Activities and Excursions in

Hi Matze!

It is understandable that flexibility in planning your vacation activities is particularly important, especially when unforeseen circumstances could lead to plans needing to be changed or canceled. Regarding tours and activities in Turkey, cancellation policies vary greatly depending on the provider, type of tour, and even the timing of booking. Some general points to consider:

1. Flexible booking platforms: There are several online travel agencies and platforms that offer a variety of tours and activities with flexible cancellation policies. Websites like *****, ***** or ***** often provide options that can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours before the activity starts. It is important to read the specific cancellation policies for each tour carefully, as these may vary.

2. Direct booking with local providers: Some local excursion providers may offer flexible cancellation policies as part of their customer service, especially in current times to remain competitive. It can be helpful to inquire directly with the company whether they offer special arrangements or are willing to show leniency in certain cases.

3. Travel insurance: Another option to protect against cancellation fees is to purchase travel insurance that covers cancellation costs. Many travel insurances offer protection in case of cancellations for valid reasons (such as illness or urgent family matters). It is important to carefully review the insurance conditions to ensure that it meets your needs.

4. Look for providers without cancellation fees: Although it is less common to find providers that do not charge cancellation fees at all, there are companies that use this as part of their marketing approach to attract more customers. However, these offers are often limited to special promotions or specific conditions.

When searching for the right provider, it is advisable to check the cancellation policies directly on the providers websites or through travel platforms. Contact customer service to clarify the flexibility and possible exceptions. It can also be helpful to research reviews and experiences of other travelers to find out how lenient different providers are with cancellations.

Best regards, Carlo

Hello,

So far, I have always booked my excursions directly with the tour guide. In two weeks, my trip to Side is coming up. Many here report that excursions on-site are significantly cheaper. However, I have had concerns about booking with a local provider. Is my booking with a local provider as secure as with a tour operator?

Hello,

Until now, we have always booked our excursions through our tour guide. However, this time, we are considering booking through local providers to save some money. We are just a bit skeptical about whether everything will run smoothly. Perhaps someone can recommend local providers that are good in Colakli-Evrenseki.

Thank you in advance!

Best regards, Manu

From Alanya to Dim Cay, it's only a few kilometers, while the distance to Antalya is about 200 km.

You'll need to check the available excursions in Alanya and their prices locally. Costs can vary depending on the season, with some trips possibly offered at particularly low prices during the winter.

For the journey to Antalya, not only dolmuses may be available, but there might also be buses. There could also be dolmus connections to the Dim Valley, known as a recreational area for Alanya. I also recommend visiting the Dim Cave, a beautiful stalactite cave.

Finally, I can recommend the following excursion for you: "Alaaddins Alanya", where you can have everything in one and explore everything in a single day. Alaaddins Alanya can be booked in Side and Alanya.

I wish you a relaxing vacation!

Warm regards, Willi

Hello Farian,

Since I have been creating, organizing, and selling excursions and activities for major tour operators for many years, and even previously worked as a certified tour guide personally accompanying excursions, I couldn't resist answering questions on this topic.

Travelers should not only focus on the price tag when choosing excursions but also consider the content and references.

Therefore, the following quote fits like a glove:

"Cheap is not inexpensive but expensive when said quality fails."

(Willie Benzen, German writer)

Best regards

Mehmet

Hello,

During my last vacation in Side Evrenseki, I booked a trip to Alanya with Milo's. The young man approached us during our walk and asked if we would like to join a tour. He managed to convince us to take the trip to Alanya :)

We paid 29 euros per person. If we had booked with our hotel organizer, we would have had to pay 59 euros. During the excursion, we realized that lunch, the cable car ride to the castle hill in Alanya, and the entrance to the Dim Cave were not included, and we had to pay these fees to the tour guide on-site. That seemed to account for the price difference. In the end, we ended up paying more :))

The next day, I went to Milo's Excursions and wanted to complain to the young man who persuaded us to take this tour. Well, as you might have imagined, he denied everything. He claimed to have told us these details, etc., etc... :))

Hello Sheilo,
I regularly vacation in Side Evrenseki and always book with the local tour operator Hasan's Wishing Well. They have their own boat, with which I often take a Blue Voyage from Side. It's half the price compared to the big tour operators. Of course, one can be taken advantage of by some, just like back home. But as Mehmet also mentioned, references are very important when it comes to excursions. And I can only recommend this.

Best regards

Hello,

It's me again ;)

Everyone has their own opinion. Of course, everyone has the right to price research and the desire to buy high-quality services or products as affordably as possible. But before, for example, booking a Blue Voyage, I would like to ask you to consider the following questions.
1. Are hygiene rules followed in the kitchen during meals?
2. Are hygiene regulations observed in the sanitary areas?
3. Is the food sufficient and tasty?
4. Does the agency selling you the tour have liability insurance?
5. Are there cancellation conditions? How does the refund work if, for any reason, you cannot participate in the tour?
6. Do you have to go to the boat on your own, or is the transfer taken care of by the respective agency?
7. If the transfer is taken care of by the organization, what is the condition of the vehicle that will transport you?
8. How is the safety of the boat, what precautions are taken during the tour, and what is the maintenance condition of the boat?
9. Does the person or organization organizing the boat tour grant employee rights, and is the staff insured according to local laws?
10. Does the organization respect human and animal rights?
11. Does the organization adhere to fair and honest trading rules?
12. Does the organization implement green and nature-conserving measures, and are they sustainable?
13. When I board the boat, are there more customers than it can accommodate?
14. Could there be inconveniences due to overcrowding during the boat tour?
15. Can I be stressed by loud music?
16. Does the boat captain have a license, and is the boat registered?
17. Are there enough life jackets on the boat?
18. If the boat tour does not match the description or you are not satisfied, can you find the agency or person you bought it from to file a complaint or get your money back?
19. From whom do you receive a refund in case of a complaint?

These are the things that came to my mind in a short time :))
Given these questions you should ask before booking any excursion, I hope you understand how price differences can arise between tour operators and local providers.

Best regards and have a great stay

Mehmet

Hello,

I prefer to book all excursions in Side, Belek, Antalya, or Alanya through the tour operator, as there is at least a recourse claim. With local providers on the street, I am uncertain about the quality and also have no recourse in case of unforeseen incidents. If I have already booked a package tour through an organizer, it is advisable to organize excursions on-site through the representative of the tour operator and not resort to a random street vendor.

(It should be noted that there are indeed reputable street vendors, but they are rather rare.)

Dear Kaspar,

I can understand your skepticism towards these excursions, but I also fully appreciate the organizers who offer these shopping trips while demonstrating complete transparency, openly and honestly acknowledging the fact that they include visits to shopping centers. And that, for me, is the crucial point.
I have participated in these excursions several times. One of them, for example, was a trip to Antalya, "Antalya by Land and Sea," through FTI. I booked it not because it was cheap (by the way, it cost 49 Euros last summer, not 5 Euros), but because it was comfortable and very informative. Only one center (Gold Factory) was visited, not two, as it used to be.
In short, I can highly recommend such a trip, for example, to Antalya. Additionally, the tour guide on the bus and everything he shares is invaluable. I always had good luck with the tour guides.
As mentioned, it's entirely understandable that you are willing to spend a bit more to ensure a high-quality and enjoyable experience. Other travelers might benefit from the budget-friendly offers, creating a variety of interests within the travel group.
I hope you find the excursions you're looking for and wish you a wonderful vacation.

Best regards, Anton

Hi Moni,

The farmers' market in Manavgat takes place on Mondays and Thursdays, each at different locations. On Monday, it's located behind the bridge, and on Thursday, it's in front of the bridge on the right side. The bridge should serve as your reference point :)  You can take the dolmus, but then it's a quite long walk. With children in the heat, the long walk can be exhausting. An alternative would be to book a trip to Manavgat with a tour operator who includes the farmers' market in the program. This excursion usually includes a boat trip on the Manavgat River to the estuary, lunch, swimming breaks, and a visit to the Manavgat Waterfall. Most tour operators also make a stop at a large textile wholesaler called Dikman Textil, located near the Manavgat Waterfall. By the way, I can also recommend Dikman Textil; they pick you up from the hotel by arrangement and take you back. Hard to believe, but the store is as large as two football fields; as far as the eye can see. I have traveled a lot in the world, but I have never seen so much choice of textiles under one roof.

Back to our topic of the farmers' market ;) The range of goods here is also huge, but about 90% of the clothing is counterfeit. You have to look closely to find good quality. Bargaining is always advisable. If 40 euros are demanded, you can often negotiate down to 20 euros. If the seller doesn't budge, walking away can help. With good weather, you can easily spend 4 hours there.

Hello Fridolina,

The Pirate Excursion from Side is just right for you. I won't mention a specific tour operator, but pay attention to the factors listed by Mehmet below. By the way, excellent guidance from him.

Furthermore, the excursion to the aquarium in Antalya is also good. You will see a lot of the city of Antalya, but inquire locally if this excursion includes a visit to a shop or not. Such a stop can be stressful with young children. On the other hand, spending an hour in a jewelry factory might be manageable, as they usually have a cafeteria where you can sit with the children.

However, I would like to recommend an excellent excursion for you. Mountain Warrior from Alanya, Side, Belek, and Antalya, as far as I know. I took this excursion last year, and it is exclusively offered by travelassistant24 and its parent company, Meeting Point. I recommend it to everyone, and it is also suitable for families with children.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful vacation in advance.

Casimiro

Hello both of you :)

I participated in Mountain Warriors from Side twice within one week last summer :)) Unforgettable experience with breathtaking mountain scenery, great food, and fantastic tour guides...

Marco

Thank you for your appreciation, dear Casimiro.

By the way, you can learn more about the Mountain Warriors excursion and even book it through this link: https://www.travelassistant24.com/tours/MOUNTAIN-WARRIORS-from-side. @Fridolina

Hi Nino,

While I may not know the extent of your enthusiasm, I assume you're not among the daring individuals who race down the mountain at 120 kilometers per hour :) There is an impressive selection of outdoor, adventure, nature, and trekking tours in the holiday resorts of Side, Alanya, Belek, or Antalya and Lara. You can find more information about these tours on Travelassistant24: Side, Alanya, Belek, Antalya.

I can recommend one of these excursions based on my own positive experience: Mountain Warriors. This excursion involves a day of off-road driving in all-terrain vehicles through the natural landscape of the Taurus Mountains, followed by a thrilling white-water rafting experience on the Köprülü River.

Best regards.

Hello Dania,

Last year, I was in Side Kumköy, and we also flew with FTI. On-site, we booked the excursion "Green Paradise" through FTI. You travel across a huge reservoir, which is truly impressive. Lunch was included, and there are two stops to swim in the wonderfully cool and very clean freshwater. It was really cool.

Then I can also recommend a trip to Alanya, "Alaaddins Alanya". I booked it through FTI and had a good experience with it. 

Cable car ride up to the castle hill of Alanya. Visit to the Seljuk Shipyard of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat. Explore the city on your own, then lunch at Dimçay, visit the Dim or Damlataş Cave, one of the largest publicly accessible stalactite caves in Turkey. After that, a boat trip to Cleopatra Bay, famous for its clear water.

Best regards, Tommy

Hello Dania,

I can recommend the excursion Green Paradise. It costs around 69 euros and was only offered by Meeting Point last year. I'm not sure if other organizers will offer this excursion next summer, but it's possible.

You will be picked up from the hotel around 8:30 AM, then you'll embark on an adventure with open off-road vehicles through the foothills of the Taurus Mountains to the Oymapinar Dam. From there, you'll enjoy a refreshing boat trip through the steep canyon to the source of the Manavgat River. Along the way, there are swimming breaks, great vibes, and you'll get to see and eat a lot :) Before returning to the hotel, you'll also visit an old sesame mill. By around 5:30 PM, you'll be back at the hotel.

A small tip: The ride can be a bit dusty, so don't wear your best clothes.

Another interesting option is the trip to the gorge in Sapadere near Alanya. It costs around 48 euros, including entrance fees and meals.

To escape the heat on the coast in midsummer, I highly recommend this excursion. The Sapadere Gorge allows you to hike on well-maintained wooden paths through the narrow canyons of the Taurus Mountains, experiencing the impressive nature up close and inhaling the fresh mountain air deeply. In one of the numerous waterfalls cascading over the rocks, the brave ones among you can take a refreshing dip in the icy waters. A visit to the Cüceler Cave (Dwarf Cave) with impressive stalagmites and stalactites completes the experience.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.

Have a wonderful vacation! Best regards, Steffanie

Hello,

Boat trips for day excursions are offered in every tourist destination. Sellers often roam the beaches regularly to promote and sell these trips. However, I generally do not recommend booking, for example, Blue Cruise from street vendors as it can be too risky. I booked with my operator, Bigextra, and was very satisfied with the service. Additionally, having a contact person can be helpful if things don't go as planned.

The excursions are quite enjoyable, depending on personal expectations. Various destinations and beaches are offered, and there is even the possibility of seeing dolphins. Typically, lunch is included in the price, featuring grilled fish, chicken, salads, etc.

We have also taken such trips many times in Marmaris, where it is almost more beautiful due to the numerous coves accessible only by ship.

In any case, it's worth it and provides a pleasant change of pace.

Best regards, Roland

Several years ago, we participated in a Blue Cruise from Alanya. You can make a booking either through your tour guide or with a local provider. We opted for a local provider back then as it was more cost-effective.

The process was as follows: Our journey took us from Alanya to Side. In the morning, you're picked up from your hotel by a bus and taken to the harbor. There, you board one of these motor sailboats, and the entertaining journey begins. With our booking, drinks and meals were included in the all-inclusive package. The route follows the coastline with several swimming stops along the way. Lunch is served with options like fish, pasta, etc.

After the Blue Cruise concludes, you return to the bus and are taken back to your hotel. In our case, the return journey was by bus from Side to Alanya.

Dear Phillipp,

I would recommend a boat trip on the Manavgat River. A wonderful day trip in Side. 

The trip on the boat takes you along the Manavgat River to a narrow sandbank that separates the river from the Mediterranean Sea. There is a great opportunity to swim in the river as well as in the sea 50m away :) After the boat trip, which includes lunch, you can visit the Manvgat waterfall. After that, there is still time to explore the farmer's market in Manavgat.

Departure from the hotel is approximately at 09:00, and the return is around 18:00. The excursion cost €45. We really enjoyed the trip.

Greetings Bruno