We have 12 nights - arriving in Istanbul and departing Athens. Our itinerary may be as follows:<BR>Arrive Istanbul - 3 nights<BR>Fly to Cappadocia for 2 nights<BR>Fly to Izmir and rent a car for 4 nights exploring coast. <BR>Depart via ferry to Santorini for 2 nights<BR>Arrive Athens 1 night before departure.<BR>Questions:<BR>Hotel recommendations around $50. Looking for small convenient, clean and comfortable not fancy.<BR>Given our limited time on the coast should we fly further down the coast?<BR>What is the best way to get to Santorini?<BR>We will leave mid October so any responses before that date are very much appreciated.<BR><BR>Many thanks.

My husband and I used and can recommend using Sardunya Travel in Kusadasi, Turkey to make your arrangements for your trip. Sezgin and Tijen Demirci are licensed agents in Turkey. They can be reached at [email protected].<BR><BR>Their website is Toursturkey.com. Feel free to contact me if you'd like more information on their services. I was very pleased with my 11 day, highlights of Turkey trip that they arranged this past August.

My recommendations additional to you itinerary will be:<BR>Explore Pamukkale Region with Aphrodisias, hierapolis.<BR>Explore some villages such as Sirince Village in Izmir Region.<BR>http://www.visitturkeynow.com/hotels/izmir/sirince.htm<BR>I wish an enjoyful trip for you.<BR><BR>Ali<BR>Visitturkeynow.com

I just returned this past Saturday from two and a half weeks in Turkey with my sister. We had a fabulous time - I'm sure you'll love it! I would say that you need to spend three nights in Cappadocia as you need at least two full days to see even close to enough of it. We used a private guide whose info I put below - he was very knowledgable, very accommodating, had a good sense of humor and doesn't smoke - not a frequently found combination! He also arranged a private guide for us in Istanbul who was good but a heavy smoker which really started to make me feel ill, so if you ask him about a guide for Istanbul and that's an issue for you, remember to mention it. We flew to Cappadocia after spending a day at Ephessus then being driven to the Izmir airport. It's a pain to get to Cappadocia but absolutely worth it. If you want any more info please let me know.<BR><BR>S&uuml;leyman &Ccedil;AKIR<BR>Gamirasu Cave Hotel &<BR>Cappadocia Tours<BR>www.Gamirasu.com<BR>www.CappadociaTours.c om<BR>[email protected]<BR>Tel: (0384) 3417485<BR>Fax (0384) 3417487<BR>Mobile: 0532 3150129<BR>

yes skip Greece for another trip Turkey has too much to explore. I would go to Fetia instead of Santorini. I also like the pamaukale suggestions although it won't be the inspriring coast line.

Why Fetia versus Santorini and how best to get to it? Ferry or plane. Any information on either or both is helpful.<BR><BR>Thanks.

Given your time limits, yes, I'd opt to fly to Antalya instead of Izmir and explore the coast that way. With the exception of Ephesus, I think you'd enjoy the more southern coast a lot more. As much as I like Santorini, I'd leave that out for now and add more time to the coast. We did both the Turkish coast and seven Greek islands in one long trip and enjoyed the Turkish coast nearly as much as the islands.