Hi,
We as a family will start driving from London, UK to Austria - Villach.
From there we will catch a train with our car to Turkey - Eldrine.
From there, we will drive to Iran.
Questions:
1)
Has anyone done this before?
2)
What is the mileage and approximate length of time to drive the distance between Eldrine and the Iranian border?
3)
Are there any sites to help me plan the drive route, etc?
4)
Do you have any other suggestions to help us plan the complete route?

Many thanks

I don't think there is all that much planning required. Just get a good map, pick the sights you want to see, choose your roads accordingly and go. You can change your plan as you go.

I recommend you check out Cappadocia and the underground city nearby (the kids will love it, but do take a torch - the power failed last time I was in there and the kids will find this more than a little scary).

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Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

This guy has done the same trip starting in Villach on a motorbike. Not sure how good your German is, but I think just the pictures and a bit of babelfish help might give you some idea.

Hi,
Thanks for the tip and the link guys.
The site you sent me looks good as we might get the train from Villach to Turkey.
Unfortunately I do not speak German.
Thanks

Hello Arkiboy,

The distance between Edirne and Dogubeyazit is around 1900 km. If you are going to visit Cappadoccia, you have to add another 100-15o kms or so.

When are you going to start this trip? If you are going to start September or so, weather will start to get cool. You can feel cold at higher altitudes.

Nothing special for Turkey. Just decide your route. A road map is enough.
If you need any other info PM me pls.

If you have long time I can recommend some stops you may find interesting or nice...

Sami

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

Hi,
Any nice places for us as a family to see will be good please.
yes, please recommend if you can.
Many thanks

hello ARKIBOYS

Turkey is great country to visit, easy to navigate, fantastic scenery, easy to communicate (generally), beautiful weather and some stunning sites to see.

DOGUBAYZIT is pretty much the last town before the Iranian border, we stayed there for a week or so. I would recommend staying on the small campsite at the top of the hill towards the 'Ishak Pasa Palace' (well worth visiting). Campsite has all you need (basic) including restaurant and bar, campsite is called : “Camping Murat” . It is at top of hill so overlooks the new town, campsite is set by the old town (now deserted) and you can walk to the palace or hike into the hills from there.
Nearby is fabulous atmospheric and wonderful looking 'Mount Ararat'. Across from the valley from Ararat is the site of 'Noahs Ark' again I would highly recommend visiting, truly interesting.

South West of Dogubayzit are the small towns of 'Mardin' & 'Batman', worth the effort of driving to them.

Definately try to visit 'Nemrut Dag' great range of mountains with huge stone statue heads set atop the mountain - impressive. nearby there is area called 'Arsemia' superb spot and definately lots for family style exploring ! old castles, hidden caves etc. There is a basic campsite and restaurant also called Arsemia. It's fabulous, wonderful family and I guess main contact there would be Orhan. we stayed few weeks nd actually left our 4x4 with them while we were back in Istanbul for couple months. Superb spot.
Find Arsemia. Find Orhan. they will take great care of you. Lovely people.

Hope this is of some help.

Phil.

Great tips.
Many thanks

Just a word of cautıon.I have been rıdıng round eastern Turkey for the last 10 days,and there are lots of checkpoınts,and we were turned back on the road from Agrı to Kars.There have been a few terrorıst attacks recently,ıncludıng the kıdnappıng of 5 Germans on Mt Ararat,8 Turkısh soldıers were blown up the other day also.I dıd a loop of Lake Van and passed through road blocks,but was stopped later and had to open all my bags for the soldıers.I thınk a lot of ıt ıs they are bored standıng ın the mıddle of nowhere and when they see foreıgners on motorbıkes ıt breaks the monotony.Its all good natured and just keep smılıng and they let you through ın a couple of mınutes.

But we will be avoiding Southern Turkey.
Using Gürbulak border (near Dogubeyazit). This border seems to be what most travellers use.

Although you don't really anything more than a road map to go through Turkey, you could use this site for planning your trip.

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...ing_directions

Type in Edirne in the departure box and Kars in the destination and you will get a route. However, there are many routes to chose from depending on what you really want to do.

Places not to miss along your route would be Istanbul and Capadoccia (Nevsehir) and the rest depends on how much time you have and what you want to see.

The only places to avoid would be the Elazig, Diyarbakir, Siirt, Mus, Bingol area. It isn't really dangerous but there are rare occasions and since you're with the family, you might want to pass North of this area.

super tips.
Thanks

Lots of tips and advice here....
Balkans, Turkey and Middle East - ::. UKGS'er.com .::

Hi,
These sites are for motor bike owners.
Are there sites for car travellers? Not sure if it makes any difference though?
Thanks

You should definitely spend 2 days in Istanbul.
Abant Lake , Gölcük Lake (in Bolu) and if you have time yedigöller district (7 lakes also in Bolu area) is perfect.

If you like old houses you can visit Safranbolu near Kastamonu. If you have Amasra is very nice and sşlent place.Worth to have rest for 2 days.

Cappadoccia is a must. Mount Nemrut at Kahta Adiyaman is a nice place.

Şanlıurfa, Mardin and Midyat are really nice places to visit. You can contnue to ride from Ahlat and Van to Dogubeyazit.

I didn't write this tips. I thought you've given up the ideo of visiting Turkey because security reasons. I was in that area 45 days ago and will visit again next week.

If you keep yourself close to road, there is no problem...

Enjoy it...

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "