Adoc86

My fiance and I are planning to visit Turkey in October 2013 (planning a bit early) for probably 14-17 days - not including travel days to/from Turkey from the US. I had posted a few questions about Istanbul and Cappadocia months ago, but we decided to extend our stay so I need some advice on the coast.

I am permanently in a small, manual wheelchair so I need recommendations from those that have visited different cities on the coast and can remember some details regarding the terrain. We are both 26-years-old and interested in history, ruins, picturesque sights, small towns, good food and shops. Honestly though, our destination doesn't require much to do- some of my favorite memories are strolling along the coast in Nice, France, enjoying good food and doing not much of anything else. Although I love being along the coast, we don't actually spend much time on the beach itself (very difficult with my chair) so while we'd like the area to be scenic, it doesn't have one of the best beaches - more concerned with the city/town itself.

One of the concerns in regard to choosing our coast destination(s) is how to get there. Buses are not an option - whether they claim to be accessible or not, I've had horrible luck with supposed accessible buses in Europe. We are not opposed to driving depending on the difficulty - the only time we've ever driven in Europe is through Tuscany. Flying always works well.

I've heard very good things about Kas, Fethiye, Marmaris and Bodrum, but I am open to all suggestions. A lot will depend upon finding accessible lodging.

Thanks so much!

otherchelebi

Of the four towns you mention, I think Fethiye will suit you the best.
- Kas and Bodrum are hilly
- Bodrum does not have much to visit easily close to the peninsula.
- Marmaris is too touristy and built up.

Fethiye is a bustling very local town with the advantage of having a nice seaside promenade, shopping streets, fish market, restaurants and marina away from the more heavily residential areas; all on flat ground.

Last time we were there, we stayed at Ece Saray Hotel which had beautiful large rooms looking over the marina. Has elevator, nice breakfast terrace and a pier with a small garden behind it. You can easily wheel to town from the hotel.

If you find Ece Saray a bit expensive, there are two or three other hotels closer to town with a bit less of a view which are somewhat cheaper but also with decent rooms and elevators.

Some of the places to visit from Fethiye would be kayakoy, Olu Deniz lagoon, the 12 island cruise by boat, Dalyan, Koycegiz and Patara antique city all of which will be fine for you.

Send a Personal Message to VR (Jean) on Trip Advisor who owns Villa Rhapsody hotel at Kayakoy for some more info and visit her for an excellent meal in beautiful surroundings.

Another person who is a treasure of knowledge is Fethiye Fraser on Trip Advisor, who recently bought a house in Fethiye and is a Destination expert.

They can give you a great deal of info on boat tours, minibuses, taxis, rental cars, etc.

Adoc86

Thanks so much, otherchelebi! You have been very helpful with all of my Turkey questions and I really appreciate it. I will surely contact the suggested experts. Thanks again!

propertravel

To add some more information on your query; There are few specialist transport companies having custom made wheelcahir accessable minivans. Hiring one of those can be a good option. I know some municipalities in Istanbu and Cappadocia do also offer such custom made vehicles.
Let me know if this would ease your planning.
Happy travelling,

Murat

tower

Hello Murat...as a resident Turk, don't you grin whenever anyone mentions that a place is too "touristy"...I do....ironic...everyone on this Forum is a tourist whether or not they like that appelation. Prime example....Ephesus is crowded with tourists every day of the year, certainly making it "touristy"...but I haven't heard of many or any that say.."I won't go to Ephesus, too damn touristy." Subsititute any minimally popular location in your exciting country and the same thought applies. (The Grand Canyon is touristy...anyone bypass it because of the tourists? How about The Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, etc etc ad nauseam)

My rant for the day, dear Murat...hope business is going smashingly well for you. You and Celebi are the outstanding local contributors to this forum. Stick with us. Yes, OC, you too. Love ya.

stu tower (being an octogenarian crank is almost bullet-proof)

tower

adoc....while you're here getting advice, perhaps these pics will assist you in choosing places to go. I love to share, so here they are....

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...cenesOfTurkey#

I also have Istanbul and vicinity if you'd like...
stu (rozstu1 at aol dot com)

live42day

Hi, we just returned last night and rented a car for 10 days in Turkey. We had no problems driving, except that they do seem to not pay attention too much to lanes. Three lanes will become four and two will become three. It certainly is not like driving in other parts of Asia or India by any means. The roads we all in good repair and well signed.

Make sure that you get collision however, or that your credit card covers you. We had our car backed into at our parking lot in our hotel and didnt notice until the next day.

My husband was in a wheel chair temporarily when we were in New York last year and I can remember discussing it on this trip. There are a lot of places that will be a challange depending upon the kind of wheels that you have. You will do better with an all terrain type wheel rather than the thin ones. Most of the sites like Ephesus have ramps etc but the roads are cobble stone and uneven marble and a bit hilly.

I agree that Kas is too hilly for sure. We loved Side and there are many ruins that are in close proximity to the hotels, but be sure to stay in Old Side if you go. The museum there was also set up for wheelchairs.
Elevators are not too common in the hotels we experienced so you may have to stay in a new hotel. A lot of the restaurants are on the roof too, and sometimes the elevator only goes to the floor below.

Side was not very hilly and a lot of the hotels were right on the main level. We loved Side, (can you tell?)

We did not see many people in wheelchairs , but you are young and I am sure that you can manage it just fine as you are planning well in advance.

windscape

I live overseas too... and I know I'm still a tourist, tower, yet if we want to see authentic versus a bunch of people looking at maps with cameras around their necks, socks and sandals, floppy hats, sunglasses and water bottles, and if we want to hear the locals speaking the local language versus listening to tour guides speaking the language of their tour group, we have to look for "less touristy" places. For the person with the questions, Sultanahmet - old Istanbul - is really hilly and difficult for many with 2 functioning legs! I wonder if you could get into the archaeology museum. There is a lot to see on the ground floor. Adana is a flatter city in the South if you want to see where people live and what the culture is like. I can't say it's exciting, but real... and good food.

propertravel

Tower good to meet up here time to time, still love your pictures. Business is Good but strange season we are experiencing. Weather got better just recently. Hearing touristy we try how to make it different for some experiences....when are you coming back to Turkey?
Best regards,
Murat

tower

windscape...I find it hard to disagree...an independent traveler always seeks out the extraordinary in the ordinary...which can mean "off beat"..but my post refers to those who say that they shun some amazing sites, claiming they are too "touristy"..all of us who travel on our own particularly, constantly look for places that aren't inundated with tourists from all over the world. However, we don't want to sacrifice the heavily trodden places, either..and most of us don't.

By the way, refering to Adana, I did some time there at the AFB in liaison with a Turkish Airforce team... indeed a lovely seaside town...and yes, authenticity abounds.

Windscape, I hope you are enjoying living in Turkey...my, as a newbie, you've been a busy posting bee...good for you, your posts are welcome and I can see that you have much to contribute.

OC, please take Windscape out to lunch and compare notes. The Istanbul resident will treat, Windscape, both Adu and I promise!

stu
(sorry for the little hijack, Adoc, but it might aid in helping you...hopefully!)

tower

above, Istanbul resident = Otherchelebi (OC)...he's slow with the wallet since he had Adu's stolen.

kawh

ttt

windscape

Hiya Tower, yes I love Turkey! of course I am not on holiday but employed... lunch would be nice if your friend is interested. I see your comments on NY and LA too!

For Adoc86, my colleague's mother was here for a month and in a wheelchair some of the time. They rented a car and traveled to a lot of places, such as Gallipoli. I cannot yet recommend drving in Istanbul.

otherchelebi

I think we need to provide something for tower and adu to talk about when they meet soon.

You can send me a PM at the address for my book at [email protected]