Hello everyone, I plan to go to Turkey in June with my husband and three kids, 9,5 and 2 yo. Last year we did Rome, Venice and Paris with kids and we enjoyed it alot (took help from this forum). This time I can't come up with a good intinerary.
Please suggest a ten day Turkey intinerary ( not including Cappadocia and Ephesus) .
Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15576 posts
Well, last year you went to three major tourist destinations (in 2 countries) with lots of sights and activities and where English is widely spoken. Now you are looking a country that has one major tourist city - Istanbul - and where outside of other high tourist destinations (Cappadocia, Ephesus), English is rarely spoken, there aren't major sights nor are there high-speed trains, and most places are connected by bus routes.
There's enough to see and do in Istanbul for 3-5 days. Then fly somewhere else. Maybe Athens and one of the islands?
Maybe you could expand on why you chose Turkey and what you are looking for.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I want to include Istanbul and antalya ( also Kas) into my intinerary. We want to make it simple, enjoy beautiful places in Turkey with kids. I am not sure how to distribute my days. My initial plan was 3 days in Istanbul, fly to antalya, four days in antalya, fly back to Istanbul three more days in Istanbul and fly back home. Not sure if it's a good intinerary, how to include Kas or any other nice place into this intinerary.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2123 posts
Instead of Antalya, I would fly from Istanbul to Dalaman airport. You can spend 2 or 3 days in nearby Dalyan, where you can visit Istuzu Beach, which has a nice beach for your children as well as an interesting sea turtle hospital. Dalyan is a pretty little town, heavily visited by British tourists.
If you want to visit Kas, I'd recommend renting a car at Dalaman Airport or in Dalyan. Drive about 2 hours south to Patara Beach. There you'll find some interesting ruins, and a long beautiful sandy beach. If you'd like to spend a night or two in Patara, I can highly recommend Akay Pension.
From Patara, it's about another hour to Kas. In Kas, you can catch a boat to take you to the sunken city of Kekova ... but I'm not sure if it's good for small children? You'd have to check on that.
Then drive back to Dalaman airport, return your car and fly back to Istanbul.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you Charlene for your suggestions. I have read Dalaman doesn't have frequent flights?
Posted by
USA
183 posts
I agree with Charlene. Fly to Dalaman.... many beautiful places to go. Dalyan, Göcek, etc. I have been there a few times (last time was late fall 2018). Lots of English ppl live there full time. The loggerhead turtle hospital was started about 30 years ago by an English woman named June. She still lives there. I met her a few months ago at a café. She is 95 years old and still very passionate about saving loggerhead turtles. There are international scientists who volunteer a year or two to the rehab hospital!
Posted by
USA
183 posts
Consider a tour guide in Istanbul. I have been to Istanbul many times, but when I bring friends for their first time there, I much prefer to hire a guide. I just returned from Istanbul. Once again hired the same guide. His English is excellent, he is funny, very knowledgeable, and nice! I highly recommend him.
Tour guide is: Metin Koca
Cell phone: + 90 (533) 322 00 85
Email: metinkoca@gmail.com
Get the WhatsApp app on your phone. Everyone in Turkey (and Europe) uses it. You can reach Metin by messaging him on WhatsApp or send him an email. Tell him Michelle recommended him. He is not a friend, nor will I get anything by recommending Metin. I just want others to have a chance to benefit and enjoy his experience and excellent English. Many of the tour guides speak some English, but you get much more out of a tour if the guide speaks superb English.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I'm looking at Dalyan and areas nearby.
Posted by
75 posts