Is it worth it to add Istanbul to a trip to Greece?
 

We are beginning to plan a trip to Greece next summer. Depending on finances probably going for 21/2 to 3 weeks. I've gotten it into my pointy little head that since we aren't getting any younger and the world is a big wide place we should try to add a second country onto Greece. At first I was thinking Morocco, but checking plane schedules that seems too far away. Then I was wondering about Croatia or Istanbul (which seems like the easiest to get to). Has anyone combined Istanbul with a visit to Greece and if so was it worth it? (we hail from the western US so it will be a long voyage over) Your thoughts are most appreciated.

Istanbul is an extraordinary experience.

please say more Edward if you are willing...and how many nights/days would you spend there?

We were in Istambul a few years ago, and in continental Greece many years ago. Mykonos and Santorini many times.

We love Greece, and we think Istambul is magical, very different but not in excess of any European city, just the correct mix of Europe and Asia.

IMO, not less than 4 full days are needed to enjoy the city.

Enjoy your planning and your trip.

Just in case,this is my report of our visit to Turkey, including Istambul of course:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-valencia.cfm

Istanbul is extraordinary, and easily merits 5 or 6 days. Not to mention other amazing places in Turkey. IMO, you would do well to wait for Istanbul. There is plenty to keep you happily busy in Greece.

I haven't been to Greece . . . well a day trip to Kos . . but we spent 6 nights in Istanbul a couple of years ago and loved it. If it can be fitted into your itinerary I'd go for it.
Agree with kja that you could easily spend 5-6 days there but 2-3 at least.

We were in Istanbul some years agor (4 actually).
We spent one week, I worked one day, so we had 5 full days and two half days.
It was just great and we could have spent more time.
However our tempo was relatively slow, we were with a toddler and in march, when days are cold and short.

With 3 weeks, I would spend 2 in Greece and 1 in Turkey.

Start with mainland Greece and end up at one of the Aegean islands next to Turkey, say Samos or Kos or Rhodes, and then take a ferry to Turkey and make your way up to İstanbul.

Samos might be the best option because the boats from there go to Kuşadası which is very close to Ephesus. Also frequent low-cost flights from İzmir to İstanbul.

Istanbul is one of my favorite cities, but it's a whole other trip. You should do a trip to Istanbul on its own. Greece is a whole other world, you will find amazing places just search.

I agree that adding Istanbul is a good idea. Since you do not say what your interests are it is impossible (for me, anyway) to recommend a number of days. I would say at least two or three. I would also recommend you think about seeing some of the historical sites in western Turkey as well. If you enjoy some of the archeological sites in Greece then I suspect you would also enjoy some of the "counterparts" in Turkey.

Your instincts to add Istanbul on to the trip are good. The time you want to spend there can vary. Yes, the city "deserves" five days, but you could get a good feel for it in three as long as jetlag recovery isn't part of those three days.

I sort of liked Croesus' suggestion that you work your way across from mainland Greece to the Aegean islands to the Ephesus area and then end in Istanbul.

An open jaw flight (Land Athens, fly out Istanbul) would therefore work darn well for you as the bookend flights of your itinerary.

Also loved Istanbul-We stayed there 5 nights. Check out Hotel Dersaadet. If you stay 5 nights they pick you up at airport. We left our luggage there when we did a 2 night trip to Cappadocia. 2 weeks in Greece & 1 week in Turkey ar perfect. It will make you want for more.We are going back in Sept to Greece for our 3rd time

Thank you everyone, this is beginning to take shape in my mind. so the next question is the best way to get from Greece to Turkey/Istanbul. If we take the boat to Kusadasi as per Croesus's suggestion, how far is that from Istanbul? I don't think we would want to to try driving there so is there a relatively low stress way to make the transition? The only guide book we've looked at so far was just of Istanbul so I don't have a sense of the surrounding area or the distances involved.

would it make sense to hire a guide?

truly appreciate the advice.

As part of a RTW trip I spent time in Santorini & Naxos (loved Naxos, Santorini not so much), ferry to Kuşadasi for about a week including a day trip to Ephesus, then flew to Istanbul. Pretty much as Croesus lays out. It worked very well and I enjoyed it all very much, with the mentioned slight exception.

2.5-3 weeks definitelly isn't enough time for 2 countries. Pick one and see it in depth. Both Turkey and Greece are fantastic choices for this.

ditto brotherleelove

and a plea to get some decent guidebooks (their cost will be nominal in comparison to the cost of your trip) or, if nothing else, consult some decent guidebooks at your local library.

good luck!

I agree with the 2 above, had failed to take note of the time frame. Unless 2 weeks in Greece, either mainland or islands, then flight to Istanbul for several days. That could be done.

I have visited both Greece and Turkey (in the same trip), and I think it is foolish to assume that if you spend 3 weeks in Greece (or 3 weeks in Turkey), you would have an in-depth experience of either country -- and by contrast, if you spend 2 weeks in Greece and a week in Istanbul you would be doing something shallow or wrong.

Part of the fun of travel sometimes is contrast, and also visiting places where people have contrasting views of their common history, and seeing how neighboring countries can be so different in their aesthetic, or the same.

I am not encouraging you to go to both countries if you don't want to, but pointing out that travel "rules" only work for some people, and those people miss something other people enjoy.

We spent a week in Istanbul and it clearly was not enough. Fabulous city with sights, sounds, and food.