Our first and last nights in Turkey were spent in Antalya, at the Pension Mavi and Ani, which is run by Harun Selcuk. This is a basic Turkish Pansiyon with eight rooms, well situated in the Kaleici (Old Town). Rooms are airconditioned and some have TVs. The breakfast room is an inside/outside area, so you can eat in the beautiful old garden when the weather is good. Harun is a helpful and well-informed host, who is happy to advise you on the attractions in the area.

We also checked out some other places to stay in case we ever return to Antalya. There are several Boutique Hotels in the Old Town, we looked at a few of them. Villa Perla is a mid-priced hotel, in a 300-year-old building with a delightful small swimming pool in the courtyard. There are also some elderly resident tortoises who wander around munching on their favourite leaves - see the picture, taken with compact flash.

Another beautiful hotel in Antalya is the Ninova Pension. It has 19 bedrooms with private bathrooms, direct phone and hairdryer. Rooms are air-conditioned. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available i the restaurant. This hotel has been lovingly restored by the owners fgrom two historic houses and has an exceptional courtyard.

The Otantik Hotel is immaculate, with six luxury airconditioned rooms above the courtyard restaurant/wine bar. Three of the rooms have jacuzzis and balconies and there is free Wifi Internet access.

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Tags: Turkey holidays

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When you are looking for holiday activities in Turkey, you want to be sure that you have sampled the best the country has to offer.  For men, this means going to the barber for an authentic Turkish shave.  Turkey is renowned as the world capital of shaving, and the barbers are experts in the use of a cut throat razor.  During our visit my husband had two shaves - one was in Cirali, and it was nothing out of the ordinary.  When we stayed in Antalya we asked our Hotel owner for advice. He sent us to Ikisler Erker, which is run by the lovely Saban and Recep Unal.  Their salon was clean and airy, in contrast to the barber’s in Cirali.  We negotiated a price of 5TL, and they Saban set to work.  A good Turkish shave includes trimming nose an ear hair, as well as the hairs on the back of the neck. It often incorporates a shoulder and upper back massage, so this can take up to half an hour.  I was invited to sit in one of the barber’s chairs as we were the only customers.  I noticed a large bottle of Lavender Eau de Cologne, which is used for the massage. The second brother, Recep, decided to give me a head and shoulder massage as he was not occupied with customers.  This was an utterly relaxing experience.  Recep also massaged my hands and wrists.  As he was not using oil, I still looked quite presentable at the end of the process.  Several times he stopped so that I could sip the Chai that he had served me - life can hardly get better than this! With admirable timing, the brothers completed my massage and John’s at the same time.    I recommend this holiday experience highly - here is the address of Izikler Eklek Kuafor: Genclik Mah, Fevzi Cakmak Cad. No 29 Stad Apt Alti, Antalya (Stadyum Acik tribun Yani).  The salon is close to the Football Stadium: if you stand at the stadium entrance, the barber is practically opposite. the phone number is  0 242 67 15, however they do not speak English.

I was really pleased that I tagged along for the ride, otherwise I could have spent an hour reading about nuphedra reviews instead of enjoying such a relaxing vacation experience - and it was very cheap.

Tags: Antalya, Turkey holidays

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Eating out in a busy old town centre like Antalya is difficult. Most restaurants use outside sales guys, who accost every passer by with entreaties to eat there, or just stop for a drink. This practice is most widespread in the harbour area and it is pretty irritating. It’s only common sense that these guys have to be paid, so an element of your bill goes towards their commission. On our second night in Antalya we sought the advice of our Hotel Pansyion owner, Harun, for a restaurant recommendation. He sent us to Pasa Bey Kebapçisi, which is actually outside the walls of the old town near the football stadium. This was a great place to eat - not aimed at tourists at all. In fact, we were the only non Turkish diners in the restaurant. You will be served a starter automatically, with accompanying dips and salad. Order a main course only, and do not over-order! I asked for a meat Pide (Turkish Pizza) with extra cheese, and the Chef simply made two Pides. These were served before my husband’s Kebab so that we could share each order. Knowing that a meat course was on the way we could not finish the pizzas and we made little headway on the kebab either. Not wishing to use a diet pill, we left the rest and the stray dogs of Antalya benefited from the excess! The only drawback at Pasa Bey is that wine was priced at 65TL. So we drank Efes beer again. A pudding was brought automatically with coffee, and the whole bill came to 55TL for two.
The postal address is - Gençlik Mah.Isiklar Cad.1319 Sok. NO:4 Merkez / Antalya.
Phone : 242 244 96 90

Tags: Antalya, eat out vacation, Turkey holidays

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Pattaya - meaning South West Monsoon Wind

The city of Pattaya is located along the Gulf of Thailand, on its East Coast. This tourist city plays host to more than 5.4 million visitors, with many high rise skyscrapers and a reputation as a city that never sleeps. It was during the 1960s that Pattaya began to focus on tourism as opposed to fishing for its inhabitants’ livelihood. There is also a large expat community in Pattaya, many from the UK and from Russia. Thai people from Bangkok escaped the worst of the heat and pollution in their capital city by recognising the benefits of the sea air and began holidaying here. Pattaya became a recognised beach resort for many of the servicemen stationed at U-Tapao, the US base in Rayong province, during the Vietnam War with the result that Pattaya acquired a rather suspect reputation. As the Vietnam War came to a conclusion and the servicemen were shipped home, Pattaya lost its identity, resurrected later when it came to be put on the tourist map during the era of mass tourism.

Pattaya remained a haunt for single men seeking out local girls, a reputation that has remained until quite recently when the Thai Government began to legislate against the lucrative sex tourism industry, attempting to make Pattaya a respectable place for families to bring their children on holiday. Petty crime and pollution remained rife, despite the Pattaya City Act which appointed a local Council-Manager to oversee the self-administrating municipality - an act which did not particularly find favour with the local residents of Pattaya. In 2008 the Thai Government imposed a restriction on alcohol sales designed to stop the 24-hour image portrayed abroad, with the intention of greatly limiting the continuing sex industry that continued to grow. Read more »

Tags: beach vacations, thai holiday accommodation

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The attractions of Turkey for anyone who enjoys walking or trekking holidays are huge. This is a country enjoying a Mediterranean climate and possessing historic sites and archaeological heritage that are easily the equal of the Greek destinations. Tourism in Turkey is relatively young, and you can still find traditional hospitality in family-run hotels and pensions (Pansiyons).


The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have sadly fallen victim in many parts to uncontrolled hotel development, but walking holidays in Turkey pass through some beautiful beachside villages, such as Adrasan and Çirali, that remain unaffected by package holiday hordes. Cirali and Adrasan are close to the Roman ruins at Olympos, about two hours’ drive west of Antalya. They are also close to the Lycian Way, the famously stunning long distance coastal footpath that is gaining in popularity with walkers and trekkers following the publication of the ‘Lycian Way Guide’ by Kate Clow.

It is unusual to find a really good walking route close to the coast and I have been checking out the tour operators offering vacations to explore the Lycian Way. Because the route is well marked there are plenty of self guided walking holidays in Turkey on offer. This is a good idea if you prefer not to be in a group of fellow walkers for the entire vacation! The arrangements for a self guided walking holiday usually include transport to the first night’s hotel or pension, luggage transfers and all meals. Some itineraries take you to a different location every night, others stay at certain hotels for two nights during the week.

At the end of your week trekking, you will usually spend the final night in the Old Town of Antalya, where you are a short ride from the airport.

The route snakes along a dramatic coastline to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, now known as Mt Tahtali. For more energetic trekkers the highlight of the trip is the chance to climb Mount Tahtali (2388m), with superb views along the coast from the summit ridge. After your success in conquering the mountain The descent is through shady, wooded valleys, with the opportunity to visit the ruins of Olympos. At Cirali you will find one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on this coast. Cirali beach consists of two miles of soft sand where the azure ocean water laps at your feet. This is definitely worth taking time to rest and sunbathe.

The next day the Lycian Way route takes you to Adrasan, followed by the culmination of the trip - the walk from the coastal resort and farming village of Adrasan along the cliffs and coves to Cape Gelidonia.  There are small pensions and hotels along the route that are benefiting from the increase in visitors. For the moment a self guided walking holiday on the Lycian way meets almost all the requirements of an eco holiday, as you are a part of the local landscape supporting the local economy.  The upside is that you should be able to spend a week on the Lycian Way without seeing any huge package tour hotels.

Walksworldwide (01524 242000, walksworldwide.com) offer walking holidays covering the best of the Lycian Way from Camyuva to Cape Gelidonia. From £425 FB excluding flights

On Foot Holidays (01722 322652, onfootholidays.co.uk ) A fairly challenging seven-night itinerary along the Lycian Way.From £620 HB excluding flights

World Walks (01242 254353, worldwalks.com ) Walks in the Lycian Way. From £378 HB excluding flights

If you like a reasonable level of home comforts on your walking holiday, the companies above offer luggage transfers so you only need to carry your lunch, drinks and camera during the walks. You stay in Hotels or Guest Houses with ensuite facilities. NOT ALL companies offer this! Many trekking holidays to the Lycian Way involve use of sleeping bags (!), carrying all your luggage with you, and extra payments for transport. I travelled on a Ramblers Walking Holiday once, and they charged  for “local transport costs” - an extra £45 per week. The hotel was dismal and cold! Ramblers do not charge any less than the other operators reviewed here so if you do not want to rough it on your walking holiday, start with the companies reviewed here.

If you are a single person a walking holiday is one of your best vacation options. The best singles holiday operators charge no single room supplement, which could otherwise cost you more than £20 a night. I have been on two walking holidays with Solos (solosholidays.co.uk) and their itineraries are excellent for single travellers. Solos do not offer a walking trip to the Lycian Way, but they do have a Turkey multi activity holiday. Solitair (solitairhols.co.uk) have a programme featuring the Lycian Way. Prices start from £699 Full Board - flights included.

Read more »

Tags: adventure holidays, singles holidays, Turkey holidays

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With the present unrest, travellers are wondering which parts of Sri Lanka are safe to visit. Goverment forces are pursuing the Tamil Tigers in the Jaffna, Mannar, Welioya, and Vavuniya regions, so it is best to avoid those areas. The rest of the island is still just as beautiful. Sri Lanka is known as A Land Like No Other, and this island continues to entice anyone seeking a vacation on a lush green tropical paradise.

Long before Marco Polo declared Sri Lanka the finest island of its size, this beautiful country found its way into Greek, Egyptian and Indian literature, where it was known as Taprobane, Serendib or Lanka. The Sri Lanka mystique perseveres, unfurling before the senses as soon you arrive: the heavy warm air, the rich green foliage, the luxuriant swirls of the Sinhalese alphabet, the multicoloured Buddhist flags, and the kaleidoscope of saris, fruits, jewellery and spices on display in the markets. A visit to this gem of an island will leave you with memories that endure all your life.

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To find the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday you have to look at the type of festival you want to see. There are hundreds of Festivals all year round and choosing just ten may be a hard thing to do but here are some you might want to consider.

San Fermin and Oktoberfest are on the list due to their variety of events and of course popularity, with their nomad marriage festivals, and camel wrestling. Next is the San Fermin, in Pamplona, Spain, this is where the yearly bull running takes place in July. Then we have the Cannes film festival, in France this festival is held in May and filled with stars and wannabes, better-dressed tourists, photographers and yacht owners. There are plenty of free movies, aperitifs, and more for all to enjoy.

On the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday is Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil if you want to be with the King of Carnival then this is where you have to be. It is a four-day celebration of Lent and a great place to dance, sing, and enjoy plenty of fun activities. If you want to be a part of this celebration then just grab a samba costume, and dance away.

We of course have the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage celebration, in the United States in the months of May and June on the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday. Here there is a gathering of bands from New Orleans that all play in the same location. Whilst listening to music, there is food and flavous of the Deep South to enjoy.

Another location on the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday is Calgary Stampede, Canada. Here you will live and experience the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” which is held every July. This 10-day event includes concerts, rodeos, chuck wagon races, agricultural competitions, and pancake breakfasts.

There is also the Cure Salée festival, in Ingal, Niger. Here you will see the marriage festival among the Tuareg and Wodaabe nomads. This allows the young women to choose the man they would want. The men on the other hand line dance and roll their eyes at the ladies. This September event has camel riders, music, races, songs, dances and storytelling.

It is impossible to ignore the Abu Simbel festival, in Egypt; this had made it on the Top 10 festivals to visit on holiday due to the unique meaning and start-up behind it. This marks the anniversary of Ramses II rise to the throne on his birthday. You will find that crowds of people have come to this event twice a year on February 22 and October 22. This event also made it into an Indiana Jones rv movie.

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Tags: cheap package holidays, india, Spain

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Here is some information on the current Swine Flu outbreak that has affected Mexico, the United States, New Zealand, Scotland and Israel so far.

If you are about to take a vacation you will be very concerned to find out the facts about Swine Flu and any precautions you should take to protect yourself.

1. Swine Flu has been known since 1976, when it began among members of the US army stationed at Fort Dix. One soldier died within a day of the first symptoms. The latest outbreak is a new form of the Swine Flu virus, combining genetic material from pigs, birds and humans in a way that has not happened before.

2. The mortality rate for Swine Flu is ten per cent if there are no complications or existing conditions that can make the effects more severe.

3. So far in Mexico there have been 1000+ people affected, and at least 150 have died. As of 29 April there have been no deaths from Swine Flu outside Mexico. Symptoms of those infected in other countries have been mild, leading doctors to believe there may be additional factors in Mexico that have caused the illness to be more severe there.

4. Students returning to New Zealand from Mexico have reported flu like symptoms but none of them has been identified as suffering from Swine Flu so far. The United States, Canada and the European Union are telling people to avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. Holidaymakers already in Mexico are returning home early as a result of the Swine Flu outbreak.

5. In the United States there have been 20 confirmed cases of Swine Flu, and 6 in Canada. There have been no deaths from Swine Flu in these countries so far. Anyone who received flu vaccinations in the US last winter will have some protection against swine flu. In Scotland a couple who spent their Honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico, are recovering in hospital from suspected Swine Flu. Other countries where there have been confirmed cases of H1N1 include New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Germany & Costa Rica.

6. The World Health Organisation has classified the situation as a formal public health emergency of international concern. It says that a pandemic - a global outbreak of a serious new illness - is still not yet inevitable. However the WHO warns all countries to prepare for the worst, especially poorer developing nations.

7. If you are affected by Flu symptoms you should not go to hospital or a medical centre as this simply spreads the infection. Instead, call the local health authorities to obtain treatment with Tamiflu or Relenza, which are helpful in combating the Swine Flu virus.

Tags: swine flu

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