I have 4-5 days off in April and wanted to visit Efes. Unless I'm mistaken, I don't think it will take 5 days to see Efes, so I need suggestions as to which direction to go in next and what to see in that time frame? What do you seasoned travelers suggest? I have to be back in Ankara by Sun.
Thanks in advance

Make sure you visit Şirince which is a few kilometres away. Quaint little scenic village with an interesting sideline in wines. A must see.

Also down the coast a bit is a biggish lake, name escapes me now and I cant be arsed to go downstairs and look it up. But that has some beautiful scenery and a few pensions to stay in. The hills around have actually been quoted by some poncey poet at some time or other way back when.

I think you'll find it's Bafa Lake dear.
Mafzal - Just before you hit Bafa which is indeed most lovely and possibly inspiring, you'll see a junction for Didim & Altınkum. I'm pretty sure you won't like it but then if a you have a penchant for Northern dykes with football shirts and dodgy tattoos, drinking Tuborg as they trudge around looking for cheap fake t-shirts to take back to the UK, it may be your idea of heaven.

At the same time though Altinkum is perhaps the best beach in Turkey. Not much for surfers though. My favourite Altinkum moment... sitting on the beach... scousers behind us complaining: "These Turks are very uneducated. Did you see how the restaurant spelt Chip Buttie? C... I ...P Butty".

Ok, it looks like you guys are taking me south. Form some of Chalry's older posts, I think If I visit Didim & Altınkum it will be short, though I would like to visit a beach, I think I'd prefer a calmer scene for this side trip.

Şirince and Bafa Lake sound great. What about Cesme before heading to Efes? Worth doing? and driving south to Bodrum and Datca (really interested in Datca from reading posts). Too much for a 5 day trip?

By the way, should I fly in and out of Izmir? thinking of renting a car...

I need a lot of help as you can see:wink:

thanks,

Think you'll have your hands full with Efes and Şirince for 2 days. Bodrum and Datça I think are maybe further than Çeşme, not withstanding your return journey to Ankara. If you want beach, then Altinkum is closest but has its disadvantages (as stated above). Maybe Çeşme is a good option for a couple of days to chill out. It will be nice and quiet. Leave Datça and Bodrum for the summer

With a car you could do Priene-Miletus-Didyma.

I had thought about mentioning Bodrum/Datça but tend to agree with Monkey boy, you'll end up driving around for 5 days trying to squeeze everything in. Having said that, will there be much going on in Çeşme at this time of year? At least Bodrum is 'open' and it's only 2.5 hrs back to Izmir airport from here.

But don't forget that Datça and the Marmara peninsula is ripe with foreign goat and sheep worriers. So thats a positive or negative depending on your disposition.............

can't you take the boat from Didyma to Bodrum and then go to Kos and Datca by ferry from there. Almost a cruise trip and no driving required.

[quote user="maymunn" post="113906"]But don't forget that Datça and the Marmara peninsula is ripe with foreign goat and sheep worriers. So thats a positive or negative depending on your disposition.............[/quote]

Hasn't Satrman moved down there now that he's given up the day job?

Try to go to the village Ödemiş - it has a famous village market on saturdays

ok, how does this sound?
1)Fly into Izmir, to Selcuk for Efes
2) Priene, Miletus, Didyma
3) May be a side trip to Altinkum
4) Bafa Lake
5)back to Izmir - if there's time go to Cesme


I'll leave Datca for later in May when I have to go to Antalya for a meeting.

What do you all think?

I've heard Dilek National Park is nice too - it's very close to Kusadasi - supposed to be nice for walking/hiking/beach etc.

[quote user="turquoise" post="113985"]I've heard Dilek National Park is nice too - it's very close to Kusadasi - supposed to be nice for walking/hiking/beach etc.[/quote]
YA, saw that on the map, but no one else has mentioned it....