Hi all,
I wanted to ask for some help with a little trip I want to make with Nesrin in Turkey when I am there in september, I would like to take her somewhere in Turkey maybe near the coast somewhere I thinking of going one weekend I am there and getting away from Istanbul for a few days can anyone suggest somewhere Nesrin would like to go to Antayla but I do not think we have enough time would appreciate any input thanks T.C. class

Hi Richard,

A bustrip to Alanya will take about 15 hours so thats a lot. Some closer to Istanbul there is Afyon, about 10 hours by bus I guess but also with a train connection. There is a nightly train with sleepers, so if not booked out - you must not wait too long - you can get Nesrin and yourself a private sleeping compartment. I found Çakmak Marble Otel a very good place. I don't know what a double would cost, a single room was 70 YTL including the best breakfast I've ever had in Turkey. They also have a for hotel guests free hammam, sauna and swimmingpool and their restaurant is great. In the area of Afyon you can make several trips, e.g. to Aksehir, Sultandagi, Aslankaya and more. The tourist office there was very helpful and provided me with a good city/area map.

Have fun, where ever the two of you go!

Nice weekend trips from Istanbul:

Any place on the Black Sea: these are quieter than the Med or Aegean resorts. e.g. Nice 4 star at Kerpe (2 hrs from Ist), Akçakoca (3 to 4 hrs from Istanbul)

In the other direction, Hotel Princess at Kumburgaz and Klassis at Silivri are 1 hour away from Atatürk airport.

A bit further afield: Iznik and Bursa are nice excursions, but no sea. 3 hrs from Istanbul.

Going further: the Aegean coast e.g. near Assos, or Ayvalık?

Have fun

Like Marion said: the Black sea area is great. I haven't been to places really near Istanbul but I found Sinop a very nice little town. I don't know how many hours by bus it is from Istanbul, maybe a native member can tell you that. In Sinop there is the best preserved Ottoman house I came across, everything, really everything is well kept and though the staff there do not speak English, they are very helpful in explaining. Sinop has many fish restaurants, with fish so fresh you think it's caught just ten minutes ago. There are also lots of hotels in all price ranges. I stayed at the simple but okay Otel Sarı Kadır, right on the waterfront. Near Sinop is the beautiful fjord (yes, a fjord in Turkey!) of Hamsilos and a little to the south you'll find the stunning waterfalls of Tatlica - near Erfelek. A must see, I think.

There is a nice beach area closer than Sinop. Its called Karuso. Sinop is farther than Ankara, so even in your own car I think its over 8 hours at least (from Istanbul). So by bus it would be 12 hours or more. Caruso by car is 4 hours at the most, 6 hours by bus.