DH & I will be in attending a business partner's 40th anniversary celebrations in Antalya Oct 6-9 and we want to take and an extra 5-6 days to see a few other places. I thought about 4 days in Istanbul and wanted to visit Pamukkale & Aphrodisias from Antalya. Are there any other places we could see en route, how do you suggest we go about it? We are booked on a Venice-Istanbul cruise for June 2014 and plan to spend 7-8 days post cruise visiting Istanbul, Capadoccia and Troy/Canakkale; Kusadasi/Ephesus is one of our ports, so these places are for next year, except of course Istanbul. Would greatly appreciate your ideas on how to work out side trips from Antalya, thanks in advance for your help

You will enjoy driving the coast road through Kemer, Tekirova, Kumluca, Finike to Kas. visiting Phaselis, Chimera and Olympus on the way and Myra and Arycanda on the way back.

While at Kas, the day cruise over Kekova to Kale Koy will relax you greatly (private tour recommended with harpooned fish lunch)

see my trip report, "Fumbling Family....." on Fodors Lounge.

This is a nicer two days than the drive to Pamukkale and Aphrodisias, especially in October.

Also consider Anemurium and various sites further EAst. Less known but also fabulous.

Termessos, a worthy Eagle's nest of a city Northwest of Antalya.

Aspendos, Perge and Side day trip from Antalya.

Get a decent guide book and drive. If you really want one you can get a local guide at most of the sites.

It's 4 hours drive from Antalya to Pamukkale, so you'll need to stay the night there if you want to visit Aphrodisias.

Kibyra can be visited on the way, it might be pushing it with Termessos as well, but possible.

Thanks for your suggestions, my apologies for the late reply. OC, I myself was planning a trip to Aspendos and Perge, the day cruise from Kas also sounds like a fun trip. Why do you say Pamukkale/Aphrodisias may not be good in October, do you suggest I keep it for next June? Will certainly check out your trip report. I thought I might take a bus to Pamukkale and then fly back to Istanbul. Thanks again, am sure to come back with other questions

I am not sure of frequency of flights from Denizli (Pamukkale) to Istanbul.

October has rather short days. The bus takes long. The route is not exciting. You may not be able to get to see Aphrodisias by public transport. The weather may be wet, cool and miserable.

June will give you much better use of your time at Denizli area and a glorious sunset from the travertines of Pamukkale.

Sea temperatures and weather at Kas-Kekova should be very pleasant in October.

Ok, thanks, that makes sense, will rework my programme to spend time between the coast and Istanbul. Might even make a quick trip to Troy if time permits.