Suggestions for a 10 day trip to Turkey
May 13th, 2003 | 07:02 PM
#1
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Suggestions for a 10 day trip to Turkey
Hi - we are going to Turkey for 10 days in the middle of June and would love to get recommendations about a "dream" itinerary 
. So far, we know we want to spend 4-5 days in Istanbul. We also want to go to the Aegean coast and Cappadocia but are not sure whether we can fit both in (we are also open to other places - these are the two everyone recommends). Any suggestions about how we could fit in both (with # of days in each, and recommended places to stay in each) would be much appreciated. Also, any suggestions about travel agencies that we might use to book our internal travel would be very helpful! We love history and beaches, but would prefer to avoid places that are too crowded with cruise ships and lots of people hurrying to take pictures of famous monuments. I guess that's difficult to avoid since we are interested in the sights as well, but off-the-beaten-path places to visit and stay would be great!!
. So far, we know we want to spend 4-5 days in Istanbul. We also want to go to the Aegean coast and Cappadocia but are not sure whether we can fit both in (we are also open to other places - these are the two everyone recommends). Any suggestions about how we could fit in both (with # of days in each, and recommended places to stay in each) would be much appreciated. Also, any suggestions about travel agencies that we might use to book our internal travel would be very helpful! We love history and beaches, but would prefer to avoid places that are too crowded with cruise ships and lots of people hurrying to take pictures of famous monuments. I guess that's difficult to avoid since we are interested in the sights as well, but off-the-beaten-path places to visit and stay would be great!!
May 14th, 2003 | 01:14 AM
#2
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Hi,
We have just got back from 21 days in Turkey, fourteen on tour and seven on our own in Istanbul. To try and condense that into ten days would be difficult but my suggestion would be: --
Cut Istanbul to three days. On day one, visit Topkapi Palace (including the Treasury and the Harem), Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Have a look at the Bazaar on the seaward side of the Blue Mosque and in that general area there are also some excellent seafood restaurants.
Day 2: Visit Dolmabahye Palace after that walk northwards past the Palace to the ferry piers; have lunch at one of the restaurant there. Then take a local ferry to yskydar and a taxi from there to the Beylerbeyi Palace. A taxi back to yskydar and a ferry across the Bosphorus to Kabatas from where you can take a tram back to the old city, assuming that is where you are staying.
Day 3: Visit the Grand Bazaar in the morning and also the Spice Bazaar. That should leave enough time for a cruise on the Bosphorus.
When with the tour we stayed at the Intercontinental in the new City but when on our own we stayed at the Celan Sultan a small hotel in the old city close to the Blue Mosque. Although not in the five star category we would recommend it, it has a web site.
Outside of Istanbul.
Cappadocia. Absolutely and it needs at least one day but preferably two. Some form of transport is essential. You must see Gyreme, the Zelve Valley and either Kaymakli or Derinkuyu underground cities and if possible the Caravanserai at Sultanhani.
We stayed at the Kapadokya Lodge Country Club, best described as an interesting, though perfectly adequate, hotel.
Antalya is a perfect base to see the major Greek/Roman ruins. These should include Perge and Aspendos. The old town of Aspendos and a visit to the port are worth a second day and would leave time for the beach. Although to be honest we were not impressed by the beach, but then we come from Thailand. We stayed at the Falez Hotel that was well into the five star bracket and had its own beach facilities.
Pammakale. I would not put this on a ymust seey list but the terraces are impressive and it was one of the best necropolises that we saw. We stayed at the Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal.
Kusadasi provides another base combining beaches with access to Greek/Roman ruins, in particular Aphrodisias, Ephesus and the house of the Virgin Mary. We stayed at the Korumar, a good hotel apparently designed for packaged tours. It has excellent facilities but is some distance from the town.
Well that is ten days, but you are going to cut back on something to allow for travelling and I am not sure how you are going to travel, I assume a combination of flying and rental cars. Our impression was that, apart from the limited motorways, Turkish roads are not particularly fast and the speed limit is enforced.
The major sights in the western half of the country still not covered include Pergamon and Troy, although there is really nothing to see at Troy.
I shall be finishing my diary in the next few days, if you would like a copy e-mail me with a snail mail address y it will be too big to e-mail.
We have just got back from 21 days in Turkey, fourteen on tour and seven on our own in Istanbul. To try and condense that into ten days would be difficult but my suggestion would be: --
Cut Istanbul to three days. On day one, visit Topkapi Palace (including the Treasury and the Harem), Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Have a look at the Bazaar on the seaward side of the Blue Mosque and in that general area there are also some excellent seafood restaurants.
Day 2: Visit Dolmabahye Palace after that walk northwards past the Palace to the ferry piers; have lunch at one of the restaurant there. Then take a local ferry to yskydar and a taxi from there to the Beylerbeyi Palace. A taxi back to yskydar and a ferry across the Bosphorus to Kabatas from where you can take a tram back to the old city, assuming that is where you are staying.
Day 3: Visit the Grand Bazaar in the morning and also the Spice Bazaar. That should leave enough time for a cruise on the Bosphorus.
When with the tour we stayed at the Intercontinental in the new City but when on our own we stayed at the Celan Sultan a small hotel in the old city close to the Blue Mosque. Although not in the five star category we would recommend it, it has a web site.
Outside of Istanbul.
Cappadocia. Absolutely and it needs at least one day but preferably two. Some form of transport is essential. You must see Gyreme, the Zelve Valley and either Kaymakli or Derinkuyu underground cities and if possible the Caravanserai at Sultanhani.
We stayed at the Kapadokya Lodge Country Club, best described as an interesting, though perfectly adequate, hotel.
Antalya is a perfect base to see the major Greek/Roman ruins. These should include Perge and Aspendos. The old town of Aspendos and a visit to the port are worth a second day and would leave time for the beach. Although to be honest we were not impressed by the beach, but then we come from Thailand. We stayed at the Falez Hotel that was well into the five star bracket and had its own beach facilities.
Pammakale. I would not put this on a ymust seey list but the terraces are impressive and it was one of the best necropolises that we saw. We stayed at the Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal.
Kusadasi provides another base combining beaches with access to Greek/Roman ruins, in particular Aphrodisias, Ephesus and the house of the Virgin Mary. We stayed at the Korumar, a good hotel apparently designed for packaged tours. It has excellent facilities but is some distance from the town.
Well that is ten days, but you are going to cut back on something to allow for travelling and I am not sure how you are going to travel, I assume a combination of flying and rental cars. Our impression was that, apart from the limited motorways, Turkish roads are not particularly fast and the speed limit is enforced.
The major sights in the western half of the country still not covered include Pergamon and Troy, although there is really nothing to see at Troy.
I shall be finishing my diary in the next few days, if you would like a copy e-mail me with a snail mail address y it will be too big to e-mail.
May 14th, 2003 | 07:26 AM
#3
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Thanks so much for you very detailed, helpful suggestions! I would love to read your travelogue - I will send you my address. We are planning to fly between regions to save time. Did you go to Kas and surrounding areas on the Mediterranean? I have also heard that beaches are not so great - especially after Thailand and Mexico - so if we were to skip something, should it be the beaches?
May 14th, 2003 | 07:53 AM
#4
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We did a 10 day trip last year to Turkey and visited three different areas (Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Med. coast), for me that would be the maximum as otherwise you spend too much time moving around.
I would allocate 4 days to Istanbul, the previous poster had a good itinerary for you but I would allocate a full day for the Bosphorus cruise. We took the public ferry and it was an all day affair, left at 10:35 am and returned at about 4:30. There are other ways to do it, you can take the ferry one way and a bus back or you could go on a later ferry if you are pressed for time.
On the fourth day I would visit the Grand Bazaar and there are a couple of other things that might interest you- the underground cisterns, seeing a performance of the whirling dervishes or visiting a Turkish bath. There are a couple of more tourist oriented ones in Istanbul. They are a bit more expensive but they are accustomed to seeing tourists and will help you out.
I would say a minimum of 2 days for Cappadocia, some people could stay there for a week, I thought 2-3 days would be perfect. We flew from Istanbul into Kayseri, rented a car and drove to Goreme where we stayed at the Kelebek Cave Hotel for a whopping $18 per night. We did a hot air baloon ride (fairly expensive) and hired a guide for a day to take us around. I would highly recommend that, even if you do have a car. We went with Suleyman from Cappadocia Tours and really enjoyed ourselves. He also arranged for the hot air balloon and the inter country airline tickets at a cheaper rate than I could find in the US.
To visit ruins, I would recommend Ephesus over any of the sites we visited on the Med. coast (Perge, Aspendos, Side and Termessos)although I did enjoy visting that area. With all of the cruise lines cutting back their European itineraries this year, I don't think you will find Ephesus packed with cruise passengers as you would have several years ago.
We didn't visit the beaches on the Aegean side but the ones on the Med. coast near Side were OK but not spectacular and filled with package tourists primarily from Germany and the UK.
I would allocate 4 days to Istanbul, the previous poster had a good itinerary for you but I would allocate a full day for the Bosphorus cruise. We took the public ferry and it was an all day affair, left at 10:35 am and returned at about 4:30. There are other ways to do it, you can take the ferry one way and a bus back or you could go on a later ferry if you are pressed for time.
On the fourth day I would visit the Grand Bazaar and there are a couple of other things that might interest you- the underground cisterns, seeing a performance of the whirling dervishes or visiting a Turkish bath. There are a couple of more tourist oriented ones in Istanbul. They are a bit more expensive but they are accustomed to seeing tourists and will help you out.
I would say a minimum of 2 days for Cappadocia, some people could stay there for a week, I thought 2-3 days would be perfect. We flew from Istanbul into Kayseri, rented a car and drove to Goreme where we stayed at the Kelebek Cave Hotel for a whopping $18 per night. We did a hot air baloon ride (fairly expensive) and hired a guide for a day to take us around. I would highly recommend that, even if you do have a car. We went with Suleyman from Cappadocia Tours and really enjoyed ourselves. He also arranged for the hot air balloon and the inter country airline tickets at a cheaper rate than I could find in the US.
To visit ruins, I would recommend Ephesus over any of the sites we visited on the Med. coast (Perge, Aspendos, Side and Termessos)although I did enjoy visting that area. With all of the cruise lines cutting back their European itineraries this year, I don't think you will find Ephesus packed with cruise passengers as you would have several years ago.
We didn't visit the beaches on the Aegean side but the ones on the Med. coast near Side were OK but not spectacular and filled with package tourists primarily from Germany and the UK.
May 14th, 2003 | 08:05 AM
#5
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Kristi and Tangata - thanks for your suggestions! Based on your posts, I am thinking that abandoning the beaches might be a good idea. Did you make all your arrangements yourself or did you go through any (reliable) travel/tour company? If latter, any contact info?
May 14th, 2003 | 12:01 PM
#7
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I planned on my own but had Cappadocia Tours set up the balloon, day tour of Cappadocia and airline tickets ($85 US each way last year, about 1/2 of what Turkish Air would have charged me). The website is www.cappadociatours.com. We dealt with Suleyman who was also our guide. He was very nice and informative, his relative owns the Gamirasu Hotel which we stopped at that was a very nice hotel (I peeked in one of the rooms and it was very nice) but a bit remote. I preferred the location in Goreme but it's more of a budget area, lots of hostels. It was within walking distance of the Gormem Open Air museum so we did that on our own.
I booked the Kelebek through the internet and the Grand Yavuz Hotel in Istanbul through www.gtahotels.com. The Grand Yavuz was a little off the main street but we had a great room with a view of the Marmara. I would definitely stay there again.
I booked the rental car through Budget. If you decide to rent a car, get all of the insurance unless you are sure your credit card will cover. We had a flat, saw lots of broken windshields and got side swiped by a bus. It's not driving for the timid, esp. in the cities.
I booked the Kelebek through the internet and the Grand Yavuz Hotel in Istanbul through www.gtahotels.com. The Grand Yavuz was a little off the main street but we had a great room with a view of the Marmara. I would definitely stay there again.
I booked the rental car through Budget. If you decide to rent a car, get all of the insurance unless you are sure your credit card will cover. We had a flat, saw lots of broken windshields and got side swiped by a bus. It's not driving for the timid, esp. in the cities.
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May 14th, 2003 | 01:29 PM
#8
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Oops! My e-mail address [email protected]
We did not Kas, the beaches looked stoney, but it was far too cold to investigate.
I agree the Turks are fantastically friendly.
We did not Kas, the beaches looked stoney, but it was far too cold to investigate.
I agree the Turks are fantastically friendly.
May 14th, 2003 | 06:13 PM
#9
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In 1996 I took a tour with Pacha Tours (based in New York) and it was fabulous. I would be happy to send you my trip report if you e-mail me at [email protected] just to give you some ideas. My trip was longer than yours will be, but, by far and away I would see Cappadocia. It's so amazing; you will see nothing like it anywhere else that I know of. I could have spent another day in Istanbul as there's much to see. Turkey stands out in my mind as probably my best, most unusual trip even after Africa and China.
Did stay in Antalya but didn't go to the beach. In my opinion, beaches are everywhere (that is barring taking a Turquoise Cruise trip). To go so far just to sit on a beach doesn't seem worth it.
Did stay in Antalya but didn't go to the beach. In my opinion, beaches are everywhere (that is barring taking a Turquoise Cruise trip). To go so far just to sit on a beach doesn't seem worth it.
May 15th, 2003 | 06:26 AM
#10
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Thank you all for your suggestions! Looks like we will try to fit in Cappadocia and a few days on the Aegean coast (aside from Istanbul). We are thinking of staying in Kusadasi as a central point in the Aegean. A question: Is it possible to make day trips to Pergamum, Ephesus, Aphrodisias from Kusadasi? We would rather not rent a car - prefer to take buses or shared taxis. Is that realistic? Is 4 days enough in this area?
May 15th, 2003 | 06:52 AM
#11
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Hi sen28
Stay in Kusadasi then travel to Pergamum, Pamukkale, and Aprodisias is not problem only problem whether you want to rent a car or not. Because you can take a bus to Pergamum or Denizli (There is no direct bus to Pamukkale) but your are going to lose time. Here is the example for Pergamum:
If you rent a car it takes 2.5 hours to get to the top of the ruins (Pergamum) BUT if you take a bus takes 3 or 3.5 hours it depend of the trasportation company. so it is up to you. If I were you I would rent a car and go to Pergamum or Pamukkale. One more thing you want to go to Aprodisias which is the different road after Pamukkale or After Kusadasi and to take a bus to this small town is really pain you just wast your money and your time IF YOU TAKE A BUS.
Have a nice trip in Turkey
Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]
Stay in Kusadasi then travel to Pergamum, Pamukkale, and Aprodisias is not problem only problem whether you want to rent a car or not. Because you can take a bus to Pergamum or Denizli (There is no direct bus to Pamukkale) but your are going to lose time. Here is the example for Pergamum:
If you rent a car it takes 2.5 hours to get to the top of the ruins (Pergamum) BUT if you take a bus takes 3 or 3.5 hours it depend of the trasportation company. so it is up to you. If I were you I would rent a car and go to Pergamum or Pamukkale. One more thing you want to go to Aprodisias which is the different road after Pamukkale or After Kusadasi and to take a bus to this small town is really pain you just wast your money and your time IF YOU TAKE A BUS.
Have a nice trip in Turkey
Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]
May 15th, 2003 | 05:28 PM
#12
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I would just like to comment that Sinan offers a lot of great information re Turkey. His e-mail address suggests a tour company but I've never seen him push it. He just has lots of info. I think if you press on Sinan's screen name you may come up with some great advice.
May 16th, 2003 | 07:20 AM
#13
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Thank you all! I have another more specific question about Kusadasi. It seems like the most central place in that region to base out of, but I am worried that it will be overrun with cruise-shippers and everything else that goes with that 
Has anyone been to Kusadasi lately? What is it like? If too touristy, is there another place nearby that is more tranquil but still central?
Has anyone been to Kusadasi lately? What is it like? If too touristy, is there another place nearby that is more tranquil but still central?
May 16th, 2003 | 12:35 PM
#14
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Dear sen28
I have a house in Kusadasi and every year I am staying in Kusadasi, and I believe that Kusadasi is not Touristic town. If you don't want to stay in Kusadasi you may stay in Selcuk too which is more center then Kusadasi BUT there is no night life in Selcuk because this town reall small town 2 KM to ruin Ephesus, Ephesus museum is in the center of Selcuk.
I have a house in Kusadasi and every year I am staying in Kusadasi, and I believe that Kusadasi is not Touristic town. If you don't want to stay in Kusadasi you may stay in Selcuk too which is more center then Kusadasi BUT there is no night life in Selcuk because this town reall small town 2 KM to ruin Ephesus, Ephesus museum is in the center of Selcuk.
May 16th, 2003 | 12:39 PM
#15
Joined: Jan 2003
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TO NANCY,
Thank you nancy for your nice words about me. But I have no TOUR COMPANY or Travel Agency. I wish I could have one of them in New York but I don't have and I am web designer in New York and I LOVE MY COUNTRY. When I was living in Turkey I was and archaelogist and Tour Guide for 20 YEARS. Yes I have alot of experience about Turkey.
Thanks again for your nice words.
I am here to help anybody who want to go to Turkey
Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]
Thank you nancy for your nice words about me. But I have no TOUR COMPANY or Travel Agency. I wish I could have one of them in New York but I don't have and I am web designer in New York and I LOVE MY COUNTRY. When I was living in Turkey I was and archaelogist and Tour Guide for 20 YEARS. Yes I have alot of experience about Turkey.
Thanks again for your nice words.
I am here to help anybody who want to go to Turkey
Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]
May 16th, 2003 | 12:45 PM
#16
Joined: Feb 2003
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Hi Sen28;
Just another opinion; avoid Kusadasy center but stay at the picturesk and beautiful village of sirince near Selcuk, At least reserve 3 nights for Cappadocia ( where I live ) and try to stay in one of the nice cave hotels,
There are plenty of "off the beaten track"s in Turkey.
If I might be any further assistance your questions are welcome.
Have a great time in Turkey......
Just another opinion; avoid Kusadasy center but stay at the picturesk and beautiful village of sirince near Selcuk, At least reserve 3 nights for Cappadocia ( where I live ) and try to stay in one of the nice cave hotels,
There are plenty of "off the beaten track"s in Turkey.
If I might be any further assistance your questions are welcome.
Have a great time in Turkey......
May 16th, 2003 | 04:34 PM
#18
Joined: Jan 2003
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Sen28,
Kismet hotel is the 4 stars hotel BUT THE BEST HOTEL in that area. Some time you may see the 5 stars hotels or holiday villages in Turkey sound like better then 4 stars hotel BUT the answer of this question is BIG NO. So If you can stay in KISMET HOTEL that is the BEST CHOOSE in Kusadasi.
Stay in Selcuk or SIRINCE are 2 different places. If you have some time limit stay in Kusadasi and have your trip, but if you don't have time consuming after kusadasi go to SIRINCE. Sirince evleri is the best in this little town and their web page is:
http://www.sirince-evleri.com/english/english.html
I hope you will love Turkey
Have a nice trip In Turkey
Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]
Kismet hotel is the 4 stars hotel BUT THE BEST HOTEL in that area. Some time you may see the 5 stars hotels or holiday villages in Turkey sound like better then 4 stars hotel BUT the answer of this question is BIG NO. So If you can stay in KISMET HOTEL that is the BEST CHOOSE in Kusadasi.
Stay in Selcuk or SIRINCE are 2 different places. If you have some time limit stay in Kusadasi and have your trip, but if you don't have time consuming after kusadasi go to SIRINCE. Sirince evleri is the best in this little town and their web page is:
http://www.sirince-evleri.com/english/english.html
I hope you will love Turkey
Have a nice trip In Turkey
Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]
May 17th, 2003 | 03:00 PM
#19
Joined: May 2003
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I second the recommendation for Hotel Kismet. Kusadasi gets full of tourists when the cruise ships are in, but the Kismet is separated from all that--it's on its own little bluff overlooking the harbor and the town--it is very peaceful and relaxing.
