Just returned from the Turkish Tourism office, Asia Minor. I have now located the recommended places on my new map and have begun to think about planning a trip including all of them with the exception of Agva and Polonezkoy. So now my real homework will begin with web sites and in the few guidebooks I have here at home. The office also informed me of a very helpful web site for hotels and general touring info..I believe it is Small Hotels of Turkey. What is the driving like on roads in this region? Thanks once again!

This area sounds wonderful...has anyone..AsiaMinor, perhaps, been to the Friday market in Ayvacik?? I am pleased to see according to my map and my rudimentary guidebook that it seems like a possible 4-5 day trip to this are by car from Istanbul...

Dear Ekscrunchy,

Of course, Agva and Polonezköy have got nothing to do with this area. Both of them are short distance escapes from Istanbul on the Black Sea coast.

As far as Sevan and Müjde Nisanyan's book on the Small Hotels of Turkey is concerned it is one of the invaluable reference books in this respect. They (Nevan & Müjde) also have a wonderful place in Sirince, which is only 12 km from Ephesus (Selcuk). For info and further inquiry visit http://www.nisanyan.net/

If you happen to go to Ephesus, spare some time for Sirince. You won't regret the experience and delicious home made wines there.

I do know the local market in Ayvacik. It is so colourful with all sorts of locally grown organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, olives/oliveoil,cheese, natural soap, herbs and honey. Do not forget to spare some extra cash for beautiful Yagcibedir, Ayvacik and other locally vowen naturally dyed wool carpets sold in the market(Since the local girls do not know credit cards that is the reason why I suggest that you have some cash ready at hand)

As for the roads, I can say good roads with good signing and enjoyable driving with a lot of breathtaking scenery among the pine and olive forests on one side, the blue waters of the Aegean on the other side. Some parts are a bit hilly with curves especially between Ayvacik and Küçükkuyu but since nobody can speed because of the hills and the curves, perhaps the safest stretch on the itinerary. Unfortunately the one at the steering wheel cannot enjoy the view as (s)he has to pay extra attention to the winding road. By the way, have you contacted Mr. Cem Metin for the van with the driver?

I hope this piece of information helps.
Keep studying your homework.

With all good wishes.

Well, Asia Minor it looks like you have planned our trip for us! A million thanks! I have sent your comments to my friends who will be joining me on my Turkish jaunt. If we decide to rent the van, I will use your contact. Now, it is sure that the market in Ayvacik is on Fridays? This is what one of my guides (Lonely Planet) says but I wanted to double check with you and learn if there are any other local markets you would recommend for us to visit. The Nisanyan's web site is most interesting; I sent in a request for one of their guidebooks and hope they will send it to me here in NYC so we can have it on hand to use during the trip. I see already that I will have to make additional trips to Turkey after this one as there is so much that is tempting. As I may have mentioned, I spent 6 weeks there during a summer break from college in 1971....I am sure there are lots of changes since then! Thanks again!

Dear Ekscrunchy,

Not at all. This is what friends are for. If my memory serves me right the market day was on Friday. (If Lonely Planet confirms it, it is 99% right because market days are one of the rare things which remain constant without any change in Turkey). Anyway, I will check it with someone from Ayvacýk and let you know. As for other local markets, it will be much easier and more exciting to learn them instantly when you are in the area. There is always some sort of market around somewhere near on each day of the week.

Even as a Turk, sometimes we find it difficult to keep pace with the changes around us. I am sure you will be shocked to see how much Turkey has changed since your visit in 1970's.

As my fellow American College Professor Chris Briddick who is visiting Turkey nowadays suggests; "This place is both abstract and simple. It can never be summarized or even accurately represented in a travel brochure, an essay, or a tour of any duration. Those are but some of the reasons for anyone to visit Turkey. Forget what you might have heard and suspend your stereotypes. If they are here, you will probably see them but come to Turkey with an open mind. You never leave the same person as you arrived. You are forever changed a little, perhaps aware of your own personal contrasts and consistencies."

For full account of his recent experiences in Turkey please read his interesting posts in Turkish Travel Forum under the screen name Tavsan.

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/p...c&start=15

With all good wishes.

Excuse me. It is "Turkey Travel Planner", TTP Forum Section not Turkish Travel Forum.

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/phpBB2/index.php

"Related to my query earlier today, we are looking for some ideas for an itinerary of 4-5 days length from Istanbul We are planning to rent a car in Istanbul and would like to see something of the "real" Turkey, not very touristed resorts. We might wish to include Ephesus but it is not necessary (some of us have been in the past)."

Ephesus is "real" Turkey? Ephesus is not touristed?

Also, you need a new world atlas. According to mine, Istanbul is "real" Turkey.

According to

I said we might like to include Ephesus......it is not mandatory. We will be in Istanbul at the beginning of our trip and at the end for a total of about 5 days. I do not think Ephesus qualifies as a "very touristed resort." Thought it was an archeological site with a start-up resort, Kusadasi, close by.