Hi Everyone,

Everyone is so helpful here. I have learned so much from all of you.

Me and two friends are going to Turkey 3/26 to 4/4. The travel agent wannabe that I have become arranged the first three nights in Istanbul at the Hotel Mina. Then, I selected a flight to Bodrum. We will fly there on 3/30 and rent a car to see that area, Ephesus and then drive back to Istanbul.

I'm starting to think I picked the wrong city to fly to and I am starting to sweat. Can someone recommend a good area to stay in Bodrum? The Aegean Gate sounded great , but they don't open until May 1. Ephesus is the only definite and I would like to see the sea turtles in Dalyan. I am having a hard time figuring out the geography!!

Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Howard

I don't think you made a mistake in flying to Istanbul. The city is full of interesting sights, and the food is interesting and inexpensive. I suggest seeing Hagia Sophia, the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, the Yerebatan Cistern, the Mosaic Museum (near the Arasta Bazaar), Topkapi Palace, the Archeological Museum, and the Grand Bazaar.

The drawbacks in Istanbul are all the men offering to guide you or to sell you carpets, the unfortunate lack of potable drinking water in most hotels, and the even more unfortunate lack of street signs. As remedies, I suggest saying no repeatedly in a pleasant way, bottled water, and carrying a good street map and a compass. You'll have a great time.

Bodrum airport is not that far from Ephesus.

You picked the wrong airport in relation to the sea turtles of dalyan, which is quite a bit further South.

However, March and April are not the months you would see the turtles in any case, so you need not drive down South.

Bodrum and the satellite villages of Gumbet, Bitez, turgutreis, Yalikavak, Golturkbuku, Torba, Gumusluk have lots of hotels. There are many good ones for every budget. If you really wish to stay at one of these hotels, check reviews on Trip Advisor.

However, depending on the time of your arrival in Bodrum and in view of the limited time you have, i will recommend that you immediately drive North to Selcuk (ephesus). If you start reasonably early from Bodrum airport, you can visit Herakleia (Kapikiri) on lake Bafa, Miletus and Prienne on the way to Selcuk that day. The whole drive, including the sightseeing will take 5-6 hours.

Taking this option, your decision to fly to Bodrum becomes a blessing.

Stay at Nazhan or Bella in selcuk. Decide how long you wish to hang around in Selcuk, and if you think you should squeeze some more locations into your route to Istanbul, the following are your options:

1. pergamom and Assos, will require an overnight stay.

2. Sardis, a detour of two hours

3. Sardis and Aizanoi, a detour of four hours (a long day )

4. Iznik (Nicea), a detour of three hours


On a direct drive or option one or option two, you should take the Bandirma-Yenikapi ferry (check schedule at www.ido.com, by clicking on the route)

On the third and fourth alternatives, take the Yalova-Yenikapi ferry which is more frequent, and is an alternative to the Bandirma ferry in any case, although means an additional 90 minutes driving time but shortes and cheaper ferry time. there are even more ferry options from Yalova in case you miss the Yenikapi ferry there as well.

Hope you have a map of Turkey to check these suggestions and your route.

Thank You Otherchelebi. You have certainly eased my mind and given me a lot of information to think about. I appreciate your help.

Howard

I could be wrong, but isn't Bodrum about a 2.5 hour drive each way from Ephesus? We did this trip a few years ago, and that's what I remember.

Yes, Weadles, if you do not visit Herakleia, miletus, Didyma and Prienne and drive as if the Karian horde and their Egyptian mercenaries are after you, the time from Bodrum to Selcuk will be 150-180 minutes.

You have a very good memory for time.

Hi. I came across a nice looking hotel in Kusadesi called The Charisma Deluxe. Has anyone heard anything good or bad about the place?

Thanks.

Charisma seems to be a newer hotel (i just checked its web site) It is close to another smaller hotel but with more character, Kismet.

both of them are very close to the highway to Ephesus and Selcuk. Kismet has a better view and Charisma the better beach.

If you were going there in the summer, i would have recommended the Charisma because of the beach.

at the time of your visit, Nisanyan boutique hotel at Sirince or Bella in Selcuk (smaller rooms) would save you time for sight seeing and provide more interesting regional cuisine for dinner (but no views)