Turkey in October
 

I'll be in Turkey for the first three weeks of October: Istanbul, Cankkale, Izmir, Cappadocia, Antalya, Ankara. I've collected lots of good information from the forum about what to do, what to see and where to eat, etc.

I want to pack light on this trip so am wondering if two pairs of long pants (one on the plane) and two pairs of capris will work for this time of year. I plan on wearing a jacket on the plane and will bring one sweater for cool evenings.

My main question is whether October is mild enough to wear capris, for example, at Ephesus and Pergamum, or whether it will be cool enough for the long pants.

Thanks for all the great information I've gleaned so far.

October temperatures will vary between 14 coldest at night to 26-28 C warmest in daytime. Average will be about 22 or so. hence either long pants or jeans or capris will be OK. Cappadocia will be cooler, especially early morning if you are going for balloon ride.

Make sure you have good walking shoes for the ruins and for cappadocia.

Sounds like about 55 - 75F, which should be quite pleasant.
Yes on the shoes. I learned my lesson on shoes, comfort over all else.

Thank you.

Luisah, one suggestion:
If you are going to spend any time in ankara, it is probably to visit the Hittite museum. if that is one of your interests, and if you rent a car there to go to cappadocia, then make it a long day and visit the ancient Hittite city Hattusas. Archeologists have been working with some Japanese funding, in recent years, and it is well worth a vist.

one more suggestion: The only reson you would be going to canakkale in October, would be to see Troy. Do not be disappointed but there actually is not much to see there. On the way from pergamom (which is good) stop at Assos/Behramkale. In fact stay at Assos port if you can. It is a very different kind of place where we have annual international Philosophy conferences (www.philosophyinassos.org) possibly because Aristotle once ran a school there for some years.

If you are driving, the small Lila Motel 5 kilometers before Behramkale is excellent.

I strongly recommend that you check for hotels at the 'small hotels of turkey' site by Nisanyan wherever you are going. They are not the cheapest but they all have something unique. So far we have stayed at over ten hotels from the book/site and were pleased with all of them.

Hi Luisah - will you be travelling solo through those areas? I'm actually just planning my Turkey trip as well which is also in early October but going solo. Please email me when you get a chance, I'd like to compare notes/get some advice about what you've found so far re: Cappadoccia. I can't figure out which way is best to get there.

You can email me at: [email protected]

Otherchelebi, thanks for all the great information you've provided. I've copied and pasted it into my Turkey.

I will be with a group the trip outside of Istanbul. It will be easier for me than driving or making air arrangements and I'll learn how easy or difficult it would be for me to return on my own.

I don't have high expectations of Troy; we will also be visiting Gallipolli in that area. We will be going to most of the historic sites: Ephesus, Pergamom, Aspendos, Perge and Hattusas.

Awaypaddling (love the name) I will be with a group for most of the trip but on my own in Istanbul for six days at the end. I'll e-mail you. I hope someone can help you with your question about how to get to Cappadoccia.

Luisah, it is a pleasure to assist someone who responds like you.
please do not hesitate to ask further questions.
my wife and i have driven all over turkey, (some places, a number of times) and stayed at both simple and plush lodgings, conversed with the residents and enjoyed ourselves while discovering nature, antiquity, architecture, regional arts and crafts, and people. (for example, if you find yourself at a small town called Devrek in Western Black Sea, check their cherry wood hand carved canes)(if you are interested in carpets, you can get excellent deals at simple locations on highways like the ones between Ankara and Adana, near Aksaray and Nigde. These are not for the tourists.)(If you are going to be at Mardin or Midyat, beware factory produced silver sold as handcrafted.)

Take some insect repellent like Off or buy it in Turkey, against mosquitos and ticks. Start taking some over the counter antihistamines like claritine a few days before you arrive, against any possible simple allergies (also much cheaper at pharmacies in Turkey) I also heard that some vitamin B's make you unattractive to mosquitos. (hopefully not also to your tour friends. :) )

hope you enjoy your adventures.

Mosquitos in October !!!! interesting.
Those do not live 4 seasons as far as I know and at least not in Cappadocia :-)

Luisah, my wife and i will push off again to discover inland Aegean end of September, beginning of October, will be back before end of first week.
i can be reached at the following address which was set up for comments and critiques of my book : [email protected] for any assistance you may need.

Then, November one we are off to chicago and detroit for our younger daughter's wedding.

ahmet celebiler

Thank you so much, that's very generous. What is the title of your book?

The book is called, strangely enough "Dusler ve Gorusler" and "Dreams and Perception" in english. (check info on Amazon US if you like)

It has only 14 pages in English, and the rest are in Turkish : essays, short-short stories, poetry and travel pieces.

My next book will be all in English and will be travel related.

otherchelebi,

Congratulations on your book. I'll be looking forward to your English language travel related book, let us all know when it's published.

I've been busy getting ready for Turkey so haven't spent much time online. However, another question.

The company that I'm traveling with called today to tell me that there has been a hotel change for our three days in Istanbul. The original hotel overbooked so we will be at the Point Hotel Barbaros on Estentepe Yildiz Pasta Cad, Sisli. The hotel is fairly new so I couldn't find much but did see a map and it looks like it's way out. I'm wondering if anyone has heard of this hotel or is familiar with the location -- there are no reviews online. I hope that it's near a bus or metro line.

We'll be there for three nights before moving on to Gallipoli, etc. but I will be staying in Sultanahmet when we return in October so will be near most of the sites I want to visit.

Thanks,
Lu

Luisah

The location of point hotel is good. It is very close to where my father-in-law lives. there are some restaurants and one very good pastry shop, Bulvar, which also has excellent breakfast. However, the walk to the metro stop is not short and may not be worth it.

On the other hand, there are a number of busses which can take you to almost anywhere in or close to the old city.

if I get a chance to go there this weekend, i will give you more info on the hotel.

Let me know the date you check in and my wife and i may be able to pay you a visit and provide any assistance you may need.

Just back a few days ago. I took too much and it sounds like your plan is very good.
re: Istanbul: It was still quite warm infact had to change into capris - I was trying to be very conservative with jeans and long sleeves, but the females are really almost more revealing that in the U.S. they are very "hip" - it's a very modern city. I was amazed and happy. Some of the tourist in line for the Aya Sofya were disrespectfully dressed (rediculous very short shorts and midrifts showing - stupid!) but they gave them a sack to cover up with.
Bring a nice scarf or 2 to dress up your tops - that always works nicely. However you can buy lovely ones there for cheap.
Ephesus was hot! Cappadocia was hot, but ballooning at 5:30 pick up time was quite cool so layered heavily then peeled it off 1/2 way thru. Main thing is comfy shoes, no heels - lots of brick paving/cobblestones. Also some socks for the mosques.
Did not go to any of your other destinations. You can also buy shawls in many places and some cool sweaters if need be.
I over packed and was sorry, I thought it was going to be cooler. You'll love Turkey - I was so amazed!

ss,

Your advice is helpful. I always pack too much and this time I'm determined to not make that mistake. I'm taking a 25" suitcase with a small duffel bag for the plane. As we'll be in three distinct areas of the country (Istanbul, Cappadocia and the southern coast), I'm anticipating that we'll have to bring a combination of fall and summer clothes. Watching the weather carefully :)