Advice on Turkey?
 

My wife and I are visiting Turkey for the first time for three weeks in April-May. We prefer our travel to be ad hoc, determined by events, but like to know what our choices might be.

So far we are ticketed into IST and immediately bouncing to NAV (Cappadocia), spending 3 nights in Goreme then a bus to Konya for 1-2 nights. We would then head to Antalya.

We end the trip with 3 nights in Istanbul.

Possibilities for the time in between (14 days) include:

• "Blue Cruise" on a gullet
• Scuba diving in Kas
• Ferry to Greek islands from Cesme

Has anyone done these things? They are all weather dependent, I realize. Are there any other sights and/or activities you can suggest? The general direction of travel is from Antalya west and north to Izmir.

Admittedly this was 10 years back now, but I did an amazing trip just hopping on and off buses all the way from Istanbul to Izmir. Took about a week over it and there were some amazing Roman sites and pretty fishing villages along the way.

I know this isn't the corner of the country you're looking at, but independent travel certainly didn't pose me any problems.

Gulets usually are for a week, so make sure you have enough time to fit this in. Also, I think they start sailing in May.

Don't know anything about scuba diving in Turkey.

From Çeşme, I think the only ferry is to Chios (Χίος), which is 8 miles away. You can take a ferry from either Fethiye or Marmaris (both are west of Antalya) to Rhodes, which might be more interesting than Chios.

As always, check ferry schedules since you're travelling during the off-season.

other thing: do not take any piece of "land" like stones etc. laws are very restrictive there....heard many cases where people got in trouble by simply bringing tiny stuff from the beach...

It appears that you do not plan to visit Ankara. That's a shame becasue the Museum of Anatolian civilizations is absolutely fantastic.

While you are in Konya, try to see the Whirling Dervishes. It is an absolutely mesmerizing experience. Please rememebr that it is a religious service and not a show.

Ephesus is a popular site to see - well worth the visit.

Short Gulet trips
 

There are several outfits that offer 4 day/3 night Gulet trips. We are going To Turkey for first time in May and have booked such a trip out of Fethiye (midway between Antalya and Bodrum) on BeforeLunchCruises. Got great Trip Advisor reviews. Others with short trips listed in Lonely Planet.