Turkey - Early planning
Nov 16th, 2012, 08:30 PM
#21
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What kja said.
Keep in mind, buses are not really any faster than cars and Turkey is a very large country--probably larger than Texas. I would bet a bus from Istanbul to Ankara is a good 8 hours. I found Turkish Airlines to be a cost effective way to get around the country efficiently while maximizing my most important travel asset...time.
Keep in mind, buses are not really any faster than cars and Turkey is a very large country--probably larger than Texas. I would bet a bus from Istanbul to Ankara is a good 8 hours. I found Turkish Airlines to be a cost effective way to get around the country efficiently while maximizing my most important travel asset...time.
Nov 17th, 2012, 01:56 AM
#22
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most Turks don't speak English well, but they are very friendly and will go out of their way to help you. The first time I was there was a few decades ago in the middle of winter, travelling alone. But I don't remember ever feeling unable to function.
(suggested minimum days)
Skip Ankara. Fly directly to Cappodokia (4 days). Plane fares are fairly cheap and it is a pain getting from Ankara to Cappo. Besides, there is not that much to see in Ankara: spend your time somewhere else.
Where is the somewhere else? Well if it is history you want, the whole country is oozing with it. You'd need to be more specific.
Ephesus is not bad: nice, well restored ancient city. Probably gives you as good of an idea of what the old days were like as anyplace on Earth. Not that much else there, however. But Antalya has a few good ruins nearby, and the trip up the coast is full of things to see: the Chimera, beaches, Saklikent canyon, Kas, etc. (4-5 days) It may be possible to fly to Antalya from Cappodokia.
Or, for slightly off the beaten track: go to the Southeast. Urfa was Abraham's home, Gobekli Tepe and Harran are right there as well as a slight trip to Mt. Nemrut. (3 days) With a bit more time, you could hit Mardin and Diyarbakir.(+3 days).
Always save your departure city for last. And that is, no doubt Istanbul. (4 days) If you do spend time there at the beginning and the end, split your mosque visits between them. There are a lot of mosques to see and you can get burned out if you hit too many at once.
Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Turikish and Islamic museum, Calligraphic museum, Beyazit Mosque, the Bookseller's bazaar, and the Mosaic museum are all with in a fifteen minute walking radius. And you can spend an afternoon at Cemberlitas baths- but skip the massage.
I hear Troy is not worth it, nor Gallipoli. But the Northeast is nice, and Edirne, and, well, a lot of other places.
(suggested minimum days)
Skip Ankara. Fly directly to Cappodokia (4 days). Plane fares are fairly cheap and it is a pain getting from Ankara to Cappo. Besides, there is not that much to see in Ankara: spend your time somewhere else.
Where is the somewhere else? Well if it is history you want, the whole country is oozing with it. You'd need to be more specific.
Ephesus is not bad: nice, well restored ancient city. Probably gives you as good of an idea of what the old days were like as anyplace on Earth. Not that much else there, however. But Antalya has a few good ruins nearby, and the trip up the coast is full of things to see: the Chimera, beaches, Saklikent canyon, Kas, etc. (4-5 days) It may be possible to fly to Antalya from Cappodokia.
Or, for slightly off the beaten track: go to the Southeast. Urfa was Abraham's home, Gobekli Tepe and Harran are right there as well as a slight trip to Mt. Nemrut. (3 days) With a bit more time, you could hit Mardin and Diyarbakir.(+3 days).
Always save your departure city for last. And that is, no doubt Istanbul. (4 days) If you do spend time there at the beginning and the end, split your mosque visits between them. There are a lot of mosques to see and you can get burned out if you hit too many at once.
Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Turikish and Islamic museum, Calligraphic museum, Beyazit Mosque, the Bookseller's bazaar, and the Mosaic museum are all with in a fifteen minute walking radius. And you can spend an afternoon at Cemberlitas baths- but skip the massage.
I hear Troy is not worth it, nor Gallipoli. But the Northeast is nice, and Edirne, and, well, a lot of other places.
