Turkey Itinerary help
Mar 18th, 2004, 01:50 PM
#1
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Turkey Itinerary help
Planning a first time visit to Turkey and only have 9 days to work with. Any and all advice much appreciated. My current plan is:
4 nights Istanbul (fly to cappadocia)
2 nights cappadocia (drive to Antalya)
3 nights antalya
I have also considered Bodrum and Ephesus, but don't want to travel too much (and my understanding is that I would have to transfer through istanbul every time). Am I missing much not going to Ephesus? Any alternate itinerary suggestions?
4 nights Istanbul (fly to cappadocia)
2 nights cappadocia (drive to Antalya)
3 nights antalya
I have also considered Bodrum and Ephesus, but don't want to travel too much (and my understanding is that I would have to transfer through istanbul every time). Am I missing much not going to Ephesus? Any alternate itinerary suggestions?
Mar 18th, 2004, 02:38 PM
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unjust- so much to see in so little time! I agree with the 4 nights in Istanbul and the flight to Cappadocia. You might be cutting it a little short though as there is so much to see. As to the Med Coast versus the Aegean Coast I suppose it's a toss up. We did the Bodrum - Kusadasi area and really enjoyed Ephesus and the other sites. We plan to return and do the Lycean coast later! Just don't try to do to much. Turkey is wonderful!
Mar 25th, 2004, 05:13 PM
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Just got back from 4 day istanbul/3 day cappadocia trip.
recommend 3 days in cappadocia. we felt we short changed our time there. still you can see all the mainstream sites in 2 days if you rush it but wouldn't recommend it. take the time to do some hiking -- i.e., not just get off the bus, take some quick photos, get back on the bus to the next stop.
we booked our cappadocia segment -- hotel, airplane tix, tour --- cappadocia tours (www.cappadociatours.com). they were wonderful. fun, insightful, kind, genuinely caring. they're not mentioned in fodors but they're in frommers.
recommend 3 days in cappadocia. we felt we short changed our time there. still you can see all the mainstream sites in 2 days if you rush it but wouldn't recommend it. take the time to do some hiking -- i.e., not just get off the bus, take some quick photos, get back on the bus to the next stop.
we booked our cappadocia segment -- hotel, airplane tix, tour --- cappadocia tours (www.cappadociatours.com). they were wonderful. fun, insightful, kind, genuinely caring. they're not mentioned in fodors but they're in frommers.
Mar 26th, 2004, 05:05 AM
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I agree with the three days in Capp - however, I have no experience of Antalya or the coast.
When faced with a similar choice, I opted for more local running around, meaning, day trips from Istanbul: Princess island and Bursa. Another possiblity is Iznik.
The problem, of course, is that Turkey is jammed with sites of interest. I could happily spend two weeks just in Istanbul. So, whatever you decide for this trip, you will have to accept the fact that you'll be taking a second trip as soon as possible.
Turkey is just that wonderful.
When faced with a similar choice, I opted for more local running around, meaning, day trips from Istanbul: Princess island and Bursa. Another possiblity is Iznik.
The problem, of course, is that Turkey is jammed with sites of interest. I could happily spend two weeks just in Istanbul. So, whatever you decide for this trip, you will have to accept the fact that you'll be taking a second trip as soon as possible.
Turkey is just that wonderful.
Mar 26th, 2004, 05:35 AM
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unjust - The drive from Cappadoccia will be a full day - it's a long haul (7-hrs or more). Do stop in Konya on your way to Antalya. I have to agree that you don't need more than 1-day in Antalya to visit Perge and Aspendos.
You can then drive to Kusadasi area (long, but not like the trip from Cappadocia to Antalya) and visit Ephesus. It would be a shame to miss this site. Though often crowded, and you don't mention when you will be traveling, it should be seen.
Then, you can fly from Izmir to Istanbul (returning car in Izmir).
You can then drive to Kusadasi area (long, but not like the trip from Cappadocia to Antalya) and visit Ephesus. It would be a shame to miss this site. Though often crowded, and you don't mention when you will be traveling, it should be seen.
Then, you can fly from Izmir to Istanbul (returning car in Izmir).
