Our family is planning a trip to Italy next summer and would like to visit one other country as well. At dinner last night with well-travelled friends, they highly recommended Turkey as an additional destination. After reading some posts here about Turkey, I am intrigued.

My husband and I have travelled a fair amount in Europe but never to Turkey. Also, we would be bringing our two teenagers (good travellers who loved our trip to Europe three years ago.)

I do plan on going out and buying some guidebooks for further research. However, I am wondering if anyone here knows:

1. How would the weather be in July? Hot and humid or (hopefully) warm and pleasant?

2. Are there any relatively cheap flights available from Italy to Turkey?

Thanks in advance for your advice. I'm sure I'll have many more questions, but I thought I'd start with some basics.

Hi,

I'm not providing any info - just piggy backing! We are thinking of doing a cruise of the Greek Isle with a two day stop in Turkey.

Turkey was of no interset to me prior to this but now it is exciting. I'd like some input. Is it worth the stop?

Our first trip to Turkey was at the end of July, beginning of August and was very hot - over 40C (over 100F) every day and never below 28C (82F) at night. Expect at least mid 80s F in July on the southern coast.

It is a fascinating country, some amazing ruins, beautiful beaches and friendly people. Just avoid the more commercial beach resorts and you'll be OK.

Turkey in summer is hot, if more inland even more hotter.
Besides nowdays many european tourists travel to Turkey and it can be crowded in summer months.
Spring and fall are much better.

I went to Turkey for 2 weeks this past summer and then went to visit family in Italy for a week afterwards. I wasn't able to find "cheap" flight, just ones through Alitalia. I flew Istanbul to Rome, Rome to Lamezia Terme for about $250 per person. It was the best price that I could find, and we found it through a Turkey-based travel agent.

Here's a link to my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1317080

I'm sorry, this is the link:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34644385

We (two senior women) went to Turkey this past July and yes, it was hot . . . but, we're from Texas and it's hot here too!

We had a great time . . . I've typed up my travelog and will be happy to email it if you want . . . a disclaimer: we're budget travelers so you wouldn't be reading about fancy hotels and expensive dinners.

If interested, email me at [email protected].

You will LOVE Turkey, this was my second (but not my last) trip.

Happy travels,
Sandy (in Denton)

We were there at the end of June-Istanbul and west coast (7 days). It was pleasantly hot, didn't feel humid. I am from San Francisco, and I enjoyed the weather there. No rain, either. Loved the whole trip! Plan to return to spend more time!