Job Discussion Forums

[saren]

Three month tour of Turkey (mid-Oct-mid-January)

I am Canadian traveler/English teacher flying to Istanbul in mid-October, I have 3 months to travel around the region/ I am looking for clear weather, amazing mountains, nice scenery, natural, landscape photography, quiet, peaceful areas, less European tourists, and a great authentic Turkish experience.

In combination with my interests listed above I'd like to plan out a route starting in Istanbul -> heading deeper into Turkey. I don't know what parts of Turkey are nicest in winter, but I have heard bad things about Ankara for example, and it's said that's also the coldest part of Turkey in winter, so it's probably wise to steer clear of that part.

Also, if 3 months ends up becoming too long in the nicer parts of Turkey, I am interested in crossing the border to Syria, and finally Lebanon, before flying out of Beirut in mid-January.

My next question about Syria is visa-related. Lebanon is visa-free for Canadians, but Syria requires a pre-arranged visa, which means a Syrian embassy, which means getting a visa at the Syrian embassy in Istanbul, but is that possible? Some countries insist Canadians obtain tourist visas back in Canada, and not in a neighbouring country, obviously that's not an option. I would really like to visit Syria, after Turkey by bus, or train.

Thanks

[birincikat]

Mid-October shouldn't be too bad, weather-wise, in central Turkey. I'd recommend spending a couple of days in the Cappadocia Region (Goreme, Avanos, Uchisar). It is one of the most incredible places for history and landscape. The tourist population should be less then than during the summer months. It is fairly easy to find transportation to Cappadocia from other major cities. Fethiye in SW Turkey is gorgeous. Bolu and Abant Lake are also beautiful, but not very historical, places. They are only a couple of hours by bus from Istanbul. In my opinion, Ankara is more of a "working city". It is very large and has few tourist attractions that would interest a non-Turkish person. The castle and old streets of Ulus are a lot of fun to wander through. They have a lot of character giving one a small glimpse of the old, traditional ways. Whenever I go I usually take a taxi to the top of the hill to the castle and then make my way down on foot. It's pretty steep. It shouldn't be bitter cold in the fall months. I hope you enjoy yourself.

[kserasera]

I did a tour of Turkey last summer and I went from Istanbul to Cappadocia. From there I went to Diyarbakir - and Mardin (make sure you go to Mardin) Then I went Sanliurfa and then to Aleppo Syria. i then came back into Turkey and travelled along the Med. Sea to Kizkalesi, Kas and Fethiye - and finally returned to Istanbul

i received my visa to go to Syria in Istanbul. I was able to get it the same day. Although make sure you go in the morning to fill out the paperwork - and then later in the afternoon you can pick up your passport with the visa

On another trip in December I flew to Lebanon and travelled to Damascus. It was late December and it was very cold! It is a desert! This trip I received my visa for Syria at the border.

Good luck and enjoy your trip