We are going to Turkey from Dec 28th - Jan 9, 2010. I have made some initial planning but would really appreciate your help on refining the itinerary.

Dec 28th - Jan 1st : Istanbul
Jan 1st - 3rd: Fly to Izmir, stay in Kusadasi. Visit Ephesus, Didyama etc.
Jan 3rd - Fly to Antalya
Jan 5th - Fly to Kayeseri for visit to Cappadocia
Jan 8th - Fly back to Istanbul
Jan 9th - Fly back to US

Please let me know if the trip makes sense. Also, any advice for alternative places to visit, things to do especially new years would be very useful.

Thanks

Your planned travel time is suitable for a great deal of flexibility.

it is a good idea to be in Istanbul on New Year's Eve. (check for various suggestions on the istanbul forum on Trip advisor)

I hope you realize that there is a high probability that Cappadocia will be under snow. This will probably make it quite lovely but difficult to walk around. You must have ski jackets, suitable underwear and check about the heating beforehand at your cave hotel. (i.e. Kelebek)

Selcuk and Antalya, on the other hand will be in the forties and mild, possibly with some rain.

You must check the weather forecasts continuously, starting from about a week before your arrival and plan accordingly.
You will have no difficulty with hotel vacancies outside Istanbul and airplane seats at this time, so you do not need to stick to a single program.

It is a good idea to rent cars at both Selcuk and Antalya to make the best of your trip, but not in Cappadocia, where you should take tours.

Thanks a lot. This is very, helpful. I agree flexibility would make it worthwhile.

So, I after discussions with a Turkish friend we have decided to skip Antalya (Jan not the ideal time to visit) and have rearranged the itinerary away from the beach towns.

Dec 28th - Jan 1st : Istanbul
Jan 1st - 3rd: Fly to Cappadocia, 2 night stay
Jan 3rd - Drive to Konya; arriving late on Jan 3rd. Spend Jan 4th seeing the sights and leave on Jan 5th
Jan 5th - Drive to Pammukale.
Jan 6th - Spend the day in Pammukale and Drive to Ephesus. Spend next two days in the area
Jan 8th - Fly to Istanbul
Jan 9th - Fly back to US

I would like to get some feedback on your thoughts on the itinerary and also would like to know if there are any sites worth visiting between Konya and Pammukale.

Also, any hotel recommendations in the area would be most welcome. So far, I am planning the following hotels.

Istanbul: W-Hotel
Cappadocia: Sacred Hotel, Esbelli Evi or Museum Hotel
Konya: Need help
Pammukale: Need Help
Ephesus Area: Deciding b/w Kasuadasi, Selcuk or Sirince

Looking forward to your response

In the Ephesus area, I would choose either Selcuk or Sirince. They're both smaller than Kusadasi (Sirince is tiny) and have more character than Kusadasi.

Two of our children stayed at the W in Istanbul this summer and loved it.

Although not on your list for Cappadocia, we stayed at the Melekler Evi in Urgup; it was exquisite.

Enjoy!

Ellen

I would not drive from Cappadocia to Konya, or anywhere, as a matter of fact, in January, even if it were possible to rent a good SUV. Please fly to Izmir airport from Cappadocia, even if it means you have to do it via Istanbul.

take the rental car at Izmir airport. If you are in early in the day, go directly to Sardis, and you can be back in Selcuk before sundown, because most roads are motorway. heed the 90k (+10%)on highways and 120k (+10%) speed limits on motorways.
There are two locations at Sardis, not far from each other and one ticket will cover both, whichever you visit first, the temple of Artemis or the Gymnasium and the Synagogue.

Check the 'small hotels of Turkey" web site for good hotel selections, but make sure that the hotel at Sirince or Selcuk (i concur with Ellen) has central heating and not just a split A/C with heat.

You can have Selcuk as a hub and visit Aphrodisias, Helipolis, Pamukkale one day, Heraklia and possibly Bodrom one day; Miletus, Didyma, Prienne one day; and Ephesus, Selcuk museum, st. John's and if you are there on Saturday, the Selcuk market on one day.

There may also be a festival in Selcuk in January. Just check.

Konya is not a first trip city, and you will not need to stay in Pamukkale. So a comfortable location in Sirince will give you a lot of flexibility.

Kusadasi is not a bad idea either, because of the time, and the possibility of some extra comforts. Kismet Hotel, at kusadasi has decent rooms and a fabulous location on its own small peninsula. An old Greek house with a fireplace in Sirince would also be cozy.

In Istanbul,I do not recommend the W so much because of the location.(Its fusion restaurant is terrific)
Somewhat more expensive but at a very 'in' location is Park Hyatt or similar price range to W but again at better location is Sofa.

Another interesting possibility is the Radisson Bosphorus hotel, on the seaside at Ortakoy, with incredible view and at the fun Ortakoy district, which also has some good bars and restaurants, as well as the Istanbul Jazz Center.

We flew from Nevsehir to Izmir via Istanbul. Even with the change of planes in Istanbul, it was easy. We were in Ataturk airport four times during our two weeks in Turkey; it's modern and easy to get around in.

Sirince has a very different feel than Selcuk. Selcuk is more of a city and as I said, Sirince is a very small village. Although we loved the Hotel Bella in Selcuk, I'd be tempted to stay in Sirince next time. It really depends on whether you want an isolated, quaint village or a larger town.

YOu cannot fly from Cappadocia to Izmir directly. You have to transit in Istanbul. Which means you have spend at leat 4 or 5 hour for that. DOes it worth? I dont think so. I would take a night bus. Karore, did you make your reservations?

Hi Everyone,

Thanks a lot for your help. I haven't finalized any reservations yet but seems like visit to Konya might be too much. So, the revised plan is.

Dec 28 - Jan 1: Istanbul
Jan 1 - Jan 4: Cappadocia
Jan 4 - Jan 8: Selcuk (Ephesus, Pammaukale, Heriapolis etc).
Jan 8 - Return to Istanbul
Jan 9 Return to US.

I am using my points at the W in Istanbul, I realize that its not the ideal location but its close enough.

Cappadocia we are staying at the Cappadocia Cave Hotel.

We are planning to stay at Nisanyan Hotel in Sirince in the Selcuk area. Let me know if you have any other suggestions.

I found a direct flight on Turkish airlines from Kayseri to Izmir which is a 90 min flight, so I think we'll take that.

Thank you soo much for the advice.

for our last night in Istanbul we would like to stay at a hotel with excellent views of the Blue Mosque. I would really appreciate if you can give some advice.

Hi Karore,

You might consider one night less in Cappadocia and an extra day in Istanbul or Selcuk. But either way, I am sure you will enjoy your trip, despite the possible weather issue.

The W hotel is itself good and the neighborhood has improved in the last months. Its fusion restaurant is excellent although expensive.

Just up the hill from your hotel is the new location of the Lebanese style Al Jamal Restaurant. Again expensive but well worth a visit, because they have very good belly dancing and interesting Lebanese food. (usually fixed price of about $110 plus tip.)

If you turn left and then first righ from the hotel entrance, you will get to a major middle class shopping area, which may be fun to explore. If you go direct at the major intersection and follow the flow of the road, it will bring you to Barbaros Blvd. Just before getting there there is a small old style shopping mall on your right, called Sinan Pasa Alis Veris Merkezi. The top floor has incredible collection of PC, Playstation games and DVDs of new and old films.

If you get there, buy the Fatih Akin documentary, "Crossing the Bridge" on the Music of Istanbul. It is also a good area to buy CD and DVD R s or other IT stuff.

If you need any hemming, repairs or stitching, there are small tailor shops at the mall before that and connected to Sinanpasa on the top floor.

Sorry cannot recommend any hotel that fits your wish in Sultanahmet.

now it looks perfect. You might need to book a local tour in cappadocia. did you get any information about that?

I'm sure others will disagree, but I did not find Pammaukale worth a lot of time. You should certainly see it, but a couple of hours should be enough.

So, I made some adjustments, found the flights and I think I have the final version now.

Dec 28th - Jan 1st : Istanbul (W Hotel)
Jan 1st - 4rd: Fly to Nevsehir (Cappadocia Cave Suites)
Jan 4-7 : Fly to Izmir, stay in Sirince. (Sirince-Evleri Hotel)
Jan 5: Visit Ephesus,
Jan 6: Didyama, Millet
Jan 7: Aphrodisias, Heriapolis, Pammaukale, and fly to Istanbul from Denizili
Jan 8th - Istanbul
Jan 9th - Fly back to US

So, now I have 2 nights in Istanbul on the way back and was thinking of staying at the Seven Hills Hotel in Sultanhemet (http://www.sevenhillshotel.com/). I am looking for a hotel with excellent views of the Blue Mosque, and would love to get recommendations.

I would like to get your thoughts about Guided Tours and car rental.
Would you recommend taking a tour guide in Istanbul (one day for Sophia, blue mosque and Topkapi), Cappadocia (do I need a guide) and Ephesus.

I do appreciate that a visit to historic sites with a knowledgeable guide can make all the difference. I have checked a few companies and the prices are quite expensive, so I just want to make sure that it is worth it. Please let me know if you have any recommendations for guides or tour companies.

The airport transfers are very expensive and I think makes sense to just rent a car (thoughts)

If you read a little about the Blue Mosque, The Topkapi Palace , the cisterns, you will not need a guide.

Aya Sophia is more complicated because there is little written info on signs, and you may hire a guide on the spot, where you buy the ticket.

You will need a guide in Cappadocia, because the sites are some distance from each other and the weather promises to be snowy. *I suggest light ski jackets and weather proof Ecco/merrel type half boots.
The tour or the tour guide will have transportation. Also check for transfers to and from airport with your hotel.

You have my transport suggestion from Izmir, but i do not know if you will be able to return the car at Denizli, which is a tiny airport. You may actually need to drive back to Izmir airport, about 3 hours or so to fly back to Istanbul.

You can read up on pamukkale, Aphrodisias, Heliopolis, Prienne, Miletus, Didyma and drive to these areas without any trouble. (Pamukkale may haver snow) all these sights have some signs with info and your guide book will supply enough.

However, Efes will need a guide, and you can arrange one through your hotel oe even get one at the entrance, if the weather is decent.

I suggest starting at the bottom entrance, so that you will be walking down to your car after the tiring first half, or walking only one way from the top and getting a taxi at the bottom, to drive you to the top entrance where you will have parked your car.

You should definitely include Prienne, and maybe even Herakleia on that day for Didyma and Miletus.

If you get any guides, tell them forcefully that you do not want to visit any carpet, jewellery, leather shops.

Yahyali village, in Cappadocia is famous for their carpets. A good four-four and a half by six-seven carpet should not cost more than $600-800.
I would not buy a carpet in Selcuk area.

Hope you have an enjoyable trip, and post a trip report on Fodor.

Hi,

I believe that a knowledgeable guide can make a big difference,especially in Istanbul where west meets east and three empires past.Hagia Sophia takes minimum 1 hour ,Topkapi palace is half a day(believe or not),and reading signs and guidebooks is not the way it should be...I can recommend this website. http://www.istanbulprivateguide.net

check it out and let us know the details....

bye

As for hotel with excellent views of Blue mosque,Sultan Ahmet Saray Otel is a good one ..And location is much better than W .

I was wondering if otherchelebi has something with the GUIDES since she/he is always recommending people to do everything on his own...or probably he/she is a guidebook author...interesting.....but there must be a reason...maybe a bad experience...Would you please enlighten us on this issue of yours otherchelebi?

My profile gives a great deal of information on who i am, on both Fodor and trip Advisor.

On the other hand we know nothing about Mr. Calledman007, except that he always recommends specific guide sites or hotels, hides who is because of the 007 designation presumably. and does not bother to understand the the OP, but gives suggestions as if the OP has exactly the same wishes and or tastes as himself.

Sorry, i do not write guidebooks, but publish philosophical/social/psychological/humorous essays and absurd poetry. I also teach International Trade and Finance. I also travel at least two months every year, usually without using tours or guides, because that is the way i like it myself. But note that i have advised guides in Cappadocia, at ephesus and for Aya Sophia for the OP.

And, Calledman007, you do not have to enlighten me at all. I really am not interested.

otherchelebi and everyone else; thank you so much for your advice.

I agree with otherchelebi's approach and will get a guide for specific sites where necessary and just read up about other locations.

I did find a rental car in Izmir but the drop off charge to Denizili is 120 euros which is more then what I expected.

Thanks a lot for the advice on carpets, I think Istanbul would probably the most expensive place to buy them so I'll wait for Cappadocia.

If you have any suggestions on authentic places to buy pottery and tiles that would be wonderful.