More help with Turkey logistics
 

Trying to coordinate 3 couples for a visit in October (I know, I know). The travel guy we met with is, I'm afraid, going to be way out of our price range. If it were just two of us it would be a lot easier but with 6 we'll need help with internal flights, transportation between regions, guides, hotels etc. Istanbul, Cappadoccia, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Meander Valley to Pamukkale are on the list of places to visit in a 21/2 week time frame. Is this crazy? Any suggestions for who can help?

I looked and can't find in my records a Turkish TA who was very helpful to me and who has been on Fodors sometimes. Perhaps someone else can remember him.

There is also lots of good information if you search Turkey in the search box.

We went to Turkey last fall - same time frame as you. It was wonderful.

I have always done everything for myself until. . . In Cappadocia, we stayed at Isbelli Evi. It is fabulous, well located for sightseeing and food, and the staff was the best I've ever seen. If you book rooms there, you can let them book everything for you in the area. I told them which airport we were arriving at, and the time. They arranged the van to meet us - cheaper than the cost I had been quoted. They also arranged a taxi and driver for us to take some tours. Their taxi and driver was less than car rental for us. Everything they did for us was less than we had found on our own. If any of your group is willing to share a suite, the one we had was large, with two bedrooms, a lovely living room/sitting room, two bath rooms, and a mini kitchen. We had it all to ourselves and said, "Wow, we could live here full time."

I highly recommend taking a hot air balloon ride. We used Butterfly Balloons and it was perfect! They pick you up very early, serve a light breakfast, then the ride, then champagne and cake and you are back in time for a late breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast was lovely also, served on the terrace.

In Istanbul, we stayed in the Sultanahmet area and was glad we did. We "might" try a different area for a second visit, but for a first to see the three major architectural sights, this is perfect! We saw Hagia Sophia the first afternoon, the Palace the next morning, and the mosque in the late afternoon. From anywhere in the area, it is just a five minute (or less) walk to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. The tram stop to take you everywhere is five minutes also. We found great restaurants, just walking around and looking at the food being served. There was a taxi-van for about $10.00 pp that took us to the airport.

Tickets for the Palace were Looong by mid-morning. See if you can purchase tickets ahead.

Ephesus was a highlight of our trips. If you have a car, just drive yourselves to the site and hire a guide there, if you want one. If you don't have a car, get a local driver with a van to take you around - cheap and easy. You still have to pay entrance fees, but you don't really have to book ahead. We stopped there on a cruise, spontaneously (as we walked off the ship) gathered a small group, went to a local taxi stop and hired a driver to take us about for the day: went to Mary's house, Ephesus and several other places. So you don't have to fret over this. You can easily arrange it once there or your hotel can do it for you. The van and driver was about $80.00 for the entire day.

We used Turkish Air for flights form Istanbul to Cappadocia. They were great. I think you have to book by phone through one of their Turkish or international agents or you incur higher prices for booking from another country. I know there was a big difference in price between internet and my direct calls.

Hope this helps.

You might want to take a look at my trip report; click on my name to find it. I think that the real problem is ground transportation between regions. We flew from Istanbul to Izmir, and from Kayseri to Istanbul, but in between we drove, which may be the most efficient way of seeing the Meander valley, Aphrodisias and Pamukkale, and eventually, for us, the Ihlara valley. The B&B where we stayed in Cappadocia offered tours with its van.

Lucieman, Sassafrass might be thinking of Murat (aka propertravel), who used to post a lot more here, but still posts sporadically.

His company, I believe, is: http://www.travelatelier.com/

He has a pretty good reputation both here and over at TripAdvisor, and if you look up his old posts you'll see how helpful he's been. It certainly wouldn't hurt to contact him to see what his firm could do.

PegS, You are right: Murat. Thanks for finding it. Hope it helps Luciemom.

Post by Mike: Reasons you should consider doing business with Murat and Esbelli Evi
Put Murat in the search box and see a number of posts about him or from him. Mike Buckley wrote a good trip report. You might find them helpful.

Sassafrass, PegS, thank you for remembering me :-) and burning my ears. I would be happy to help luciemom with any questions. Have not been here for a while during busy season running around with weddings, office work etc. Will do my best to help travellers with their questions.
Greetings to all from Sunny Cappadocia and happy travels,

Murat