After being harassed to go on holiday, I eventually succumbed and instantly wanted to go back to Side (pronounced seeday), in Turkey to my favourite swimming place on the Big Beach with clear warm waters. I booked with a company called LowCostHolidays.com on the internet for a 9 days holiday leaving from Birmingham Airport. It was for £240 but AFTER booking at that price, I got a call 30 minutes later to say that the Airline (Thomas Cook Airlines) had increased their flight charge and that they wanted another £60 (£30 each) paid in order to proceed! I was offered to cancel the holiday but was told that if I did, it would take upto 2 weeks before I got a refund! What a fabulous incentive not to cancel and cough up the extra money! Apart from getting more than a little angry with this, I then reeled down the 'extras' and I literally exploded when I read that if you wanted to sit together then it was £20 extra each! Blatant money robbing on an unprecedented scale. No wonder Thomas Cook have gone bust and trading under their German owners banner now. I never paid that but got to the Airport really early, ready for a big fight at the check-in desk but had no problems as seats were together! The flight was as expected, very cramped and as we did not pay the extortionate charge for a mediocre meal on the Aircraft (another con), paid for the headphones (£2.75) and watched 'Marley and Me' movie instead. As the flight left at 9pm within a couple of hours I was fast asleep. The flight was for 4 hours.
Antalya Airport has not changed one bit since I was last here 4 years ago. You still have to queue up to give them a 'Tourist visa' charge of £10 (Euros, Dollars and Sterling only!) but this time we went through very quickly.
At the onset, my knowledge of the Turkish language came in very handy as English is still spoken on a very limited basis. German is more widespread but as I speak both was comfortable that no communication problems would ensue.
After about an hour and a half's drive, we arrived in Side (after a forced stop en-route for 'refreshments', the first opportunity to get robbed with overpriced goods on offer.) The transport company then couldn't find the hotel! Lol
THE GUVEN HOTEL, SIDE 
The View from the breakfast table
After reading some very damaging reports on this hotel, I was more than a little anxious on arriving here. We arrived at about 6am and the owners got out of bed to give us the keys to Room 21, a nice room with a wonderful view of the sea.
The critical views on the internet I read on Expedia and Travel Adviser made me a little wary of coming here, but as I knew the location, it was ideal for where I wanted to go.
I was pleasantly surprised at seeing a clean room with a wonderful view of the sea from the balcony…Room 21.
The view from the balcony in Room 21
The owners Emine and Murat were very welcoming but without being intrusive and interfering. The adequate breakfast was a joy to have on the terrace as the view was utterly fantastic. After getting to know them a little they become helpful and we spent some nights just drinking and eating into the early hours with them and Ali, another Turk staying there. In fact their friendliness made the holiday and I would definitely go back there again.
Emine and Murat, the owners of the Guven
The location of the Hotel is directly on the seafront and if you go to the left as you leave, the Big Beach is only 5 minutes walk away. If you go right, the small beach and the town centre and harbour is only 3 minutes away.
This is a 3 star hotel so expect no frills and facilities. The bedroom linen was changed daily and it was clean. But beware….get up early and use the hot water left over from the previous day’s solar heating to have a shower as after it’s gone, it’s cold! After midday it’s hot again Lol.
The food here is adequate and Fabree the Chef conjured up a nice pepper sauce complete with fresh chillies with a flattened steak.
For a budget holiday without too many frills but an extremely friendly ambiance, I would thoroughly recommend this hotel.
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The Big beach with the Dunes and Ruins hasn’t changed in 30 years except for a massive influx of sun beds! The Turkish lads still come and get you cold drinks and food as you lie on your sun lounger relaxing in the hot sun, taking frequent dips into a very warm and clear sea. In July I think it may be a little too hot for most sensitive skins from the UK as its very easy to burn unless you originally protect yourself with factor 35 sun cream! The best months here are September and October as the heat is still strong but not scorching. The price of cokes and food on the beach is a little expensive for us in the UK due to the bad exchange rate for £Sterling.
Camel Ali's Camels !
On the way back to the town beware of Camel Ali the fresh orange man with 4 camels! He will amiably give you a freshly squeezed orange drink and then ask you pay double or treble than what you can get it for in the town! Lol Don’t give him more than 2 Liras for a single drink! However he is a very friendly and genuine man once you get to know him and will treat you with genuine respect once you show him that you are not an idiot! Lol
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The quaint little town has not changed much but the main street has a huge influx of tourists during the evening, mainly German and Russian Tourists who appear to be easily fleeced. The prices are mainly displayed in Euros which made me a little angry as the official currency here is Turkish Lire. Why do the Germans always spoil everything for everyone by giving them Euros? This means that the prices are now double or treble what they used to be…..and as they are given these prices without any query, they have managed to make the rich Turks who have shops here, even richer.
The restaurants in the Harbour area tend to charge sky high prices so beware!
The sunsets in Side are absolutely stunning and a lot of good photos can be taken from the ruins of the Roman Columns of Dionysus, a short walk from the harbour.
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The Emir Bistro on Laylak Sokak, Side
I first visited this Restaurant 4 years ago. and once eating there, it’s like a drug as you keep going back. The food is absolutely fantastic value for money as the price quoted includes a starter and a desert! It is very well cooked and while waiting, Charlie the dog entertains everyone as he attacks any passing bikes or barks at anyone in a uniform. He had two policemen up against a wall while we were eating our freshly cooked steaks….what a fabulous cabaret! Having said that he is very friendly and not aggressive at all but I think he is a local character that is loved and tolerated as he has never bitten anyone ever! Lol
Don’t come to Side and NOT have a meal here as you will regret it! A fantastic menu and everything is cooked fresh! Our last meal was a mixed grill (photo) which cost us 20.-TL each (£4). The drinks were extra but not expensive as elsewhere.
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Trip to Manavgat
Take the Tractor train to the Dolmus stop and from there a fare of 1.75-TL will take you all the way to the centre of Manavgat. A Dolmus is a shared minibus which tends to get very crowded so be prepared for a lot of different smells emanating from the different races and colours all sweating in the hot sun! Hahahaha !!!
Quite often a Turk sitting in the back will give you money which in turn you pass to the driver to pay him. An Old German gentleman was standing near the front and every time someone gave him money to pass to the driver, he said thank you and put it in his own pocket! After a lot of shouting he eventually coughed up with the gelt and gave it to the driver! A wise move, as Turks are not known to appreciate this particular type of humour!
Get off the Dolmus when you see a bridge and a river and walk down the side street and it will lead you to an open market. Best day is Thursday.
A ride down the river can be taken from a number of boats that can take you up river, as far as the small waterfall (photo) and then continue by bus to the big waterfall (photo). It is a worthwhile trip. Alternatively you can go down river to the sea.
If you walk back over the bridge and cross the road to the Fish market, there is a small restaurant on the corner which serves authentic Turkish cuisine. I first went there 30 years ago when it was a busy regional bus station and I was a very young 20 years old! Its still there, so it must be good!!
juliepenkova
Pro 
Hello!!
Wonderful photos