We spent 2 weeks in Turunc (pronounced ter-runch), this idylic small town seems almost untouched compared with the likes of Marmaris. Turunc seems to be more authentic Turkey than the tacky bling and tat that you get in more touristy areas.
|
I really liked Turunc, the town rests on the south west coast of Turkey, overlooking where the Aegean & Mediterranean seas meet.
Because of Turkeys unique location, it is the only country on the planet to sit on 2 different continents as the same time; European & Asian.
Turunc captures the authenticity of the country, with a good balance of tourist orientated enviroment and the real Turkey. Transfer time from Dalaman airport is around 2 hours, J&M travel located in Turunc can easily arrange your airport pickup and return when you go home. more info: http://www.jmturkey.com
They can also arrange any excursions in and around the region e.g. jeep safari, turkish baths, Ephesus & Pamukkale Lime Terraces, cleopatra's hot mineral pool, white water rafting and evening dinner cruises around the bays and more.
Turkey re-evaluated its currency approx 2005, at January 2010
£1 = 2.38 Turkish New Lira (rough guide).
You'll find good value for money eating out, alcohol, food shopping and goods. haggling is generally accepted in most outlets and markets. Beware of counterfeit goods, usually the very low price gives it away that the brand you're buying may not be authentic.
TIP: Try using some basic Turkish language, they seem to really appreciate the effort, e.g. please, thank you, hello & goodbye etc. the people are very friendly, helpful, laidback and usually very polite.
More info on Turunc: www.turunc-village.com/turunc.htm
|
|
| Favourite spots: |
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
Ephesus Library. Ephesus Ancient City.
|
|
Ephesus - Once a great Roman city, its grand design, incredible feats of building are evident of a highly sophisticated culture. You cant help but to mouth the word WOW when you look around the city.
Pamukkale Lime Terraces- Are just an incredible sight, a completely natural phenomenon, apprentley walking bare foot in the shallow mineral pools on the terraces are great for the skin.
The 5 Bays Cruise , Which includes a bbq lunch, and free use of snorkelling equipment and floats. This was a great day, but take plenty of high sun factor cream and something to cover up if you feel the sun. They provided plenty of drinks and snacks at a reasonable cost.
The 5 bays you tour around are beautiful, and they give you plenty of time to get off the boat and swim, or browse around some seaside stalls at one of the bays.
|
|
| What's really great: |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gladitorial Arena. Ephesus City.
|
|
The Jeep Safari has to be one of the most fun trips i've ever been on. We were picked early one morning and spent the day driving through mountain passes, through old Turkish villages, visiting places like a beautiful waterfalls, the Wishing Tree, whilst there you try several types of natural organic honey, also a little know aphrodisiac, which you can buy a jar of if you need it, lol.
We also did some speed driving around a dry creek bed, which was so much fun.
Went to a nice little beach, stopped several times for breaks to get drinking water and to refill our large water pistols that everybody is encouraged to get, then you have a little fun soaking the other jeeps of people that follow in convoy etc. You stop for lunch and also a snack late afternoon. you're gonna get wet and a little muddy on this jeep safari so dont wear your best holiday clothes, and dont wear WHITE clothing lol. The Turkish bath was a nice experience, with a hot oil massage to finish, thoroughly relaxing.
|
|
| Sights: |
Mondays in Turunc is market day, selling fresh produce, genuine & fake designer clothing, watches and other goods.
Haggling is accepted practice. generally prices are very good, so dont take the mic by haggling a silly price, they need to make a living.
Or go to Marmaris by water taxi, it takes about 90 minutes, there are plenty of water taxis to get you there and back all day. Marmaris is a largish city, more commercial, very touristy, and the street touts often call out to you to sell you something, but mostly they're polite.
There's also a large supermarket here if you're self catering, great for bbq food.
Marmaris has 100's of shops, bars & restaurants, too many to be more specific.
And when you've had enough sight seeing, a lazy couple of days on Turunc beach may be in order. With the bars and restaurants shadowing the beach you're never far from cold drinks, traditional Turkish ice cream and snacks served all day.
|
|
| Accommodations: |
I stayed in a private apartment, but there are many hotels and serviced holiday apartments available in Turunc.
Many hotels provide money change, and some have Turkish baths or Turkish massage facilities.
|
|
| Nightlife: |
The nightlife is rich and varied in Turunc, there are so many restaurants to try, you'll find belly dancing and other live entertainment also.
Turunc has a number of bars serving local and import alcohol, although the local brew is cheaper and tastes great - Efes pilsner lager.
Alternatively you can opt for the night cruise around the bay, dinner, wine and music.
There are many outlets along the sea front, so you can enjoy the magnificent views of the sun going down or the different shades of colour of the twilight sky when out for the night.
|
|
| Hangouts: |
Another thing you can do of an evening is walk around the many shops and stalls that are open late selling great gift, trinkets and also genuine quality goods such as; jewellery, clothing, watches, ladies hand bags, mens goods and the famous Turkish Delights of many variety. Just browsing around is really interesting compared with tatty bling you get at most holiday places.
I enjoyed the Turkish Delight gift shop because they kindly gave us some cold Turkish apple tea, you have to try the apple tea, hot after dinner is great, cold when you're thirsty !!
One bar that really welcomed us was the HABIT Bar, just off the central street, the staff are so friendly, they even let me watch the F1 grand prix on their big screen tv.
|
|
| Restaurants: |
Turkish Mezze is probably one of the best on the planet. at every restaurant you are given free hot fresh flat bread called Pide, its served with home made garlic butter and is sssso delicious.
I also recommend the Lamb Shank, this a special dish ordered 24 hrs in advance of you eating at the restaurant. you'll never taste lamb as good this ever again !
Many places even give you a free drink or fruit platter at the end of your meal.
We ate in several restaurants, every breakfast was good, try the Turkish Omelette a speciality ! also try the Turkish pizzas, and the Lamb cheese casserol.
I can honestly say that every meal i ate in a restaurant during my 2 week holiday was good. the Turkish know how to do good food.
If you're offered the Lemon Liqueur - enjoy it, it is one of the finest drinks i've ever had.
Prices are very reasonable for food, but the drinks can be higher.
Try the Yelken restaurant, beachfront, sit upstairs and enjoy the views of the bay as well as the food.
|
|
| Other recommendations: |
Turkish Visa for UK citizens is done on arrival, however, always check this as things can change, cost was £10, they stipulate that you must have a newish looking "ENGLISH" £10 note. if the note is damaged they may refuse it.
You'll need high sun factor products with you, in the high season temperatures can be in the high 30's degrees C to low 40's !! The heat is dry not humid, and i recommend you get accommodation with aircon.
In Turunc there are only 2 ATM cash dispensers, but many money changers including J&M Travel located on the main street, i have mentioned this company a few times because the co-owner is British (no language barrier etc) and offer so many excursions, i rate their friendly service highly.
All major credit cards are accepted, including visa electron and maestro debit cards.
Drinking tap water may upset your stomach, this is due to higher levels of minerals found in the water, therefore it may be wise to have fresh bottled water to drink instead.
|
|
Published on Sunday February 25th, 2007
|
|
Publish on Facebook
|
Sun, Feb 25 2007 - 07:22 PM
 by travler
| I have never been to Turkey. I learned a lot about Turunc. |
Sun, Feb 25 2007 - 05:13 PM
by marianne
| Nice report about a beautiful part of Turkey. You went on all the nice trips / excursions. There is no need to drink bottled water in Turkey, tap water is safe. |
| Information: |
| Login if you are a member, or sign up for a free membership to rate this report and to earn globo points! |
|
| Australia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cambodia |
|
|
|
| Korea, South |
|
|
|
| Thailand |
|
|
|
| Turkey |
|
|
|
| United Kingdom |
|
|
|
|
9 votes
