Hello everyone,
A friend and I want to travel to Turkey or Italy from Sep 22 to Oct 1
We are leaving from California.
I am overwhelm with my travel books and will like to get some ideas.
We enjoy car trips (last year we drove in the south of Spain and was amazing).
Turkey: I love to visit beaches so I was thinking Istanbul for a few days and then to the coast. (Mediterranean or the Aegean..?)
Italy: I was thinking flying into Milan drive down to Cinque Terre then Tuscany then hit Rome...is that a lot?
Also, the other idea was to do Amalfi Coast -looks so beautiful but I heard can be busy for drivers.
I have read other blogs and you all are amazing at giving advice!
thanks!
Marco

You might want to read my trip report on Turkey; click on my name to find it.

Turkey!!!! Istanbul is magical-you should stay about 5 days-then go to Cappadocia for 2 nights-Kusadasi for 2 nights & back to Istanbul for flight home. |You don't need a car in Istanbul. I had a guide in both Cappadocia & Kusadasi.
Have fun-love Italy-have been twice

That late in the year the Amalfi Coast won't be that busy - the worst times are August and July. We have gone several times in late May and it was already warm enough for swimming in the hotel pool and traffic not so bad that driving was a problem. BUT, you must make sure your hotel has parking or can guide you to a garage nearby - street parking overnight is a big issue.

Sorry - can;t help with turkey vs Italy - haven;t been to the former yet - although it's where we want to go next (as soon as we can coordinate some time off together.)

"Turkey: I love to visit beaches so I was thinking Istanbul for a few days and then to the coast. (Mediterranean or the Aegean..?)"

You may enjoy a blue cruise:

http://www.bluecruisesturkey.com/

The most famous is 4 days 3 nights Olympos - Fethyie

I enjoyed Capri more than Amalfi Coast. It's also easier to reach.

For me the Lycian coast in Turkey is a nicer drive than either the Cinque Terre or the Amalfi coast.