You may not know it but you will already be familiar with some typical Turkish cuisine. The doner kebab is a popular dish but do not make the mistake of comparing it with the awful mess served up by some British kebab houses. For a start, in Turkey the meat (lamb) is fresh instead of reconsituted.

Muslims do not eat pork or ham, but you will find a plentiful supply of lamb and chicken. The speciality around Side is fish and seafood, fresh from the sea and river. If you order Calamar (squid) don't expect to get chewy rings of latex. You may be presented with a slab of calamar which looks more like swordfish and which is delectably tender and tasty.

Between Side and Alanya it is said that 42 different crops are grown. Fresh fruit, vegetables and salads are in plentiful supply and you will find yourself tasting food that has been without flavour for years in Britain.

A short walk from the apartment are a number of restaurants where you can eat traditional Turkish flat bread (or pizza). These are thinner than the Italian pizza but delicious nevertheless. Being in a residential area the restaurants are cheaper than on the harbour front in Side. At 2005 prices it is possible to have a meal and drinks for two people for less than £5. You will obviously pay more in the old town, but you can still expect to eat for significantly less than would be the case in many other European countries.