Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Other Local Resorts & Areas => Olu Deniz Discussion Forum => Topic started by: jonjac on September 29, 2007, 17:35:27 PM

Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: jonjac on September 29, 2007, 17:35:27 PM
Hi Everyone,

We've decided to change our 'usual' canarian Holiday destination for our 2008 Hols and would appreciate some advice.
Which resort is best for a couple in their 40's (just) with 2 young kids (12/14).

A bit about us

- we liked Altinkum but hated Marmaris
- dad + eldest daughter like snorkling
- mum + youngest daughter like beach+paddling
- no-one into jetskis or anything 'too' energetic but would like something like a water park for kids
- mum+dad like some 'unspoilt'/'tradition' sights + tours but like the comfort of good resturants etc
- we like some nightly entertainment but hate places like blackpool or extreme touristy.

We know its a lot to ask thats why we've come to the experts/ the epople who live there so should know best
Thanks for any info.
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: loz on September 29, 2007, 18:34:33 PM
Here we go, time to uset the Calis(ites)...lol

Olu Deniz ticks all the boxes.

Snorkelling in the blue lagoon,great fun, plenty to see,  can even safely take a pedalo out on the lagoon, Dad and Daughter snorkell Mum and others lap up the scenery and have fun boating.

very very safe for paddling in the lagoon, soft sandy beach, (unless you take the Nature Reserve point, still fantastic.   The actual main beach at Olu deniz is stoney, but much much cleaner than Calis.  By this is it one of the better kept beaches in the area.  

A short bus ride to Hisaronu (5 min tops) is a small Aqua Park.

Restaurants, you cant go wrong in Calis, Fethiye, Hisaronu or Olu Deniz, you will be spoilt for choice.

Now to upset the Hisaronu(noo noo's). if you like night life but not Blackpool, Stay in Olu Deniz, and don't venture into Hisaronu at night (you guessed, not my favourite place).  All hotels in Olu Deniz give very good entertainment.

(no bias here, I live near to Calis Beach)
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: Twin Bee on September 29, 2007, 23:21:02 PM
Fethiye, Calis or Oule a Deniz will tick most of your boxes. There is not a lot in it as everwhere is so easy to get around. Consider 3 days car hire (about £75) to give you the most flexibility.
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: heather07 on September 30, 2007, 03:35:30 AM
Calis has some really nice hotels and restuarants.  There is a waterpark and would give you a quiet holiday.  Trips can be arranged with tour guys.  great for a lazy holiday.
Hisaronu has some great restuarants and bars. It also has a water park. It is definately livelier than Calis.  We stayed there for several years.  Our routine was Off to Olu denis or a trip.  Changed, dinner then a wander round the shops or just a stroll up and down the street, then back to the hotel where there was always something going on in the bar.
I like Hisaronu for the shops. It is easy to escape the tackier side by choosing a nice hotel that has a quieter atmosphere.
"Holidays uncovered" have reviews on most of the hotels.  Or for peace a villa??
If you like site seeing and exercise take a walk from Hisaronu to Kaya village. Lovely walk through a pine forest.  That can also be done on Horseback and I believe Quad bikes.  Loads of boat trips from Olu Denis and Fethiye.  Dolmus buses to all Olu, Kaya,Fethiyeand Calis.
I have never stayed in Olu Denis but when I first booked for Turkey that was my first choice and I was advised that as I am not great with heat that Hisaronu being higher up the mountain is a bit more comfortable heat wise.  
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: Eric on September 30, 2007, 08:05:15 AM
I would recomend Olu Deniz as well as it ticks all of the boxes.
Had many years of great holidays there but if you do not like loud night life avoid Hisaranou.
Fi
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: sue mac on September 30, 2007, 19:48:25 PM
olu
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: Cavfan on October 01, 2007, 08:30:34 AM
Agree with Loz- Olu defo ticks all the boxes. Basically Calis is a long strip of shingle beach lined by bars and restaurants. Its never packed it closes at 12 on the prom with a couple of minor exceptions and if you want more lively bars you need to walk over a bridge which is almost ready to collapse.
On the other hand- the sunsets are fantastic the breeze a Godsend and the people warm and welcoming. You pays your money, you takes your choice!
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: jonjac on October 01, 2007, 19:23:28 PM
Thanks everyone, the wife likes the sound of Olu Denize,

Any places to avoid or any places to aim for (hotel wise)
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: loz on October 01, 2007, 20:12:49 PM
the following link was first posted by Kayakoyoldboy, this interactive map will help you chosing your hotel.  The only problem with the map, when you hold the mouse over a hotel it appears in the top right corner, my screen is not that big and I tend to lose the image.

http://www.oludenizmap.com/map.html

My personal favourite (before it went all-incl) was the beach front hotel "Belcekiz Beach"  

Not all hotels are on the map, but it gives you a fair choice.
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: jonjac on October 07, 2007, 08:33:20 AM
What a fantastic map !!!
WOW - i wish we'd seen this before -

Why have you lot been hiding this place - silly question

Next stop - holiday booking form  :)
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: davidzz on October 09, 2007, 12:01:14 PM
I would agree on Oludeniz as a great place for a holiday but you could always choose Ovacik, which is near Hisaronu, for your accomodation.It is quiet and relaxing great for walks or lazing around but also well positioned for getting to Oludeniz beach,Fethiye town ,Kayakoy village etc.
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: pookie on October 09, 2007, 12:37:41 PM
From a parent of a 14 year old, to another - def Olu region.  SO much for the whole family.  It can be a bit noisy in the evenings, but not even in the same league as Marmaris.  (Take Marmaris and reduce by 80%, add atmosphere, amazing scenery, lovely people and just a few shops - magic !).  My daughter and her friends love it.  Sports galore too.  In fact, thinking about it, you should use Marmaris and Olu Deniz in the same sentence !  We recently picked up some friends who were staying in Marmaris about bought them to Olu for a couple of days, and they didn't want to go back !!  Can't recommend it enough.  Have fun  8)
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: pookie on October 09, 2007, 12:40:27 PM
sorry, just read my reply above - total gibberish !  What I meant to say, was don't say Olu and marmaris in the same sentence !  sorry.
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: jonjac on October 09, 2007, 19:04:47 PM
We have to admit we were really dissapointed with Marmaris and if we hadn't visited Altinkum a couple of years before we wouldn't have visited turkey again, the photo / map on the above link really has shown us somewhere new.
Would I be right in assuming that the 'shopping' is in the larger town behind olu deniz (Hisaronu) as the wife needs her holiday therapy as well  :)
Sorry for being a nusance everyone, but you are being very helpful.

POOKIE - where is noisey in the evenings - is that down to hotel entertainment or pubs / kareoke bars (sorry for the language) and is it restricted to one area of olu denize
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: pookie on October 10, 2007, 07:42:44 AM
Jonjac  - when I say noisy, I compare it to Uzumlu - very very quiet and nothing moves apart from the wildlife !  There is a pedestrianised area, which is lined by shops and bars (but not many) and there are bars that face onto the beach.  Some can pump out loud music some evenings - but pick your time of year and you shouldn't get disturbed.  Some of the nicer hotels are set behind this strip and further away from the main beach areas.  But don't be put off - as I said previously, it is nothing like Marmaris.  It has a much nicer feel and is tiny in comparison.  Hisaronu, I would say, is much noiser at night with lots of bars and clubs.  Ovacik is next village along.  By what you say, I think you'd quite like Kaya, which is very traditional, quiet, peaceful, some lovely restaurants in walking distance, and nestled in easy distance to Fethiye, Olu, Gemilar and lots of nice places.  If you visited Kaya you would see the real Turkey and never want go any where else !  Have fun.
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: Cavfan on October 12, 2007, 14:49:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jonjac


Would I be right in assuming that the 'shopping' is in the larger town behind olu deniz (Hisaronu) as the wife needs her holiday therapy as well  :)




There are plenty of shops in Olu- the main drag runs through out the resort from front( sea) to back (mountain). if you look at the green pin- the Buzz beach bar- there is a road that runs almost next to it and its full of shops ! Although you do have the option of getting a bus to Hisaronu or even being completely intrepid and venturing into Fethiye!
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: doll on October 13, 2007, 08:45:40 AM
olu deniz is lovely and one of the most photographed beaches in the world
calis is very small but has a shingle/pebble beach but lots going on,
fethiye is the town centre and boat trips and the harbour are good.
both are cheaper than olu deniz
if you stay at olu you could go to fethiye and catch the water taxi to calis for a look around
its very cheap only 2 -2 1/2tl and see the places for yourselves.
enjoy your holiday,the turkish people are the most friendlest people in the world.
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: jonjac on October 13, 2007, 13:02:14 PM
Flippin eck - -
we had decided on Oul denize, now we have a choice of Uzumlu, olu Gemilar, Kaya, Fethiye as well as our other choices of Calis or returning to Altinkum- - -normally having my plans changes i'd have thrown my teddy outta the pram - -but it looks like my holiday destination have been choosen for the next 4 0r 5 years LOL, just got to wait untill the company i work for publish holiday lists for next year, then its off to the travell agents . . .

UNLESS

anyone knows of cheap holiday flights or charter flights around July Aug so we can book a villa etc - i know i'm pushing things but i'd rather give money to someone with a villa rather than a company with a hotel
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: davidzz on October 13, 2007, 17:53:32 PM
Hi jon+jackie, we too are in our early 40's and have 2 children, 12 and 14 years, so know what its like, we have been visiting the area for many years.If you still need info about renting a villa please e-mail us through our profile.

David and Jill
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: sue mac on October 14, 2007, 17:53:56 PM
You could not go wrong renting a villa or apartment in Ovacik.  It is quieter than Hisaronu, but ideally situated for visiting all of your mentioned areas. we have two young children, and chose to buy in Ovacik for all of the above reasons. we have peaceful days amidst stunning scenery, then down into Hisaronu or Olu for livlier nights or to chill out on the beach puffies.  Kaya can be reached by dolmus, or most of the restaurants will send transport to pick you up if you wish to eat down there (personally our favourite restaurants are in Kaya).  Ovacik also has a small waterpark for the kids. again, email me through my profile if you want any more info on renting. (Personally think Uzumlu is too quiet and too far away from beaches for kids, and although I will be hated for saying this, I never was very impressed by Calis - not as pretty as being up in the mountain!!)  we always find that January is the best month for catching bargains with Thomas Cook or Thomsons, but have booked all of our flights for next year through Aegeanflights.com, as they were unblievably cheap if you book way in advance. already doubled in price.
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: jonjac on October 14, 2007, 19:24:18 PM
January ? - everything i have read say that the tourist season 'starts' around June  and ends in October, so i've never dreamed about going outside these times - However, my eldest daughter is type 1 diabetic so she has a hard enough time without taking her out of school, so we really have to look for holidays during the school holidays even though it is much more expensive :( . Anyway, the heat and sun of the hotter times of the year really do her the world of good as her insulin needs really drop - sometimes by as much as 90% and if you think she has up to 8 injections a day with 2 types of insulin you can see the benefits. we have even considered moving to somewhere warm but that'll be quite a few years off yet when Turkeys Manufacturing/Industry wants the likes of Quality System engineers . Thank You for all your help everyone, if i have anymore questions i'll be sure to write and ask.
We'll have a look at the price of flights and poss be in touch regading the villas - Thanks again
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: sue mac on November 14, 2007, 20:06:47 PM
sorry, I meant January is the best time for trawling the websites for bargains for the summer!! We have got all of our flights in January when we've gone during whit week and summer hols through Thomson and Thomas Cook. May is a beautiful time to go - and this year we went out for the last week of April and it was near perfect (chilly at night though).
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: Steve B on November 14, 2007, 20:57:05 PM
Yep, I would say Olu Deniz would suit you guys. A few years back now we stayed in the Flamingo Hotel and I would say it would fit the bill perfectly based on your family's requirements. There is so much to do around the whole of this area, I'm sure you will have a great time anyway, even if you stayed in Calis, Fethiye or Olu Deniz.
Title: Calis, fethyie or Olu Denize- advice Pls
Post by: Sharonc on March 17, 2008, 18:55:45 PM
Hope you managed to find somewhere in Olu.  Its a stunning place - beautiful scenery and beautiful people.  I've been there 11 times and set to go again this summer.  We stay at Magic Tulip Beach Hotel (not to be confused with Magic Tulip which is nowhere near as good) which is just off the prom and on the middle street (will make sense when you see it - three main streets running down to beach).  Another good hotel is Belcehan Beach (not Belcehan Deluxe - no way!)  But most hotels are good, but check holidays uncovered and holidays exposed for reviews.  

You'll love it - can't wait til its our turn to go! :D