2 couples heading to Turkey in April 1999. We aim to tour the west side for 3 weeks and then catch ferries to the Greek Islands. Any advice on hiring a car compared to using local transport. <BR> <BR>Thank you <BR> <BR>Trish

Trish - don't drive. I go to Turkey every year with my boyfriend (4 yrs now) and they won't let me drive. Honestly, the Turks are extremely aggressive drivers. There was a big discussion about it on the Lonely Planet Middle East bullent board - I included my comments there (www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/mea/topics.htm). Local transportation is excellent. If you take buses travel with VARAN, they are the most expensive (relative to other companies), but the best for safety and service. As well, going between small towns you can take a dolmus (pronounced dolmush) for next to nothing. Also check out this site for location to catch ferries to Greece: <BR>www.travelturkey.com <BR> <BR>Feel free to email me if you have specific questions.

I have to disagree with the above posting. I rented a car from Kavas in Antalya and explored the coast up to Izmir. We would have missed some fabulous ruins (including Euromos)in the absence of a car's flexibility. I found the Turkish drivers pretty tame by comparison to the Italians and French. In fact, the only difficulty we encountered was caused by Germans driving 125mph when most (in our Turkish Fiats) we going 60. Granted, my trip was in 1994, but I can't imagine it has changed that drastically. It was one of my best trips ever due, in part, to the luxury of having a car (for a modest price).

DON'T DRIVE! I am American and have lived here for 10and1/2 years and the car problem has just increased. The drivers are very aggressive and do not know courteous rules of the road. I drive in the city but between cities because no one pays attention to the speed limits. The busses and mini buses called "dolmush" are great. Be sure not to drink the water, only use bottled water and see it opened in front of you. Cheaper to buy at the supermarket. You can go for the day to the "healing waters" at Balcova near Izmir

Trish, the message got sent before I finished. I meant "not between cities". Also, across from Hilton in Izmir is the St. Polycarp church and he was the first bishop here. The lira rate to the dollar changes daily but all places love dollars. Glad to help.

Hi Trish, <BR> <BR>We have just returned from 12 days in Turkey driving down the west coast from Istanbul to Fethiye. I can give you some great spots and our feelings about driving in Turkey if you would like to email me. Denise <BR> <BR>

My husband and I just returned from Turkey where we rented a car for 10 days. We loved having it! While the Turks are very aggressive drivers, we found that as long as you use good judgement while driving you should be ok. <BR>

I have to vote with the ones telling you that you can drive. My wife and I (Americans, but with European driving experience)had no trouble last year driving from the Hertz office in Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Istambul, via Carnakale, down to Kusadasi and back to Istambul via Bursa. The only real problem was in Izmir, where there was a lot of highway construction, and we missed the main road going south. Finally got back to it by following a map. Drivers are aggressive, but just drive defensively and use good judgment. If someone obviously wants to pass, then let them pass.

Dear Trish, <BR>My husband and I are scheduled to go on a Renaissance Cruise w/ 2 days in Istanbul, cruise for 5 days and 2 nights in Athens. Do you have any safety concerns at this time due to the war in Kosovo? Am interested in your reply. I have checked the state dept web site, there are no specific warnings, just "excercise caustion" etc. Typical govt language. Thanks, Marcia <BR>

There is no problem in Istanbul <BR>If you need any info about It,I might be able to give you some help. <BR>Nurdogan <BR>Best wishes from Istanbul <BR>Http://www.lesartsturcs.com <BR>