Turkey - Fethiye, Kas or Foca
Apr 25th, 2013, 06:12 PM
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Turkey - Fethiye, Kas or Foca
I am new to this forum so am not quite sure if I am using the write format. We are a young-at-heart couple in our 40's from Canada travelling to Turkey in August. We will have 12 days, 11 nights total in Turkey and so I have reached out to 3 local tour operators to provide us with an itinerary. In general, they are all proposing we spend 2 nights in Istanbul, fly to Cappadocia for 2-3 night stay followed by 4-5 nights in a coastal area before returning to Istanbul for 1 night. I had asked the agents to propose an area on either Mediterranean or Aegean coast, provided there were good beaches, some historic sites and not completely overrun by tourist crowds on package hotel deals. Also, we will rent a car during the time we are on the coast. I have been provided with 3 options:
1. fly to Antalya and 2 nights there and 2 nights Kas
2. fly to Izmir and stay 4 nights in Foca
3. fly to Izmir, stay overnight in Kusadasi or Sirince for Ephesus day trip, stay 4 nights afterwards in Fethiye
I would appreciate your comments regarding the types of beaches we can hope to find, how crowded this area will be (i.e. any possibility of finding a quiet remote beach if we have car access and are willing to hike a bit), and also the charm of the towns that are proposed in the itinerary.
This is a big trip for us coming from Canada and also we have had to move mountains to be without children on this trip so we would like to make it as perfect as possible. Thanks to all in advance.
1. fly to Antalya and 2 nights there and 2 nights Kas
2. fly to Izmir and stay 4 nights in Foca
3. fly to Izmir, stay overnight in Kusadasi or Sirince for Ephesus day trip, stay 4 nights afterwards in Fethiye
I would appreciate your comments regarding the types of beaches we can hope to find, how crowded this area will be (i.e. any possibility of finding a quiet remote beach if we have car access and are willing to hike a bit), and also the charm of the towns that are proposed in the itinerary.
This is a big trip for us coming from Canada and also we have had to move mountains to be without children on this trip so we would like to make it as perfect as possible. Thanks to all in advance.
Apr 25th, 2013, 06:54 PM
#2
Forget Foca, concentrate on Kas, Fethiye and Selcuk-Kusadasi-Ephesus.
But first please read at least the most recent trip reports here on Fodors and the other recent threads asking similar questions as you.
By the way. you are getting late regarding reservations for lodging and local flights.
But first please read at least the most recent trip reports here on Fodors and the other recent threads asking similar questions as you.
By the way. you are getting late regarding reservations for lodging and local flights.
Apr 25th, 2013, 09:06 PM
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I didn't visit Foca and didn't spend much time on beaches - just a few minutes here and there. The only ones I saw that might fit your description were in Cirali (although I didn't actually see the beach there) and Adrasan. Note that each is remote, would be best with car access (although I think you can get to Cirale with public transportation), and would require spending a fair chunk of time getting out and back any time you want to go elsewhere. That does NOT mean that other options aren't possible.
I kept all of my time in Istanbul together in one chunk and at the end of a trip. I knew I would be tired upon arriving in Turkey, but didn't think adding a few more hours to get somewhere else would substantially change that. In contrast, doing so saved me an unnecessary change of rooms and a bunch of time getting to/from the airport and Istanbul. Whether that makes any sense for you would depend on the timing of your flights. Just something to consider....
And FWIW, I thought Istanbul deserved at least 5 full days and Cappadocia at least 3 full days, and even with those time frames, you probably won't be able to see everything you might want to see. If you spend less time in either location, you'll need to be even more selective.
You might find some helpful information in my trip report - just click on my name to find it. And as otherchelebi mentions, there are a number of other trip reports that you might find helpful. The only reports I remember that mentioned Foca were:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ul-oct2011.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...onpart-one.cfm
Turkey is a wonderful destination - enjoy!
I kept all of my time in Istanbul together in one chunk and at the end of a trip. I knew I would be tired upon arriving in Turkey, but didn't think adding a few more hours to get somewhere else would substantially change that. In contrast, doing so saved me an unnecessary change of rooms and a bunch of time getting to/from the airport and Istanbul. Whether that makes any sense for you would depend on the timing of your flights. Just something to consider....
And FWIW, I thought Istanbul deserved at least 5 full days and Cappadocia at least 3 full days, and even with those time frames, you probably won't be able to see everything you might want to see. If you spend less time in either location, you'll need to be even more selective.
You might find some helpful information in my trip report - just click on my name to find it. And as otherchelebi mentions, there are a number of other trip reports that you might find helpful. The only reports I remember that mentioned Foca were:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ul-oct2011.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...onpart-one.cfm
Turkey is a wonderful destination - enjoy!
Apr 28th, 2013, 06:33 AM
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I second kja's suggestion: don't split you Istanbul stay. When you arrive in Turkey, fly to your next destination the same day, and keep all your 3 nights in Istanbul together.
You will find (as I do planning our Oct trip) that 3 nights in Istanbul is not enough, but having them all in one chunk is better than 2 + 1. Have a great trip, Turkey looks amazing, and I hope you are as excited as we are about the trip.
You will find (as I do planning our Oct trip) that 3 nights in Istanbul is not enough, but having them all in one chunk is better than 2 + 1. Have a great trip, Turkey looks amazing, and I hope you are as excited as we are about the trip.
Apr 28th, 2013, 11:55 AM
#8
OK. some info :
Foca is not a beach town. It is a small very local resort town with a mostly retired or semi-retired middle socio-economic level Summer clientelle. Rather quiet. Some beaches, outside town, needing possibly private transportation or boat. No exciting architecture or antiquity.
A larger town, another hour or so further North, is Ayvalik. Which is more lively but has some excellent and some secluded beaches (Ortunc at Cunda), large numbers of small islands, bays, coves and scenic spots. Proximity to the ruins of Pergamom and within reach of Troy and Assos. Reasonably cool weather and seawater in August as opposed to the very hot weather South of Izmir.
A third suggestion is Alacati, the restored Greek village, near Cesme, to the West of Izmir. Very tasteful boutique hotels, excellent restaurants and cafes, one of the largest pedestrian markets for almost everything including some interesting wild greens and some terrific fruit. (we will post some photos, of the market from last week and give the link at my trip report soon, although we did not have the Pentax DSLR and our Cannon Powershot's battery expired as we entered the market, so we had to depend on Eser's IPhone)
We stayed at Chigdem hotel, but also liked Seven, Beyaz Han and some others which are directly in the thick of things. There are some excellent beaches nearby which need a car or a dolmus to reach. This is an upscale resort, so August will have some really fashionably dressed (or undressed) people.
Also, our older daughter will have her wedding at Solto Hotel at Port Alacati at end of August.
You can actually, fly to Izmir airport with a morning flight, rent car, visit Ephesus and maybe another site or two and drive to Alacati to settle in comfort and luxury, easily.
Do not use travel agents. Just do your own reservations, Buy your local tickets on-line from the THY or Pegasus or Atlas or Sun Express websites and arrange car through any international rent-a-car or a broker like economy car rentals, etc.
Foca is not a beach town. It is a small very local resort town with a mostly retired or semi-retired middle socio-economic level Summer clientelle. Rather quiet. Some beaches, outside town, needing possibly private transportation or boat. No exciting architecture or antiquity.
A larger town, another hour or so further North, is Ayvalik. Which is more lively but has some excellent and some secluded beaches (Ortunc at Cunda), large numbers of small islands, bays, coves and scenic spots. Proximity to the ruins of Pergamom and within reach of Troy and Assos. Reasonably cool weather and seawater in August as opposed to the very hot weather South of Izmir.
A third suggestion is Alacati, the restored Greek village, near Cesme, to the West of Izmir. Very tasteful boutique hotels, excellent restaurants and cafes, one of the largest pedestrian markets for almost everything including some interesting wild greens and some terrific fruit. (we will post some photos, of the market from last week and give the link at my trip report soon, although we did not have the Pentax DSLR and our Cannon Powershot's battery expired as we entered the market, so we had to depend on Eser's IPhone)
We stayed at Chigdem hotel, but also liked Seven, Beyaz Han and some others which are directly in the thick of things. There are some excellent beaches nearby which need a car or a dolmus to reach. This is an upscale resort, so August will have some really fashionably dressed (or undressed) people.
Also, our older daughter will have her wedding at Solto Hotel at Port Alacati at end of August.
You can actually, fly to Izmir airport with a morning flight, rent car, visit Ephesus and maybe another site or two and drive to Alacati to settle in comfort and luxury, easily.
Do not use travel agents. Just do your own reservations, Buy your local tickets on-line from the THY or Pegasus or Atlas or Sun Express websites and arrange car through any international rent-a-car or a broker like economy car rentals, etc.
Apr 28th, 2013, 12:48 PM
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OC - thank you for so much info for Aegean area - glad we have decided against Foca. Will have to try this coast next trip, for the time being we have decided to fly directly to Cappadocia from our international flight, then fly to Antalya and rent a car going up the coast and making Kas our home base till we fly back to Istanbul for last 3 days. I wish we had more time, but we are limited to the time we are without kids.
My next question is we are supposed to arrive in Istanbul on August 19 at 14:55. Should we chance it and book a 17:35 flight to Cappodocia or the later 20:40? We are flying from Toronto, change in Munich so we will be coming off a short hop flight which I hope will be on time. If we Tamils the 17:35, will it be difficult to rebook for 20:40 the same day? Or if we take the 20:40, how long will transfers from airport take I.e. how late will our heads be hitting the pillow?
A summer wedding in Port Alacati, sounds beautiful, your daughter is a lucky woman
My next question is we are supposed to arrive in Istanbul on August 19 at 14:55. Should we chance it and book a 17:35 flight to Cappodocia or the later 20:40? We are flying from Toronto, change in Munich so we will be coming off a short hop flight which I hope will be on time. If we Tamils the 17:35, will it be difficult to rebook for 20:40 the same day? Or if we take the 20:40, how long will transfers from airport take I.e. how late will our heads be hitting the pillow?
A summer wedding in Port Alacati, sounds beautiful, your daughter is a lucky woman
Apr 28th, 2013, 01:18 PM
#10
Since you have a stopover in Munich, it means that you are not flying THY. This means the the airline will not be responsible for making sure that you make your connection. Unfortunately my experience, everywhere in the world also is that the passport and customs officials never care whether you make a connection either.
So, being a lecturer on 'Risk" I can only suggest that you reserve for the 20:40 flight (making sure that it is from the same airport in Istanbul) The worst that can happen is that you may have to pay for a CIP lounge to rest if you have too much time.
You will be picking luggage at Int'l terminal, going through customs, driving your cart towards your left for about 300 meters or so to get to the arrivals area of the domestic terminal. Then, find the elevator to take your cart up, otherwise, you would need to leave cart and carry your cases up the escalators. Then you will go through security check again before you can check in your luggage. All this takes time.
If you are not flying business, check for the CIP lounges at the domestic terminal at IST to see if you can pay to spend some time there. These lounges are worth it because they usually have decent stuff to eat as well as free alcoholic beverages.
Part of one of our trip reports is about part of the area you'll be driving. It may not have too much information but may make you smile :
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...lykians.cfm?49
My daughter and the fiancee were in Toronto two weeks ago and his mother and sister will be there for another seven months or so because of health problems of sister's baby.
We also enjoyed our visit to Toronto some years ago and to Niagara Falls and Niagara on the lake last October ( last one, part of a very long trip report ) :
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...pilgrimage.cfm
I hope you will enjoy your trip to Turkey also.
So, being a lecturer on 'Risk" I can only suggest that you reserve for the 20:40 flight (making sure that it is from the same airport in Istanbul) The worst that can happen is that you may have to pay for a CIP lounge to rest if you have too much time.
You will be picking luggage at Int'l terminal, going through customs, driving your cart towards your left for about 300 meters or so to get to the arrivals area of the domestic terminal. Then, find the elevator to take your cart up, otherwise, you would need to leave cart and carry your cases up the escalators. Then you will go through security check again before you can check in your luggage. All this takes time.
If you are not flying business, check for the CIP lounges at the domestic terminal at IST to see if you can pay to spend some time there. These lounges are worth it because they usually have decent stuff to eat as well as free alcoholic beverages.
Part of one of our trip reports is about part of the area you'll be driving. It may not have too much information but may make you smile :
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...lykians.cfm?49
My daughter and the fiancee were in Toronto two weeks ago and his mother and sister will be there for another seven months or so because of health problems of sister's baby.
We also enjoyed our visit to Toronto some years ago and to Niagara Falls and Niagara on the lake last October ( last one, part of a very long trip report ) :
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...pilgrimage.cfm
I hope you will enjoy your trip to Turkey also.
