I am planning a 16 day trip to Turkey this May. I am a 27 year old female, traveling alone, and this is my first trip to that country. Of course I want to see the major sites - but I would rather do activities to get a more authentic experience of Turkish culture, than to spend too much time on "touristy" things... I would really like to see Istanbul, the Cappadocia region, Pammukale, and Ephesus.

I would be really grateful for any suggestions as to number of days I should spend in each area. Also are there any other cities that I should consider including on the trip? I was also considering driving along the Aegean Coast for a few days - but wasn't sure if that would be a good use of my time, especially considering I'm traveling alone.

I would also love any suggestions in terms of activities to do, must-see sights, transportation tips, great/safe hotels, and so forth. I really enjoy doing outdoor activities so I'm would like to try rappeling, atving, horse-back riding, and a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. Are there any cooking or pottery classes that you would recommend in Istanbul or Goreme (Cappadocia)? Also, I would like to include any Biblical archaeological sites to my trip and wouldn't mind adding a couple detours for them.

Also , would a $3000 budget (not including flights) be enough/practical?

Before committing to Turkey you might want to read this thread, especially towards the end:

Anthropology and Archeology for the Turkey Traveler

However, the places you list will probably be OK, just don't go further east.

Practice saying :"no thank you" firmly so you can fend off carpet salesman.

Our first Turkey trip was over five years ago, but the basics are the same so it might help you.

Falling Hard for Turkey – Sept. 14 – 28, 2012

I second thursdaysd’s recommendation to read this thread by otherchelebi:
Anthropology and Archeology for the Turkey Traveler

I spent 25 days as a solo female traveler in Turkey back in 2012; you might find some useful information in my old trip report:
Some Observations on a Fantastic Journey through Western Turkey

Before you finalize your plan, I strongly recommend that you post a preliminary itinerary here on Fodor’s, and make sure you give otherchelebi time to respond.

Hope that helps!

And here's a link to otherchelebi's current thread about travel in Turkey:
Turkey, Threats, Reprisals, Travels

Definitely helps! Thank you so much for sharing and for your suggestions!

My aunt just got back from visiting Turkey, and she was telling me that I should try to go to Greece for a few days because it's so close from Bodrum. She visited Kos and really like it... Does anyone know where to find the Ferry Routes & Times - I tried searching online but it was all rather confusing. Also, I've heard that trying to get to Santorini can be quite difficult, if so - between Kos and Rhodes which island is more worthwhile to visit? Or do you think I'm better off trying to visit places off Turkey's Aegean coast?

Day 1-3: Istanbul
Day 4-6: Goreme / Cappadocia
Day 7-8: Bodrum or Selcuk base for: Ephesus / Pammukale
Day 9-13 : Aegean Coast or Greece (Kos, Rhodes, or Santorini?)
Day 14-15 Istanbul

As you have laid out your itinerary, it doesn't seem that you have planned for time to get from place to place. For example, you will either need to leave Istanbul on your day 3 to be in Goreme on day 4, or you will need to leave Istanbul on day 4, losing part of your time in Goreme. That means that you have less than 2 days in Goreme / Cappadocia, when many of us want at least 3 days (if not 4), less than a day for Ephesus and Pammukale (and honestly, I don't know how you would do that), etc. And FWIW, I wish I'd given Istanbul more than 6 days -- it is a fascinating city!

So before you decide whether to include any part of Greece, please make sure you have time for what you want to do in Turkey!