Sarajevo and Istanbul

All three destinations are worth seeing, but in ten days at least one of them will end up being shortchanged.

But here's what I'd do:

• 4 nights Istanbul
• 2 nights Cappadocia (about 1 1/2 days there is enough to see the main things)
• 4 nights Sarajevo

I had to cut Sarajevo out of my long 2024 trip for lack of adequate time, but I understand your interest in that city. I will only say that I spent about 3 weeks in Istanbul last year and found it fascinating. In addition to the big-name, well-known sights, it has many fascinating neighborhoods to visit. You would not be bored if you limited the trip to Turkiye.

I'd take a careful look at how much time will be lost to transportation if you try to cover all three areas on one trip. The Istanbul airport is about an hour from the city; center-city traffic is horrible.

I imagine you'd have to go through Istanbul both before and after Cappadocia. Check flight schedules for your anticipated travel period to see how much real sightseeing time you'd have on a combined trip.

I would not be unhappy with Lane's proposal.

Thank you to everyone who has replied. I have looked into flight times on regional airlines and it appears to be very low cost quick flights assuming they are actually on time, etc. I'm considering just dedicating my 10 days to one country or the other and then waiting until the following year for the other so as not to shortchange one. This will be an incredibly hard decision because I very much want to see both places. My main interests are history, food and the cool culture of both places.

I have not been to Sarajevo but I do know it is much smaller than Istanbul, so if you limit your trip to one place, I would probably start with Istanbul for these 10 days, as there is so much to see and do there. I stayed in Istanbul for around seven days and could easily have stayed another seven.

For your next trip, then, you could conceivably visit Sarajevo but maybe combine it with areas around the city.

Sarajevo, and Bosnia in general, makes a good trip in combination with other Balkan countries.

With ten days in Turkey, I would add Ephesus to your plan. Two nights in nearby Kusadasi with a tour to Ephesus would be enough time there. Then you could do 6 nights in Istanbul. Or if you shorten Istanbul to 4 nights, then maybe add Antalya. The old city is really great, and the nearby ruins (Perge, Side, and the Aspendos amphitheater) actually impressed me even more than Ephesus.

Thank you Lane, I believe I have decided to spend the whole time in Turkiye and you've definitely given me some things to consider. It is much appreciated.

Lane has given you a couple of good outlines. As much as I love Sarajevo, he’s right that Turkey could easily use more time - if you think you will have the opportunity to be back for Bosnia (maybe with Montenegro) before too long.

Its that when someone discovers something that speaks to them, they can easily spend weeks there. But when you plan a trip around an unknown and show up and it doesnt speak to you, then you are trapped. Nothing wrong with a little faster discovery tour, then retun to what calls you. Otherwise there is so much of the world you will miss and never know if it was "your" place in the world. Its why on first trips to new places I always do 2 to maybe 4 night stops. A few of those places have called me back for longer stays, but more of those places were "interesting and I am not sorry I went" sort of experiences.

EDIT: The 4 nights in Sarajevo is only good if you get out of town at least one day. Otherwise 3 nights is a good first visit. Getting out of Sarajevo for a day i think is best done with a guide. Istanbul, my first trip was 4 nights, so was my second and my third. I do keep going back but to be honest I love those 4 nights but its never been a place to go and relax for more than that in one stretch. But I had to go the first time to discover that.

Mr. E
A quick discovery tour is what I did last year in France. Several places and regions definitely have been calling me back but I feel like I want to see a few new places first. The problem is that there are just so many places I want to see. I appreciate everyone's advice!

Sarajevo is another place I keep returning to for short stays. Perfect for 2 or 3 full days, then I head to the high country for fishing and come back for a day before flying out. I love it, but could I spend a week there soaking in the culture? Wouldn't be my first choice. .... but the short stays always touch me.