Help with itinerary in Turkey
 

My husband and I ( in our 50's) have a week to spend in Turkey before we will be in Istanbul for a conference late May. We have been to Istanbul before. We would like to go to Epheseus and Cappadoccia as well as perhaps a relaxing, not too touristy region(?Kas). We would like suggestions on how to do this efficiently in a weeks time and input into an itinerary. Is it best to do part as a group tour/ private guide or independently? We are fairly seasoned travellers. We would be arriving on Saturday May 24th from Toronto and need to be in Istanbul for the following Friday evening.
Thanks!

Late May is a lovely time to be in Turkey!

Although it will vary with what, exactly, you want to see and experience, I think 4 days is about right for Cappadocia. I thought Turkey easy to visit independently. I didn't think guides were necessary for most sites, but I did think them very helpful for a few places, including the Terrace Houses at Ephesus and the underground cities of Cappadocia. I commented on which places I thought a guide was necessary and provided comparisons of various places along the coast in my trip report -- just click on my name to find it.

We spent 9 days going by car from Izmir (Ephesus) to Cappadocia. You might want to take a look at my trip report; click on my name to find it.

Wow, I just went through your trip to Turkey. I wish we had more time!I adored Istanbul when we visited 3 years ago and look forward to seeing more of Turkey as well as Istanbul. If you could add one more spot to Epheseus and Cappadocia where would it be?
Thanks for your quick response.

Thanks Michael. I did read it. Our problem is time. We only have a week before we arrive in Istanbul and that will be after a long flight from Toronto. I loved Istanbul when we were there for 5 days a few years ago.
I don't have a good sense of where the airports are in relation to the sites ( Cappadocia and Epheseus)and the distances between regions. I will need to get hold of a Turkey guidebook.

I wish you had more time, too. I have not been to Ephesus, but considering travel time, etc., 3 days for Ephesus (perhaps seeing other things in the vicinity) and 4 for Cappadocia seems about right. We spent 3 days in Cappadocia and easily could have filled a week there. You can do it independently, but I noticed others doing guided tours, and I can certainly see the value. We had a driver to facilitate a walk through the Ilhara valley, and I highly recommend that.

Pamukkale (sp?)

It REALLY depends on your interests! I was very glad to have visited each of the places I saw. One thing you might consider is that the travertines of Pamakkale are quite unusual and stunningly beautiful. You could visit them along with Hierapolis (ruins right by the travertines) and perhaps also Afrodisias. But I don't think you would go wrong with any of the myriad options before you!

For your guidebook, I strongly recommend The Rough Guide - it was by far the most useful of the half-dozen I used when planning my trip.

(@ Michael - I love that we both suggested Pamukkale!)

Thanks! I looked at a map and Pamukkale looks close to Ephaseus. I will look for a copy of Rough Guide.

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/ScenesOfTurkey

Here are some selected pics which should give you a bit of familiarization with the Turkish countryside..it's there in the form of Cappadocia, Turquoise Coast, (Kas(h)), Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya (and the Lake District where very few tourists tread).

I can't offer you any trip reports..I just don't write them. Even though you've been in Istanbul before, I'll toss in pix below.

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

...enjoy your visit.

I still have the urge to go to Kas. if I flew directly to one of the airports either near Ephesus or Cappadocia and then to the closest airport to Kas could I not do all three areas in the week? We would arrive in one of the cities on a Saturday and need to be in Istanbul late friday night. Too crazy?

With a bit less than a week, during which you will likely have to deal with jet lag, I think it would be worth considering Cappadocia, Ephesus, and EITHER Kas OR Pamukkale. And I travel faster and harder than most Fodorites! But it's your trip and only you can decide whether visiting more locations in less depth and with more time spent in transit better suits your interests. They are all worth visiting!

I am thinking that with a tight time line I might consider a small group tour of Cappadocia to complete three locations in one week. If we went to Pamukkale instead of Kas it is one less flight and less hectic so it wouldn't be necessary. I was thinking Cappadocia Tours. I was not thinking Kas and Pamukkale. We have travelled a lot in Europe and are pretty good in doing it on our own often using public transit. The flight from Toronto to Istanbul would be direct with a second flight to either Izmir or Cappadocia. I am thinking doing Epheseus the day after arriving is probably not the best idea. If going to Epheseus, Cappadocia and Kas via flights what order do you propose? I guess it depends on flight connections.....

jft, as a young couple at your age, i would consider doing all, as follows :

1. Fly directly to cappadocia upon arrival from Toronto.
2. Stay 2 nights in cappadocia, taking Melatonin tablets each night abot 10PM local time, and taking tours.
3. Fly to izmir, renting car at airport, visiting Ephesus that day or next depending on schedule of Sunexpress or Pegasus flight. (check schedules and baggage allowances)
4. Drive to pamukkale after one night in Seluk (near Ephesus)
You may have time to visit Aphrodisias depending on your time of departure from selcuk.
5. Make sure you arrive at pamukkale at the travertines at sunset for the great scenery.
6. One night at pamukkale should do it.
7. Fifth day, you can make the 5.5 hr drive to Kas easily to rest two nights, take the kekova boat cruise rest.
8. Final day, drive to Dalaman airport 2-2.5 hrs or so possibly visiting Patara on the way, drop car and fly back to Istanbul.

We have done more than that without flying within a week on previous trips although it did mean leaving out some sights for future visits (other reincarnations sometimes) and in my sixties although DW is your age.

I am reprinting an earlier Kas/Fethiye, etc report which was on Fodor's Lounge and not available to all. This should give you some idea of driving in the area.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...10-trip.cfm?10

May I ask what is pulling you so strongly to Kas? It is lovely, but IMO, it is not "special" in the way that Pamukkale and Cappadocia are. I'm not criticizing, I'm just trying to understand.

I am glad you asked that question. My feeling is that Cappadocia and Epheseus/Pamukkale will be hectic and I thought someplace contrasting and relaxing would work well. Kas sounded nice but it could be somewhere else closer to Epheseus. I was looking for somewhere more rural and less arrid and near the coast. I did go to the library and I am looking through the guidebooks which may give me a better sense.
In thinking about it- it sounds like I am trying to cover too much in a short time. Yet I read your Switzerland report and you can certainly move around!

You're absolutely right, I DO move around a lot -- FAR more than most Fodorites!

But even as someone who moves around a lot, if you look at my trip report for Turkey, you'll see that I gave Cappadocia 4 days, Kas close to a day (depending on how you count my time on the days on either side of my night there), 1 night in Pamukkale, and 2 nights in Selcuk (for Ephesus). You'll also see that I spent about 4.5 days along the southern coast of Italy, and while there, I visited not just Kas, but also Aspendos, Perge, Antalya, Olympos, Phaselis, the Chimaera, Cirali, Adrasan, Arykanda, Myra, Ucagiz, Kekova, Xanthos, and Patara -- all worth seeing, IMO. AND I had a car and travelled solo -- both of which made it very easy to move about and take advantage of some of the wonderful options that are available in that lovely part of the world.

I did not find my time in Cappadocia or Ephesus or Pamukkale to be hectic. I visited these places just a bit earlier than you will be there, but I don't think a week or two would make that much difference to your experience. I didn't feel like there were a lot of others around at any of these places, and I felt like I visited things at a pace that was relaxing, even if I did keep moving forward. I'm not sure if that makes sense, so let me say it differently: I took my time at every place I visited. I never rushed. I relaxed over a pre-dinner glass of wine and over dinner. It's just that I did -- in Turkey, Switzerland, and just about everywhere else I've visited -- keep moving forward. (I hate backtracking! I only unpack what I need. I don't understand why people think my pace is hectic when I spend LESS time moving on than they spend backtracking and packing/unpacking! But as I already said, I travel solo, and that makes a huge difference.)

If what you want is time on a coast/beach, you might look into Cesme (I think otherchelebi has a trip report on that peninsula, which is near Ephesus) or Foca (also nearer to Ephesus than Kas), which has also been reviewed on this board.

In contrast, if you try to visit Cappadocia in just 2 or 3 days AND visit Kas AND visit Ephesus, well, I fear that your trip could be hectic!

But maybe we have different ideas of what a hectic trip is.

Hope that helps!

oops! that should be "4.5 days along the southern coast of Turkey". Listening to the Olympics while typing on Fodor's can lead to some odd errors!

Probably in the back of my mind I am thinking we may not be back in Turkey for a long while so want to get a glimpse of another area.Usually we do not hop around as much but find a base and see a lot around it as we did in Bergen,Norway this fall. We are not opposed to renting cars and driving but also okay with public transit. I think our timeline is too short to add the turquoise coast especially as there is a lot to see and villages to experience. It's not so much going to a beach but seeing more of Turkey that drew me to the Kas area.
Now that I have some guidebooks I can sit down and learn more of the areas.

The good news is that you will see some wonderful things even if you don't see everything you had originally hoped to see. :-) Once you go through your guidebooks, but sure to check back with any additional questions you have.

I managed to get hold of some guidebooks from the library and am making some headway. I am comfortable with spending time in Cappadocia (4 nights) and then flying to Izmir on a morning direct flight from Kayseri and renting a car. We would go to Epheseus, and Pamukkale ( with a stop at Afrodesias )flying out of Denzili airport near Pamukkale on the Friday morning.(possibly a drive to Cesme pennisula on arrival). The issue is the 120 Euro drop off charge at Denzili for the rental car which seems excessive. Is anyone aware of reputable agencies that don't charge such a hefty charge? I am not sure a day trip to Pamukkale and back to Selcuk or Kusadasi is worth it.....

I arranged my rental through gemut.com

I seem to be making good headway with my trip to Cappadocia and Selcuk region end of May.
Booked flights from Toronto and internal flight from Keyseri to Izmir. I was able to arrive one day earlier than planned arriving in Goreme on friday May 23 at 645pm and leaving for Izmir on Tuesday morning arriving at 1020am.
I have found a well reviewed private guide that will take us to Afrodisias and Pamukkale/ Hieropolis then to the airport at Denizli airport for a 715pm flight to Istanbul on the following Friday. I think it is a good option as it makes use of our short time in the region plus we will get the benefit of his knowledge. It won't be as tiring as driving to and from Selcuk in one day or dealing with the drop off car charges. We also won't have to change hotels so often. What we don't have is use of a car to possibly drive around the Cesme pennisula etc.
Having poured over the guidebooks I now see how going to Kas would not do justice to the area. I will go to the turquoise coast another trip.

I have not booked a hotel/b&b yet in Goreme or Selcuk nor figured out the best transfer from the airport. I am hoping to go to the market in Tire on the Tuesday we arrive in Izmir although I do not know when it closes. We have Wednesday and Thursday to tour Ephesus, go to the Ephesus museum wander around Selcuk etc.
I have read many of your trip reports and looked at the beautiful photos which are so inspiring.

Any further suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!

Good news about the extra day!

I believe the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk is closed temporarily. The last I saw, it is scheduled to reopen in summer 2014. You might see if you can find anything out closer to the time of your trip.

Looking at reviews I believe the museum in now open. I am looking forward to 3 whole days in Cappadocia and almost 4 days in the Ephesus/Pamukkale area.
Need to figure out where to stay as there seems tons of good choices in Goreme and less great options in Selcuk. Thinking about Aydinli Cave hotel in Goreme. Not sure where in Selcuk.

Have you looked at booking.com?

jft, Selcuk has rather simple accommodation. If you prefer larger rooms, sea view, things to do in the evening, a possible dip in the sea, some sunbathing on balcony of room, try hotels at Kusadasi, only 20-25 minutes from Selcuk. In the past we have stayed at Turban, Kustur, Kismet and more recently Hilton in Kusadasi.

For only one or two night stays we have enjoyed staying at Nazhan in Selcuk, especially because of the friendly atmosphere and the very special breakfast which included local wild greens and despite the smaller rooms and bathrooms. (we were told that they now have a new building or two with larger rooms)

We have 3 nights. I like booking.com for pictures and reviews and then try to book with the individual hotel when it is a small one. Between there and tripadvisor you get some sort of sense.
Ephesus Suites looks really nice but only have 2 nights available suggesting that we stay at their relatives hotel the first night if nothing comes up. Seems like a hassle. I am looking at Nazhan and St. John. I think we may prefer the local scene at Selcuk versus the resort scene at Kusadasi but I will take a gander at your suggestions, otherchelebi.

In Cappadocia Erenbey Cave Hotel looks nice as do many of the hotels/inns.

Jft: Chelebi and I never agree on anything..but I must admit the Kismet in Kusadasi (koosh-a-desu) is perfect for his suggestion of cooling it, yet not very far from Selcuk and Ephesus.

Go back for another look at my pics and you will see quite a few heralding the Kismet..very peaceful with views overlooking the harbor. I don't know what the rates are now. Look it up. You will throughly enjoy your visit to Turkey.
stu

I will look at Kismet but we may have one day too much there. I was looking at Saint Johns or Hotel Nilya. I was thinking Selcuk is a bit more like a working town so more a Turkish experience.
Other than hotels( Cappadocia and Ephesus area) my trip is pretty set ( internal Turkish flights, a guide for Ephesus and Afrodisia/Pamukkale/Hieropolis to Denizli airport.....coming together nicely and very exciting.

Sorry my last response did not make sense. I will look into the Kismet ( just sent a request- it may have renovations done presently. Reviews are all over the place but views look great) I was thinking Selcuk is a bit more of a Turkish experience but 3 nights may be too long for it. Looking at Saint Johns or Hotel Nilya in Selcuk.
Not set in Cappadocia yet- my husband would prefer a bright room ( ie windows ) rather than a real cave room....

I was very pleased with my stay at the Arch Palace Hotel in Goreme; it is not a cave hotel. You can find my trip advisor review under KJA3.
http://archpalace.com/en/index.html

Thanks for all your help! We had a fabulous trip. We flew to Cappadocia via Istanbul from Toronto and stayed in Goreme at The Elysee Cave house for 4 nights(loved the hotel and fabulous hospitality by Cengiz the owner). We use Turkiye Balloons the first morning and they were extremely professional and well priced. The balloon ride was fantastic and I felt the 24 person balloon was just fine( there were 20 in our balloon) with very clear visability.
We did some things on our own and also arranged two tours, one with Reliable Travel and one with Heritage (both good- preferred Reliable). Lots to see and do out of Goreme- Cappadocia is a great escape!
We then flew to Izmir and took a hotel transfer to Selcuk staying at Hotel Kalehan for 3 nights (okay hotel). We took the dolmus to Tire on our arrival day to visit their large Tuesday market(very local, no tourists)which I loved. The next day we had a private guided tour of Ephesus with Ertunga Ecir, followed by a wonderful lunch at a local woman's home in Serince. The following day we took 2 buses to Mili National Park for a beautiful day at secluded beaches very close to the Greek Island of Samos. Not many people but a lot of wild boars! The last day was spent again with our guide who drove us to Aphrodesia, Pamukkale and Heropolis before he dropped us off at Denzili airport enroute to Istanbul. Ertunga was very knowlegable and accommodating.
My next big trip will be Vietnam end of January/February!

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for letting us know! :-)