My husband an I are going to Turkey this June. I tried very hard to investigate how to make it the best possible trip using this message board guidebooks and magazines. Please help me out here by reviewing our plans with a thumbs up or down and helpful suggestions. We fly into Istanbul and spend 3 days on our own. Gate 1 travel arranged a hotel stay at the President near the Grand Bazaar. We know what we want to see, and figure at places like Topkapi Palace we can find a guide or they will find us. The 4th morning we fly to Ankara where a gate 1 guy will get us at the airport to begin a3day 2 nite tour of Cappadocia. We wanted to stay at a cave hotel but they said after climbing around all day we might like something alittle more USA style and booked us into the Dedeman. By the way we're in our late 40's, early 50's. The early evening of the 3rd day we fly from Ankara to Antalya where Pasha tours has booked us into the Kishalan hotel, which we can't find out anything about it. We tried to fly out of kayseri or Neveshir so we wouldn't have to backtrack to Ankara, but then we'd have to back track to Istanbul. And we decided not to take busses or drive because that takes up a day and probably more as we're sure to get lost if not from town to town then surely once we get to the town! We only have that evening the next morning and afternoon to look around Antalya because that nite we start a 3 day gulet cruise with Pasha Tours. Again, the brochure pictures are fantastic but we don't know anyone who has ever done this. The gulet trip ends in Kas and we have to go back to antalya to fly to Istanbul to fly to Izmir. I wish I knew a way to not backtrack,but if we want to save precious time and fly it seems the only way. Getting to Dalaman or Bodrum took too much time, and we'd still have to go back to Istanbul. Gate1 again booked us a room in Konak Sq. for the remaining 3 nites. The next day we are taking an all day tour with them to Ephesus and Selcuk. Our last day we'll see what ever there is to see in Izmir and do last minute shopping. Unless theres something closeby that we shouldn't miss seeing. We fly home from Izmir. I know we're missing Pammukkale and what I understand is beautiful landscape and ruins between Kas and Bodrum, but we have only 12 days and wanted to see the big 3, Istanbul , Cappadocia, and Ephesus. And truly the Gulet looked so special we wanted to fit that in someway. Well I hope our trip is as wonderful as I dream its going to be, but I still have time to tune it up and change things so any suggestions would be very appreciated, especially by any of you Fodorites who have been there. thanks. Mary

Hi Mary. Sorry, I don't have anything to add as I have not been to Turkey but will be going in June too. <BR> <BR>I have been watching your post with interest. The reason you probably have not had any replies could be because it looks like you have it so well thought out and have incredible planning. <BR> <BR> <BR>I wish I could offer you advice but hesitate because I don't have first hand experience. Hope I have helped by bringing it back up to the top. <BR>Have a great trip. <BR> <BR>

Mary, <BR>(nice name) <BR>My first suggestion for Istanbul is to be sure you get a private guide through your hotel to tour the mosques. Otherwise, you will miss out on very important and interesting information. <BR>A resturant suggestion for Istanbul: <BR>Hannadan <BR>You seem to be well prepared. I hope you have a great trip. <BR>(Don't forget to bring tissue for public bathrooms)

You don't seem to have any real questions. We have stayed in the President Hotel, a Best Western, and agree that it is well-located and completely satisfactory. One minor word based on several years ago: There is a "Turkish Night Club" next door. Several of the very same performers also perform in the hotel restaurant at no added cost -- they work a while each night in one place then go to the other. Do try to take a ferry trip up the Bosphrus -- you can spend about 6 hours including a lunch stop. Otherwise, the trip looks fine to me. Hope you enjoy it.

Mary, I went to Turkey 3 years ago and I agree that backtracking is unavoidable. We took the ferry from the Greek Islands to Izir and then took a plane to Istanbul and connected to Kayseri in Cappadoccia and then back to Istanbul. We also flew instead of taking the buses to save time. The only place we had a guide was Cappadoccia. Your plans sound fine and you will love Turkey and their people. Have a great trip.

This is for Lisa, Mary, BoJack and Linda, Thanks for your encouragement. I still can't find anyone whos been on a Gulet, oh well, we'll be suprised! Just wondering Lisa, what your plans for Turkey are? Maybe we'll compare notes when we're both back. Thanks again.

Hi Mary, <BR>We will be in Turkey for a total of 4 and 1/2 days as part of a month long trip. We will be on a cruise that leaves from Istanbul, so we will have 2 days precruise in Istanbul, 2 days (actually 1 and a half day) in Istanbul after boarding the ship, and a day in Kusadasi/Ephesus. I am getting private guides for the time we are there. <BR> <BR>We will be there from 22nd June to 26th hopefully wearing my Fodorite pin. When will you be there? <BR> <BR>AS we are going to be in quite a few places over the month I have been doing quite a lot of varied research. Thanks Fodorites.

Mary - I have been on one day boat trips and my friends went on a 1 week trip (gulet). you absolutely love it. You will see and swim in water so incredibly clean that you can see the fish swim by. I think it will very nice break in quite a whirlwind trip. <BR> <BR>I just returned from Turkey last week (husband's family is there). The Turkish lira is VERY low to the dollar right now, so things are very cheap. Pack light and bring home a bunch of stuff. <BR> <BR>Two words you should learn given all the exposure you will get to locals are: <BR> <BR>Merhaba - hello (pronounced exactly as it looks) <BR> <BR>tesekkur ederim - thank you (there are some accents you cannot see here; it is pronounced "tesheker edarim" <BR> <BR>Enjoy - it is a really beautiful country and the people are so woudnerful and friendly. <BR> <BR>Lastly, if you need to bring any gifts Wiskey is actually one of the more prized gifts - it is fairly expsensive in Turkey. Turks always bring gifts to each other when they travel any great distance to see a friend. Certianly not a requirement, but just a thought.

Mary, <BR>I live in Turkey. First of all I want to say that 3 days is not sufficient for Istanbul. 2 whole days is sufficient for Kapadokya. In that region I advice you to take a balloon tour. It is really magnificent. When I visit Kapadokya, I stay at Dedeman. ýt is a good hotel. <BR>I want to inform that the mediterranean region is very hot. If you find time I advice you to visit Pamukkale, too. If you have further question, you may ask me. Have a nice trip.

This is for all of the nice people who have helped me. Lisa, we leave for Turkey on the 10th and return on the 23rd. Oh ya, those pins,I want one,seems like a cool idea. We try to vacation with 3 other couples every summer. The farthest we've gotten is colorado and we're from Kansas City. Its not going to happen this summer but we,ve talked about a med cruise and if Turkey is even 50% as great as I think its going to be, maybe next summer I'll see it again on a cruise. Hope you'll post how it was when you return. Thanks to Ariel for the language lesson, I already made myself a little dictionary on words I need to know, those included. You made my day by having some gulet experience, I feel so much better. The pictures looked to good to be true, but I figured, how bad can it be, mosying around the med sea. And Atila, I know, I know 3 days is doing Istanbul a disservice. It took me that long to just read about all there is to see in Topkapi Palace, so maybe we can lop a day off Cappadocia and have 1 more day in Istanbul. Thanks again everyone, I can not wait to go!

Well, Mary, You will be in Izmir when we will be in Istanbul, otherwise you could have spotted me by my fodor pin (which I will be wearing on my backpack or pocketbook strap). Enjoy your trip. <BR> <BR>If you have access to an internet cafe, post some tips from Turkey. <BR>

Mary, we were in Istanbul a year ago and it was one of the most fascinating cities we've ever visited. You will have a great time. A word of caution: get a guide through your hotel. You comment, "they will find us", is so true. There are well dressed men sitting on the benches near all the tourist sites who are always eager to help you. Once you allow them to accompany you, they will follow you around until you agree to go to their "family's" shop. Keep in mind, they are not doing this out of the goodness of their own hearts. Another scam is young boys who will insist on polishing your shoes as you are walking along. If you say no, they will dab a glob of polish on them anyway, hoping to make a sale. We also met some adorable kids selling homemade tops. Every time a police car drove by, they disappeared, only to reappear again a few minutes later. Late in the night we saw kids near the markets selling flowers. But the experience of a lifetime was haggling and trying to arrive at a price at the Grand Bazaar. We were told, "don't accept the first five offers." I bought some beautifully embroidered pillow covers and got a fairly good price for them. Imagine my surprise when I found the very same covers at the House of Blues gift shop in Chicago a few months ago. If you have time go to a Turkish bath while you are there.

For Maggi, Thank you for the guide advice. I've read about all those "friendly fellows" and didn't connect that offering to be our guide would be a perfect opportunity to reel us in. We'll make sure we go thru the hotel. Any one with any other good tips, please post them. we still have a month and a half till blast off. We will really appreciate them.

Mary, <BR>Please write when you get back,,, as we are going in the fall.