Istanbul side trips?
Sep 4th, 2004, 07:54 AM
#1
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Istanbul side trips?
My family and I intend to spend 7 days in Istanbul next January. What interesting places are there to visit close to Istanbul? If necessary we could rent a car.
Thanks again to everybody who answers my messages!
Thanks again to everybody who answers my messages!
Sep 5th, 2004, 03:12 AM
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Hi Sinan,
Thank you again for answering my messages!
We like both natural and historical sights. Just remember it's January and it will be cold, which we don't care!
We intend to spend 7 days in Istanbul and then rent a car to make the side trips. And after that, we will take a pane to Kayseri to visit Cappadocia for 3 days. What do you think?
People suggested that we visited Ephesus, but, I don't know if it's ignorant to say that, we just visited Pompei in Italy last July. I think both places are very similar. Am I wrong? I love all the tips you gave me, and if you have any other suggestion, I will love it!!!
Thank you again for answering my messages!
We like both natural and historical sights. Just remember it's January and it will be cold, which we don't care!
We intend to spend 7 days in Istanbul and then rent a car to make the side trips. And after that, we will take a pane to Kayseri to visit Cappadocia for 3 days. What do you think?
People suggested that we visited Ephesus, but, I don't know if it's ignorant to say that, we just visited Pompei in Italy last July. I think both places are very similar. Am I wrong? I love all the tips you gave me, and if you have any other suggestion, I will love it!!!
Sep 5th, 2004, 05:10 AM
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lery - there are similar places to Pompei all around the world - Pompei, Ephesus, Pyramids, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, and on and on - that doesn't mean you shouldn't see them. Different histories, cultures, peoples - why else do we travel. If you've been to London, does that mean you don't visit New York, or Paris, or Rome, or or or. They're all cities, and yet, all very different.
Yes, you should definitely see Ephesus. But that would require a flight from Istanbul to Izmir and then transfers to the site and probably an overnight hotel.
Yes, you should definitely see Ephesus. But that would require a flight from Istanbul to Izmir and then transfers to the site and probably an overnight hotel.
Sep 5th, 2004, 05:31 AM
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Hi Lery,
If you want to see some historic and nature first you have to see Istanbul which is take almost a month but for the first visitors you may spend 3 nights in Istanbul then to BURSA (was the capital city of OTTOMAN) would be the second place to visit (I am telling BURSA because you are loking for close area of Istanbul) If you are interested in more HISTORIC PLACE you may go to TROY stay overnight in Canakkale (Istanbul to Canakkale takes5 hours) then drive to BURSA(Canakkale to Bursa takes 5 hours too) stay overnight in Bursa or CUMALIKAZIK where you can see OTTOMAN HOUSE converted to HOTEL (one of them is MAVI EV) then drive back to Istanbul for your flight to Cappadocia.
Ephesus and Pompei are different history and they are not close to smilar history. Ephesus history goes to 5.000 BC then to 1300 AD. You may not seen any place like Ephesus. If you have time I recommend you go to EPHESUS and also see other ruins next like Virgin Mary's house and St jean Church or one of the seven wanders of the world. If you like to dring wine you can taste SIRINCE WINE where you may stay overnight.
Sinan
If you want to see some historic and nature first you have to see Istanbul which is take almost a month but for the first visitors you may spend 3 nights in Istanbul then to BURSA (was the capital city of OTTOMAN) would be the second place to visit (I am telling BURSA because you are loking for close area of Istanbul) If you are interested in more HISTORIC PLACE you may go to TROY stay overnight in Canakkale (Istanbul to Canakkale takes5 hours) then drive to BURSA(Canakkale to Bursa takes 5 hours too) stay overnight in Bursa or CUMALIKAZIK where you can see OTTOMAN HOUSE converted to HOTEL (one of them is MAVI EV) then drive back to Istanbul for your flight to Cappadocia.
Ephesus and Pompei are different history and they are not close to smilar history. Ephesus history goes to 5.000 BC then to 1300 AD. You may not seen any place like Ephesus. If you have time I recommend you go to EPHESUS and also see other ruins next like Virgin Mary's house and St jean Church or one of the seven wanders of the world. If you like to dring wine you can taste SIRINCE WINE where you may stay overnight.
Sinan
Sep 5th, 2004, 07:54 AM
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Sandi,
I don't want to be unpolite with you, but I compared Pompei to Ephesus because at a certain time of history Ephesus was corporated to the Roman Empire. So I believe they may have some similarities. I would never compare Ephesus to Machu Pichu, which was an Inca civilization, or to the Pyramids, another totally diferent one. I am not that stupid!!! And PLEASE you should not tell someone that cities all over the world are different!! People all over the world know a bit more about different cultures than many American citizens!
Sorry to be unpolite! Maybe I misunderstood what you said!
Sinan: Thank you again. I'm going to "study" all the places you suggested. I'll let you know what we've decided! THANKS!!!
I don't want to be unpolite with you, but I compared Pompei to Ephesus because at a certain time of history Ephesus was corporated to the Roman Empire. So I believe they may have some similarities. I would never compare Ephesus to Machu Pichu, which was an Inca civilization, or to the Pyramids, another totally diferent one. I am not that stupid!!! And PLEASE you should not tell someone that cities all over the world are different!! People all over the world know a bit more about different cultures than many American citizens!
Sorry to be unpolite! Maybe I misunderstood what you said!
Sinan: Thank you again. I'm going to "study" all the places you suggested. I'll let you know what we've decided! THANKS!!!
Sep 6th, 2004, 04:55 AM
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I was referring to similarities, not stupidity (your word). And yes I know that Ephesus and the Roman Empire were intertwined. For that matter, the Roman Empire left there footprint and cities, arenas, and walls all over Europe into Asia. I am also quite aware that Angkor Wat and/or Machu Picchu were completely different cultures, but there are similaries in their building methods.
For that matter if one looks at drawings of early man on all continents - we see similaries, whether in caves, rock walls, etc. and certainly worth observing when visiting these locations.
My emphasis - that since you are taking a long time for vacation in Turkey, it is certainly worthwhile to visit Ephesus, and for that matter Pergamon, Troy, Aphrodesius (sp), Sardis; further down on the Mediterranean the towns of Perge and Aspendos; onto Konya heading to the Cappadoccia area. You certainly have sufficient time to cover the wide and diverse areas in Turkey, which I believe has some of the most amazing sites around just about every corner. Besides in January, you won't find the crowds normally found during the warmer months - so a perfect time to visit.
For that matter if one looks at drawings of early man on all continents - we see similaries, whether in caves, rock walls, etc. and certainly worth observing when visiting these locations.
My emphasis - that since you are taking a long time for vacation in Turkey, it is certainly worthwhile to visit Ephesus, and for that matter Pergamon, Troy, Aphrodesius (sp), Sardis; further down on the Mediterranean the towns of Perge and Aspendos; onto Konya heading to the Cappadoccia area. You certainly have sufficient time to cover the wide and diverse areas in Turkey, which I believe has some of the most amazing sites around just about every corner. Besides in January, you won't find the crowds normally found during the warmer months - so a perfect time to visit.
Sep 6th, 2004, 06:51 AM
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You've gotten some good advice above about "major side trips", but be sure to leave one day free for a Bosphorus day trip.
Don't do an organized tour or some fancy boat. Ride the regular ferry up the Bosphorus to the edge of the Black Sea. You'll be rubbing elbows mainly with tourists, but also with locals going from town to town.
Get off at Anadolu Kavagi. Walk up the hill to the old fort and fantastic views. Have lunch at one of the nice seafood restaurants on the waterfront. Then take a late afternoon ferry back to Istanbul.
Don't do an organized tour or some fancy boat. Ride the regular ferry up the Bosphorus to the edge of the Black Sea. You'll be rubbing elbows mainly with tourists, but also with locals going from town to town.
Get off at Anadolu Kavagi. Walk up the hill to the old fort and fantastic views. Have lunch at one of the nice seafood restaurants on the waterfront. Then take a late afternoon ferry back to Istanbul.
Sep 6th, 2004, 02:16 PM
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Patrick
oved your suggestion! We sure gonna do it (ferry boat)! THANKS!!
Sandi:THank you for your tips! Let's forget the misunderstandings!!!
AS you are all telling me to visit so many different places, I sure will need to rent a car, except for the Cappadocia region(plane). How are the roads? Any coment about it??
THANKS EVERYBODY!!!!!
oved your suggestion! We sure gonna do it (ferry boat)! THANKS!!Sandi:THank you for your tips! Let's forget the misunderstandings!!!
AS you are all telling me to visit so many different places, I sure will need to rent a car, except for the Cappadocia region(plane). How are the roads? Any coment about it??
THANKS EVERYBODY!!!!!
Sep 6th, 2004, 04:06 PM
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We found the roads in Turkey to be wonderful -- in great shape, nearly always with good guardrails or shoulder, well marked, and surprisingly empty. However, we didn't drive in or out of Istanbul, so that may make a major difference. We drove from Keyseri through Cappodocia, to Konya, Antalya, and up the coast to Kusadasi. All roads were great. But that was also in summer, probably less busy in January, but I'm not sure how the weather might affect the driving.
Sep 6th, 2004, 05:54 PM
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Make-up - forgiven!
I have to agree with Patrick about the roads - though we weren't doing our own driving - it was obvious that once outside city centers (IST, ANK), the roads were wide open, well marked in English and Turkish, and easily understood. But like many super highways, there is truck and bus traffic and then the slow local tractor or two, so one has to watch carefully when passing - extra wides, or very narrow. And thru the Taurus Mountain, lost of twists and turns; in many places we noticed that speed limits weren't maintained - some drivers thought they were on the autobahn.
Being that you'll be traveling in winter, the only other issue would be weather - snow, ice, sleet, and the appropriate tires for your vehicle. So if you're familiar with this in your home city/country, you should do fine.
I have to agree with Patrick about the roads - though we weren't doing our own driving - it was obvious that once outside city centers (IST, ANK), the roads were wide open, well marked in English and Turkish, and easily understood. But like many super highways, there is truck and bus traffic and then the slow local tractor or two, so one has to watch carefully when passing - extra wides, or very narrow. And thru the Taurus Mountain, lost of twists and turns; in many places we noticed that speed limits weren't maintained - some drivers thought they were on the autobahn.
Being that you'll be traveling in winter, the only other issue would be weather - snow, ice, sleet, and the appropriate tires for your vehicle. So if you're familiar with this in your home city/country, you should do fine.
Sep 7th, 2004, 05:35 PM
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Sinan, Patrick, Sandi and whoever kind enough to answer my questions:
After spending one week in Istanbul, we are thinking of taking the ferry to Bursa. I've read that the ferry leaves the Yenikapi docks in Istanbul and after a 50-min ride, we get to Yalova. Then we can take a bus to Bursa, 50 min ride too. Do you think this is the better way to get to Bursa? Do you know if the ferry takes cars too? If not,we would rent a car in Bursa , and after spending 2 (?) days there exploring the place we would go to Canakkale and Troy, 2 (?) more days. And finally, we would drive to Ephesus, to spend 2(?) more days. DOUDTS:
-Are there snow or ice on those roads at that time, I know it's hard to predict, but what does it usually happen there?
-Do you think the schedule is too tight? We do not like to rush. We'd prefer instead to know fewer places than to spend one day at each place and see nothing! What your suggestion?
-I can't find a place in the internet where they tell the distances between these places. Do you know where I can find it?
-To go to Cappadocia, "the grand finale", do we have to go back to Istanbul to take the airplane to Kayseri? Is there a better way? We do not want to drive till there because of the snow. You know we are from Brazil, not used to driving with snow.
SORRY to make so many questions, but as you can well see, my trip is being based on the information you gave me!!!!
If you have any aditional(sp) information related to my doubts,( for ex.. what car rental you recomend, etc) I will be very, very HAPPY!!!!
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!
After spending one week in Istanbul, we are thinking of taking the ferry to Bursa. I've read that the ferry leaves the Yenikapi docks in Istanbul and after a 50-min ride, we get to Yalova. Then we can take a bus to Bursa, 50 min ride too. Do you think this is the better way to get to Bursa? Do you know if the ferry takes cars too? If not,we would rent a car in Bursa , and after spending 2 (?) days there exploring the place we would go to Canakkale and Troy, 2 (?) more days. And finally, we would drive to Ephesus, to spend 2(?) more days. DOUDTS:
-Are there snow or ice on those roads at that time, I know it's hard to predict, but what does it usually happen there?
-Do you think the schedule is too tight? We do not like to rush. We'd prefer instead to know fewer places than to spend one day at each place and see nothing! What your suggestion?
-I can't find a place in the internet where they tell the distances between these places. Do you know where I can find it?
-To go to Cappadocia, "the grand finale", do we have to go back to Istanbul to take the airplane to Kayseri? Is there a better way? We do not want to drive till there because of the snow. You know we are from Brazil, not used to driving with snow.
SORRY to make so many questions, but as you can well see, my trip is being based on the information you gave me!!!!
If you have any aditional(sp) information related to my doubts,( for ex.. what car rental you recomend, etc) I will be very, very HAPPY!!!!
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!
Sep 8th, 2004, 11:12 PM
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Hi Lery,
Rent a car in Istanbul or buy a BUS ticket for Bursa. If you rent a car use YENIKAPI DOCK.
1 night for BURSA and CANAKKALE is enough. Yes you will see snow on the road but not effect.
You may fly to KAYSERI from IZMIR via ISTANBUL you don't need to drive back to Istanbul
Sinan
Rent a car in Istanbul or buy a BUS ticket for Bursa. If you rent a car use YENIKAPI DOCK.
1 night for BURSA and CANAKKALE is enough. Yes you will see snow on the road but not effect.
You may fly to KAYSERI from IZMIR via ISTANBUL you don't need to drive back to Istanbul
Sinan
