Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Introduce Yourself => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: Alan McKean on February 18, 2014, 20:42:49 PM
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Hello, we are Alan and Sarah, visiting for a week mid April 12th -17th, with two teenage boys.
We holidayed in Calis 3 years ago and loved it but too hot for us in July.
Am a little worried from reading some posts that restaurants may be closed, swimming pools empty and no water taxi's running. Can anyone reassure us that there will be other tourists apart from us?
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Hi Alan
We were there last April for a week - definitely no water taxi I'm afraid :(
It's still too cold for pools too. There's enough of everything open in Calis and Fethiye will be pretty much fully open. It's a nice time to visit, quieter, people have more time to sit and chat, and it isn't punishingly hot like you said about July. Weather will be "variable" :)
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I think April is too early for getting the best out of Calis, many bars, restaurants getting ready to open late May. We holidayed in Turkey in May a few years ago and there were lots of painting, decorating going on, we would not consider holidaying in Calis before the end of May. Late May, early June is the best time to be there avoiding the massively high temperatures, but having some sunshine. Otherwise September/October when the sea temp. is at its highest.
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Agree with Echogirl, End of May or September the best times to come when it's not too hot. We never come in July or August. However, I suppose it's difficult if you have children of school age. Catch 22 really. Nothing much happening and not a lot open in mid April when kids are off school and far too hot in July.
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I disagree with both of you :D
April is lovely - there's enough open, the plants and flowers are starting to bloom rather than wither, the pace is easy and the weather makes plenty of good days followed by atmospheric dinners in restaurants with lovely fires raging. Definitely not too early.
And if that doesn't sell it I don't know what will :)
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Yes, but Alan wants the water taxi and full pools and probably warm sea.. In fact a hot holiday resort. He can sit in front of the fire at home in Britain.. In fact Scotland is nice in April...now if that does not sell it etc., .... ;D :P
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I'm not arguing that Alan will get all or any of that - my point is that it still has plenty to offer. If temperature is all it's about then they might as well close the Alps :D
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I will know better next year Inshallah and will be back with my report on Calis in April.
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You have advised against visiting Calis in April but are yet to experience Calis in April?
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We love it in April, even March, it's so fresh and everything is awakening and promising. New blossoms, time to chat and laugh with staff in restaurants, no stuffed dolmus. The weather us perfect for us, hot days but not scorching - yet cool, comfortable nights. You can still snuggle up! I love the end of year too in October/ November but it has a more tired but relaxed feeling. Love those times, I really couldn't bear July or August heat.
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That's what I said Lotty :D
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Great minds. ;)x
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"He can sit in front of the fire at home in Britain In fact Scotland is nice in April...now if that does not sell it etc., .... ;D :P
Of course he can Jacqui but he would not have the company of the wonderful Cali's locals.
PS Scotland is "nice" at any time of the year as you "immigrants" know only full we'll :)
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Lotty, where can I try the 'stuffed dolmus'? Is it a 'Meeting Point' speciality?
I'm a fan of the region in January and February, never mind April. Depends what you are looking for from your holiday of course.
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Menthol, the 'stuffed Dolmus' can be found in many areas of Fethiye, if you just stand at the side of the road you will catch one in no time, no need to order.
A warning though, they can at times resemble sardine tins, the mixture of odours inside can be 'interesting' and the contents varied, with a mixture of 2 & 4 legged meats crammed inside. :)
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You have advised against visiting Calis in April but are yet to experience Calis in April?
We love Calis and will look forward to staying there off season, but I am advising a person who has been once in July and probably expected it to be the same in April from the point of view of a full lively holiday for two children. Us Calis lovers would be happy at a quieter time, but for a family looking for a similar holiday to the one they took in July they may not be as happy as us regulars.
Alan has expressed concerns that the Water Taxi will not be running the Swimming Pools will be empty and some restaurants closed. This is all true. So no matter how us romantic Calis lovers say they really like our resort at a quiet time, I don't think Alan is looking for this sort of recommendation.
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April is actually our favorite time of year. It is quiet, the air is clear and as scunner said, the scenery is at its most picturesque. Days are often warm enough for beach...and ideal walking, biking weather. It is still too cold for pools, but there are plenty of other things to be doing - even with teenage children. Perfick :)
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I love Fethiye in April but I think 2 teenage boys will be bored without a pool etc
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April is a lovely time of year to visit although the weather can still be a little unpredictable but assuming it is sunny the beach will be perfect.
The water taxi may not be running but the Dolmuş will be.
Kaya is wonderful to visit in April when spring flowers are in abundance.
In Fethiye, just a short Dolmuş ride away, and Kaya there will be plenty of restaurants open and even in Çaliş there will be enough open to satisfy most people.
Also it is easy enough and far cheaper to use the local Dolmuş to visit places like Saklıkent.
I am surprised to hear some say that in May many restaurants aren't open. The season officially starts at the beginning of May and the majority of 'season only' places are normally open by then.
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Goodness, what a lively debate we have started. Really good to read all your posts and differing views on April in Calis, thank you. Yes, we have had to stick to Scottish school holidays for younger son but definitely prefer to visit April than July/August. Hope to do a good bit of walking and exploring that seemed impossible in summer heat. Boys will have to fit in with us or slouch around at local cafés looking bored as teenagers often do!
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Menthol and Hamlet, I loved your comments on the stuffed dolmus! Laughed my head off and I need that today. Hilarious & clever responses ;D ;D ;D ;D
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If you like to walk and explore then April is the perfect month.
You can get the Dolmuş to Fethıye and another to Kaya and then walk from Kaya to Ölüdeniz and then get the Dolmuş back to Fethiye from there.
You can also do part of the Lycian walk from the top of Ovacık (starting just past the roundabout where the Dolmuş goes down to Ölüdeniz) to Faralya and again get the Dolmuş back. That would need to be an early start as there are limited buses back and that is a longer walk.
Also walking from Çalış to Fethiye is a pleasant walk now the kordon is all but finished.
And if you fancy hiring a car then there is this useful guide on places to visit just a half or full day out from Fethiye.
http://www.makeholidaysgreener.org.uk/images/media/Turkey_driving_route_booklet_opt.pdf
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You certainly don't need to wait until the end of May to get the best of Calis. We always visit middle two weeks or thereabouts. One or two places still not open when we arrive, but just getting ready to, but majority are open. Water taxi is running by then. Weather can be lovely during the day (just right for walking) and turn just cool enough on an evening to be comfortable to sleep. Plenty of people about but not overcrowded (although you may still have to wait to get a table at The Meeting Point! ;D ;)
Certainly one of our favourite times to come.
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My daughter, son in law and granddaughter visited the last week in April last year and we had the pool filled early for them. They had a great time and the weather was very warm, My Granddaughter was in the pool every day.
We usually go the last week in May and the first two in June. Nice time, quieter, long light nights and no school children on holiday.
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I will be visiting with my 7 year old boy in April, Telmessoss, Koca Calis we plan to do lots of cycling Sunday market Calis, Tuesday market Fethiey (cycle to calis and catch a dolmus). I plan to check out if any of the hotels with Turkish baths have indoor pools for a swim. It will be cool enough to visit one or two sites that are too hot to for us in August, Tilos, Kaya Koy etc. You should be able to have a good time.
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April is a lovely time to visit a nice stroll in to Fethiye where you can enjoy a meal amongst the locals, not many pools if any will be open but if you want the pools then come in June July, but you will miss Calis at a beautiful time of year and as I said plenty of good places in Fethiye to enjoy a relaxing meal.
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I will be visiting with my 7 year old boy in April, Telmessoss, Koca Calis we plan to do lots of cycling Sunday market Calis, Tuesday market Fethiey (cycle to calis and catch a dolmus). I plan to check out if any of the hotels with Turkish baths have indoor pools for a swim. It will be cool enough to visit one or two sites that are too hot to for us in August, Tilos, Kaya Koy etc. You should be able to have a good time.
I think you are going to be unlucky with indoor pools, they tend not to have them in our area. I recall someone saying, a few years ago, there was one in a Ovacik Hotel.
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we came over last week in March a couple of years ago, and loved it as much as we love the summer, but we are easily pleased, sunshine sparkling on the sea, birds singing, flowers etc and excellent walking weather, what's not to love, but different if you need to keep kids/teenagers entertained.
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There's an indoor pool at Sunset Beach I believe.
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I read about that one on T.A. Bluwise, but the people who stayed there were complaining that this pool is not heated it's always cold and a lot of them were really disappointed.
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we will be out april and have been a few times then and got sunburnt for ny cream ,there was enough for us to do
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and got sunburnt for ny cream
??????????????????
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Jackie, do you have a problem with Calis in April? It certainly seems that you do........ ??? ;) ;D ;D ;D
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Maybe Jackie does. :) I don't I am looking forward to being there next April, however, I will not mind it being quiet, sounds like our cup of tea, but unlike the man who asked the original question we will not be taking two kids who will want a swimming pool, a water taxi, everything open and lots to do. ;D ;)
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Why not ask the complex/villa owners where you are staying if the pool will be ready. On our complex it's ready from April, to allow for visitors for the Easter holidays. I'm in Calis at the moment and the weather is lovely and quite a few more restaurants are open on the prom than in previous years.
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As the original people who asked about visiting Calis in April have already booked, it really doesn't matter about our opinions. Lets wait and see what they think when they come back. Its clear that it will be quieter and cooler than in the summer months, but will give them the chance to explore the area and make their own decisions as to future visits. As they are tied to school holidays at this time of their lives and the summer months are too hot (and expensive) April is Calis is better than the UK even if its not all "open".
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Yes, we'll let you know how we get on
Thanks for all the posts, we plan to zip around in the dolmus's and do a bit of walking
Look forward to them being April packed rather than July stuffed...
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Also visiting in April, gives you the opportunity to visit the local restaurants that stay open all year and are not around the beach area. You will find the hosts very pleasant and prices are much lower although the food is probably better as it has to be consistent for them to remain open during the winter and make a profit. So April's holiday will be different from a summer holiday but just as enjoyable I'm sure. Enjoy and we fly out on 15th so may bump into you, who knows.