WHAT TO DO IN TURKEY
 

Hi fellow fodors!

I am thinking of visiting turkey this summer on June 13th for one week. I will be coming after Greece, so most likely ferrying to Samos and then to Kusadasi.

Since my time is limited... what should i see??!?!

Some places on my list are:
Cappadocia
Kusadasi
Istanbul
Ephesus?
What else?!?!

Also, is there a common path that travels take that include those cities mentioned above?

Thanks so much!! xox

Arriving at Kusadasi from Samos, it is a good idea to take a "dolmus" (a frequent, scheduled minibus) to Ephesus, and then stay at Selcuk town to see the rest of the area before taking a night bus to Cappadocia.

Using night buses which are quite comfortable and reasonably priced will save you time and lodging costs. You also will not need to make advance reservations, thus having the flexibility that flying will not provide.

When I was possibly your age and traveling in Europe, I preferred large cities and all that they implied in terms of social contact and fun rather than nature and ancient history.

Istanbul offers both, whereas Cappadocia and the area around Kusadasi and Ephesus, rich in antiquity and interesting in terms of nature, will not provide social and inter-cultural environments. Hence, decide how long you wish to stay at each location beforehand but with the knowledge that you can be flexible.

You might want to take a look at my trip report in which we drove from Izmir to Cappadocia; click on my name to find it.

I would cut Istanbul - which needs a week unto itself just to see the highlights of the European side! Come back sometime and just spend a week or more there. Otherwise, this plan is plain crazy, if not impossible.

All great information. Many thanks.

Michael, your report is amazingly detailed! Thank you.

Is there a particular route most backpackers do to get from Kusadasi, Ephesus Cappadocia and to Istanbul?

Perhaps that is too many stops...... I just want to see it all!

"route most backpackers do"

Do yourself a favour and buy a guide book. Lonely Planet or Rough Guide would be fine.

What Croesus said.

Since you would have been to Greece,I would suggest skipping the Turkey coast.Instead head to Capadocia where you'll get to see something very different. So 4 days Istanbul and 3 days Cappadocia.
You could go through my trip report)with pictures) to get somemore idea of places.
http://ashwinbahulkar.wordpress.com/...o-turkey-trip/ ‎
And ofcourse there are a lot many good places in Turkey.

I agree with ashwinb. I would keep it to Istanbul (European side) and Cappadocia. Those were my two favorites when I went in May.