Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sistersarah]

hey everyone
i know some of you are pretty well-traveled. what are the must see places in greece and turkey. anywhere not listed in the standard travel guides? any general tips or information? i would really appreciate it! also, if we go to greece and turkey, what's a good route to take to see both countries. i think we're going to go for about 3 weeks or a month.
thanks!!!

[daskalos]

Sarah, it's hard to know where to begin, since I don't know where you wish to begin or end your trip or if you've ever been to Greece or Turkey.

My guess is, not, and so that's what I'll base my advice on.

(Full disclosure -- my only interest ever in visiting Turkey has been that much of what we now call Turkey is, in my mind, Occupied Greece.)

So, sort of "duh," you have to stay at least several days in Athens. Several days is enough to see the Acropolis, the National Archaeological Museum and to take one or two day trips to places like Delphi and Epidauros. I know, these places are all in the guide books, but they're in the guide books for a reason. You must see them if you have any interest in Greece.

I haven't been to most of the islands, so my recommendations are only based on my travels. I admit to a partiality to Crete. Western Crete, in particular. I lived there for two years and have visited every year since (though mostly because my husband lives there -- don't ask).

Knossos, not Western Crete, is a must see, but base your Crete leg of the journey in Chania, by far the loveliest and liveliest place on that big island. From there you can take day trips to the Diktean Cave, where Zeus was raised, and to the Samaria Gorge, the longest gorge in Europe, which opens onto the Sea of Libya, and from where, during late May, if the weather is clear, you can see Africa, faintly. Added to the appeal of historical Crete, there is beach/party Crete, if that is part of your plan.

Rhodes is also promising. Lots of history in and of itself (and a very rare butterly in the hinterlands) and also a short ferry ride away from Marmaris, Turkey. From there you can take a day trip to Ephesus, one of the premiere stops on the Ancient Greek Ruins Circuit.

There are several other islands that lie in close proximity to the Turkish mainland. Samos. Lesbos. Kos. Chios (I think.)

And then, of course, there's Istanbul (still referred to in Greece as Constantinopolis). I've never been, but I imagine one of the nice things about it is, as I gather, there is still plenty of the Byzantine Empire to be seen there.

Many places in Greece shed themselves of any trace of the Turkish domination after Greece gained its independence from the Ottomans. Exceptions to this are Rhodes and, to a lesser extent, Crete. (That is, there are still Hamams in Crete, but they are museum pieces -- the Hamam in Rhodes is still in service.)

This is just a rough sketch. PM me if you want more particulars. (Athens in particular can intimidate people, but it's really just a big collection of neighborhoods.)

Best of luck. I'll be in Crete this summer, by the way. July to September. It's only there that I know anything like "off the beaten track" kinds of things, but they're pretty cools things. (Caves and coves and night clubs most tourists can't get into.)

Kalo Taxidi. (Bon Voyage.)

[Muffin]

Hi, I have been island-hopping in Greece and currently live in Turkey. There is loads to see in both countries so it would help if you could say what your interests are.

Do you like big cities? Are you mainly wanting to see historical/archeological treasures? Do you want to know about out-of-the way quiet islands? If you are more specific I will give you some pointers.

Rhodes is fascinating and near to the Turkish mainland it is also a good starting point for island-hopping in the Dodecanese. I don't care for Marmaris personally but it would be a good place to start from if you want to explore Aegean or Mediterranean Turkey.

Turkey is such a huge country that you will probably restrict yourself to one region if you want to see Greece as well.

[sistersarah]

thanks for the good advice, previous two posters. no, i haven't been to greece or turkey yet, but always wanted to go. it's a little overwhelming planning this trip when we'll be leaving in less than a month.
anyway, we're going for one month, so i'm figuring two weeks in greece and two weeks in turkey. does that sound ok? i know there is a lot to see in both counties, but we only have a month. i guess we'll have to decide on the places we really want to see, cause we won't be able to see everything! i'm really excited.
maybe i'll post back when i have more specific questions in mind....i've done very minimal research so far!
thanks again!
sarah

[Woland]

pm me. I lived in Turkey for seven years and know a number of out of the way places. I don't have time to write out a full post tonight because I'm packing for a flight tomorrow but should have more time in the week.

Occupied Greece? Most Greeks I know have gotten over it.

[sistersarah]

woland, thanks so much! have a good flight and i'll pm you soon.
happy travels!
sarah

[kangnam mafioso]

i spent a few days in istanbul ... can't be much help outside of that. beautiful city. see the blue mosque and hagia sophia. the tower of galata. the eygptian bizaare. take a ferry to the asian side. try the food. enjoy

[prince of hockey]

Try Fez tours: they take travellers all over the western half of Turkey and you can get off the bus, spend a few days in one spot and board the next bus on the route. Starts from Istanbul, ends in Istanbul.

[daskalos]

[Gamecock]

daskalos's issues aside, Turkey is a really fantastic journey. If you have time, I recommend flying into Antalya and working your way up the western coast to Istanbul.