We will be taking a trip in September for 12 days. Originally we were planning only Instanbul, Izmir and Ephesus. We are however are also thinking of visiting Cappadocia via a flight from Instanbul to Ankara, and Antalya, via a flight from Instanbul. We know some folks who several years ago did this on a tour, but it strikes me as being too hectic ("If it's Tuesday this must be Rome!!). If we cut out Cappadocia (and Antalya), would we feel as though we missed a 'must see'? <BR>Please advise. <BR>Thanks

Ron: If you skip Cappadocia, you definitely will have missed something. It's an absolutely unique place!

Ron, you may easily axe Izmir. There's nothing (unless you love very large, caotic cities) that justifies spending a night there, specially considering all other goodies in Turkey. <BR> <BR>We haven't (unfortunately) been to Cappadocia and Antalya. Ihaven't heard a single comment stating it as not worthy (Capadoccia over Antalya). <BR> <BR>I don't like the idea of flying back and forth to Istanbul several times. Wouldn't you consider renting a car? You may catch a flight from Istanbul to Kayseri and get a car. The nonstop drive from Kayseri/Urgup to Antalya would take around 7 hours. You may stop in between for the night, e.g., in Konya. From Antalya to Kusadasi it would take some 5 hours if you take the innland route (1 more if you deviate to Fethiye). Alternatively, you may fly from Antalya to Izmir. <BR> <BR>Anyway, 4/5 nights in Istanbul, 2/1 in Cappadocia, 1 in Konya, 2 in Antalya and 2 in Kusadasi doesn't seem overdoing. <BR> <BR>Paulo

Hi, Ron, <BR>I've finished my planning for an upcoming trip to Turkey this summer. From everything I've read, Cappadocia is a must-see, and worthy of a few days at least. I can't speak from experience, but I've read a lot of guidebooks and message boards, and it's one of those unique places in the world. <BR> <BR>If you start and end in Istanbul, you can fly to Kayseri in Cappadocia (as Paulo suggests). I'd recommend a few days there-- probably 3 nights. <BR>You can either drive from Kayseri to Antalya, stopping in Konya for a little while. Several people have driven this trip in a day, and said it's doable. Or you can fly to Antalya from Kayseri. The Turkish Airlines website shows several flights. You can then drive along the coast, taking a few days to do it, then dropping the car and visiting Ephesus before you fly back to Istanbul. <BR> <BR>Or you can fly from Istanbul to Kayseri; Kayseri to Antalya; Antalya to Izmir and again, from Izmir to Istanbul. But that sounds like TOO much flying to me; I'd probably skip Antalya at that point. <BR> <BR>If you would like to correspond with someone, I've been working with a wonderful agent in Cappadocia named Suleyman. His company is Cappadocia tours and his website is www.cappadociatours.com. He's been a tremendous help and can arrange flights, hotels, tours, etc. I don't work for him; although I've always done all my own trip-planning, I felt it was a good idea to have someone taking care of some of the arrangements for me. And his help was invaluable. <BR> <BR>If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me. <BR>Paule

Ron/Paulo: I would not spend more than 4 nights in Istanbul, but rather make it 3 in the Cappadocia area (Ürgüp or Göreme). That area is so marvellous, no hectic and very peaceful. I'd go back anytime. <BR>Even 2 nights in Antalya is a lot. The only thing I really liked there, was the old port with the fantastic typical sailing boats and the restaurants down there.Yes, and Izmir is definitely a busy place.

Ron, I'm so excited for you! We are going to Turkey in June, also for 12 days. I've written my itinerary up on this website (looking for advice) and people who have been said it sounded reasonable. Basically, we are flying between the towns at about 100USD one way, because of time constraints. Whether we drive or take a bus its still about 8 hours road time and thats basically a whole day getting from one place to another. We are spending 3 days in Istanbul, 2 and a half days in Cappadocia, 1 day in Antalya, leaving for a 3 day Gulet cruise from there to Kas. Then 2 days in Izmir, we'll see Ephesus from there. By the way, getting flights into or out of Kayseri or Neveshir can be a time waster also, cause there just aren't too many of them. Good luck, maybe I can be of more help when I get back.

This is for Paulo, No, you can't fly from Antalya to Izmir. Well, you can, but you have to go back to Istanbul from Antalya and then to Izmir. I wish there was another way!

I see Mary, thanks. The journey via Istanbul (or Ankara) would take approx. 3:30 hours ... and one would still have to find one's way to Kusadasi/Selçuk from the airport in Izmir! <BR> <BR>What's your transportation scheme from Cappadocia to Antalya and from Kas to Izmir (flying via Istanbul both times?) <BR> <BR>Paulo

Dear Ron, <BR>I am Turkish univeristy student in the States and I travelled a great deal around the world. You made definetely a very good choice by deciding to go Turkey. I have seen only a few places comparable to my country. (actualy one which is Greece). What makes Turkey unique is that you can experience several cultures in one place. I think you can find the most accurate information about touristic places at the website of the Ministry of Tourism which is at http://www.turizm.gov.tr/ <BR>You should definetely see Cappadocia as well Antalya. I don't agree with one of the posted messages that said there is not much to see in Antalya. It is true that there is not much to see in the city center but the neigbooring areas have the most beautiful beaches in the Meditarrenean as well historical sights such as Phaselis which is a very short drive from downtown Antalya. You should also visit Kekova which has an ancient city burried in the sea and you just travel over it with a boat and you may actualy swim there surrounded with tombs raising from the sea and houses below you. Also a very nice place to go is Patara which is the location where the famous Caretta turtles lay their eggs. You may rent a car for very reasonable prices anywhere in Turkey but drive carefully as we are the craziest drivers on earth. If you need anymore info feel free to mail me. <BR> <BR>Best, <BR>Murat <BR> <BR>P.S: It is the best time to go Turkey this summer. Because due to the economic crisis dollar gained 40% value towards the Turkish Lira. Meaning you will spend 40% less money than ussual.

Don't skip Capaddocia. Been to lots of places, and that is really unique and different. Also there are a bunch of different types of sites there. Go there and skip Ankara. Ankara is just another big modern city (except for the musuem).

This is for Paulo. We're getting to.Antalya from Cappadocia, by backtracking to Ankara. But we stop at some sites on the way, I think an underground church or maybe city, I'm not sure which. I know its a4 or 5 hour drive but the flight is just an hour and well' be in Antalya early evening. From Kas we go cack to Antalya and then do the Istanbul to Izmir tning. It isn't perfect, its alot of backtracking, but I still think if we drove we'd waste alot of time getting lost. I know us. In Venice getting lost was fun, we didn't have that many specific things we wanted to see in the time we had. In Turkey, we have 12 days and a whole bunch of places we want to see.

I'll put my 2cents in...drive from Ankara to Cappadocia (definite see), drive from there through Ilhara & check out the Valley (very beautiful)(couple of hrs), hit Konya on the way - stop and check out the Derbish Mosque (1hr)and head on down to Antalya. Use Antalya as a base (I don't agree that there's not plenty to do around there)and check out Perge (Per-gay)the ancient city with the two standing towers (great), the Aspendos Theatre (the largest intact Roman(?)theatre in the world, the Waterfalls (Manavgat-have lunch in the restaurant sitting over the falls) & the Upper Duiden-walk across a nondescript park and down some steps and you're in another world), then hit Teremissos - (Greek?) city at the top of a mountain, believe it's the Temple of Athena at the bottom, take the trail up and check out the top of the world, the theatre seems to float in the sky (don't miss if you like to walk & take bottled water). Drive back up to Ankara and take the THY flight (Turkish Air) back to Istanbul. Doesn't matter what you do-you'll miss some "must sees" no matter which direction you take.

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ummm, is there a reason someone has topped this year old thread? I'm not sure how it specifically relates to any of the current threads about similar topics except to rehash the same points. Is someone just getting "topping" happy?

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