Italy vs. Turkey

I have not seen that question before. Usually, people choose to go to either Turkey or Greece, because both of those countries have ancient sites. (Turkey is much better than Greece for that). I do not advise most people to avoid Italy because of expenses there. The people in ITALY, and the people in TURKEY are very different ! Which of those people do you prefer to be with for two weeks ? (I would prefer the Italians).

Both would be great trips, but I think I would lean towards Italy. Public transportation is scarce in Turkey and most places are rather far apart, which requires you to either fly or hire a car. As to Italy being more expensive, I have to say that Turkey was not much of a bargain. Many of the prices were close to what we pay here in Chicago.

Turkey is vastly cheaper than Italy, which is (other than Scandinavia) the most expensive place to visit in Europe. For comparison, check out the Rick Steves' tour prices--even the cheapest Italian tour that skirts the major cities is 50% higher than the Turkey tour. Given the size of your family, you'll need at least two and probably three rooms or an apartmental rental. Italy will probably be three times the cost of Turkey in terms of hotels.

Public transportation in Turkey is no problem. Istanbul has a fairly extensive tram network, though if you stay in the Old City Sultanahmet neighborhood, you will find most of the tourist destinations within walking distance. Taxis are inexpensive, though you do have to watch out for dishonest cabbies not using a meter or switching the bill you hand over for a cheaper note and demanding more money. (For the record, I have traveled extensively in Europe and the 2 places I was ripped off by cabbies was Istanbul and Rome.) continued...

Getting from city to city is not hard at all. Busses are much better than trains--fast and modern, unlike anything we have in the US! There are also several low cost airlines operating within Turkey which are a great option for getting from place to place quickly. For example, we flew from Istanbul to Izmir (near Ephesus) for about 30 dollars per person. A good four city itinerary would be Istanbul, then to Izmir or Selcuk for Ephesus, then to Antalya as a base for the Mediterranean coast (the gold sand beach at Patara is one of the best anywhere on the Mediterranean), and then to Cappadocia, with it bizarre geological formations, ancient churches, great hiking, and unforgettable hot air ballooning, and where you should definitely stay in a cave hotel.

You don't have to make transportation arrangements in advance--there are lots of travel agents in Sultanahmet in Istanbul who can book air, bus, or train tickets and day tours in Cappadocia. Feel free to contact me for more...

Both are great, but very different in cultural sites and other things as well. Turkey is vey crowed (Istambul)but much cheaper then Italy. The quality of good is very poor in Turkey, unless you pay more for it.If you decide to go to turkey be aware of the pickpockets. They are all over the place, much more ethen in Italy.Also many of the Turkish clothes are fake. You might see a "genuine" looking label, but most likely it will be fake.They sell manufacturer labels by the meter.You have to look closly at the quality of the clothes, to see the difference. I can see a big difference between an original matarial and a fake one.
About which one to chose... I sugest to get a book about them, and compare. I loved both.

If you want to spend your vaccation with mainly Brits and German tourists, go to the Turkish Riviera! However, be aware that in Turkey you can go to jail for nothing: If they find some pebble stones in our luggage that might look as if they were part of an ancient building they lock you in for an undetermined time. If, like in the case of that 17 years old German boy last Easter, someone mentions to the police that you might have been involved in any kind of physical conduct outside of a marriage, you go to jail for - in his case the reminder of that year. Beach life as we know it is only possible by the giant hotels on the Mediterranean coast. Don't even consider doing that at the Black sea coast, no matter how hot it is! In Italy on the other hand you're as free as you are anywhere else in the Western civilized world. Including pick-pockets, over-priced hotels and restaurants etc. But you've got the freedom to decide what do to, where to go, where to spend your money...

To suggest that tourists would find themselves unfree in Turkey is quite a distortion. Many countries like Turkey have laws prohibiting taking ancient cultural items out of the country; I have never heard of anyone going to jail over a pebble! And the case you mention is hardly a miscarriage of justice. The 17 year old admitted that he tried to have sex with a 13 year old British child, and spent a number of weeks in custody in Turkey before being repatriated to Germany (where,incidentally, the same behavior is likewise considered a serious crime.) You are as free to do as you like and spend as you will in Turkey as anywhere in Europe. I have traveled extensively in both Italy and Turkey with my family and believe that both are fabulous tourist destinations. Check out Rick Steves' book and website and you will see that there is nothing to be afraid of.

I agree with JER; Turkey is quite safe, I've been there a couple of times, and never had any problems. It is unfair to generalise about Turks, who are IMHO the most hospitable and genuine people in the world.
You have to watch your back anywhere you travel these days,and exercise caution, no matter where.
Also, the southern coast of Turkey is very beautiful, and it is possible to find places and beaches that are not "the riviera."
I am planning a tentative trip to Italy(have been there a few times too.) and Istanbul this fall, and have found that myair.com flies to Istanbul from Bergamo Milan for a reasonable price.
Good luck, and don't let people put you off!

Thanks everyone--very helpful. Still can't decide, though am leaning towards Italy because I think it will be an easier trip, and perhaps save the harder trip for when my kids are older...