We are regular visitors to the Fethiye area and have explored west of there as far as Cesme but this will be our first visit further "east" than Kas (other than a winter night time flight into Antalya to get to Fethiye !)
Has anyone come across a new hotel called the Brahman ? Other than a Facebook page I can't find much information aboiut it http://www.facebook....116604611758224
We will have a dig around the forum for decent restaurants and things to do in Side. We like turkish food and having a wander round taking in the sites so any additional tips are welcome :-)
We are really looking forward to exploring a new area for us
1 votes
First Visit To Side
Started by
slartibartfast
, Jul 18 2011 10:19 PM
56 replies to this topic
#2
slartibartfast
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Posted 19 July 2011 - 12:46 AM
Maybe a wee bit more information may help.
We are actually going to Side in 6 days time after a snap decision last Saturday. We were going to be going camping in Scotland but the recent rain / cloud and flooding changed our mind !
Angela appears to be a mine of information but I see she is back in the UK. Hopefully she still checks into the forum regularly !
The white water rafting sounds good. Is there any particular tour company recommended ?
Unfortunately as we are going in a few days we don't have a lot of time to research the environs but I'll continue reading through the forum. I know it's lazy but any shortcuts to important nuggets of insider knowledge would be great :-). We'll reciprocate for anyone visiting the Fethiye area ....
We are only going for a week. I am happy driving in Turkey as I have done it a fair bit. We like the relaxed , casual more local side of Turkey and the Turkish people. We would normally head down a back street for decent local food rather than beer and a hamburger in an "English Pub". If theer are good restaurant on the seafront the locals use that would be handy to know too. We like a bit of history and nature / outdoors / walking ... It's a lot to fit in for a week and still have a holiday.
We are actually going to Side in 6 days time after a snap decision last Saturday. We were going to be going camping in Scotland but the recent rain / cloud and flooding changed our mind !
Angela appears to be a mine of information but I see she is back in the UK. Hopefully she still checks into the forum regularly !
The white water rafting sounds good. Is there any particular tour company recommended ?
Unfortunately as we are going in a few days we don't have a lot of time to research the environs but I'll continue reading through the forum. I know it's lazy but any shortcuts to important nuggets of insider knowledge would be great :-). We'll reciprocate for anyone visiting the Fethiye area ....
We are only going for a week. I am happy driving in Turkey as I have done it a fair bit. We like the relaxed , casual more local side of Turkey and the Turkish people. We would normally head down a back street for decent local food rather than beer and a hamburger in an "English Pub". If theer are good restaurant on the seafront the locals use that would be handy to know too. We like a bit of history and nature / outdoors / walking ... It's a lot to fit in for a week and still have a holiday.
#3
Abi
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Posted 19 July 2011 - 07:12 PM
Welcome to our forum, yes Angela is the person that you need to respond to your post. Whilst she is back in the UK she does pop in from time to time and hope she will before you leave for your holiday.
I think if you look through the posts in the Side section I'm sure she did mention the name of a company for white water rafting. I don't live in that area so can't help unfortunately.
It is very very hot over here at the moment.
Hope you have a super holiday
I think if you look through the posts in the Side section I'm sure she did mention the name of a company for white water rafting. I don't live in that area so can't help unfortunately.
It is very very hot over here at the moment.
Hope you have a super holiday
#4
sunny
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Posted 19 July 2011 - 07:42 PM
I'm sure you will find enough information in the Side forum to keep you going.
Have a good holiday.
slartibartfast - are you a fan of 'Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy'?
Have a good holiday.
slartibartfast - are you a fan of 'Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy'?
#5
slartibartfast
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Posted 19 July 2011 - 08:32 PM
Thanks folks. Between what I have browsed through and Trip Advisor we probabaly have enough on-the-ground info to be getting on with but some of the info may be a bit out of date. We'll survive whatever :-)
I've had the forum name Slartibartfast for a long time. The name always tickled me from the old BBC TV series and the radio shows (then the book). So yes I guess I am a HHGTTG fan !
I've had the forum name Slartibartfast for a long time. The name always tickled me from the old BBC TV series and the radio shows (then the book). So yes I guess I am a HHGTTG fan !
#6
angelaturkey
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Posted 20 July 2011 - 05:56 PM
Hello There - Hope I am not too late to help you with your Side queries = my very favourite place in all of Turkey - Best local guide Abdullah on 0090-538-9213-468 - - he can arrange pıck up for free at your hotel gates and Turkish Bath wıth all massages and oıl treatments ıs just 30 TL per person... good on Day One to get a good base for the sun. He also offers all the local day trips at a fraction of the cost of the Thomas Cook Reps from the big 5-star hotels - and Abdullah speaks English. He is a very honest guy.
Other good trips are - Monday or Thursday boat trip to Manavgat which incorporates lunch on the boat - a swim stop - 2 hours in the market - just £15.00 - - or for roughly the same price, go white water rafting in the nearby Taurus mountains - good for ages 7 to 77 as it is a tame river flowing there... lunch also included. Or do a day trip to Alanya where you have spectacular views of the coast from atop the castle area + lunch in the beautiful Dim Cay River where you sit on pontoons there served by the waiters with fresh chicken or trout and salad... only about £10 for the day. All via Abdullah if you like.
Side itself has lots of Roman ruins - an active amphitheatre ... in fact if you are there now until 17th September you can see for FREE from 9.30pm at night concerts with - trumpets - classical music - ballet - opera - down by the Apollo Temple and on Gala Night 17th September it will be held actually in the amphitheatre itself.
My favourite restaurants in Old Town Side are (1) Apollonic which is the very last restaurant on the harbour's edge before the APollo Temple - good prices and great people watching and sunsets from there across the little harbour (2) Aphrodite Restaurant which is by the centre part of the harbour and near Attaturk Statue - they serve Apple Jimmy which is lots and lots of vanilla ice cream topped with hot apples dipped in cinimmon with a kind of toffee sauce mmmm! but costs 16 TL and is enough for 2 or 3 people.
Just in front of Apollo Temple is a boat restaurant offering fish sandwiches for just 5 TL which are very tasty and you can give any left over bread to the fish by the edge of the boat - they almost jump up for it!
Check out the turtles in Side too - - if you walk along the new walkway towards most of the 5-star hotels you will see turtle look out points there.
One of the most friendly and best priced restaurants in Old Town Side is GUL RESTAURANT run by Ahmed and his Norwegian wife - they speak excellent English and are full of funny tales of Side as they have lived there for years. Go to harbour .. walk past Apollo Temple to other side .. one block behind Mehmets Bar and up the stairs to Gul. Great food and excellent prices.
If you like karaoke, try Cheers Bar on a Monday or Thursday night from 9pm - it is opposite the new big Side Prenses Hotel.
MARKET DAYS - Side is on a Saturday - Manavgat on a Monday or Thursday - you can take the dolmus to either one very easily.
I will check back here tomorrow to see if you have any more questions re Side. Hope I caught you in time?! Enjoy.
Other good trips are - Monday or Thursday boat trip to Manavgat which incorporates lunch on the boat - a swim stop - 2 hours in the market - just £15.00 - - or for roughly the same price, go white water rafting in the nearby Taurus mountains - good for ages 7 to 77 as it is a tame river flowing there... lunch also included. Or do a day trip to Alanya where you have spectacular views of the coast from atop the castle area + lunch in the beautiful Dim Cay River where you sit on pontoons there served by the waiters with fresh chicken or trout and salad... only about £10 for the day. All via Abdullah if you like.
Side itself has lots of Roman ruins - an active amphitheatre ... in fact if you are there now until 17th September you can see for FREE from 9.30pm at night concerts with - trumpets - classical music - ballet - opera - down by the Apollo Temple and on Gala Night 17th September it will be held actually in the amphitheatre itself.
My favourite restaurants in Old Town Side are (1) Apollonic which is the very last restaurant on the harbour's edge before the APollo Temple - good prices and great people watching and sunsets from there across the little harbour (2) Aphrodite Restaurant which is by the centre part of the harbour and near Attaturk Statue - they serve Apple Jimmy which is lots and lots of vanilla ice cream topped with hot apples dipped in cinimmon with a kind of toffee sauce mmmm! but costs 16 TL and is enough for 2 or 3 people.
Just in front of Apollo Temple is a boat restaurant offering fish sandwiches for just 5 TL which are very tasty and you can give any left over bread to the fish by the edge of the boat - they almost jump up for it!
Check out the turtles in Side too - - if you walk along the new walkway towards most of the 5-star hotels you will see turtle look out points there.
One of the most friendly and best priced restaurants in Old Town Side is GUL RESTAURANT run by Ahmed and his Norwegian wife - they speak excellent English and are full of funny tales of Side as they have lived there for years. Go to harbour .. walk past Apollo Temple to other side .. one block behind Mehmets Bar and up the stairs to Gul. Great food and excellent prices.
If you like karaoke, try Cheers Bar on a Monday or Thursday night from 9pm - it is opposite the new big Side Prenses Hotel.
MARKET DAYS - Side is on a Saturday - Manavgat on a Monday or Thursday - you can take the dolmus to either one very easily.
I will check back here tomorrow to see if you have any more questions re Side. Hope I caught you in time?! Enjoy.
#7
slartibartfast
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Posted 20 July 2011 - 11:37 PM
Wow Angela that is fantastic and much more information than we ever could have hoped for !. Many thanks.
We discovered our hotel is close to the "big flag area" and the Gendarme ?. We aren't too bothered about the hotel as long as it's clean as we are always out doing things.
I think the only question is whether Abdullah has an office and if so where (or an email address). Unnfortuantely we left our Turkish mobile with friends in Ovacik and I'm too mean to call from a UK mobile :-)
Thanks again
Ian & Aileen
We discovered our hotel is close to the "big flag area" and the Gendarme ?. We aren't too bothered about the hotel as long as it's clean as we are always out doing things.
I think the only question is whether Abdullah has an office and if so where (or an email address). Unnfortuantely we left our Turkish mobile with friends in Ovacik and I'm too mean to call from a UK mobile :-)
Thanks again
Ian & Aileen
#8
angelaturkey
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Posted 21 July 2011 - 05:45 PM
Hello Ian and Aileen - glad I could have helped you out - Abdullah does have an office in Side but it's a bit tricky to describe where it is - along the new walkway by the 5-star hotels walking into Old Town Side and just after where you watch for the turtles - - probably best to phone him from your hotel Reception Desk on a local call when you arrive there. You are in an excellent position for sightseeing by the Big Flag which divides the Kemer District - where Flying Horse pub is - with the Kumkoy District - where most of the 5-stars are and Cheers Bar - and myself! Pity I will miss you but I'm not back in Side until 31st August.
Don't miss the wonderful FREE 9.30pm concerts down by the Apollo Temple from now until 17th September and on 23rd July and 17th September in the actual Side Amphitheatre - classical music - trumpets - ballet - opera - Enjoy...
Don't miss the wonderful FREE 9.30pm concerts down by the Apollo Temple from now until 17th September and on 23rd July and 17th September in the actual Side Amphitheatre - classical music - trumpets - ballet - opera - Enjoy...
#9
slartibartfast
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Posted 21 July 2011 - 09:41 PM
Thanks again Angela .... we won't have a minute to spare fitting in all that :-)
We'll post an update when we are there and/or when we get back
Regards
I & A
We'll post an update when we are there and/or when we get back
Regards
I & A
#10
slartibartfast
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Posted 01 August 2011 - 07:44 PM
Well that's us back now.
We had a really nice holiday in Side and Angela's information and advice was very helpful.
Our hotel was excellent. The Brahman hotel had only been open for 2 weeks. It had 32 rooms and was a small family run hotel. They clearly took a lot of pride setting it up as the rooms and shower-rooms were finished to a high standard and the food was excellent ( we hadn't been looking for a Half Board holiday but that was the deal we ended up with and we ate at the hotel every night despite our normal aversion to doing that !)
The hotel was between the big mosque and the Lavas Restaurant not far from a park area with Capadocia walls around it which looked like had been built for Crazy golf originally ?
We walked into the old town and back every night which was a brisk 30 minute or so walk. We like walking but I'm glad we weren't further away !. We still felt like the hotel was in a good location as most other hotels seemed even further away !. The area from the big flag down to the harbour was much larger than I thought (a lot more walking !)
The old town was fantastic and it was great to wander around the "history" and stroll round the harbour and back streets. The "motorway" of people we had to fight through along the promenade and down the main street was a bit surprising but the back streets were nice and quiet.
By chance we stopped the Apolonic on our first day and that became our "local" (I forgot the sheet with Angela's recommendations when we went into the old town the first day) so we were delighted to find it was also an "Angela" recommendation. We agree :-) We watched and listened to the Bodrum Chamber Orchestra concert from the Temple on Thursday night. A stunning setting and very professional.
We did the rafting trip via Abdullah which was excellent. Good fun , very professional and excellent value.
The hotel had a free pick-up and drop-off several times a day to the east beach (Sea Side Beach Club) which we liked. Friendly, decent food and not overly expensive. It wasn't too far a away from the town. We were worried the hotel beach bus may have taken us to a remote beach miles from anywhere with extortionate food and drink. Not a bit of it. The east beach was very much more “us” than the west beach.
All in all we had a great time. Side was very nice and very civilised. There was no hard sell for anything and you could have nice bit of banter with the guys outside the shops and restaurants etc. We were impressed there were a number of places with regular live Turkish music. We avoided the smarter places which had a "Euro" veneer on them and played euro-pop (hokey kokey , aga doo etc) but each to their own. I was amazed there didn't seem to be anyone doing guided tours of the old city and we were tickled to see the old city streets were patrolled by the Jandarma on horseback.
Thanks again Angela for your help.
We had a really nice holiday in Side and Angela's information and advice was very helpful.
Our hotel was excellent. The Brahman hotel had only been open for 2 weeks. It had 32 rooms and was a small family run hotel. They clearly took a lot of pride setting it up as the rooms and shower-rooms were finished to a high standard and the food was excellent ( we hadn't been looking for a Half Board holiday but that was the deal we ended up with and we ate at the hotel every night despite our normal aversion to doing that !)
The hotel was between the big mosque and the Lavas Restaurant not far from a park area with Capadocia walls around it which looked like had been built for Crazy golf originally ?
We walked into the old town and back every night which was a brisk 30 minute or so walk. We like walking but I'm glad we weren't further away !. We still felt like the hotel was in a good location as most other hotels seemed even further away !. The area from the big flag down to the harbour was much larger than I thought (a lot more walking !)
The old town was fantastic and it was great to wander around the "history" and stroll round the harbour and back streets. The "motorway" of people we had to fight through along the promenade and down the main street was a bit surprising but the back streets were nice and quiet.
By chance we stopped the Apolonic on our first day and that became our "local" (I forgot the sheet with Angela's recommendations when we went into the old town the first day) so we were delighted to find it was also an "Angela" recommendation. We agree :-) We watched and listened to the Bodrum Chamber Orchestra concert from the Temple on Thursday night. A stunning setting and very professional.
We did the rafting trip via Abdullah which was excellent. Good fun , very professional and excellent value.
The hotel had a free pick-up and drop-off several times a day to the east beach (Sea Side Beach Club) which we liked. Friendly, decent food and not overly expensive. It wasn't too far a away from the town. We were worried the hotel beach bus may have taken us to a remote beach miles from anywhere with extortionate food and drink. Not a bit of it. The east beach was very much more “us” than the west beach.
All in all we had a great time. Side was very nice and very civilised. There was no hard sell for anything and you could have nice bit of banter with the guys outside the shops and restaurants etc. We were impressed there were a number of places with regular live Turkish music. We avoided the smarter places which had a "Euro" veneer on them and played euro-pop (hokey kokey , aga doo etc) but each to their own. I was amazed there didn't seem to be anyone doing guided tours of the old city and we were tickled to see the old city streets were patrolled by the Jandarma on horseback.
Thanks again Angela for your help.
#11
Cukurbagli
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Posted 01 August 2011 - 09:28 PM
Nice to know you had a good time, we all know Angela's recommendations are the best but thanks for the feedback, we don't often get it.
#12
Abi
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Posted 01 August 2011 - 11:03 PM
What a fantastic write up on on your holiday and thank you for taking the time to do it. I'm really pleased you had a good time, I've haven't been to Side yet but it's on my list of places to visit.
#13
sunny
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Posted 01 August 2011 - 11:06 PM
Thanks for taking the time and trouble for that comprehensive write up Slarti.
I'm glad that you had a good time.
Angela is a gem.
I'm glad that you had a good time.
Angela is a gem.
#14
angelaturkey
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Posted 03 August 2011 - 12:51 PM
Hello Ian and Aileen - I am so pleased you liked Side - I am always raving about it but often wonder if I am biased as I live there - and thank you all for your kind comments.
I am also very happy that you found Apollonic - my favourite little restaurant/bar on the harbour's edge. Yes, you can quite happily hear the music from the Apollo concerts from there and what a magical setting eh?
Also great that you managed to locate Abdullah and do the white water rafting. I will be doing that in September with 6 x friends who are visiting Side then.
Maybe we can meet up next time you choose to pay us a visit in Side?! - or Sunny or Cukurbagli or anyone popping down there? It's always good to put a face to a name from this very helpful Forum.
I am also very happy that you found Apollonic - my favourite little restaurant/bar on the harbour's edge. Yes, you can quite happily hear the music from the Apollo concerts from there and what a magical setting eh?
Also great that you managed to locate Abdullah and do the white water rafting. I will be doing that in September with 6 x friends who are visiting Side then.
Maybe we can meet up next time you choose to pay us a visit in Side?! - or Sunny or Cukurbagli or anyone popping down there? It's always good to put a face to a name from this very helpful Forum.
#15
sunny
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Posted 03 August 2011 - 02:15 PM
One day Inshalla Angela.
#16
slartibartfast
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Posted 03 August 2011 - 10:13 PM
Hi Angela that would be nice 
Similarly if you are up near Fethiye. We don't live there yet but we are out there quite a few weeks of the year.
It's often quite hard to put your finger on why you like somewhere in any logical objective way. Side is quite different from Ovacik which we love for the access to walks , mountains , activities, the proper working town of Fethiye and lots of other things to do and places to go in the near proximity. It feels a bit more casual , rough and ready and more "rural" (in a low-rise expanding touristy type of way)
We almost always find reasons to like everywhere we visit and it is easy to like Side. We can see what hooked you there !
Similarly if you are up near Fethiye. We don't live there yet but we are out there quite a few weeks of the year.
It's often quite hard to put your finger on why you like somewhere in any logical objective way. Side is quite different from Ovacik which we love for the access to walks , mountains , activities, the proper working town of Fethiye and lots of other things to do and places to go in the near proximity. It feels a bit more casual , rough and ready and more "rural" (in a low-rise expanding touristy type of way
)We almost always find reasons to like everywhere we visit and it is easy to like Side. We can see what hooked you there !
#17
purplerose028
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Posted 22 September 2011 - 10:26 AM
This has been so supremely useful - I'm going to Side for the first time next week, and was rather at a loss as to what to do in the apparent absence of web advertisement! (I am highly dependent)
I am assuming that we are now a little bit out of tourist season (on the merit that I struggle to cope with busy touristy places!), but is it safe to hope that there will still be plenty to do and eat?
I am assuming that we are now a little bit out of tourist season (on the merit that I struggle to cope with busy touristy places!), but is it safe to hope that there will still be plenty to do and eat?
#18
sunny
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Posted 22 September 2011 - 11:23 AM
Welcome to our forum Purplerose. I don't live in that area but I don't think you need to worry about things to do and I'm sure you won't starve.
#19
Abi
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Posted 22 September 2011 - 11:25 AM
Welcome to our forum Purplerose, I can't help you I'm afraid as I don't live in that area but I'm sure others that do will be along to help you out
#20
angelaturkey
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Posted 24 September 2011 - 12:39 PM
Welcome to the Forum PurpleRose - Yes everything in Side is still open and in fact it is busier now than İ have ever seen it before - the season lasts until around 1st November but even then the Old Town has bars and restaurants open - my favourite in the winter months is Apollonic with its log burning fire down by the harbour,s edge and just next to Apollo Temple. Let me know ıf you have any other questıons and I wıll be happy to help. All best wishes for a great holiday -* Angela
