Turkey & Crete
 

We are planning a 21-day trip primarily to Turkey but also want some time in Crete. We are interested in gastronomy, scenery, people-watching, relaxation, history, archeology, religious sites and churches/mosques. We have a secondary interest in beaches and do want to spend some time on the Turquoise Coast.



The following is our draft itinerary excluding the days of our flight from Toronto to Istanbul and return flight to Toronto from Heraklion via Athens and Istanbul.



What suggestions would you make? Thanks.



Days 1-4 - Istanbul staying in Karakoy

Days 5-6 - GetYourGuide 2-day visit from Istanbul to Ephesus/Pammukkale returning to Istanbul at end of second day

Days 7-9 - Cappadocia by flight Istanbul to Kayseri

Days 10-12 - Antalya by flight from Kayseri

Days 13-14 - Fethiye by car via Kas (4.5 hours)

Day 15 - Rhodes City

Days 16 -19 - Chania, Crete by flight from Rhodes – thinking of doing a daytrip to Santorini during our stay in Chania

Days 20-21 - Rethymno, Crete

You could easily spend all your time in southwestern Turkey.
May be you don't realize how many gems you will bypass along your Anatolian itinerary!

As to your plans, I wouldn't turn back tro Istanbul during week 1.
May be you check the following:
Direct flight from Istanbul (IST or SAW) to Nevsehir (closer to Urgup/Goreme than Kayseri)
Direct flight from Kayseri to Izmir (every Wednesday/Thursday/Friday morning and every Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday late evening)
Bus or train from Selcuk (Efesos) to Denizli (Pamukkale). 3 hrs journey
Bus from Denizli to Antalya (3-3 1/2 hrs journey)
Bus from Antalya to Fethyie (5 hrs along the coast resp. 3 hrs along the inland route)
Catamaran Fethyie - Rhodos
Fllight Rhodos - Heraklion
DIRECT flight Heraklion - Istanbul (every Tuesday/Thursday//Saturday

Forget Santorini or fly at least from there to Istanbul (direct flights on Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday).

Count 1-2 weeks for a serious visit of Crete.
Count 1 week for the visit of the 5 top archeological sites around Antalya, the Manavgat waterfalls, the city of Alanya.....
A vist of all archeological sites and some of the best beaches between Antalya and Fethyie needs another week

This proposed itinerary is identical to one posted by annienan. Please see the comments posted on that thread.
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur.../#post17693169