Claire Healy review 6 Aug 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult to say one thing - the hotel, guide, activities, country - just perfect!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book it!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely - the hotel was family run and we only used small local restaurants and tucked away gems.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic.
Bec Hanley review 15 Jul 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The guides - they were brilliant and made the holiday really special, especially for the 13 year old boy in our party.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It's hot! We went in early July and it was hotter than we expected. Don't forget to take shoes you're prepared to get wet and shorts you're prepared to get very muddy. And hats and sunscreen and mosquito repellent. This is all in the info they send you before you go.
Don't book this holiday unless you want to be active.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes absolutely. The hotel is run by a local family and all of the staff seemed to be from the extended family. The operator is run by a Turkish guy and his English wife, and all of the guides we met lived in the local area.
Perhaps the most impressive thing was their attitude to litter. Sounds minor, but we were really impressed how they picked up other people's litter wherever we went, without making a big deal out of it.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Can't praise the hotel, place or holiday operator highly enough. We took an active 13 year old boy and he loved it.
Kate Vernon-Rees review 24 Apr 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The activities were brilliant particularly for me the white water rafting and for the teenagers the gorge walking day.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book it!! Brilliant value and the best holiday we have ever had. However April was ideal as it was before the tourist season started - I suspect July would not have been as wonderful.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - although possibly the Dalyman was quite touristy.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent in every respect. I cannot recommend this highly enough.
Vanessa Chadwick review 1 Nov 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I went with the assumption that the hiking day would be my favourite, as it is something I always enjoy. However, that probably came in as second from bottom (cycling has never been my thing - although the day was well organised), with the kayaking, canyoning and rafting all vying for top place.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you read the kit list - proper footwear, in particular, is essential. Don't forget the insect repellant (it is on the kit list ...).
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
All the people we met in connection with the holiday were locals. Having made it to the destination, the impact on the environment is minimal: the activities all rely on "people power", and I would guess that we were in a van for no more than 4 hours in the whole week. Our guides also made a policy of collecting any rubbish that they came across in the countryside and taking it back to town for disposal.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The perfect holiday for parents with teenagers, although I have now gone back to work for a rest!
Ania Niedermaier-Reed review 23 Sep 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the activities but especially cannoning.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Choose a wide variety of activities.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
yes, we have visited sme locals and enjoyed amazing hospitality, learned new customs and new vocabulary. We walked everywhere and the car rides were kept to minimum. Except the white water rafting- it was quite far away.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely fabulous: excellent guides, great selection of activities, lovely hotel, yummy food.
Anne Jenkins review 7 Sep 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Canyoning...without a shadow of a doubt. We did our first canyon as one of the
pre booked activities, and loved it so much we booked a second trip. The second
trip involved just under seven hours of hiking, abseilng, clambering, slipping,
sliding, climbing, wading and swimming in the most unbelievably stunning
scenery; all under the watchful, and incredibly knowledgeable eyes of Vedat, our
guide.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be aware that though moderate fitness is all that is required, some of the
activities can be very strenuous, especially in the high temperatures of mid
summer.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Super. We are very glad that we choose to do the activities over two weeks
rather than one, which meant that we had time to relax and take in the vibe of
Dalyan, and we were able, had time, to add the second canyoning trip.
Carolyn Ryan review 2 Sep 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We loved the location of the hotel right on the river and it's spacious grounds, but the best part was the activities, especially the white water rafting with Vedat. The river conditions were great (enough water for some thrills but not too dangerous) and lots of fun with Vedat's humour.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It is very hot in July and August so don't try to do too much - have a rest day in between activities and take plenty of mosquito repellent.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It benefited local people in that it is a Turkish company, employing Turkish guides and using a family run hotel. The guides were very environmentally conscious and collected other people's litter on the way home.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent holiday - very enjoyable and the staff were extremely accommodating, helpful, professional and fun.
Richard Burnard review 31 Aug 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the activities were excellent. Well planned and tailored to our ability. Guide was also excellent.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Enjoy it all - even when you don't think you can take another step/paddle/peddle in the 40 Deg heat!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I hope so. The operator is clearly passionate about the environment. Meeting with local people during activities were spontaneous and interesting to both parties (I hope).
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.
Lesley Reardon review 19 Aug 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The chance to see places and do things that I would not have been able to do without expert guides. Our guides, Engin and Nurdan, were brilliant - very friendly, fun, professional and patient. We went to remote areas where we didn't see anyone else and enjoyed some amazing scenery. We had a laugh and enjoyed their companionship. We felt they were enjoying themselves too, and this made the whole experience more fun for us.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You need to be reasonably fit and able to enjoy levels of activity which at times challenge your fitness, especially in the heat of summer. The activities last most of the day so this is not for people who want to spend lots of time sitting by the pool. It is for people who like lots of variety and get bored easily.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. The holiday employs the services of local people. The small hotel was locally run and we did not at any time feel we were part of a large conglomerate.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Overall it was one of the most enjoyable holidays I have had for many years.
Hilary Fletcher review 20 Jul 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
White water rafting.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check you footwear is suitable for the activity, esp canyoning. Remove all jewellery.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, the operator guides communicated well with locals who enjoyed our cycling though villages. They collected litter whenever possible.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Exceeded our expectations.
Kate Mammone review 5 Sep 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Meeting other, totally different, families with similar ideals and values, and having a great time! The countryside around Dalyan is beautiful, lush and green, and we would never have seen and experienced the local habitat without our guides. Each activity gave us a new slant: the walking, a general overview; the canyoning was exhilarating; the cycling allowed us to see the wider area and find a magical restaurant; the kayaking took us to the mud baths and the rafting was great fun...
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Try to bring some sturdy footwear that can get wet! Also, try to book in a few days of rest and relaxation. The Yunis hotel is one of the most laid back places ever! Beware of the Mozzies....
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I do hope so.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent! With happy kids (who could complain?)
Andrew Gennery review 31 Aug 2009
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult to say - different family members had different ideas! Probably, overall, the canyoning, but rafting was a close second. The guides were great - supportive, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, but also prepared not to get to the end of the river/lake if the family was not up to it (actually we did make it!), which shows that the experience/ability of the family group is carefully assessed, and the activity tailored so that everyone has fun, and it is not an endurance test to 'complete the pre-ordained itinerary'.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It is useful to be reasonably fit to start, rather than using this as an opportunity to get fit. Don't be put off by the activities - they are all achievable! - actually, the brilliant part of this holiday is that it was good for all the family - 17 year old son who has already been canyoning and rafting with the scouts in the summer felt this was better - most activities achieved an 'it was OK' response (17 year olds do not rate anything better than that unless they nearly died) - the 11 year old coped brilliantly with everything. Also take plenty of water on the hike - you cannot take too much - aim for 1 - 1.5 litres per person.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely, we used a local, family run hotel, and local restaurants and companies for travel, lunch where appropriate.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant - met, and exceeded expectations - plenty of time most late afternoon/early evening to relax by the pool, meet new friends, as well as having an active time in the day - would recommend this holiday to others.
Deborah Simmons review 15 Aug 2007
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The white water rafting was brilliant. Exciting activity amid beautiful scenery.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you are physically fit, as a family we are all healthy and do take regular exercise but found the walking and cycling tough at times in the heat.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I feel that it did benefit local people as we stayed at a family run hotel rather than a corporate chain and patronised local bars and restaurants - the activities enabled us to go to some off the beaten track as well. I'm not sure about the impact on the environment although we did go on a solar powered boat that is being trialled to see if it is to be a commercial success.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a fantastic time, the activities enabled us to see parts of the countryside that we probably wouldn't have seen on our own. Our two teenagers were happy and occupied and we made some great friends with our fellow adventurers. The organisation from the operator was excellent and all the staff and representatives were friendly and approachable. Also great value for money.
