Turkey recommendations for non-beachy holiday
Discussion
I've been meaning to go to Turkey for many years (since seeing Leslie Judd in a knitted bikini lounging in the Pammukale pools in 1975 actually!) but never got around to it.
Everyone I know seems to have been to Turkey but usually for the all inclusive type deal where no-one leaves the hotel, so I have no relevant recommendatoions for sights to see or places to go. I generally can't stand lounging on beaches, our best holidays have been road trips where theres something new to see every day, and the family like a bit of ancient history. Can anyone help with a possible itinerary? Hopefully will be travelling in late June/early July.
BTW Mrs LC has done a bit of searching and found a 2 centre holiday which sounds nice as a base (3 days in Istanbul, 7 days in Antalaya). Cheap too. Does this sound like a good base to strike out to some ruins?
I did think about adding a ferry ride and a couple of nighst in Rhodes as weve been there loads and love it, but perhaps I'm trying to cram too much in, as there must be plenty to do in Turkey.
Everyone I know seems to have been to Turkey but usually for the all inclusive type deal where no-one leaves the hotel, so I have no relevant recommendatoions for sights to see or places to go. I generally can't stand lounging on beaches, our best holidays have been road trips where theres something new to see every day, and the family like a bit of ancient history. Can anyone help with a possible itinerary? Hopefully will be travelling in late June/early July.
BTW Mrs LC has done a bit of searching and found a 2 centre holiday which sounds nice as a base (3 days in Istanbul, 7 days in Antalaya). Cheap too. Does this sound like a good base to strike out to some ruins?
I did think about adding a ferry ride and a couple of nighst in Rhodes as weve been there loads and love it, but perhaps I'm trying to cram too much in, as there must be plenty to do in Turkey.
I can't help you re Antalya, but can highly recommend Istanbul - it's fantastic and one of my favourite cities. Although it will be fairly hot when you'd be going and I'm not sure the kids will love it.
Never done a Turkish beach resort but I am having a lazy week in Icmeler in October as it has been recommended and I thought I should give it a try whilst also (hopefully) getting the last of the summer sunshine. Also, you don't need go to an AI resort and/or stay there all the time - just do some research on the surrounding area and also make sure you try and avoid the bigger resorts that attract the most British holidaymakers
Never done a Turkish beach resort but I am having a lazy week in Icmeler in October as it has been recommended and I thought I should give it a try whilst also (hopefully) getting the last of the summer sunshine. Also, you don't need go to an AI resort and/or stay there all the time - just do some research on the surrounding area and also make sure you try and avoid the bigger resorts that attract the most British holidaymakers
Edited by MarkJS on Wednesday 18th May 06:37
Turkey is an amazing place, lots of Roman ruins everywhere including full amphitheatres and cities. It is awesome to explore on a motorbike. Lots of people are boring 
s and just sit by a hotel pool but they’re missing out.
I’ve stayed at Fethiye and Side before and enjoyed both. You have to get a motorbike though and get exploring but you will really be rewarded for it.
s and just sit by a hotel pool but they’re missing out. I’ve stayed at Fethiye and Side before and enjoyed both. You have to get a motorbike though and get exploring but you will really be rewarded for it.
MarkJS said:
I can't help you re Antalya, but can highly recommend Istanbul - it's fantastic and one of my favourite cities. Although it will be fairly hot when you'd be going and I'm not sure the kids will love it.
When i say kids they are in their 20s! Modern families.Istanbul has always intrigued me, are the historic sights close enough together to see without your own transport? Taxis and buses more likely? It looks massive and very low level/spread out.
Douglas Quaid said:
Turkey is an amazing place, lots of Roman ruins everywhere including full amphitheatres and cities. It is awesome to explore on a motorbike. Lots of people are boring s and just sit by a hotel pool but they’re missing out.
I’ve stayed at Fethiye and Side before and enjoyed both. You have to get a motorbike though and get exploring but you will really be rewarded for it.
Can't ride a motorbike but I always hire a car, even if it is often scary! Some big distances, are the roads OK?s and just sit by a hotel pool but they’re missing out. I’ve stayed at Fethiye and Side before and enjoyed both. You have to get a motorbike though and get exploring but you will really be rewarded for it.
On a roadtrip like the USA or Europe I usually spend no more than a couple of days in a hotel/base then move on, is Turkey geared up for random occasional nights in the boondocks, or is it more package deal on the coast kind of thing?
Constantinople well worth a visit especially the blue mosque.
Remember both men and women will have to ensure their shoulders and knees are covered whilst females will also have to ensure hair is covered.
This is only for religious places.
I think the other thing to remember is it’s a big country easily 4x the UK so simply looking at a map it might not look a long way between places it is it really is. Important if your going on a day trip - where it (in one of our experiences) the travel there and back was most of the day with very little time at the place you were going to see.
Temperature and beaches are lovely.
Food too
It used to be majorly cheap relative to UK and other med holidays no idea if that’s the case now.
Remember both men and women will have to ensure their shoulders and knees are covered whilst females will also have to ensure hair is covered.
This is only for religious places.
I think the other thing to remember is it’s a big country easily 4x the UK so simply looking at a map it might not look a long way between places it is it really is. Important if your going on a day trip - where it (in one of our experiences) the travel there and back was most of the day with very little time at the place you were going to see.
Temperature and beaches are lovely.
Food too
It used to be majorly cheap relative to UK and other med holidays no idea if that’s the case now.
Loose_Cannon said:
Istanbul has always intrigued me, are the historic sights close enough together to see without your own transport? Taxis and buses more likely? It looks massive and very low level/spread out.
Yes, close enough. Istanbul is a vast city but has a good tram service around the city and taxi's are cheap & plentiful. It's an amazing place to simply walk around - great nightlife too.I've just realised that I'll be in Ephesus briefly in a couple of weeks.
Thanks all.
In previous holidays I would book flights and go from there booking ad-hoc, but for some reason whole package deals are barely more than the flights alone so will probably head down that route. I figure there will always be a base, and I won't lose any sleep heading inland for a day or three excursion. We can then do the sites justice when there are some basic hotels around for the price of a round of drinks, Pammukale for instance.
Welshbeef said:
I think the other thing to remember is it’s a big country easily 4x the UK so simply looking at a map it might not look a long way between places it is it really is. Important if your going on a day trip - where it (in one of our experiences) the travel there and back was most of the day with very little time at the place you were going to see.
Yes I was quite surprised when working out distances between attractions. In previous holidays I would book flights and go from there booking ad-hoc, but for some reason whole package deals are barely more than the flights alone so will probably head down that route. I figure there will always be a base, and I won't lose any sleep heading inland for a day or three excursion. We can then do the sites justice when there are some basic hotels around for the price of a round of drinks, Pammukale for instance.
Regbuser said:
V8covin said:
I've been to Turkey a few times and I'd recommend Dalyan.
It's the only place I've ever returned to.
Hire a car, there's plenty to see within an hour's radius
It's the only place I've ever returned to.
Hire a car, there's plenty to see within an hour's radius
I'd second Dalyan, a nice little town on a river, and plenty to do.
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