I will be in Turkey for 10-12 days. I am coming from Aleppo, Syria and ending in Istanbul. I am interested in seeing Cappadoccia and Istanbul, but I am also hoping to squeeze another place in. I am not a beach person and don't need to see anymore ruins (will have traveled through Egypt, Jordan and Syria by then) and I will be solo and on a budget. I also have no problems with overnight bus travel. Pamukkale, Urfa, Konya and Antakya look interesting...I would ony pick one of course!! Are any of these places too far off course? Antakya would be easy to get to from Syria, but don't know if it is worth a longer stop over the other places.
Thanks
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5866 posts
Kate,
I visited Turkey on an RS tour back in 1991 so cannot really help with the details. It is a fascinating place and one that I have been looking at going back to.
One of the best sites that I have found on Turkey is Tom Brosnahan's http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/index.html
I heard him speak at a travel day about 15 years ago. For many years, he was the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Turkey. He is very knowledgeable. If you haven't already done so, you might check his site.
Enjoy your trip - it sounds fantastic.
Posted by
Seattle, USA
990 posts
I've only been through Antakya briefly, but it didn't have much to detain me--except for a really fine museum of Roman mosaics. Konya is fascinating if you want to see several excellent examples of mosque architecture, and the Rumi Mausoleum is spell-binding. It's one of the most conservative towns in central Turkey, though, so you may find it a bit daunting as a solo woman. There aren't many budget places that would cater to a woman traveling alone. Pamukkale is, in my opinion, an over-rated site--it's a long way out of the way between Cappadocia and Istanbul, the travertines are interesting enough but overrun in the summer with tourists. Ever wonder what middle aged Russians look like in little Speedo bathing suits? Well, I now know and wish I didn't. Frankly, the most interesting part of Pamukkale are the ruins there at Hieropolis--lots of Romans came to Pamukkale for the healing waters, and the necropolis at Hieropolis is mute testament to the fact that the waters may not have been all that healing. But if you are "ruined out" you may not be as interested...Urfa I have not been to, so no advice there.
Have you thought about Ankara? It's squarely on your route, there is a world class archaeology museum there as well as the Anitkabir--Ataturks' memorial and museum of modern Turkish history. The old walled Citadel is like a village within the city. And you can take a cheap sleeper train back to Istanbul and arrive in the city just in time to mingle with Istanbullers on their way to work in the morning.
Posted by
OP
Winnipeg
590 posts
Thanks for the replies...I am now convinced that Pamukkale will be cut as I have heard from more than a few people it is overated. I am now thinking Aleppo-Konya(2night)-Goreme(3nights)-Ankara(1night)-Istanbul(5nights). Might squeeze in a night in Antakya depending on the bus routes.
www.turkeytravelplanner.com is a great site! Thanks for the tip!