We are going to Greece in October. Am starting off in Athens. Am looking for a good small town / island option. More importantly we are looking for a way to get to Turkey (Istanbul) by boat. Ideally from this small town / island option. Any ideas?
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
Your options for crossing from a Greek island into Turkey are Lesvos>Ayvalik, Chios>Cesme, Samos>Kusadasi, Kos or Rhodes>Marmaris or Bodrum. There are ferries from each of these Greek islands to the corresponding Turkish ports.
http://www.feribot.net/feribot/?lang=en
When you arrive in Turkey have a USD $20 bill in hand to pay for the entry stamp in your passport. A pre-arranged visa from a Turkish Embassy is not needed if you're travelling on an American Passport.
Of these mentioned the Lesvos>Ayvalik combination is the closest to Istanbul.
Posted by
OP
chicago
2 posts
Any feedback on which of these locations would be a good relaxing change of pace from Athens? Thanks for your assist.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
All of them will be a change of pace from Athens. I'd choose Samos so I could enter Turkey at Kusadasi and be close by to the most amazing archaeological site in the Med, Ephesus. It's NOT to be missed if you like antiquities.