My husband and I will be traveling to Turkey for 2 weeks next spring. Can anyone suggest an itinerary, beginning and ending in Istanbul? I have read the Graffiti Wall and there are so many different suggestions. We like a king size bed and love to try new foods. Would love hotel suggestions, destinations from Istanbul and any other hidden gem ideas. I just bought Rick's book written by his Turkish guides, so I have all those suggestions, but would like others. Should we go with a tour company to see outside of Istanbul? Thanks to anyone who responds.
Posted by
Ricksville
11 posts
If you have Rick's Istanbul book, check out the website for the guides who wrote it (www.srmtravel.com). They have a tour company in Istanbul and their website is full of suggestions for trips on your own or with them.
Posted by
OP
Yorba Linda, CA, United States
20 posts
thanks Mac, I emailed them yesterday and haven't heard back. Hopefully in the next couple of days I will hear back from them.
diane
Posted by
Seattle, USA
990 posts
It's hard to give you much advice based on what you've told us. Are Roman ruins interesting to you? Looking for beaches? Want discos catering to foreigners? Interested in visiting mosques and palaces? Or taking a "blue voyage" on the Mediterranean? Or hiking in dramatic scenery? Unless we know what your interests are, it's not possible to suggest an itinerary.
One thing I will mention--if you really want a king sized bed, you'll need to be staying at resort type hotels. I don't know any boutique places or pansiyons that have them.
Posted by
Izmir, izmir, Turkey
85 posts
Hi,
This is GY from Turkey,,
2 weeks is a good period to smell most of the secrets..
You can start from Dalaman Izmir Antalya airports and go through (Antalya, Kas, Kalkan , Fethiye, Dalaman , Marmaris, Kusadasi (ephessus), Izmir Ayvalik, Canakkale (Assos, Troya, Galippoli), Edirne (1.st capital city of Ottoman Emperor), Istanbul
If It remains 4-5 days; 2 short tour to Ordu/Trabzon/Giresun ( I advice you to join standart tour)
Have nice holiday in advance..
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
King size beds are not standard in Europe generally or in Turkey. Prepare yourself to have to cuddle up, it's going to be tough but sacrifices are required in the larger pursuit of European travel.
Posted by
Richmond, VA, 23233
9 posts
Our family took the Rick Steves Turkey tour this summer and it was AMAZING!! We have always been independent travelers in the past, but decided for Turkey we would take the Rick tour. It was an incredible two weeks and the sights we saw were so diverse!! It seemed that nearly every day of the 13 day tour there was at least one "WOW"/magical moment. Turkey is an amazing country with warm and friendly people, beautiful countryside, ancient history, the best food, all wrapped into a great two weeks!! We would highly recommend this trip!!! The group we traveled with was a blast and our tour guide was the best!! Take a look at the Rick Steves Turkey tour it really is a great itinerary for the first time to Turkey. We now are hoping to return to see other parts of the country.
Posted by
Kelso, WA, USA
221 posts
Hi Diane,
If you have two weeks why not take the ETBD tour Best of Turkey in 13 days? if you read the itenerary you will see it jams a lot of Turkey and plenty of Istanbul in the tour, and you don't have to worry about arrangements; it is all done for you.