I also agree with most of the route above but Edas says: "we will do it according "must to see" places, but we don't want go deep to south side."
and "where we prefer to ride mostly on gravel or minor roads.".

He says he has 10 days and want to see landscape, nature and local life to have a feeling and sense of original Turkish people. I think they don't want to spend much time in cities or ruins to ruin their purposes .
Anyhow Edas will tell his preferences and we will make the best for them.

When do you leave for your trip Ozhan? 24 April ?

Have a nice trip,

Sami

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

hi,

i ment i agree all the post above and i leave on 16th of May early morning.

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ozhan u.
website under construction

Himm... I personally don't think that you miss authentic original Turkish people in cities or around the ruins. I know what Samy means by saying ruining the trip in terms of visiting places like Ephesus, Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya in the high season, but is there any kind of an original human species called "Original Turkish"?.. I think both Samy, Ozhan, and I are original and Turkish enough, aren't we?

Have a nice riding season folks.

BTW I started a radio program called "Ghostriders Dead or Alive" in our university's internet radio. Check out Ghost Riders Dead or Alive (sorry, the page is in Turkish, but the songs in the program are not)

Every Tuesday 14oo-15oo aLive
Every Thursday 21oo - 22oo Dead (Repeat)
There is an ONAIR connection on the right side of the blog page.

can

Just folkloric, local and a little bit historic Turkish surroundings were what I meant Can.

I certainly believe in that nobody can say he/she/they are less Turkish, English etc to anybody. It's foolish.

Congratulations for tour radio program/show. I will keep in mind that I am talking to a celebrity/famous person/rider and will try to be much more careful at my words

Cheers,

Sami

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

Hello Samy, guys

Thank you all for replies - I just came back from my Easter-weekend vacation (did a trip around my country with my family ) and now I'm too tired to read all info that you all gave to me Tomorrow I will provide you with more detailed information.
Now...

Hello Samy
We have Turkey maps for Garmin NavCity 2008.07. I don't know how detailed it is, but I compared with GoogleEarth (made a track somewhere between vilages in mountains) and can conclude that maps are detailed enough. Paper maps we will buy when arrive for sure.

Which customs? As you see our map (attached in first post) we will go via sea with ferry to Turkey then to Georgia. Many people, who are not familiar with situation in Georgia, ask us, why we don't travet directly to Georgia? So answer is that all roads with Russia and Georgia are closed due conflict between them. As we know at this moment there are only few ways to enter Georgija - by ground from Turkey or from Azerbaijan or by air. Also maybe in summer ferry line from Ukraine (Crimea) To Georgia will be launched.

So first entrance to Turkey should be from sea side in Trabzon and will go directly to Georgia through Sarp (I dont know is it correct?) Then back to Turkey through same border, and we will leave country probably by road D555 towards Bulgaria.

How long we will stay in Istambul? I'm not sure, I think 2 or maybe 3 days, not more.

What we want to see? Authentic Turkish life, culture, lanscapes and maybe some ruins which we will find along our route.
At this moment we know that we want to see Kemaliye's Stone Road and Cappadocia.

Cheers

Edas

Hello Edas, Welcome back,

I got it. Will prepare a detailed route and will tell you by placenames. Then we can discuss about it with you and with other friends in Turkiye to find the best result and best decision.

Sarp is the best gate to go in and out to Georgia. Don't worry about it.

You must find a better GPS map for whole Turkiye other than NavCity. With NavCity I am not sure if you can see the detailed roads of the willages!

Will prepare also a good "places to see" in Istanbul for 2-3 days. Where will you stay in Istanbul? It's a "must" city for 2-3 days.

Ok, Will turn you back within a few days with a route...

Cheers,

Sami

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

Here we go:

* You ride from Trabzon to Sarp and come back from Sarp border again.

Day 1: Hopa-Borcka-Artvin-Kafkasör Yayla (plateau) which is 8 km far to Artvin (probably you pitch up your tents there).

Day 2: Şavşat-Ardahan-Yenimahalle-Yalnızçam-Geçitli-Ardanuç-Yusufeli-İspir-Özbağ-Ovit (stay at Ovit overnight) (you will love this day) (taste famous honey at this area)

Day 3: Sivrikaya-İkizdere-Güneyce-Of-Çaykara-Uzungöl (if it seems enough, can stay at bungalows at Uzungöl or camp there). If you have time you can continue to ride... (you will love this day)

Day 4: Bayburt-Dağbaşı-Araklı-Arsin-Yumra-Trabzon-Çağlayan-Maçka-Sümela (climb up to monastery)-Hamsiköy (can stay at bungalows near Hamsiköy or camp there) (you will love this day)

Day 5: Gümüşhane-Kelkit-Erzincan-Alpköy-Kemah-İliç-Kemaliye-Arapgir-Divriği (visit famous Ulu Cami)-Kangal (camp at Kangal, visit thermal pool with fishes, visit very famous dog center)

Day 6: Gürün-Pınarbaşı-Kayseri (I live in Kayseri, will eat, drink, can stay)-Ürgüp-Cappadoccia (will stay at Cappadoccia area, camp or hotel)

Day 7: Around Cappadoccia

Day 8: Nevşehir-Gülşehir-Hacıbektaş-Mucur-Kırşehir-Çiçekdağı-Yerköy-Yozgat-Alaca-Çorum-İskilip-Tosya-Ilgaz (will camp at Ilgaz) (will be a hard day)

Day 9: Kurşunlu-Çerkeş-Eskipazar-Karabük-Safranbolu (see famous old houses there)-Ovacuma-Abdipaşa- Bartın-Amasra (stay at hotel or camp at Amasra-eat fish)

Day 10: Bartın-Saltukova-Zonguldak-Ereğli-Alaplı-Akçakoca-Karasu-Kaynarca-Kandıra-Ağva-Şile (camp at Ağva or Şile)

Day 11-12-13: Istanbul : Details below

Day 14: Çatalca-Saray-Kıyıköy-İğneada (camp at İğneada)

Day 15: Demirköy-and out from 1. Kırklareli to Malko Turnavo in Bulgaria 2. Edirne to Bulgaria (this is much bigger and busier border gate)

P.S.: Can visit ruins around your route whic you will see on the road or on the map.

ISTANBUL: Depends on if you will have any weekend in Istanbul. If you will have a weekend in Istanbul, you must definitely take a Bosphorus Boat Tour which departs at 09:00 from Eminönü (not far from Sultanahmet area) and returns to same place (Eminönü) at 16:00 or 17:00. With this tour, you can see Bosphorus, a lot of Istanbul, black sea entrance, can eat fish at Rumeli Kavagi.

Othervise must see:
IST 1-Sultanahmet Area) St. Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), Topkapi Palace, must have a rest at Cağaloğlu or Çemberlitaş Hamam, Covered Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)-Mısır Çarşısı-Süleymaniye Mosque. Inte night you must go to Beyazit and definitely ask and find Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi (you must drink Turkish coffe and hubble bubble there if you like. Very nice atmosphere). These are all close to each other.

IST 2- Dolmabahçe Sarayı (Palace)-Yıldız Sarayı (close to Çırağan)-Drinking tea and eatin Kumpir at Ortaköy-Kız Kalesi at Asian side-Beylerbeyi Sarayı at Asian side.

Restaurants: Definitely visit Darüzziyafe opposite to Suleymaniye mosque. Tell them to bring a mix of traditional Turkish cuisine. Borsa restaurant close to Eminönü. If you go for a walk at Istiklal Caddesi or Beyoğlu, can eat at Hacı Abdullah Lokanta. If you are at Asian side, visit Üsküdar an eat at Kanaat Lokantasi. They are all famous for traditional Ottoman and Turkis cuisine. Not high end but medium.

When you ride at the intercity roads. Do not stop for eat at shiny restaurants. I prefer to eat at where there is too many trucks. Truck drivers knows the taste and they are much cheaper.

For me this is far the best route for your purpose.

Sami

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

Hi Samy,
i have been following this thread with interest as i will be travelling a similar route this summer and have found your advice very helpful in planning my route in Turkiye. Cheers Andy

Hi Samy
I'm impressed - I will study your suggested routes carefully.
Generally I don't know how to thank you - you did a great job. If we have possibilities to meet each other - from me
I hope this info regarding route will be useful not only for me, but also for other Hubbers and Andy too

Hello Andy,

This route was prepared to Edas' demands and doesn't mean adviced to anybody's interest. Nothin wrong with it but may be better for your interests too.

For example black sea region, that route was narrowed down to see some special places and typical Turkish to Edas' demand. May be wrong for you...

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

I didn't do it for but tea But will drink at Vilnius

Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help or advice.

If you need a map, may be difficult for you to find one, give me your postal adress. You can visit also: ROAD MAP OF TURKEY (DETAILED)-Adiyamanli.org

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

Hi Samy, thanks,my demands are very similar to Edas in NE Turkey and Georgia. After Kemaliye we will be heading towards SW Turkey to meet up with my family for a holiday. Andy

I have sent messages to many of the people who have contributed, so forgive my repeating myself... But.

I am on a bike trip at the moment, and if nothing too terrible happens I hope to make it round the world. I've been on the road a month now, and only made it from England to Greece, which is a pace I am very happy with.

I hope to be in Istanbul tomorrow or soon after, and would really love to meet up with anyone who is likely to be in Turkey over the next few weeks (maybe not everybody that's in Turkey over next few weeks!)

I plan to stay a week at least in Istanbul, then slowly make my way to Georgia, hopefully to ferry across to Turkmenistan.

I am riding alone, on my Honda XR650L. I prefer smaller roads, ideally off road orientated. I enjoy riding with others.

So is anyone free in the near future?
best of you could email me, or copy the reply to this thread to my email if that's OK email is baronbolton {at} H0tmail . c0m



Many thanks, I look forward to hearing from any of you!

hi Baron Bolton

welcome to Turkiye first. i live in istanbul and will travel to Bursa for 1 or 2 days to buy (well, will be made) pannier racks. drop me a line if you want to join me.

enjoy turkiye

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ozhan u.
website under construction