Turkey Planning! Please advise me on my itinerary!
 

Hello everyone! My sisters and I are traveling (mid-late 20's) to Turkey in June. I want advice on how my itinerary looks.

Jun 8th- Arriving in Istanbul around 4/Istanbul
June 9th- Istanbul
June- 10th- Istanbul
June 11th fly early morning from Istanbul to Cappadocia- Cappadocia
June 12th- Cappadocia
June 13th- Fly early from Cappadocia to Izmir- Ephesus- stay overnight
June 14th- Drive down to Bodrum
June 15th- Bodrum
June 16th- afternoon flight to Istanbul
June 17th - Istanbul half day/ flying back to NY

Does this look too rushed? If yes, what should I take out? Thanks for you help in advance!

It depends on what you want to see and experience!

I spent 5 very busy days (6 nights) in Istanbul and nearly 4 days in Cappadocia. I could easily have used more time in each, and especially in Istanbul. If you keep to this itinerary, you will need to be very, very selective about what you see in each of these magnificent and fascinating locations.

If I'm reading correctly, you plan the better part of a day in Ephesus; that should work. Don't miss the Terrace Houses at the site or the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk!

Kja thanks for responding! I would love to stay longer in each cities but unfortunately we are allowed only a week off from work :(. I want to see so many more cities but I was able to cut down to these cities. And yes, we will be spending the whole day in Ephesus and around the area. We want to see all the major sites, mosques, experience nature and differernt culture, eat food and relax as well. In general, do you think it seems a bit too much? How are the domestic flights? And how is the drive in Tureky?

> We want to see all the major sites, mosques, experience nature and differernt culture, eat food and relax as well. In general, do you think it seems a bit too much?

Unfortunately, I have to say yes - it's too much for the time you have! You might consider skipping Bodrum....

Thanks. I will reconsider it!

having such short time,I will advise you stay in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul where you will find several boutique type hotels. This way you will need less in Istanbul as most of the places that need to be seen on the first trip are walking distance between 5-15 minutes, like the blue mosque, saint sophie, topkapi palace, the underground cistern,the islamic art museum, sipec market and the grand bazaar. This way you can also miss Bodrum and travel on a night bus from Cappadocia to Fethiye visit the lycian coast with several archaeological sites and fly to Istanbul from Dalaman.