Türkiye

[wombatrois]

We've booked! Finally!

If you've been, where is your favourite place?

We don't have any set plans, but obvs. Istanbul, probably Cappadocia, probably Galipoli (for obvs reasons to the Aussies and NZers), Troy, Ephesus maybe.

We have around 3.5 weeks, maybe a little less. October/November so not a beachy sort of holiday, but hoping for pleasant weather.

[riverhorse]

I've only ever spent a single day in Türkiye, on a cruise, when I went to Ephesus but I would absolutely 100% recommend it.

[whothingie]

I'm green with envy. Has been my favorite travel spot for years.
Depends on your interests but Ephesus is a must in my eyes. What time of year as that can make a difference to ideal places?

[wombatrois]

Mid October to Mid November - had to wait for an event J is organising unfortunately, otherwise it would have been a month earlier.

[Queen]

I've been along the Mediterranean coast, either at fancy seaside resorts or sailing.

I loved it, but that's probably not the sort of holiday you're looking for. Esp not in oct/nov

[whothingie]

There’s quite a well- worn traditional route that many of us from this neck of the woods follow – and it’s been proven a hit – and is well used because it hits the high spots. (Disclaimer – lived there for a few years with a tour guide ). I’ve assumed you will have your own transport. Some of the historical sites I’ve listed will depend on your personal interests and depth re digging into historical stuff and each one is very different. Lots of other magical places that you will find by poking around.
Istanbul to Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Izmir (nice but a big city.. but good waterfront). Ephesus. Kusadasi / or Selcuk are the nearest big towns and can be hell on earth with touts at times but ignore them. From there you can move on, or day trip, to Pamukkale, or perhaps Didim/Afrodiasis
I liked Sirince as my base sometimes but it’s a bit further out and the road isn’t great – but at that time of year will be quieter – and they make great fruit wine there.
Then down to Cappadocia - if you like balloon flights – this is the place to do it. (perhaps via Bodrum which at that time of year will be quiet and Konya for the Mevlana history) and depending on your time – back to Istanbul . Other than the museum I never found much to attract my interest in Ankara
Don’t be fooled that Turkey is always warm – it will be starting to get really cold and I’ve been in snow in Cappadocia at that time of year, and take decent sunblock as reflections of the marble can create havoc. (Things will have changed but sunblock a few years ago was almost unheard of and what I did find was super expensive and very poor quality).
Half the fun is planning. Enjoy.

[wombatrois]

Thanks so much Whothingie, that is a great start to planning. I was already thinking it would be cooler in the second half of the trip, so thanks for confirming!

Now to planning!

[whothingie]

Forgot to mention accommodation. Haven't been since covid which hit the tourism industry hard, but once the summer influx dies down a lot of hotels and pensions used to shut. The smaller places that stayed open often turned off the heating and hot water. Check when booking they are fully functioning.
Another nice spot away from the crowds is lake Bafa and its kapikiri village. It's a bird sanctuary.

[wombatrois]

Jun 16, 2023 12:41:39 GMT -5 Queen said:

I've been along the Mediterranean coast, either at fancy seaside resorts or sailing.

I loved it, but that's probably not the sort of holiday you're looking for. Esp not in oct/nov

Why do I find that a little incongruous with your complexion :-D

Thanks for the info - we aren't looking for this (and at that time of year anyway), but I do want to do that sometime - J gets incredibly seasick so getting on a boat might prove difficult, but it is on my bucketlist. (and I did get him to a Greek island - via ferry)

[Queen]

Jun 18, 2023 18:45:06 GMT -5 wombatrois said:

Why do I find that a little incongruous with your complexion :-D

I had to take special measures... somewhere there's a photo of me swimming with a hat on.

But the sun is not as tricky as in Oz/NZ.

[riverhorse]

Whothingie that sounds fabulous! If ever Erdoğan releases his grip on power and Türkiye becomes a modern democracy I'll keep your itinerary in mind... Because at this stage PG will never go there and I'd be fairly reluctant too. Not a criticism of Wombat's travel plans, I hasten to add, everyone needs to make their own assessment!

[Liiisa]

Jun 19, 2023 4:57:39 GMT -5 riverhorse said:

Whothingie that sounds fabulous! If ever Erdoğan releases his grip on power and Türkiye becomes a modern democracy I'll keep your itinerary in mind... Because at this stage PG will never go there and I'd be fairly reluctant too. Not a criticism of Wombat's travel plans, I hasten to add, everyone needs to make their own assessment!

My feelings exactly (also no criticism of Wombat! tourism actually gets these people sustenance!), but I would love to go there. I work with a Turkish woman (who recently came to the US in order to be able to actually get a job) and the way she describes Istanbul seems so amazing. She misses it so much.

Of course I can't talk... sometimes I think the US is just a couple steps back from the Turkish political situation, and hurrying to catch up.

[wombatrois]

It was discussed in the wombat household, but it's somewhere I've been wanting to go for years and that won out in the end.

We have a similar outlook on Burma, and thought we were doing the right thing when there was a brief truce with Aung San Suu Kyi and the military, only to realise afterwards that she's not exactly squeaky clean when it comes to the Rohingha.

It's tricky to navigate desires and political and moral stances.

[Liiisa]

I get it wombat -- I mean, I live in a country that people won't visit for political/moral reasons.