Would appreciate suggestions for options/pricing. Timing does not allow to take tour-provided bus to aitport.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5592 posts
We stayed an extra night in Kuşadası. The tour hotel arranged a private driver, which was €60 for up to 4 people to go to Izmir airport.
That and lots more Best of Turkey tour questions answered here:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/so-you-re-going-on-the-best-of-turkey-or-best-of-istanbul-tour
Enjoy this fabulous tour!
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you, CW, Hotel's arranged transfer has risen to 75 euros...
Also, what would you recommend to see extra in Istanbul (I can add one or two extra days before tour) ? I do not feel that 2 days during tour is sufficient to see this city.
Posted by
Los Angeles by way of Providence and Rome
634 posts
Jumping onto CW's reply, I arrived early in Istanbul for the tour and used the time to visit the Archeological Museum including its Tiled Kiosk. This is not included in the Best of Turkey tour and I was glad I saw it. Another option is to visit the Galata Tower. The tour itself is amazing.
Cynthia
Posted by
near San Francisco
5592 posts
I think you have the right idea, 2 days is not nearly enough for Istanbul.
ponygirl813 is spot on with her recommendations. We visited the Galata Tower twice and I especially enjoyed it at sunset. On another pre-tour day, we went to Dolmabahçe Palace, which you'll find in the Rick Steves Istanbul guidebook. As with so many places, there were changes to ticketing during COVID, so you can find updates in my trip report, written while I was on the Best of Istanbul and Best of Turkey tours:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/3-weeks-to-fall-in-love-with-turkey
In the other link (in my prior post, above) you'll find information about the Foodie Tour offered by SRM Travel, the company whose guides lead the Rick Steves tours in Turkey. The itinerary for that tour is intended to complement the Best of Turkey tour and they often run it the day before those tours start.