My wife and I (active 70 yr olds) are planning a 21-day trip primarily to Turkey September/october 2026 but also want some time in Crete. We are interested in history, archeology, religious sites, churches and mosques, people-watching and gastronomy. We have a secondary interest in beaches and do want to spend some time on the Turquoise Coast.

The following is our draft itinerary excluding days of our flight from Toronto to Istanbul and return flight to Toronto. What suggestions would you make? Thanks.

Days 1-4 - Istanbul staying in Karakoy
Days 5-6 - GetYourGuide 2-day visit from Istanbul to Ephesus/Pammukkale returning to Istanbul at end of second day
Days 7-9 - Cappadocia by flight Istanbul to Kayseri
Days 10-12 - Antalya by flight from Kayseri
Days 13-14 - Fethiye by car
Day 15 - ferry to Rhodes City
Days 16 -19 - Chania, Crete by flight from Rhodes
Days 20-21 - Rethymno, Crete
Flight to Istanbul (via Athens) then connecting flight to Toronto

I'm sure it will be a wonderfull trip no matter what you choose. Here are some initial thoughts:

You have very little time for the highlights of Istanbul, particularly if you will have jet lag upon arrival. I know that many people prefer staying in Karakoy; I was glad to stay in Sultanahmet.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ephesus and Pamukkale. I don't know if I would have enjoyed a two day trip to include both.

I was glad to have several days in the Cappdocia area. You have, I think, at most a day and parts of two?

Sorry -- submitted earlier than intended. I'll continue in another post.

I skipped Fethiye and Rhodes, so no commens, except that I know I’d want more than one night in Rhodes.

For Crete,2 nights in Chania and 1 in Rethymno could work … but given your stated interests, I think you would like more time for that vast island.

Overall, your plan sounds rushed to me. And it is a plan that skips many, MANY sites that would seem of interest to people who enjoy history, archeology, religious sites, etc. Because you are apparently planning to fly out of Istanbul, you might consider skipping Crete and Rhodes on this trip so you can visit a more of Turkey’s gems.

FWIW, here’s a link to my old trip report on my time in Turkey:
Some Observations on a Fantastic Journey through Western Turkey

And I began my trip to Greece in Crete:
With Gratitude for a Glorious Solo Month in Greece

I hope that helps!

I fully second kja.
You could easily spend all your time in southwestern Turkey.
May be you don't realize how many gems you will bypass along your Anatolian itinerary!

As to your plans, I wouldn't turn back tro Istanbul during week 1.
May be you check the following:
Direct flight from Istanbul (IST or SAW) to Nevsehir (closer to Urgup/Goreme than Kayseri)
Direct flight from Kayseri to Izmir (every Wednesday/Thursday/Friday morning and every Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday late evening)
Bus or train from Selcuk (Efesos) to Denizli (Pamukkale). 3 hrs journey
Bus from Denizli to Antalya (3-3 1/2 hrs journey)
Bus from Antalya to Fethyie (5 hrs along the coast resp. 3 hrs along the inland route)
Catamaran Fethyie - Rhodos
Fllight Rhodos - Heraklion
DIRECT flight Heraklion - Istanbul (every Tuesday/Thursday//Saturday

I firmly believe you both will have a good time, as per the following above post, your schedule looks good, just a concern about breaks/resting, and aslo recommend taking fewer transportation as that can be pretty exhausting.