Kas/Fethiye - more questions
Dec 24th, 2013, 06:14 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kas/Fethiye - more questions
My itinerary was set based on bringing my elderly mother. Sadly she had a heart attack and just can't come (she's doing okay). Currenly we're only staying in Kas one night with 4 in Fethiye (because she couldn't have handled the hilly town). That is no longer an issue.We are going in early July 2014.
We start in Antalya for 4 nights (just myself and the kids - my husband arrives the last night). I'm thinking of a boat tour with them. They love sightseeing, but don't like hours of walking around the ruins. They WILL enjoy Ephesus (they loved the Roman Forum for instance). We all adore wandering around old town (we're staying at Pudding Suites) and eating at local restaurants. What else might I do with them for a day trip? (They're not little - 18 and 15). We rented a car.
Then we drive to Kas. Where should we stop/veer off/on our way? We have a day trip to Kekova on a boat planned for one day. We are staying at Diva Residence (at least that;s the plan). Currently we leave the next day -but thinking we will enjoy longer there. We love sweeping seaviews from our hotel - we like upscale hotels, but not the big, touristy ones.
We then drive to Fethiye. Again - where should we stop/veer off/on our way? Currently we have 4 nights there at the Yacht Classic Hotel. I'm thinking of a boat trip to the 12 islands. I know there are great sites to drive to. The kids enjoy this type of day - driving to sites - getting out and wandering the ruins for 30 minutes or so, getting back into the car and finding more. We all like going through small towns and seeing real life - so we're not going to Bodrum for instance.
Next we drive to Selcuk. OR we can get a private driver to take us there if you suggest the drive is very confusing. What should we see on our way? We stay at St. John's Hotel for 2 nights and of course we will see Ephesus.
Drive (or be driven) to Izmir airport to Cappadocia for 3 nights in Goreme. Kelebek Hotel. Then 4 nights in Istanbul where we are excited to do the boat trip Bosphorus.
Any thoughts would be most appreciated.
Ellen
We start in Antalya for 4 nights (just myself and the kids - my husband arrives the last night). I'm thinking of a boat tour with them. They love sightseeing, but don't like hours of walking around the ruins. They WILL enjoy Ephesus (they loved the Roman Forum for instance). We all adore wandering around old town (we're staying at Pudding Suites) and eating at local restaurants. What else might I do with them for a day trip? (They're not little - 18 and 15). We rented a car.
Then we drive to Kas. Where should we stop/veer off/on our way? We have a day trip to Kekova on a boat planned for one day. We are staying at Diva Residence (at least that;s the plan). Currently we leave the next day -but thinking we will enjoy longer there. We love sweeping seaviews from our hotel - we like upscale hotels, but not the big, touristy ones.
We then drive to Fethiye. Again - where should we stop/veer off/on our way? Currently we have 4 nights there at the Yacht Classic Hotel. I'm thinking of a boat trip to the 12 islands. I know there are great sites to drive to. The kids enjoy this type of day - driving to sites - getting out and wandering the ruins for 30 minutes or so, getting back into the car and finding more. We all like going through small towns and seeing real life - so we're not going to Bodrum for instance.
Next we drive to Selcuk. OR we can get a private driver to take us there if you suggest the drive is very confusing. What should we see on our way? We stay at St. John's Hotel for 2 nights and of course we will see Ephesus.
Drive (or be driven) to Izmir airport to Cappadocia for 3 nights in Goreme. Kelebek Hotel. Then 4 nights in Istanbul where we are excited to do the boat trip Bosphorus.
Any thoughts would be most appreciated.
Ellen
Dec 24th, 2013, 08:56 AM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From Fethiye, you may want to consider a day trip to Oludeniz.
https://www.google.ca/#q=oludeniz
You can drive or take a 'dolmus' (mini-bus)and travel like the locals do.
Another possibility you may not have considered is a Gulet cruise. A gulet is a traditional Turkish boat and there are many available all along the coast to choose from. My advice if you are interested is to not pre-book but instead to walk the harbourfront looking at what is on offer and then if you choose one, haggle for a better price and some people also consider it important to haggle for the right to bring your own drinks on board. (otherwise you have to pay separately for anything you drink)
Here is an example: http://www.bluecruisesturkey.com/
Some people consider a gulet cruise to be the best way to visit the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. If you opted for a cruise from Kas or from Fethiye. One advantage to taking a 4 day/3 night cruise of course is that it is an alternative to a hotel plus meals, they're included in the cruise.
https://www.google.ca/#q=oludeniz
You can drive or take a 'dolmus' (mini-bus)and travel like the locals do.
Another possibility you may not have considered is a Gulet cruise. A gulet is a traditional Turkish boat and there are many available all along the coast to choose from. My advice if you are interested is to not pre-book but instead to walk the harbourfront looking at what is on offer and then if you choose one, haggle for a better price and some people also consider it important to haggle for the right to bring your own drinks on board. (otherwise you have to pay separately for anything you drink)
Here is an example: http://www.bluecruisesturkey.com/
Some people consider a gulet cruise to be the best way to visit the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. If you opted for a cruise from Kas or from Fethiye. One advantage to taking a 4 day/3 night cruise of course is that it is an alternative to a hotel plus meals, they're included in the cruise.
Dec 24th, 2013, 10:23 AM
#3
I am sorry your mother will not be able to make it.
Here are some ideas for you :
Antalya :
- Good aquapark
- Termessos ruins is actually a nature trek up the mountains for sports fans who will find sweeping views of the mountains and the Mediterranean from the theater on top of the mountain. Some 30-40 minutes drive on highway, then 20-30 minute climbinf drive up mountain and almost half a mile of walk on path to mountain top through brambles, necropolis tombs, tumbled stones, etc tp breathtaking view.
- Trips to Kursunlu and or Manavgat waterfalls to cool down, including Manavgat street market.
- Antalya museum is excellent.
- Take only short boat tour from Antalya because it is open sea and can be uncomfortable.
On Route To Kas :
- Ruins of Phaeselis, partially sunken city on small bay of pine trees. Very scenic. Short distance from highway.
- Ruins of Myra at Demre. No need to walk much. Small but intense site. Well worth the visit.
- Eat blue crabs before you get to Demre.
- Eat Gozleme, savory pancakes made by peasant women with cheese, potato or wild green topping at any scenic roadside restaurant where you sea the women cooking them on something looking like a large reversed wok.
At Kas :
- Check some of the recent trip reports here
- Suggest you take the Kekova boat excursion from Uchisar rather than Kas, saving you some open sea cruising.
- Suggest you take a private tour at Kekova including harpooned fish grilled on the rocks. Check my trip report on Fodor's Lounge, "Fumbling Family Meets the Lykians.."
At Fethiye :
- Saklikent Canyon
- Tlos antique city
- Letoon, where all the previous inhabitants have been turned into frogs by the Goddess Leto, and still live on the swampy ground.
To Selcuk :
- Drive there. It is not confusing at all. Some very scenic places if you take the Milas rather than the Aydin route. Like lake Bafa, Herakleia on the lake, etc.
Here are some ideas for you :
Antalya :
- Good aquapark
- Termessos ruins is actually a nature trek up the mountains for sports fans who will find sweeping views of the mountains and the Mediterranean from the theater on top of the mountain. Some 30-40 minutes drive on highway, then 20-30 minute climbinf drive up mountain and almost half a mile of walk on path to mountain top through brambles, necropolis tombs, tumbled stones, etc tp breathtaking view.
- Trips to Kursunlu and or Manavgat waterfalls to cool down, including Manavgat street market.
- Antalya museum is excellent.
- Take only short boat tour from Antalya because it is open sea and can be uncomfortable.
On Route To Kas :
- Ruins of Phaeselis, partially sunken city on small bay of pine trees. Very scenic. Short distance from highway.
- Ruins of Myra at Demre. No need to walk much. Small but intense site. Well worth the visit.
- Eat blue crabs before you get to Demre.
- Eat Gozleme, savory pancakes made by peasant women with cheese, potato or wild green topping at any scenic roadside restaurant where you sea the women cooking them on something looking like a large reversed wok.
At Kas :
- Check some of the recent trip reports here
- Suggest you take the Kekova boat excursion from Uchisar rather than Kas, saving you some open sea cruising.
- Suggest you take a private tour at Kekova including harpooned fish grilled on the rocks. Check my trip report on Fodor's Lounge, "Fumbling Family Meets the Lykians.."
At Fethiye :
- Saklikent Canyon
- Tlos antique city
- Letoon, where all the previous inhabitants have been turned into frogs by the Goddess Leto, and still live on the swampy ground.
To Selcuk :
- Drive there. It is not confusing at all. Some very scenic places if you take the Milas rather than the Aydin route. Like lake Bafa, Herakleia on the lake, etc.
Dec 24th, 2013, 11:15 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our family doesn't like cruising, but thank you for that wonderful suggestion! I like the idea of a day trip to Oludeniz.
I pre-booked Captain Ergun's private boat trip to Kekova. I paid 50 euro to hold it. It leaves from Kas. Will I be able to do the harpooning? I suppose I can ask him.
Neither of you said if you think we should do 3 Kas/2 Fethiye or the other way around.
How do I do the trip to the falls without a car? Book a tour? Termossos will be too much for us - between the heat and the fact that I had a stem cell transplant and still recovering my strength. I'm doing well, but that sounds like too much.
How do I know what kind of boat trip in Antalya? I agree about open sea. Thanks so much for your time - both of you. I'm so grateful for people's help.
Ellen
I pre-booked Captain Ergun's private boat trip to Kekova. I paid 50 euro to hold it. It leaves from Kas. Will I be able to do the harpooning? I suppose I can ask him.
Neither of you said if you think we should do 3 Kas/2 Fethiye or the other way around.
How do I do the trip to the falls without a car? Book a tour? Termossos will be too much for us - between the heat and the fact that I had a stem cell transplant and still recovering my strength. I'm doing well, but that sounds like too much.
How do I know what kind of boat trip in Antalya? I agree about open sea. Thanks so much for your time - both of you. I'm so grateful for people's help.Ellen
Dec 24th, 2013, 02:10 PM
#5
I hope you will be feeling much better by the time you get to Turkey, but there is absolutely no need to overtax yourself. There is so much you can see and do without running around a great deal.
You're right. Adding a night to Kas and reducing one at Fethiye may be a good idea.
Have lunch at Villa Rhapsody at Kayakoy on your way to or back from Olu Deniz and say hello to Jean and Atilla, driving down to Gemiler Bay for some more beautiful scenery.
In fact, I much prefer seeing Olu Deniz from the mountain rather than driving into the very crowded national park grounds and walking around in it.
I am sure there will be tours to the waterfalls at Antalya.
The short cruises from the harbor below the old town will be advertised as such, most of them going as far as the Duden Falls only. Do not worry, everyone will be speaking English.
Makes much more sense to fly to Cappadocia from Izmir airport which is only 45 minutes drive from Selcuk.
You're right. Adding a night to Kas and reducing one at Fethiye may be a good idea.
Have lunch at Villa Rhapsody at Kayakoy on your way to or back from Olu Deniz and say hello to Jean and Atilla, driving down to Gemiler Bay for some more beautiful scenery.
In fact, I much prefer seeing Olu Deniz from the mountain rather than driving into the very crowded national park grounds and walking around in it.
I am sure there will be tours to the waterfalls at Antalya.
The short cruises from the harbor below the old town will be advertised as such, most of them going as far as the Duden Falls only. Do not worry, everyone will be speaking English.
Makes much more sense to fly to Cappadocia from Izmir airport which is only 45 minutes drive from Selcuk.
Dec 24th, 2013, 02:15 PM
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best wishes for speedy recoveries to both you and your mother!
I'm confused by your question about getting to the falls - are you not planning to have a car while on the coast? I would think you would find it a great advantage, no matter how you split your time.
BTW, I'm sure you realize that 4 nights is not very much for Istanbul.
I'm confused by your question about getting to the falls - are you not planning to have a car while on the coast? I would think you would find it a great advantage, no matter how you split your time.
BTW, I'm sure you realize that 4 nights is not very much for Istanbul.
Dec 25th, 2013, 03:57 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We get a car once my husband arrives in Antalya. So the first 3 days - no car. I don't really like driving in other countries, but he does. Day one we'll recover from jet lag and I'll do private tours day 2 and 3.
I know 4 days isn't a lot, but we'll do our best. We fly to Santorini from Istanbul.
Okay I will definitely do lunch at Villa Rhapsody. Do I do that from Fethiye?
I know 4 days isn't a lot, but we'll do our best. We fly to Santorini from Istanbul.
Okay I will definitely do lunch at Villa Rhapsody. Do I do that from Fethiye?
Dec 25th, 2013, 07:50 AM
#9
Merry Christmas All!
Kayakoy is about 30 minutes from Fethiye on the way to Olu Deniz or Gemiler Bay.
It is a mostly abandoned old Greek Village; subject of a good but sad book called Bird Without Feathers.
Kayakoy is about 30 minutes from Fethiye on the way to Olu Deniz or Gemiler Bay.
It is a mostly abandoned old Greek Village; subject of a good but sad book called Bird Without Feathers.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RooseveltG
Europe
5
Jul 9th, 2010 12:40 PM
curious123
Europe
10
Jan 17th, 2010 08:16 PM
joh
Europe
18
Jul 29th, 2009 12:34 PM
