I'm considering a trip to Turkey around April 4, 2004. This is a special "anniversary" date for me of sorts.

I visited Turkey once before, in 1999, when I saw Ephesus and Istanbul as part of a cruise around the Aegean. I have longed to go back ever since.

I read so many postings, and it appears that many tourists are undeterred by current events, but I cannot tell how many fodorites who reply are from the U.S. or from elsewhere. I am likely undeterred by current events as well, but I would love to hear opinions, especially from other citizens of the U.S. who have visited Turkey recently. After all, U.S. citizens are not held in high esteem worldwide at the moment (or at least the U.S. is not in high esteem at the moment). However, all thoughts are welcome from anyone and anywhere.

And on a more mundane level, what type of weather can I expect around April 4?

Thanks everyone. If I'm encouraged, I'm sure I will have lots more questions. Fodor's message boards are terrific resources for useful and friendly information.

We were there in late March this year and the weather was beautiful; sunny & around 70F. U.S. tourism was way down. You are correct in making the distinction between the way people feel about U.S. GOVERNMENT policies and U.S. citizens. (And you can always use the old trick of just saying you're from Canada in some passing situations, eh?) We found the people to be very friendly and it was a truly memorable trip. It's also a fabulous value destination.

I'm from the US, was in Turkey for 3 weeks last month, and if you click on my name you'll find anything I've posted recently, including posts about this trip.

We were in Turkey during the period when the US was pressuring Turkey to allow us to use at for a staging area for the Iraq war and the American media was stating that Turkey was not our friend. I am so glad that I did not listen to my friends who urged me not to go. What a wonderful country and a delightful and hospitable people! On one of our tours we were joined by an Israeli couple who stated that many Israelis travel to Turkey. Go and enjoy this incredible and friendly country!

Thanks everyone. You're all persuasive.

cmt-I read your post and saw you traveled with Overseas Adventure Tours. 19 days? I have 12, maybe 14 days at most.

I usually travel independently with at most a couple of friends, 50 years old. Is it easy to travel on your own to the hinterlands outside Istanbul?

I want to spend time in Istanbul, Cappadocia & Ephesus. I think they are far apart. Is a group trip more reasonable to cover the distances efficiently outside Istanbul? Otherwise, how would you travel? Bus? Plane? Car?

Thanks again for any replies

we (2 canadians) spent 4 weeks (late March and early April 2004) in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephes. We picked up a car in Cappadocia and spent 2 weeks driving to drop off at Izmir airport to return to Istanbul. We enjoyed freedom of making our way by car and stopping off where we wanted. We had no problems and found everyone friendly, food and accommodation v. cheap in Turkey, gasoline isn't though, but hiring a compact car meant less pumping gas.
It can be a bit cool at night in Cappadocia. When we went hot-air ballooning in April it was quite chilly before sunrise.

Nickthorp - If you read this message, can you tell me whether you booked accommodations before you drove? Or did you find accommodations as you traveled.

I can't help but wonder, though I don't mean to sound paranoid. Do you think you were perceived better as Canadians than as U.S. citizens when driving freelance?

Hi Woody !! We are aussies and had a fantastic time in Turkey in April of this year !! Weather was a bit cool for us but still pleasant. THe Turkish people are wonderfull and the country is a real treat ! Learn some basic turksih and they won't care if you are George Dubya's twin brother !!
Have fun, smile and do as the locals do. My kids still talk about Cappdocia and Gallipoli ! click on my name and check a report or two.

Woodstock, It has been a couple of years since I was in Turkey but I was there as a female traveling solo and had no problems. I took buses to get around a bit and flew the longer distances. I took a bus from Marmaris to the airport that was closest (can't remember where that was)and flew into Istanbul. After a few days in Istanbul flew into Kayseri and took a bus into Urgup.

I did have hotel reservations in Istanbul but booked my Urgup and Marmaris hotel once I arrived. If you are driving it is certainly easier to do that instead of walking as I was. There is a visitor center in each town that helped me find accomodations.

Hope that helps.

Hi Mr. Woodstock;
Good to hear you are coming back to Turkey. Spend 3 days in istanbul, fly to Kayseri Airport ( soon you can also fly to Nevsehir )visit Cappadocia and allow yourself at least 3 full days here, and maybe 2 days with a tour guide. Hot air ballooning could be the highlight of your Cappadocia visit.Then you can hire a car and drive to down south and further to Ephesus. Its easy and fun. And you can still have a easy day back in istanbul before flying home.
Travelling independently ofcourse is more costly usually but quality of time is much better. You can have private or regular tours where necessary. To book some of the hotels beforehand could be helpful, try to book flexable and let hotels know about your plans. In cappadocia I suggest small hotels with cave rooms, elswhere in Turkey there are also small and charmimg hotels, as your budget concern ofcourse in istanbul there are plenty of accomodation options to spoil yourself.
Have fun in Turkey and as the other posters mentioned " I thank them here as a Turkish citizen for their kind reviews and compliments to Turkey and its people " I believe is the biggest asset we have is the hospitable people, just come and enjoy. You do not need act as Canadians or Japaneese... When they know you are American some people will ask you questions about your countries politics just to know your opinion etc. Nothing to humiliate or harm or upset you. We do like talking
Have a great time in Turkey.
Greatings from Cappadocia
Murat

Hi Woodstockguy - In response to your question re booking ahead in Turkey, we only booked 2 hotels in advance - the one when we arrived in Istanbul, which included airport pickup in the room rate, and the cave hotel in Cappadocia, which included pickup at Kayseri free in the room rate. Other than that we just roamed freely once we had the hire car and never had trouble finding accommodation.
Forget any fears about anti-Americanism - the Turkish people are the most friendly and welcoming we've ever met in our extensive travels around the world. I promise you that you will leave Turkey swearing to return.

I saw this thread and thought, gee, what about a Turkey in America next week !

Wow. As usual, fodorites are the best at providing advice and encouragement. Everyone makes me more eager than ever to see and travel through Turkey.

As an independent traveler, I have so many questions. If anyone can answer any of them - terrific! If not,well, everyone who has answered this posting already gets my gratitude in any event.

1. What airlines fly to Cappadocia from Istanbul?

2. How long is the drive from Cappadocia to Ephesus? Are the roads well marked and easy to navigate? Are signs in multiple languages?

3. If I spend about 3 days near Ephesus, what else is a "must see"? Aphrodisias? Pammukele?

4. Does it make sense to drive from Ephesus to Istanbul at the end of the trip? What are the alternatives?

Thanks again to everyone.

And Judyrem, I did like your seasonal Thanksgiving joke!

Hi Again,
Cappadocia is the name of a region and covers 4 cities. Generally speaking the hearth of the region is Nevsehir area. From istanbul Turkish airlines have 2 flights daily, morning and evening to Kayser. Onur Air flies daily.From the end of November onwards Inter Air will fly to Nevsehir airport too.
Driving to Ephesus from Cappadocia is a long one. Its recommended to break the way somewhere in between. Ofcourse you can do day trips to pamukkale, Aphrodisias & Hierapolis one day and Miletus & Didyma another day.

Roads are marked pretty clearly and a map will help you to better navigate.

Finally if you have plenty of time ofcourse you can drive up to istanbul and visist other sites on the way but generally speaking to take a plane from izmir is much easier and quicker ofcourse....

Happy thanksgiving to all celebrating.
with or without Turkey

Hello again propertravel. Thanks for all the incredibly detailed information. What is a good stopping point if I drive from Cappadocia to Ephesus. Does it make sense to fly instead, perhaps to Izmir, or is that even possible from Cappadocia.

unfortunetly you can fly to Ýzmir/ephesus directly from Cappodocia.
You have to fly via istanbul and it very long.
You can travel to ankara by land and fly from Ankara to Ephesus(ýzmir)
or best suggestion taking a bus but still long drive but this can be avoided with few stops.

also note you can fly directlt to Cappadocia by Atlas air instead of Kayseri.

regards
Nejat incedogan

Hello Again;Thank you for the nice words, if I may help you to have a good itinerary and make your life easier I am already happy.
I have posted something earlier but cant see it so here is a repeat :

From Cappadocia you can drive southwest towards Konya, will take 2 hours 45 min with easy driving I do it in 2hrs.15 min ;-) where there are some very important sites to visit such as Mevlana Museum, they have good restaurants close to museum and you can treat yourself with Etli Ekmek, sort of pizza but Turkish Style....much healthier and yummier...
You could continue further to Egirdir where there is a nice lake and accomodation by lake side. Next morning you will be fresher and after a nice breakfast to reach Ephesus-Selcuk will be easier.
Should you have more questions they are welcome.

regards,
Murat

Hello everybody. I'm slowly getting more and more information for a 2 week visit to Turkey. I guess this post will bring my message thread back into more current status.

If all goes to plan, I will be in
Turkey for 2 weeks, arrive on Apr 2 and depart on Apr 15 (maybe 14). Not enough, but how many days should I allocate to Istanbul, Cappadocia and the area around Ephesus.

Where can I find car rentals from Cappadocia to Izmir, assuming I fly back from Izmir to Istanbul.

Any hotel suggestions? This is a special occasion, a 30th anniversary, so I'm willing to splurge somewhat on luxury.

Thanks for all suggestions.

I'd suggest you start a new thread with the title "specific questions about travel in Turkey" or something like that. I fear many will pass this thread by as it sounds like a political one, not a travel one.

I have many suggestions, but will wait for your new thread. When you say luxury, how much per night are you talking about being willing to spend?

Thanks Patrick for the suggestion. I will start a new thread but thought it best to reply to your question in this thread.

I would expect to pay between $100 but under $200 per day outside of Istanbul. In Istanbul, I'm not certain what that range would purchase, though I suspect the Four Seasons would be more expensive than that cost. Does that help at all?

By the way, I guess you're right that the title of my thread may be misconstrued as political in nature, though my intention was more so a nodding reference to Gershwin's "An American in Paris."