Family trip to Turkey in August
 

Hello,
We've decided to go to Turkey in August for 2-3 weeks. We've traveled a lot and are familiar with getting into a town without having booked a place to stay. We like to visit the usual tourist sites, and we also like to see the local things that don't draw the tourist buses.

I'd love to get ideas of what you'd suggest.

We're flying out of Seattle.

Thanks!

Lacitis:

I'm sure many Turkey-fans on this board, like myself, would like to help...but we'd have to know a lot more about your plans... Turkey is a country of 300,000 varied square miles, twice the size of my California and 4 times the square mileage of your state, Washington.....so-o-o what do you figure for a budget for food and lodging, will you be renting a car, or what?? What are your interests, what are the ages of your children? etc etc

Stu T.

Dear Lacitis,

If you give the details we can help you easier. For example how many days will you stay in Istanbul what kind of place would you like to stay etc. If you haven't decided yet I recommend you to stay at Sultanahmet. You will love it. There are many attractions near Sultanahmet. Blue Mosque(Sultanahmet Camii), Saint Sophia, Yerebatan Cectern, Topkapi Palace, Cemberlitas Hamam and lots of things to do. All of them are walking distance from Sultanahmet square. Before you come Turkey you should decide where to stay because you will encounter bad taxi drivers at Ataturk Airport. If you decide where to stay maybe the hotel can offer you free transfer from airport to hotel. As far as I know Ada Hotel Istanbul and Hotel Spectra has these opportunities. I recommend you to check websites and contact the managers whether they can pick you up from airport or not. You can find the websites under other topics. Anyway i will give the sites :)

www.adaistanbul.com
www.hotelspectra.com


Best Regards From Istanbul!

It won't be cheap. (The € has lost 12% in value during the last year over there). And it will be fully booked in August. You don't have much time left to decide.

Turkey is great. My "must see" would be Capadocia. It is a unique area where people have been carving in the rocks and underground for centuries. I really have never seen any place like it, and I have seen other areas where people have been carving into cliffs and mountains. Google it to get the full picture.

Other places are great. E.g. Ephesus is one of the best preserved Roman cities, but it isn't as unique.

Istambul is a great city, with lots to do, but check any guidebook and that will be better than me. One suggestion for Istablul is check out the underground water system and cisterns.

There are few, if any, places I'd just drop into in the height of the tourist season. If you don't care where you stay, you can probably find a place to put your head, but I still wouldn't leave this to the last minute. Especially in the large cities of Istanbul, Izmir, Cappadoccia area, Ankara. You might luck out in the small towns outside (the burbs) but amenities might not be up to standards you'd like. August can be very very hot in most of the country, so check that at minimum wherever you stay has ceiling fans if you hope to get good sleep.

We are a family in Turkey right now and we have had NO problems what so ever in booking things spontaneously as we go.


Turkey is wonderful and cheap and easy to book as you go. We have not run into crowds in Greece or Turkey and hear that the tourist season is slow this year.

Look at Turkey planner and bootsnall forums for ideas ( justine and joe static left good info) for an intinerary as you have plenty of time to see a lot.

We are in Cappadocia at the moment at Esbelli Evi ( which every one told me would be booked up) and it is our favorite spot so far. We are doing 3 days of luxury here, but also had a great time in Goreme at Local Cave House which has a pool and fabulous restaurant. ( simple rooms, but they are in a cave and cool...and only 50 dollars for a double).

We are doing a circle of the highlights.We started in Rhodes and got out of Marmaris and the tourists as quick as we could heading towards Fethiye. The daffodil is great there with sea views, AC and pool and great price.

They hooked us up with a 4 night 3 day gulet cruise to Olympos which I HIGHLY recommend.

Olympos is primitive and a national park with beautiful cliffs and beach...tree houses are the pull. We got an AC bungalow for less than 25 dollars.

Then we took the all night bus to Goreme...not bad. Turkey has the best busses in the world with movies and snacks and my daughter enjoyed that.

We loove cappadocia and the big thing is balloon ride, altho we will pass and did a private tour. Hit the Goreme wonderful museum after tourists have left ( between 5 and 7pm) when it is cool. Do NOT miss the dark churck...spectacular. Do not miss the area the french like near Goreme ( ischilar? ). Making pottery is fun for kids at a small place too.

Do not miss 4000 year old hidden cities.

We are off to Istanbul next ( will take a bus to Ankara and over night sleeper train..ala orient express).Might night in Akara for the archeology museum.

After Istanbul we will go to ephesus area ( after stop in Troy as my daughter loves this stuff).There is a lot to see in this area besides ephesus but I can not spell all the names off hand.

You can do that circle ( starting anywhere) easily with 3 weeks.) They say to get out of Istanbul as quick as possible and do it on the way out as the touts and city energy can be intense.

We will have all of this up on our blog soon with more details and pics.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/

Turkey is the easiest place in the world to do on your own. Turkey hospitality and food is great and western Turkey is very much like Europe ( only cheaper and less crowded).

Every body seems to know each other in the tour business so your hotel can help you book things. Do private guides as needed ( unless you like tours which we do not).

We too loved Cappadocia, but we thought it was hot there in the 2nd half of May. When we made this remark to a local we were told that the temperatures were nothing compared to the heat of summer. That would be my only apprehension about going there.

I was told it was very hot here as well, but we have been very pleasantly surprised to find it less hot here than we have found other places.

It is a med climate so no humidity and often cool breezes especially in the morning and evening. Not bad at all in the shade and the cave houses are VERY cool.

I am very heat sensitive and we have run into a heat wave in Italy and Greece/Turkey, but I actually find it better here than in Italy where it was so humid with the heat.

That said, one still needs to take precautions and yes May is a better time to come ( or September).

DO book places with AC and pools and the gulet idea is GREAT for the heat. We were in 100 plus days then and it was no problem what so ever...nice and cool in the sea and shade of boat.

Do like the natives in the med and stay our of sun in the heat of the day and it is not bad at all. I got stuck outside on a 100 plus day in Rhodes and ended up in the hospital and I hear some even died at Ephesus in that heat.

Cappadocia has been the coolest place we have been except for the yacht tour, but everywhere there is good AC.

Thanks for your updates Wtnow. We are off next weekend visiting most of the places you have mentioned and spending four nights on a gulet (with A/C). Glad to hear that the heat has been manageable (with precautions). I remain concerned about Ephesus as I have heard there is little shade and our youngest son does not do well in the heat. I guess we will just try to go early, keep hydrated and wear a hat an sunscreeen! Any other suggestions?

We did an active biking vaction in Vietnam in January, and it was HOT. Before we left I bought neck scarves that have a gel in them. When soaked in water they remain damp for hours, if not days, and do help to keep you cool. They were by a company called blue something I think. See if you can find them online. I think I bought them from campmor.com.

Hello, folks,

This is Erik in Seattle, who posted the original message. I kept talking to my wife about where exactly we should go. We talked about the hot weather in Turkey in August. But she's willing to deal with that.

I know we'll pay a higher airfare price from Seattle-Istanbul at this short notice and at this time of the year.

But, we've only got the kids for so long, and my wife's friends just simply say great things about Turkey.

In general, we'll be in Istanbul and then head off to the coastal areas.

My wife didn't find it amusing that I'd like to take a side trip to this town on the Iraq border.

I'm dealing with justfares.com as they are based in Seattle, and, at least in dealing with a local, seem nice and competent. I like it that their office is only a few blocks from my office.

Because of my daughter's work schedule, we're leaving August 1 or 2, and she's returning August 12. We'll stay longer with our 18-year-old son.

I'd love suggestions for the time my daughter is in Turkey. She wants to be in Istanbul, and then head off to the beaches.

Any suggestions for towns and for hotels in the coast?

Thanks again for all your kind replies.

Erik in Seattle

It's Erik in Seattle again.

I was asked for more specifics.

I'm hoping for hotel room rates in the U.S. $100 to $200 a day range, including taxes and service charges.

I don't know anything about driving in Turkey. I'm guessing car rental prices in Turkey are the same as in France or Spain, and that's fine.

I don't think we'd rent a car while in Istanbul, but take taxis.

As for going to the coast, maybe I'd rent a car in Istanbul when when we drive out. Or is it better to make your way to the coast and rent a car there? Any recommendations on car rental agencies? In traveling in various parts of the world, I sometimes have booked in advance from the U. S., and sometimes booked when arriving. The adage is that you get cheaper car rental prices when booking from the U. S., but I didn't find that to be true in countries I have visited.

Do I need an International Driver's license? I'll probably just get one at my AAA place in Seattle.

What about road directions? Are any in English?

Thanks again,

Erik in Seattle

I haven't quite completed my trip report on Turkey yet, but most of it is posted already under a title something like My Take on Turkey. Search for it and you'll find answers to some of your questions. No international driver's license required.

Forgot to add a suggestion if you haven't bought your tickets yet. We left in mid-May and purchased tickets only a week and a half ahead of time. We bought from 1-800-flyeurope (AutoEurope's flight agency). Prices were actually lower than we'd seen months earlier, but I had to watch like a hawk to find them because fares changed several times a day. We took the same NWA flights we were looking at through other booking sites.

Hi Erik,
Beack vacation is varibale in Turkey.
Med. coast have a lot of big all. incl. resort.Olympos, Kas, Kalkan has small and luxury B&B's. Bodrum has places in betweekn or mix options as above, Further Marmaris and Kusadasi more mass tourism with cheaper options.
Your budget is good enough for a doble.
Good Luck,
Murat

Hi, it's Erik from Seattle.

Thanks for the responses. Would you recommend renting a car in Istanbul and driving to the coast, or taking some other means and renting a car on the coast?

What would be a town that you'd recommend as our first coastal destination? Any hotels there that you'd recommend?

Thanks!

Erik

I would go to Kalkan or Olympos.
For Kalkan Dalaman Airport, For Olympos Antalya airports are suitable.
Renting a cra in Istanbul is not recommended.
Olympos Lodge and Villa Mahal ra the fine choices.
Regards,
Murat

I would think these two hotels we enjoyed in 2003 would also appeal to a family. Ibrahim Pasha in Istanbul (very close to Blue Mosque and Aya Sophia). www.ibrahimpasha.com and El Vino in Bodrum. www.elvinobodrum.com And as a coastal outing you might enjoy the ancient Greek ruins at Priena, Dydima and Miletus. We visited all three in a days drive from Bodrum to Sirince. (You might like Sirince too as a great little town from which you can visit Ephesus.) We flew into Bodrum and out of Iznik (both from/to Istanbul) on Turkish Air which was great. And both places relatively easy to rent and a return a car. Have fun planning your trip!

We loved Cirali which is right next to Olympos but are different. Cirali is a quaint little village and it was a highlight. We stayed at Arcadia Hotel which is a beautiful property right on an uncrowdedeach.
www.arcadiaholiday.com

There are a very wide variety of options from tiny pansyions to Olympos Lodge which exceeds your budget.

We also visited the Feyithe area. We took a really nice 12 island boat trip and enjoyed that immensely because the scenery is spectacular. However, we did not like that area nearly as much as the sedate and beautiful Cirali.

Villa Mahal is beautiful but would be waaay over your budget.

Hello fellow Seattle-ite!

I just got back from 3 weeks in Turkey about a month ago. It's fabulous, you'll love it, but it will be HOT as you've already realized (I was dying of the heat in late May/early June--I can't imagine what it's like in August!).

We spent 2 weeks on a gulet on the Lycian coast (Gocek to Antayla and back) so can't advise on hotels but having seen/visited both Kalkan and the Olympos area from the boat I'd agree with those suggestions. The Chimera near Olympos was a particular highlight we thought (we were on an archeological cruise so the focus was ancient sites). But there are so many wonderful sites to see and great beaches.

If you can get a cottage at Nisanyan House in Sirince, do it for sure. We stayed in their 2 BR cottage up above the Inn, it was amazing. That would be worth booking ahead IMO. Same with Esbelli in Cappadocia if you go there.

We stayed at the Dersaadet in Istanbul and loved it.

I echo the recommendation for Nisanyan House. We stayed in their main building and were very pleased with the rooms and with the whole feeling of the place.

If you will be in Efes and Sirince, you might consider spending a few nights in Foca. We had two nights there on a car trip (rented car with hired driver) from Istanbul to Efes/Sirince and I recommend the town of Foca if you want to get away from the usual tourist haunts. It is a relaxed port town with a lovely beach and good seafood restaurants. We stayed at the Focantique Hotel, a small place on the sea in a historic stone building.


http://www.focantiquehotel.com/english/index.html

It's Erik in Seattle, with an update on plans.

So what I'm thinking is staying 2-3 in Istanbul upon arrival from Seattle. That's to get over jetlag and see a few sights. We'd return at the end of the trip for more sightseeing in Istanbul.

I don't think we'll drive from Istanbul to Antalya. From what I've read, that'd be a very long day of driving. We'll likely fly to Dalaman or Antalya, and rent a car.

We want to go on a blue cruise, and, again, from researching, I'm leaning towards
http://www.olymposyachting.com.

They have 2-night or 3-night cruises. I sent them an e-mail about availability and prices.

We'd love to go ballooning, but that's in Cappadocia, as I understand it. Has anyone driven from Antalya to Cappadocia? How long does it take? Is it worth it? Is it better to fly there? I'm weighing the time factor. My daughter can only be in Turkey for 10 days. I'm settling on Istanbul, a blue cruise and something else, as the 3 things to do. That something else could be ballooning, which I read is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The rest of the family will stay longer in Turkey, so I wanted to do something that'd be real highlights during the first 10 days.
I welcome your suggestions!

Erik in Seattle

Don't miss Cappadocia. You'll never see anything like it. We recently were there. Stayed at Esbelli Evi, which was a very peaceful welcoming place to stay. Did a balloon trip with Kappadokya Balloons, had a private guide for a day (highly recommend so you understand what you're looking at), went to see a whirling dervish ceremony at Surihan (a 13th century caravanserai) and ate at some very good restaurants! The underground cities are perhaps the most amazing places I've ever seen in my life. Our teenage kids loved it as much as we did. You really only need a couple of days there so you can easily fit it in.

It's Erik in Seattle.

Thanks, BKD,

Cappadocia it is. Now, I have to figure out if we 1) fly Istanbul to whatever airport is in Cappadocia, and then fly to Antalya, or 2) fly Istanbul to Antalya, and then either fly or drive to Cappadocia.

Any further suggestions?

Thanks,

Erik in Seattle.

Other than renting a car to drive from Sirince to Bodrum and back to the Izmir airport, we flew everwhere. The distances from place to place make for pretty long drives and flying is pretty cheap. Even though security is tight at the airports (we could learn a few lessons at U.S. airports), the airports are small and very manageable. Even the domestic terminal at Istanbul was easy.

We actually skipped Istanbul at first and went straight to Sirince via Izmir. It was a very long haul (New Orleans to Houston to Paris to Istanbul to Izmir-whew!)but it was for us a very wise decision after now having visited Istanbul. We found going to a smaller, calmer place was a great way to unwind after the long flights and catch up on the time change. Istanbul is hectic to say the least and I'm glad we saved it for last. Also, I'm glad we didn't split up Istanbul so we didn't have to pack up one more time.

To get to Cappadocia you fly to Kayseri and then it's about a 45 minute ride. Your hotel can arrange a transfer, if you don't want to rent a car in Kayseri. It was only about $10 per person. Word of warning--renting cars is not cheap and gasoline is crazy expensive something like $9 a gallon!

As far as airlines go, we went with Turkish Airlines domestically and I thought they were great and a great value. We also flew Sun Express-not as nice as Turkish Airlines, but ok. One problem you might have is that most flights go in and out of Istanbul so it's harder to get to places without having to go back to Istanbul. It looks like Sun Express has non-stop service to Kayseri from Antalya so you may be okay to fly w/o having to go back to Istanbul. Sun Express can be booked through the Turkish Airlines web site. There are a couple of other domestic airlines, Onur and Atlas, that you may also want to check out.

Hope that helps.

Hi Erik,
Another recommendation at Cirali & Olympos region is www.canadahotel.net
I have not been there myself but hear good things about the service and the owners.... My land Nature can be also another alternatif.

As for Cappadocia;
You can do both of your plans. If you plan to fly to Kayseri there are two flights in a week from either side.
Do not skip the option of hot air ballooning in Cappadocia if your budget permits.
Let me know if I can be any assistance for Cappadocia as an insider of the region.

Driving from Antalya or to Antalya is easy but needs about 7 hours.

Happy travelling,
Murat

Hi Erik,

The first one looks good. You can fly to Kayseri and after Cappadocia tour drive to Antalya.

Hi, it's Erik from Seattle.

Any suggestions on best deals for a hot-air balloon trip? I also think we'll spend at least a night in one of those hotels built in a cave.

Thanks,

Erik

Hi Erik, You sound like a wonderful parent. I would love to take my kids someday, especially the gulet part. What a great way to make some memories. We spent 3 days in Istanbul, (I would have liked 1 more)flew to Kayseri and spent 2 days and 1 night in Cappadocia. Then we flew to Antalya and did a 4 day Gulet. That was my favorite. We ended up spending 1 day in Izmir and 1 in Ephesus. Now, what we could have done differently? We flew, and I highly suggest it, if time is an issue. Its about $100 one way, each segment. The only problem with flying was we had to keep backtracking to Istanbul and that was a giant waste of time. I think its better now. I could have spent only 1 long day and night in Cappadocia and seen enough of the amazing sites to be happy. I could have also done a 3 day Gulet and still had the best time, and Izmir really should have just been where we ended up for our flight home. It was nothing special. Sorry, (to any Izmirites), but its the truth. Turkey is sooo amazing and your time there (this trip)is limited, so you are probably better off taking advantage of your time to see all the stuff that's very touristy, but makes Turkey so unique, and save the B list for next time. Have fun. P.S., We just returned from Slovenia & Croatia with no prior hotel reservations, but it was late May, before the hoardes arrived. I did come with names and # of hotels so (just in case) we couldn't find anything, or everything we found was too much, atleast we would have some leads. Good Luck!

Best deal you can find hot air ballooning with the best operator is at:
http://www.goremehouse.com/eng/rates.htm

2 night accommodation, tour, transfer package for 275 Euro p.person.

Its an experinece not to miss.

Good luck,
Murat

Hello,it's Erik from Seattle.

Thanks for your many kind replies!

So I think we'll arrive in Istanbul,likely jetlagged, and so spend 3 days there. Then we fly to Cappadocia,stay in a cave hotel, do the ballooning,hopefully in some package plan. Then we fly off to the coast for a 2-3 day boat cruise and drive around there. After that, my daughter has to fly back to Seattle and the rest of the family has a week in which to see things. My 18-year-old son will be with us, and I'd like to have see some sights, other than the ones in the clubs along the coast, which would mean he sleeps in until noon or whatever. So if you have suggestions for the last week, it'd help.

Thanks!

Sounds like a great plan so far! Hopefully you'll incorporate many of the ancient sites into your itinerary on the coast.

For your last week, I'll reiterate the suggestion of heading to the Ephesus area and stay up in Sirince, doing day trips from there.

I too stayed in the hotel part of Nisanyan house and would highly recommend the hotel and the village as a base. If you haven't found it yet, the owner of Nisanyan house also has a book and a website for other great small places to stay throughout Turkey. www.nisanyan.net