Side - pronounced SeeDay just outside Antalya (Holiday Resorts in Antalya in general)

Member Name: Twilight_Rain

Product:	Holiday Resorts in Antalya in general
Date:	04/03/04 (457 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Steeped in history, Great value for money, Great Atmosphere

Disadvantages: None that i found in two weeks

Now I had never been abroad for two weeks before and never lower in the northern hemisphere than Frankfurt. But when my fiancé booked a holiday for us i thought what the hell and we chose Turkey and the south coast. We did not want to visit Bodrum and the other cities with drunken British youths (to be honest I didn't have a choice) so we chose this quaint ancient city steeped in history and culture. So in August 2003 off we went. We arrived in Antalya airport in the early morning and got taken to our hotel in Side which is about 1hr 30mins and 2hrs away form the airport. Park Side hotel just outside Side was our accommodation for the next two weeks so of to our room we went and slept till the next day.
The hotel I thought was fantastic (although the heat did get too much for the air con and we had to hire an extra fan) it was fantastic. Now i hear you saying why was it fantastic...ok here is the rundown...
1. It had a fantastic pool with a children?s pool partitioned off from the main pool.
2. The rooms were BUG FREE...you heard me NO and i mean 0 cockroaches which was fab.
3. The staff were always pleasant, helpful and extremely helpful.
4. The hotel ran a dolmus(small minibus) to a beach they shared with the a few other hotels.
5. The entertainment was varied but some good stuff on some nights.

Now on to the beach. The crystal clear waters and sandy beaches were perfect for catching rays although in August it does get too hot between 11-4...good time for a siesta. They were very clean with little cafes every so often were you could catch some shade or some liquid refreshment. There was also lots of water sport activities offered which were fun and good value for money.

Now on to eating out. Although the hotel dealt out some great nosh it was so cheap that eating out was a pleasure especially in two restaurants we found
1. Mehmets in the Ruins was our favorite place. Imagine sitting at a table with candles flickin
g in a light sea breeze, the sun setting over the sand dunes, you look up and see old stones and architecture all around you and your loved one across the table looking fabulous. The food is great and your hear crickets chirping in the background. Need I say more it was fantastic. The headwaiter or the owner (cant remember) is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Friendly, helpful and extremely caring about his customers he treats you like a member of his own family...Really recomend this place if you go there.
2. The Dragon Inn - Well I travel all that way and what do I find A WELSH restaurant. And being from Wales originally i had to try there roast lamb dinner...yum yum.. This is the place to go if you are missing home.

Now to Side itself. What a place..from the streets which are just markets and shops to the bars over looking the sea and harbor walls to Apollo's temple which i have to say ids one of the most magnificent sights at sun set...the sun sets between the pillars. The amphitheatre and museum are fantastic, I pretended i was a gladiator in my mind ...yea I know I am sad.
This place needs to be seen to believe and there are websites where you can see the beauty of this land. The nightlife is centered on one club but many bars and seeing as nowhere closes until 4 in the morning you can stay out as long as you want.

While there we went to see waterfalls, roman cities and on the last day we spent it in a water park.

The value for money and the friendly people make this the best holiday ever and i will go back on day. Leather goods and clothes are great value and even better if you haggle although be warned do not by toiletries as it will be water...

Really recommend Side as a holiday destination has both nightlife and history and is just fantastic.

Summary: