to rest while your bus is getting ready to go back.
During your stay in the Hamam, towels will be changed for you and you are constantly supervised. So you don't need to bring your own towels. It is IMPORTANT to go better in plastic slippers, but if you do not have them, slippers will be offered to you on the spot. By the way, it is better to wear gold - after all, the sauna (there will be a stove) and will interfere during the Hamam procedure.
OVERALL RATING HAMAM: 5+ (EXCELLENT).
Then there were self-guided tours:
ANTALYA, OLD TOWN KALEICHI:
Be everything!
How to get there:
Option one - take the bus "Kemer - Antalya" at the stop near the White Tower in the center of Kemer (stop from the side of the White Tower), and drive for about 50 minutes, the trip will cost $ 3.5 one way (or 8 lira, whichever is cheaper). In Antalya, you can ask to stay anywhere. All buses and minibuses pass by the Oceanarium and a large Migros supermarket, which is located about 200 meters from the Oceanarium. So, if you need to go there, then it will be very convenient to get there.
If you go back to Kemer from Antalya, then minibuses make a long stop near the Oceanarium and Migras, waiting for customers.
Also, in any other place in the city where the express bus to Kemer passes, you can stop it, so there will be no problems with the road, and in Turkish buses you pay the fare at the end of the trip.
ATTENTION: to get to the Oceanarium or Migros - stop opposite (you have to cross the road at the traffic lights) - buses from Kemer do not go directly there (on the other side).
Further, from the Oceanarium stop, you need to take a bus to Kaleichi (Old Town). If you are coming from Migras, the bus stop is from Migras. The cost of the trip is 2 lira per person. The desired stop is called "Hadrian's Gate", or in Turkish "Adrian Kapysi".
The taxi driver will take 20 lira minimum, we (5 people) were required to pay 10 dollars (that is, 35 lira). The ride, at most, takes about 15 minutes. Plus, a taxi will stop right in front of the elevator, which will take you down to the Port (Marina) for free.
You can also go back by bus. IMPORTANT - NOT all buses from the center of Antalya go from the Old Town to Migros! To return back to Migros and then return to Kemer - we left the Old Town, crossed the road and walked 1 block (50 meters) to a parallel street, turned left and there will be a bus stop - CHECK the bus number from the locals so that you will be taken to Migros. Or take a taxi - there are always 5-6 cars there. When we returned back - through a pedestrian bridge with an escalator to the side of Migros. Well, everything is simple there - minibuses back to Kemer (see above).
What is IMPORTANT - in Antalya minibuses you can NOT pay for the fare in cash - you need a card that you replenish for the number of trips, before there was a minimum of 10 trips, then cards were introduced for 5 trips. But you can get on the bus and ask one of the passengers to pay for you with his card, and you give him your pennies (we did this last year), by the way, here's another example why you need lira in Turkey. Please note that the bus ride is paid before leaving.
OVERALL RATING OF THE OPTION (bus - minibus / taxi): 5 (EXCELLENT), cheap and good.
Option two - a sea tram runs directly from Kemer to Antalya (from Kemer to Antalya in the morning - about 9-00 (there is another information that at 10-30) and back from Antalya to Kemer in the evening - about 17-00, the cost 5 dollars per person (15 lira, which is cheaper)). There is a big plus - you will be brought directly to the Port of the Old City in Antalya.
OVERALL VALUE FOR OPTION (Sea Tram): 5 (EXCELLENT), but there is a schedule to stick to, but also cheap and good.
OVERALL RATING OF THE OPTION (taxi): 5 (EXCELLENT), if you are three people or more, this is your option: a little more expensive, but good.
Let's walk further:
OLD TOWN KALEICHI:
The walk is best to start from Hadrian's Gate. Then go down to Karaalshuglu Park (Karaalioglu Park), walk to the Hidirlik Tower (Antalya Saat Kulesi) and then enter the Old Town (Kaleici), get to the observation deck overlooking the port (Kaleici Marina) and walk along the streets to the port (Kaleici Marina) , and then take the elevator (Elevator Kaleici) to the observation deck and back to Kemer (see the Map).
OVERALL MAP RATING: seven stars (SUPER USEFUL).
HADRIAN'S GATE:
HISTORICAL SUMMARY: Antalya was founded in 159 BC. Greek king of Pergamum Attalus II and was originally called Attalia. In 133 BC. The city was conquered by the Romans, becoming the winter residence of Emperor Hadrian. For a long time Antalya was the possession of Rome, then Byzantium. It is believed that Hadrian's Gate was built into the city wall on a special occasion - in honor of the arrival of the Roman emperor Hadrian in Antalya in 130 AD. They were built as a triumphal arch, and therefore they especially amazed with their splendor and grandeur.
Hadrian's Gate is located in front of the entrance to the old part of the city / Old City, and on the other side is the wonderful Karaalshuglu Park (Karaalioglu Park).
Being near Hadrian's Gate, you understand that no photographs and other people's stories will betray the atmosphere of the city, as well as the warmth of a suede-looking stone and those wonderful sensations from getting to know a part of history, so everyone should definitely visit Antalya and be sure to visit the Hadrian's Gate attraction , especially since it is one of the symbols of the city!
Here you will have a choice - either go through Hadrian's Gate to Old Gord or go to Karaalioglu Park.
Karaalioglu Park is a small but very well-groomed park, as for us, it is one of the personifications of Turkey - how they know how to appreciate and protect their city and how they take care of the resting places of their citizens.
In front of the Park there is a taxi station and in front of the entrance to the Park there are small cafes, the design of which fits very well into the greenery of the Park. Prices bite a little, but you can afford to buy coffee for 10-20 liras (3-4 dollars).
Passing inside the Park, you will pass through small fountains and get to the embankment overlooking the sea, where in the shade of the trees on the lawns there are benches that do not always have free seats, after all, the Park is not only a favorite vacation spot for tourists, but and local residents.
There are also several small attractions for children, boiled corn and Turkish ice cream (Dondurma) are sold.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY: Turkish ice cream - Dondurma is thick and does not melt for a long time. It is kneaded from goat's milk and the powder of dried orchid tubers. The homeland of the dessert is the southeastern part of Turkey, where these orchids grow. Dondurma ice cream was made back in the days of the Ottoman Empire, the sultans believed that orchids increase male strength and the dessert is still sold from wooden barrels on the street. The ice cream maker is forced to constantly knead the ice cream so that it does not thicken. In a barrel, as a rule, there are dozens of servings of Dondurma, so only a strong man can cope with the dessert.
Serving ice cream is accompanied by almost tricks - this is a whole ritual that, if the ice cream man is in a good mood, can last quite a long time. When buying ice cream, the ice cream man played a prank on us - giving ice cream, he returned the cone with the ball to himself, and we had an empty cone in our hands! Moreover, more than we laughed at the ice cream man himself!
The cost of ice cream is $2. By the way, you can buy ice cream - Dondurmu not necessarily in Antalya, but also in Kemer near the Port (Marina), but we decided to buy it in the Old Town, it seemed to us that it would be tastier there.
Further, walking along the embankment, you will reach an observation deck overlooking the Port (Kaleici Marina) and there are spotting scopes (viewing costs 1 lira, here is another example why you need lira in Turkey, when everything is for dollars and EURO ).
Here you can get acquainted with another attraction of Antalya - the Hidirlik Tower (Antalya Saat Kulesi), by the way, this is also one of the symbols of Antalya.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY: Hidirlik Tower in Antalya is a Roman building dating back to the 2nd century AD. The tower, erected in the southern part of the Antalya bay, probably played the role of a lighthouse or performed defensive functions. The massive drum rests on a square base, most likely built in the Hellenistic period. The total height of the structure is 13.5 meters.
By the way, the Tower is a good landmark for determining where (in which part) of the Old City you are or it can be a great landmark for a meeting.
On the one hand, it's just a beautiful Tower with the flag of Turkey, and on the other, until recently, it was a symbol of the city, which was replaced by an orange...
In general, a walk through the Old Town gives you the feeling that you have been transported back many centuries. Kaleichi is translated from Turkish as “inside the kale”, that is, inside the fortress. The city is located inside the old fortress walls, which, as it were, separate it from modern Antalya. Here, like nowhere else in the city, you can feel the flavor and atmosphere of the East.
Here you can walk along the old alleys, along the cobblestone pavements, everything is so cozy, nice. On the narrow streets there are numerous shops and just street vendors with souvenirs, spices, clothes, silverware.
Many shops are not really shops, because they sell, like everywhere else, Chinese goods, BUT still there are shops where the master makes a thing right in front of you (you can attend) and there are only handmade goods shops, unfortunately , there are fewer of them every year...
If you walk from the Tower towards the Port, then, passing through the Old Town, you can get to the observation deck overlooking the Port from the other side.
The most interesting thing is that, walking along the streets of the Old Town, we just walked towards the Port to go up to the observation deck and a local resident (a man of decent age) approached us and began to tell us about the history of the city, which of the houses were the first in the city and took us to the observation deck, which we did not even know about!
It is also worth paying attention to a local resident who loves his city so much that, as an Odessa citizen (we know that), he himself approached us and began to tell us about his city himself and took us on a completely free walking tour of the Old City - what well done!
The observation deck is so breathtaking, so it took our hearts literally and figuratively! The observation deck is a very neat little park, decorated with flowers and tree figures, the observation deck itself with a glass floor. In general, everything is so that I just didn’t want to leave... Moreover, there is a beach and a small waterfall below, and on the other side there is a Port and a little more to the left of it a larger waterfall - beauty!
In general, you can walk the whole Old Town in 20-30 minutes, but you can wander for hours, there are so many nooks and crannies, descents, lanes, you think to get into one place, but you go out to another.
There are also a lot of very original cafes, hotels and very original shops.
Moreover, the design of the cafe is very different from each other - there is something for every taste (from the marine theme to stylish youth).
We chose the cafe based on the appearance of the chef (he turned out to be the owner) and the smell of hot chicken and veal sandwiches, and we were right!
The price in a cafe, what kind of coffee, what kind of french fries, what kind of sandwich is the same all for 10 lira, individual sandwiches (such as shawarma) were 14 lira.
Moreover, there is no beer and it is IMPOSSIBLE to drink openly - a Muslim country, we were warned by the owner of the cafe and a civilian passing by (probably a gendarme). But there is WIFI.
It's hard to call what they brought sandwiches, they all took different ones, and they were all wrapped in pita bread, there was no sauce inside, but there was a lot of greenery. French fries are served separately and separately ketchup and mayonnaise. The owner of the establishment, as he saw that we were eating potatoes just with ketchup, ran out into the street and mixed ketchup with mayonnaise for us - he said, there is only that. It turned out very tasty.
We go further and get to the Port: the very beautiful Port (Kaleici Marina) is the heart of the Old Town. Once it was the main port in Antalya. To protect the city from external enemies, powerful fortress walls were built near the Port, which are very well preserved to this day. In our time, the new main pier of Antalya has already been built, but the Port in the Old City is operational, it is now used only for the delight of tourists. It is worth passing by elegant yachts and ships for every taste and size, and you will immediately get a lot of offers to ride along the coast of Antalya, to see several nearby waterfalls.
ELEVATOR (Elevator Kaleici) - a platform above the Old Town overlooking the bay and there is an observation deck with a glass floor and you can look at the boats through a telescope for 1 lira. Here again is an example of why you need lira in Turkey.
LIFT - free (two buttons: up and down).
On the observation deck (at the top of the Lift), such views are breathtaking!! ! Red brick roofs of houses against the background of the blue sky and the blue sea, ships in the port, ancient fortress walls - the beauty is indescribable!!!
NOTE: near the upper platform of the Elevator there was a small park with shops and cafes - now there is nothing there (some repairs are being carried out, we hope the Turks will please us again with something very unusual by the next trip).
There is a taxi rank right there. From here we went to Kemer.
Also, a tram was launched in Antalya. The fare, regardless of the number of stops, costs 3 lira. So, if you have enough free time, you can ride from end to end on the tram and you will have a sightseeing tour for only 2 (two) dollars - 1 dollar one way and another 1 dollar back! Here again, why do you need lira in Turkey. We remind you that, as in the minibuses of Antalya, and in the tram, you also can NOT pay for the fare in cash - you need a card, but you again ask one of the passengers to pay for you with his card, and you will give him your pennies.
We also recommend going to a cafe in Kemer in the White Tower - we took a coffee for 10 liras and admired the view from the top platform of the restaurant at the very top of the Tower. The only thing that was bad: there is no elevator (we asked the waiter if the elevator for drinks could stand us, he said no, so go to the third floor with legs) and it was cloudy. They also serve wine in very original glasses, 40 centimeters high, and smoothies in jars with a handle, go - you won't regret it.
And yet, on every corner of Kemer, every 100-150 meters, electric 3-wheeled 2-seater motsyki are rented. Just a miracle. One button and off you go. The charge lasts for 3 hours. Speed up to 40 km per hour. Now the single price is 5 dollars per hour (last year they cost 3-4 dollars per hour). Our forecast is this - you will take it for the first time (it is very easy to drive) and then every day 2 (two) times a day you will take these three-wheeled bikes to drive! In general, motsyki to rent to EVERYONE! The wife drives, the husband is in the back seat. The only way! So until, as the locals themselves joke, the “DPS Holiday” has not come (they want to ban these electric cars), rent electric motorcycles!
SHOPPING IN TURKEY:
SHOPPING IN KEMER:
SHOPPING IN ANTALYA:
Somehow, compared to last year (May 2016), everything has risen in price at least three times. For example, a dollar was added to the price of all the little things, which were 2-3 dollars each (that is, as it should now cost 3-4 dollars), but for some reason they will tell you the same numbers, but in EURO.
And, in general, something incomprehensible is happening. Almost all prices are quoted in EURO, and there are generally things that are on the verge of fantasy: the price is indicated in Turkish liras (TL), and they tell you that this is the price in EURO...
PRICES now (as of June 04.2017) are something like this:
- 0 dollars - a trip to the gendarmerie (hehe... )
- $0 - pebbles from the Mediterranean
- $0 - soap and shampoo from the room
- $0 - beer and wine at the Bar in the Hotel
- 0.3-0.5 dollars (1-2 lira) - postcard
- 0.3 dollars (1 lira) to look through a telescope at observation decks in Antalya
- 1 dollar - bonus for cleaning at the Hotel
- 1 dollar (3 lira): key chains, cosmetic bags, bath towels, peeling mitten (kese)
- 7 dollars - pack (12 pieces) peeling mitt (kese)
- 1 dollar - 2 soaps (small)
- 1 dollar - scotch tape (1.5 lira in the store)
- 1 dollar - small olive soap
- 1 dollar (3 lira) bus and tram fare in Antalya
- 2 dollars Turkish ice cream (dondurma)
- 1-3 dollars - lipstick and cheap cosmetics at 82 Market (center row)
- 2 dollars of coffee (120 gr. )
- 2 dollars - souvenirs, better quality (in the opposite direction from the White Tower, in 150-200 meters there will be a souvenir shop, coffee, tea, ceramics with a higher quality, but more expensive than anywhere else, but there are more cool things nowhere no in the city)
- $2 cream (75ml) for face, hands (olive and pomegranate)
- $3 cream (20ml) dalan d'Olive for hands and body (olive)
- 3 dollars (8 lira) - travel by bus Kemer - Antalya
- 3 dollars men's T-shirts (at the OUTLET store)
- 3 dollars (10-15 lira) copies of ancient coins (souvenir) - not available everywhere (good ones in the package were only in a store near the Cleopatra pool, Pamukkale and were also in the Old Town, Antalya)
- 3-4 dollars of coffee in a cafe
- 3-4 dollar sandwich in a cafe
- $3-4 pomegranate sauce
- 4 dollars - slippers on the beach (almost nowhere)
- 4-5 dollars Turkish delight, etc. (there are two options, medium and small boxes like 5 boxes for $4 or 5 medium boxes for $6), as well as 1 box - $1 invented, but in fact there is no such thing)
- 4-5 dollars coffee cup with Turkish symbols (bright red)
- 5 dollars per hour - rent of electric motorcycles in Kemer
- 5 dollars - the cost of one ticket on the sea tram Kemer - Antalya
- from 5 dollars a cup for coffee in iron (copper) cases - one cup is sold only in the Old City, in Kemer only sets or at least 2 cups were seen
- from 5 dollars Turks for coffee, and if handmade and painted - it will be more expensive
- $5 towels from the hotel (if you forget to return....)
- 4-5 dollars towel (1.8m) cotton (standard quality)
- 6 dollars - ten pairs of socks (like a sale)
- $6-7 men's T-shirts on sale
- 10 dollars - tea 1 kg (but there are also 20 dollars per kg)
- $10 one and a half bedspread (cotton, like a waffle towel)
- $10 slippers (like Lacoste, etc. )
- $10 children's slippers, sneakers, etc. (sale)
- from 10 dollars cotton towel (1.8m) (higher quality)
- from $10 sunglasses
- from 10 dollars Hamam (minimum price for 2 hours)
-$20 Polo Slippers (Sale)
- $25 and up men's T-shirts just in store
- $30 men's shorts - jeans, LTB company (in the Moda city store)
-$40 Polo slippers (just the price)
- from 20 dollars - women's blouses, and in the OUTLET store (all for 20 lira (up to 3 dollars), but the choice is less (much))
- $30 perfume/eau de toilette
- from 15 dollars whiskey (small)
- $30 good quality flip flops (Ipanama (original) is only in the Gift Shop)
- $10-20 bedspreads (for example, just a bedspread is $10, and a set is 20)
- 25-35 dollars sneakers - even Nike or Adidas (although, at first they ask for more up to 40)
- 25 dollars - wine (on excursions), but in stores - about 20-25 liras (7-9 dollars)
- from 30 dollars - leather bags (it's difficult to bargain here, in general we started bargaining from 160 dollars, in the end, we bought 20 dollars each)
- from 30 to 70 dollars - a taxi between Antalya and Kemer
- leather backpack from $60
- $30-35 good leather women's shoes
- 40-50 dollars jeans
- 40-60 dollars good men's shoes (it's also difficult to bargain here)
- from 50 dollars travel suitcases (there are good ones)
- from 50 dollars a jeweler (silver) - a huge choice, if not now - they will bring it, if there is not enough money, they can transfer it to their homeland
- 100 dollars short women's jackets (it is)
- from 150 dollars - women's leather jackets (in general, they started bargaining with us from 800 dollars)
- $200 watch (replica) - great choice
- from $150 men's jackets (I liked it for $300)
- from $300 handmade carpet (Old Town)
- 1.000, 000.000 dollars (or even more... ) - Your impressions and good mood
Spices - you can not take (it's cheaper at home)
Red pepper on a string - expensive, but as a souvenir - looks great
Tea (like yupi: yellow red, etc. ) - DO NOT take - chemistry
Hair dye - cheaper at home
Pomegranate sauce - see natural or essence
Pomegranate tea - buy only if there is a window through which you can see what's inside
Soap - either for gifts or natural olive: WHITE (for the body - at least every day), GREEN (only for hair no more than 2 times a week as a mask for 10 minutes and rinse)
Baklava and all sorts of sweets - look not only at the date when the expiration date expires, but also when it was produced (otherwise they usually do not write), the same goes for tea and coffee
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
You can take cigarettes for an exchange - you don’t have to change vodka, but you can either sell cigarettes or exchange them for the goods you like (basically, you can change this way in sweets and souvenir shops, but not everywhere).
SUPERMARKETS:
Carrefour (in Kemer) - we reached the White Tower (Center of Kemer) and straight ahead, on the right side there will be Carrefour
Carrefour (in Kemer) - from the reception side (if you stand with your back to the Hotel on the right hand) there is a Carrefour supermarket (15 meters from the entrance to the Hotel), and another store right next to the reception (immediately to the left of the entrance - 3 meters) ).
SHOPPING CENTER Migros (NOT in Kemer - it's in Antalya) - why tourists come here - we don't understand. Just an ordinary supermarket with ordinary shops and three-story prices, but for some reason all the locals say that everything is cheaper in it than in Kemer - it's not clear. The only plus is wine for 20-25 liras, against $25 for a bottle on excursions.
BAZAR (in Kemer) - almost there (in the alley in front of the store). The bazaar is open 1 (ONE) once a week - MONDAY. We repeat - only once a week. On other days DOES NOT work.
CENTRAL PEDESTRIAN STREET in Kemer (from the White Tower to the Park) - LIMAN DZHADESI - a pedestrian street. Here you can run around the shops, buy souvenirs for yourself. Why are there souvenirs - you can buy everything: from shorts to silver (that is, everything, everything! ). Separately, we draw your attention to the fact that high-quality fakes (such as Adidas as it is, and not Abidas) cost about half the cost of the original in the store, but if the item is of high quality, only the Turkish company will always be indicated, that is, if the fake is average quality or closer to good, and if the quality is good and higher - no fashion labels and it will be written that this is Turkey! Bargain everything and always. You tell them in Russian, Ukrainian, English and obscene - they like you in Russian and Turkish and 5 percent in English (OK and NO PROBLEM) and the price from $ 350 for a leather jacket will be from 125 to 175 approximately. IMPORTANT - if you really want a specific discount on a thing - take 2-3 (like yourself and something else) and then it becomes really easier to get a discount. For example, a leather jacket for myself and plus a sheepskin coat for a worm (my brother's daughter is 2 years old) - and the total discount was 60% of the original price. And another SECRET - if you are the first buyer (it does not matter, for the day or the first in the evening) you can offer the price that you are willing to pay (the chance is high to buy just for the price that you want).
MODA CITY store - products of the trademarks "Polo", "DeFakto", "LC Waikiki", "Mavi", "LTB", "Koton" are presented. The store has two floors, and on the minus first floor - children's shoes (on the left), men's clothes (on the right), and the second floor - everything for women!
OUTLET store - this store will be on the left side of the Central Street before reaching the end of 20 meters.
TOWELS AND COVERS - a normal store on the other side of the White Tower towards Carrefour (50 meters) will be a good store - the owner is such a short, unshaven man, speaks Russian and something is not traded, but here the goods are of the highest quality.
And one more thing - as for us, one of the most original souvenirs from Turkey, items with Sultanite stone.
Sultanite has an alexandrite effect - that is, the ability of the crystal to change color depending on the nature of the lighting - an integral property of the Sultanite stone. Green in bright natural light, in the light of incandescent lamps, the tones of Sultanite change to red.
They say that the export of Sultanite from Turkey is now prohibited - so this is a good reason to buy it as a wonderful souvenir.
When shopping, there is the concept of installments (although not everywhere), for example:
Option (1) - on the excursion you wanted something, but there was not enough money - take it, and give the money back at the hotel
Option (2) - in the store, you want something, but it’s expensive, but you don’t have such an amount by yourself - leave the address and they will bring you home (at home) and pay on arrival or agree on the date on which you will collect the required amount
And one more thing: if you overpay somewhere, don’t be upset: a tourist who has not been deceived is not a tourist!
BACK TO AIRPORT:
You can not wait for a bus from a travel agency and take a taxi (it costs 30 dollars, but they will demand 70 dollars), but if the taxi driver finds out (as we did) that you want to rent it INSTEAD of a bus from a travel agency - 99.9 % that the taxi driver will refuse.
In front of the Airport, you will be taken to the gift shop and everything you could want and didn't buy - prices here will be higher than what you are used to, but Duty free at the Airport will be even more expensive. Moreover, this store has a toilet and you can grab a coffee for $ 5 and buy cigarettes (a pack, because Duty free at the Airport will only be sold in blocks).
We did not take almost anything here - we just bought additional key chains.
At the Airport, everything is standard and very expensive Duty free, but on the first floor at check-in (before passport control), right under the stairs to passport control, there is another good souvenir shop (everything, however, plus one dollar to those prices you are used to), but there is a good silver shop with reasonable prices.
And again, on the plane back again, they DO NOT feed! So the day before check-out, DO NOT forget to remind the Hotel to give you a dry breakfast!
By the way, packing at Antalya Airport costs 10 dollars (so the recommendation is to bring film or bags with you and pack everything yourself at the hotel when you go back home: the easiest option is to take a large garbage bag and tape at home and easily pack all your suitcases at the Hotel before departure/departure).
And yet, you can take a EURO iron coin with you, as at the Airport the price of the trolley is 1 euro and without bargaining - it's a robot!
That's basically it. . .
And it's good at home!
!!! ! THANKS FOR THE RATE REVIEW!!! !
