Travel Experts Wanted: Should I Do a 12 day trip April 08 to Turkey or Sicily?
Mar 23rd, 2007 | 08:18 AM
#21
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,343
Likes: 0
risab,
I'd be happy to share our itinerary. We're also going to Greece and Paris, so the Turkey portion of our trip unfortunately is only about 12 days.
Anyway:
5 nights in Istanbul- Staying at The SEVEN HILLS HOTEL in Sultanahmet. This is a very small 4-star hotel with only 14 rooms. I did a lot of research online and was debating between this area and Beyoglu, but since we want to walk to many of the major historical sites, I thought we'd base in Sultanahmet. I have heard that there is hardly any nightlife, not many restaurants, and that you can be hounded by carpet sellers in the old town, but hey, we're from New York! We'll handle it! Also, I have thorougly enjoyed my e-mail correspondences with Bulent, the young manager of the hotel, who has been most helpful and will arrange an Istanbul tour guide for us for one or two days.
From Istanbul, we are flying on Turkish Air ( about 90E per person) to Izmir. I have made reservations through ANKER TRAVEL in Kusadisi ( ask for Ceyda, she was wonderful!) for a transfer and guide to Ephesus. After Ephesus, we will have the same driver take us to Kusadisi overnight, where we're staying at HOTEL KISMET.
The travel agency also arranged for our transfer the next day from Kusadisi to Bodrum.
In Bodrum, we're staying at a stone cottage close to the harbor and castle that is owned by the SU HOTEL. We will have full use of the hotel's facilities, pool, although the cottage comes with its own pool and tiny garden.
The cottage has 3 bedrooms ( daughter bringing two college friends!) is completely air conditioned, and runs about 220E night for five people. I thought that was very reasonable.
I found out about the SU HOTEL through an amazing website called TURKEYTRAVELPLANNER.com. I can't recommend this site enough. It has tons of information on all the major areas of Turkey, plus hotel, restaurant,historical sites, and guide suggestions.
We will be in Bodrum for five days. Then we're driving overnight to Marmaris, so that we can catch the ferry to Rhodes, Greece the following morning.
I forgot to mention that The SEVEN HILLS HOTEL apparently has a rooftop restaurant with an incredible view over much of the old town.
Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck with your decision. Either one sounds great!
In Marmaris, we're staying at the MARTI PERLA.
I'd be happy to share our itinerary. We're also going to Greece and Paris, so the Turkey portion of our trip unfortunately is only about 12 days.
Anyway:
5 nights in Istanbul- Staying at The SEVEN HILLS HOTEL in Sultanahmet. This is a very small 4-star hotel with only 14 rooms. I did a lot of research online and was debating between this area and Beyoglu, but since we want to walk to many of the major historical sites, I thought we'd base in Sultanahmet. I have heard that there is hardly any nightlife, not many restaurants, and that you can be hounded by carpet sellers in the old town, but hey, we're from New York! We'll handle it! Also, I have thorougly enjoyed my e-mail correspondences with Bulent, the young manager of the hotel, who has been most helpful and will arrange an Istanbul tour guide for us for one or two days.
From Istanbul, we are flying on Turkish Air ( about 90E per person) to Izmir. I have made reservations through ANKER TRAVEL in Kusadisi ( ask for Ceyda, she was wonderful!) for a transfer and guide to Ephesus. After Ephesus, we will have the same driver take us to Kusadisi overnight, where we're staying at HOTEL KISMET.
The travel agency also arranged for our transfer the next day from Kusadisi to Bodrum.
In Bodrum, we're staying at a stone cottage close to the harbor and castle that is owned by the SU HOTEL. We will have full use of the hotel's facilities, pool, although the cottage comes with its own pool and tiny garden.
The cottage has 3 bedrooms ( daughter bringing two college friends!) is completely air conditioned, and runs about 220E night for five people. I thought that was very reasonable.
I found out about the SU HOTEL through an amazing website called TURKEYTRAVELPLANNER.com. I can't recommend this site enough. It has tons of information on all the major areas of Turkey, plus hotel, restaurant,historical sites, and guide suggestions.
We will be in Bodrum for five days. Then we're driving overnight to Marmaris, so that we can catch the ferry to Rhodes, Greece the following morning.
I forgot to mention that The SEVEN HILLS HOTEL apparently has a rooftop restaurant with an incredible view over much of the old town.
Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck with your decision. Either one sounds great!
In Marmaris, we're staying at the MARTI PERLA.
Mar 24th, 2007 | 07:26 AM
#22
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
Weadles,
Thanks for your information. I have been researching on turkeytravelplanner's website, too. But, it is so helpful to have recommendations as a starting point - especially when we'd like to cover a few areas. We are thinking of a 12 day trip, too so your itinerary was perfect.
Thanks for your information. I have been researching on turkeytravelplanner's website, too. But, it is so helpful to have recommendations as a starting point - especially when we'd like to cover a few areas. We are thinking of a 12 day trip, too so your itinerary was perfect.
Feb 14th, 2008 | 04:48 PM
#23
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
Just looking at this post from last year when I was deciding between Turkey or Sicily...
We decided to go to Turkey - especially after my husband became very enthralled with Turkish clarinet music (his instrument, too). We needed to do a more moderate trip so we are going to stay in Istanbul for 9 days at the Galata Residence Hotel (traveling with our teenage daughter). We need to have down time and we like "slow travel" and to be able to experience the place so we'll do sights and neighborhoods and music venues at a good pace along with one or two day trips - perhaps a Bosphorus cruise or day trip to one of the Prince's Island's and a day on the Asian side (Kadikoy and Moda).
We are very excited about this trip. Maybe we'll do another trip to other areas of Turkey at another time...and of course, we also want to get to Sicily.
We decided to go to Turkey - especially after my husband became very enthralled with Turkish clarinet music (his instrument, too). We needed to do a more moderate trip so we are going to stay in Istanbul for 9 days at the Galata Residence Hotel (traveling with our teenage daughter). We need to have down time and we like "slow travel" and to be able to experience the place so we'll do sights and neighborhoods and music venues at a good pace along with one or two day trips - perhaps a Bosphorus cruise or day trip to one of the Prince's Island's and a day on the Asian side (Kadikoy and Moda).
We are very excited about this trip. Maybe we'll do another trip to other areas of Turkey at another time...and of course, we also want to get to Sicily.
