My husband and I plan to visit Turkey for 2 1/2 weeks in mid April until the end of the month. We will be flying there from Tel Aviv. Our preference for travel is seeing more local color, the exotic/unusual, and historical sites rather than being in the bustling cities.
Can someone help with an itinerary for us? It is our first time to Turkey and has been a life-long dream for me.
Thanks so much,
Kit10

Kit:
This is a good cross-section of exotic and wonderful Turkey. I don't usually do trip reports..the scanned, pre-digital pix show it off. Rent a car and off you go. Driving is easy and scenic..plenty of petrol stations, good signage, no traffic outside the cities.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

stu (L.A.)
[email protected]

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/ScenesOfTurkey#

You may want to check on my trip report (click on my name to find it). A good part of it covers areas outside large cities, although I can't see how anyone would want to miss Istanbul.

To whet your appetite:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7622933197919/

turkeytravelplanner.com will get you started.
Istanbul-Cappadocia-Ephesus is a common itinerary.

Since you have some time, here's a different type of itinerary. However, this is based on driving for the whole period. If you prefer a flying one with some tours, some beach rest and some driving, you can probably get enough info from past trip reports and forums. You can also ask me specific questions.

1. drive istanbul-mengen, devrek, bartin, Amasra. stay at Amasra or Inkum.
2. Amasra, Kastamonu, Amasya, stay at at grand pasha hotel.
3. Amasya, Hattusas, Goreme. Stay at a cave hotel
4,5,6 stay at Goreme
7. Goreme, aksaray, karaman, mut, silifke. Stay at Silifke or Tasucu.
8. Silifke, visit antique sites and heaven and hell sink holes and asthma caverns.
9. Silifke to Anamur. stay night at anamur.
10. visit anemurium and continue drive to Side. Stay at Side.
11. Side to Antalya, visiting Perge and aspendos on the way. staying at Kaleici, old town Antalya.
12. Visit termesos and back to town.
13. Antalya to Kas, visiting Paeselis and Olympos on the way. Stay at possibly hideaway hotel or similar.
14. Kas, Kekova and other sites
15. Drive to Fethiye and Olu Deniz. Stay at Fethiye
16. take day gulet tour if weather is good, otherwise drive to Kayakoy and butterfly valley.
17. Fethiye to Herakleia on lake Bafa. Stay at B&B at Kapikiri village.
18. Herakleia to Selcuk, visiting Prienne on the way.
19. Ephesus and other sites in Selcuk.
20. Selcuk to Pergamom, visiting Sardis on the way.
staying night at dikili or Ayvalik.
21. Ayvalik to Assos to Troy to Bandirma for evening ferry to Istanbul.

remaining time in Istanbul.

This is an ambitious trip but doable, especially in late April, early May, because the Spring will be beautiful and you will have no problems with finding lodging and will not need to reserve in advance so can be very flexible. Also both car rental and lodging costs will be lower than they would be in Summer.

One tip: if you are like me, having a car means you can take your own goose down pillow with you everywhere you stay the night. (If you do not get one in Istanbul before you leave, it will be dificult in small towns.) Check at Idas, yatas, Isbir, Istikbal shops for your goose down or tempur type pillow.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and all your valuable feedback. Will let you know what we decide.
Sincerely,
Kit10