We are having a difficult time choosing the destination for our 10th anniversary trip. My husband wants Greece, but I feel that the weak dollar is going to hamper our trip spending on nice accommodations and spending while we are in Greece. People have told me that Turkey was just as beautiful (although different, I know) and much more reasonable. I think I get the gist of some of the "musts" for Turkey from reading a lot of Fodor entries. It seems like Istanbul (3 days) min. and Cappodocia (2-3 days?). The rest of the trip is for relaxing on the mediterranean (preferably at the end of our trip) for 4 days oh, and I really want to see Ephesus (before the beach if possible)! Am I asking too much? I hope not.

We like nice properties, not budget and not super deluxe either. I don't mind "splurging" a bit b/c it is a special anniversary.

I have planned trips to Italy alone; Italy and Switzerland combined; England combination; and several trips to the Hawaiin islands combined and I feel a bit overwhelmed planning my trip to Turkey. Greece was easier because I basically had to decide on which 3 islands I wanted to choose over the others (due to time and money restraints). I find Turkey harder to plan. Anyway, if someone could help make this a little less daunting, I would really appreciate it. Thanks -- W.H.

We did about three weeks in Turkey, followed immediately by four weeks in Greece (seven islands plus Athens). In all honesty we preferred Turkey a little more.

I'm confused by your post. Are you saying you've been to Greece before -- the three islands you mention? If so, then by all means go to Turkey.

Hi hedgepath,

You can go to some Greece Island when you get to Marmaris (to Rhodos) in Bodrum (to Kos) in Kusadasi (to Samos) so you can design your trip to Turkey with these Greece Island. But first you have to decide what you want to see. Because Turkey has cover with Alots of different civilisation RUINS. If you love History and Archaelogy you will go to the CENTER of them, Turkey also has some nice TURQUOISE color see.

I also want to say that Turkey is might be small country BUT there are many places to see and visit so 3 weeks is not enough for your visit I am sure you will go back and back to Turkey again.

Have a nice trip anywhere you want.

Sinan Akdeniz

I read in a NY Times article this weekend that Turkey has gotten the "green light" to negotiate entry into the European Union. I'd get there before the currency changes to the Euro!

That being said, I'm spending 13 nights in June in Turkey. I also had a difficult time with the itinerary, but after evaluating my wants I decided to save Cappadocia for another trip and am doing the 1st 3 nights in Istanbul, 3 nights Kalkan, 2 nights Bodrum, 3 nights Kusadasi and the last 2 nights in Istanbul.

I usually wouldn't spend 5 nights in a city in the summer, but Istanbul sounds amazing.

10th anniversary.... Congratulations. Its got to be special and pampering. I am always very fond of honeymooners or people on anniversary. They wont forget the country and its people than.

Arrive istanbul and go around with a guide at least 1 day. Allow 2 days at first.
Fly to Cappadocia, 2 night minimum. Stay in a cave hotel's suite room. Hot air balloon flight with champagne after flight....
If Ephesus is a must ( very good site and amazing though )Fly to istanbul and to izmir on the same day or via Ankara. Overnight in Selcuk area.
If you wish go to Bodrum. You could hire a gulet for 3 days and explore the shores from sea side while crew is serving you....
Or I would target to go to Kas or Kalkan to relax around the med. coast.
Arrive istanbul a day earlier to finish the sites.

Have fun and hope you will decide on Turkey.

Murat

Ofcourse you could also find a way to please both with both countries.
Rhodes and Bodrum is an option. Another option is a skippered yacht charter to visit Turkey and Greek island.
Bottom line your husband will enjoy Turkey and will thank you after your holiday is over.......

I think you have all missed the issue raised by the original poster:I want Turkey/he wants Greece!

the answer is simple:you visit turkey, he visits greece.

Thanks to all who responded to my post -- except for "got1tiel" -- the others did not miss the issue of the post. I want more bang for my buck and feel that I can achieve this more by visiting Turkey. Quite honestly, I think my husband has some preconceived fears about Turkey and that is why he said Greece initially. Oh yeah, it is an anniversary -- so we want to travel together!!

I am holding round trip FF tickets while I do the rest of my research.
Thanks again to all.

hedgepath, i think even *you* have missed the point of a wedding anniversary trip.

a 10 yr anniversary summed up by "I want turkey/he wants greece"!

i would have presented my partner with surprise airtickets for the destination *he/she* desired, not squabble for *my* choice using the dollar/preconcieved fears as an excuse.

i had a feeling this was not what you wanted to hear, but thats how i think a wedding anniversary vacation should be.

turkey can wait. surprise him with tickets for greece, you will thank me for it.

Greece of course. For an anniversary what you need is a romantic place that entails among other things interesting historic places to visit, fabulous beaches, friendly and tolerable people, gorgeous food. It is also a free, safe country with great nightlife. Make sure that you will spend some days in Santorini.

Go to Turkey, its like Greece used to be.

Why not simply do both! You couldn't get closer, it's not like you want places far apart, go to Greece and then Turkey, or other way around.

....Marko has it right. Turkey will be different in 10 years..go now. Greece will be very little changed. (..compare the smaller Greek Islands of the early 70s with the islands today and you will understand my comment!).

If cost plays a part Turkey I think would give you better value

I agree with Marko. I went to Greece in 1976 and absolutely loved it. I went back again in 2000. I again fell in love with Naxos, but I wished that I had visited Santorini when I had the opportunity in 1976. While it's still beautiful, it very very touristy. Seemed less so back in 1976. On the other hand, I'm sure Rhodes is more touristy than it was, but for some reason, I quite enjoyed my time in Rhodes in 2000.

From Rhodes, we took a ferry to Marmaris in Turkey and then travelled by bus down the coast for a week. We're going back to Turkey this year - it really was wonderful!

So that's something that you could do. Rhodes and Lesbos are very close to Turkey, so you could see both places!

Well, being from Greece I would say to visit Greece of course, but if you decide to go to Turkey that's fine also ...

If you visit Greece I recommend you visit Agistri island it's close to Athens (1 hour away), small (you can walk the whole island on foot in a day, or rent a bike ...), green (all covered with pine trees) and with sandy beaches

Check the following sites for more info:
http://www.agistri.gr (official)
http://www.yialos-agistri.gr (hotel & tavern)

I wish you have great fun on your vacation wherever you go ... Nick

Tell your husband not to be afraid to travel to Turkey! I was there last fall at the age of 59 as part of tour group. But I also toured Istanbul alone part of the time with no problems. It was a wonderful trip. If you go there, go to Cappadocia and take the hot air balloon ride. Fantastic!!!

Maryp, actually everything you said about Greece applies to Turey, but I am not sure it applies to Greece !

Ha Ha Stholm. You made me lough with your comment.
Greetings from Cappadocia.

( I believe Greece is a nice Country too but some values and attractions of Turkey can not be beaten, yes I agree )

Hi Propertravel

Looks like Mary had never been to Turkey, and I had to put things into perspective!