Ian

Great report, Nicci. Very different from our trip . . .

Ian

Nicci

Thanks Ian! I'm sure you would agree that's what makes renting a car and independent travel the best choice for those who like something different. It allows for flexibility of exploration and adventures.

I forgot to mention that our Garmin GPS Europe 2011 map was useless in Turkey. A good road map, guidebook and the excellent road signs kept us on track.

Ian

Yes, I like to 'feel' a country & independent travel is a must for that.

My TomTom - with updated maps - was just OK. Many roads were not existent & the routing was so-so at best. I had a Michelin map as well.

Ian

Nicci

We used the Michelin map too. The 2011 copyright was the most current from Amazon.com when we purchased it in April.

The traffic lights were strange since they went from red to yellow, before turning green. And we were honked at if not moving on yellow. Some had a count down which was helpful.

Ian

Ha ha. I loved the traffic lights. A yellow to tell you it's turning green? I really couldn't understand it. I guess it gives you time to clutch & put it into gear but it was strange. And I was surprised at how the Turks obeyed the lights & the no right turn on red. It must be the number of stop light cams I also noticed. Much better drivers than I expected overall. Not even close to Naples or Sicily for vehicular insanity.

Ian

stormbird

Hi Patricia 1066 - we stayed in here Selcuk -

http://www.homerospension.com/

and whilst this place is far from the Ritz the owner (Dervis)is an absolute delight. His mother (Mama) and his sister mmmm can't remember her name but I think it might be Hoya all help him run the B&B. Mama and Hoya put on a beautiful dinner each night and you are offered a free glass of home made wine on the roof top to watch the sunset.

They organised a driver -Osman, an absolutely delightful young man - to take us to to Ephesus and collect us a few hours later.

I cannot believe how well we were treated there - they were delightful. Then my son visited a year or two later and they looked after him like he was their own.

We had a hire vehicle and as we were leaving Hoya did a water ritual of blessing us and the car so we would have a safe journey.

I repeat it is not the Ritz but sometimes a 'family' type experience is far more rewarding.

Thanks for the report Nicci - Turkey has been one of my favourite destinations. Our friend is a pilot for Royal Balloons and they live in their own little Ev in Urgup - we found the Turkish people to be some of the most friendliest in the world.

Patricia1066

@nicci I am hoping to see Aphrodisias, Priene, Miletus and Didyma and Selcuk is the most useful place for public transport connections. Also I like settling in and getting to know a place. I am spending 2 weeks in turkey, and had to radically cut out many of the places I want to see so I can avoid a windshield tour.
@stormbird, the Homeros looks very traditional, just what I hoped to enjoy in the Bella. Very reasonable. I will see if they can put me up. Do you recommend asking for a room at the back?
The friendship offered in a family run place is a great thing. Bella is very successful, I do not understand how they can survive if they don't deal with sewer smells, and as for pressuring about their shop and travel agency...

Nicci

stormbird- Thanks for adding an alternative accommodation suggestion in Selcuk. I don't think there are any great hotels, but why not pay less if you have to settle for mediocrity.

Patricia1066 - Hopefully one of your days in Selcuk is during their Saturday Market.

Ian- I just cut and pasted my Northern Italy trip report from May 2009 for a friend flying into Milan this fall. It seems we were in communication on the forum back then as well. We still haven't opened any of the wine we carried back from Piedmonte. Are still holding onto your bottles of '01 Silvio Grasso Borolo?

Ian

Yes, still holding them. Maybe in the next year or two or five . . .

Ian

Patricia1066

Nicci - Cancelled Bella, and I decided to get the balcony room of Jimmys Place for same price as basic room at Bella's, looks nice.
I am there on Saturday, and I'll make sure to keep a dy free to explore the market.

Patricia1066

I am going to try to avoid the organised tours of the underground churches - I have done that kind of tour in Rome when in a catacomb with 30 spanish students! You are in a narrow space and have to share the viewing spot with 30 others all the time. I'll take note of the town you saw the underground city signosted Guzelyurt. Is that in the Ilhara valley?

Nicci

Patricia1066- The underground city sign was on the way to Guzelyurt, before Ihlara Valley, maybe 20 minutes before.

Bella does have a great terrace with awesome views of the stork nests, St. Johns Basilica and the castle. It's worth a visit for dinner since the mezze is very good and fairly priced. The service on the terrace was good.

yentakvetch

Thanks so much. I'm home exchanging in Istanbul for 3 1/2 weeks this summer. I am going to Cappadocia, but I am flying. I do have the use of a car. This was a very helpful trip report.

emily71

Bumping this thread up to ask the OP how they liked the Erboy Hotel in Istanbul.

Jozeph_Garden

Thak you for so spacious review! I realy need this details for planning my next trip