Must to see in Turkey - need advice
 

Hello everybody
We planned the trip around Black sea (we will go clockwise, not counter ) and part of trip will be over Turkey, where we prefer to ride mostly on gravel or minor roads.
We will start from Georgia border and travel toward Istanbul and now we need advice what to see along our route. At this moment we don't have exact route plan - we will do it according "must to see" places, but we don't want go deep to south side.

Thank you for any ideas :innocent:

p.s. We will start from Vilnius in the beginning of June, 5 enduro bikes.
p.p.s maybe someone from Turkey advriders would like to join us along the route?
p.p.p.s sorry for double post - here and in advrider.com

Tentative route: Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, with ferry to Turkey, Georgia, again back to Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and back to Lithuania
http://www.univer.lt/endurokeliones/.../zemelapis.jpg

Cappadocia
Çorum, Hattusha, Alacahoyuk (Hititians' Capital)
Trabzon, Sumene Monastry
Sinop - City and the old Sinop prison
Ankara - Gordion (Capital Of Phyrigians)
Eskisehir - Midas City (Phyrigian City)
Sivas, Divriği - Ulu Mosque. (Also the tas Yolu (stone road) from kemaliye to divriği)
Kutahya, Çavdarhisarlı - Aizonai (Roman city)


These are the ones first come into my mind. When you have a better idea about route, let me know that i could advise you interesting places if there are. Also if your way passes thru Ankara, let's meet for a beer.

Cheers,
Ozgur

Route in Turkiye
 

Hello Edas,

Have a good trip.
You don't see much in Turkiye with this route!

Please tell me what do you like to see especially? Off roading or seeing beautiful landscapes with interesting culture of Turkiye?

Black sea coast is very beautiful and you can go up to plateaus there (yayla in Turkish). If you are interested I can give you some routes. (make o google searc of Ayder Yayla for example).

Cappadoccia are (do another search pls) close to Kırşehir and Ankara on your route is a must. If you are not intended to go south you can ride to Safranbolu (another search pls) and see interesting houses, arcitecture. Kastamonu and Ilgaz is also magnificient.

Beypazarı around Ankara is interesting. If you like thermal bath, we have some alternatives on route (Kozaklı and Kızılcahamam). Bursa is a nice place with good history and food. Bolu and Yedigöller (make a search for Yedigöller) is not to miss. Istanbul is full of history and beauty.

If I have time (prefer it to be weekend) can join you. Actually I live in Kayseri near Cappadoccia area.

Hope this is helpful,

Sami

Kobold, thank you for tips.

Sami,
actually we would like join to the real Turkish culture, speak to local people, want to see places untouched by civilization and don’t want to ride along busy roads like “Black sea coast”.
Actually our trip will be not just like simple trip – with this trip we officially will mark Millennium of Lithuania. Why around Black Sea? Because Black Sea was the most distant border of the State of Lithuania some ages ago. We will travel through many countries; we will try to visit local people with their culture and traditions. During this trip we will do documentary film which will be shown on our local TV’s (maybe it will be translated to other language, who knows). So that’s why we prefer to go by minor road and not by main lines. So generally I could say as you say Sami - our task is to find most beautiful places (landscapes) with interesting culture of Turkey ant to meet local people.
I hope now its more clear about our goal and idea.

p.s. more info about Millennium of Lithuania here: Lietuvos tûkstantmeèio minëjimo direkcija
p.p.s. sorry for my not perfect English ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samy (Post 237100) Hello Edas, Have a good trip. You don't see much in Turkiye with this route! Please tell me what do you like to see especially? Off roading or seeing beautiful landscapes with interesting culture of Turkiye? Black sea coast is very beautiful and you can go up to plateaus there (yayla in Turkish). If you are interested I can give you some routes. (make o google searc of Ayder Yayla for example). Cappadoccia are (do another search pls) close to Kırşehir and Ankara on your route is a must. If you are not intended to go south you can ride to Safranbolu (another search pls) and see interesting houses, arcitecture. Kastamonu and Ilgaz is also magnificient. Beypazarı around Ankara is interesting. If you like thermal bath, we have some alternatives on route (Kozaklı and Kızılcahamam). Bursa is a nice place with good history and food. Bolu and Yedigöller (make a search for Yedigöller) is not to miss. Istanbul is full of history and beauty. If I have time (prefer it to be weekend) can join you. Actually I live in Kayseri near Cappadoccia area. Hope this is helpful, Sami

I agree with you. Avoid the Black Sea coast. It's one touristy beach front after another; there are far lovelier places in Turkey.

Sumele monastry, near Trabzon, is worth visiting though. It's at N40 41.148 E39 39.253

It it were me, I'd cross at Çanakkale and then ride up towards Istanbul. It depends on how much time you have but Gallipoli is beautiful in summer.
Stephan

Hi Edas

Do you have to buy Georgian Moto insurance to travel in Georgia?

Your English is good - everything is clear:thumbup1::thumbup1:

How long time?
 

Hello Edas,

How long time you are intended to spend in Turkiye?

I will have some work on it and give you some advice about your project and aim.

Don't worry. We can solve it. Just tell me how long time you are intended to spend time in Turkiye?

Will you be using a GPS?

What are your motorbikes?

Cheers,

Samy

Hi Edas,

We did not take gravel roads, but still perhaps you can get some insperation from our Turkey movie on Going East - Home of Life Is Joy - Home

Hello Samy

Regarding time - quite difficult to say exactly. Total trip time should be 30days more or less, for the Turkey I suppose we could spend about 10-14 days - it will depends how quick we will catch the ferry from Russia Sotchi to Trabzon, as I know they don't have strict schedule. :oops2:
We will go with 5 bikes - 5 bikers and one cameramen (6 ppl)
Bikes: BMW R1200GSA and F650GS, two Africa Twin, and Yamaha Tenere with 50/50 gravel/tarmac tyres. :mchappy:
We all use Garmin Zumo.
And one more thing - we will travel without any stops at hotels or motels - we decided strictly to stay at locals or somewhere wild in tents :thumbup1:


Hi Caminando,
we don't have insurance (green card?)for Georgia. As I know we should buy it on border.
Thank you for my English appreciation ;)

Hi Jopos
Thank you for links, I will study them.

Thank you all guys for respond :D

Hi Edas, We are also travelling a loop of the Black Sea on trails as much as possible. We are leaving Scotland on 12th June heading to Romania for 5-6 days trail riding (check out route DN67C), then onto the Crimea travelling along the Arabat Strip (130km gravel track). South of Trabzon there are excellent trails. (between Trazbon and Bayburt) and then onto 'The Road of Stones' at Kemaliye.
The best part of the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria is in the South towards the Turkish border, much less touristy.

Andy

Few days
 

Hi Edas,

Give me a few days please. I will prepare a route for you suitable to your purpose.

Will yo be having good papermaps? Yeah but as good and detailed as can find/see willages on the map ? :welcome:

Do you have a map of Turkiye for your Zumo? If so I can make a route on it and e-mail you.

First we have to agrre on the papermap route I guess.

Cheers,

Samy

This Ride report from ADVRIDER may interest you Ride to Blacksea Coast of Turkey - Report - ADVrider

Andy

Q
 

Edas can you tell me :
1. which customs/place you will enter and leave to Turkiye?
2. how long intended to stay in istanbul?

Could you find the roads between willages? Or only secondary roads?

Not going to take you to historical ruins but real local Turkiye and the landscapes. ! ? Please inform me...

Samy

Hi Edas and hi Sami :-))

A few suggestions for Turkey:

1- Istanbul (never miss out)

2- All the way down from Istanbul down to Antalya either via Troy, Assos, Pergamon to Izmir or via Bursa, Bandirma, Gonen, Balya, Ivrindi, Allianoi, Pergamon, to Izmir and regions.

3- Two options from Izmir:
Ephesus - Priene - Denizli (Hierapolis) - Konya - Cappadocia

or

4- Ephesus - Priene - Heracleia (Bafa lake) - Bodrum (via ferry) Datca - Marmaris - Elmali - Antalya

5- Antalya - Mersin by the seashore (for motorcycling fun with curves and curves. It takes more than you expect and you either lve it or hate it)

6- Mount Nemrut - Adiyaman

7- Zeugma, Harran and Mesopotamia

7- Antakya (Antioch) - and even a daily trip to Halep (Aleppo) in Syria

8- Van lake and regions

9- Dogubeyazit / Ishakpasa palace

10- Black sea and inland Turkey: see Ride to Blacksea Coast of Turkey - Report - ADVrider as mentioned before

11- Safranbolu (near Kastamonu) and Devrek if you can make it

12- Places like Iznik (Nicosea) and Goynuk (near Bilecik city for being far from the madding touristic crowd and hot weather in june/july.)

... and cold beer in Izmir if you happen to pass by. Send PM for possible routes and details. I know it is a little bit of confusing to connect these points but not impossible.

can

i am agree with the above posts.. i live in istanbul and always welcome for coffee and/or beer (if not riding)

enjoy

Hi Can and Ozhan
 

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 :scooter:.
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

hi,

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

Original Turkish People
 

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? :mchappy:

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

Afraid of misunderstood or missaying
 

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 :mchappy:

Cheers,

Sami

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... :sleeping:

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

Turkiye Rout
 

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

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 - beer from me ;)
I hope this info regarding route will be useful not only for me, but also for other Hubbers and Andy too ;) :mchappy:

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...

I didn't do it for beer but tea :D But will drink at Vilnius :clap:

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

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

What an excellent thread!
 

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

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...7&id=511539979http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...36_7470087.jpg

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

Ozhanu,

I am now ın Turkey, waıtıng for a ferry to take me accross the Marmara to Istanbul.

I´ve been longıng to type that for such a long tıme. Fınally on the road!

Anyhoo, I think I wıll be stayıng ın Istanbul for a week or more collectıng Vısas, so shall we meet up sometıme over the next few days? If you can emaıl or pm me a number to call you on, or ıdeally an address or Lat Long, ıt´d be good to get you a beer or somethıng and have a chat..

hi,

what about meeting on sunday?

maybe some Turkish riders would like to join us for a coffee??
we can meet up and do some cruising :scooter: along the bosphorus and stop in a coffee shop.

Hello Sami and everybody who reading this topic
We finished our adventure trip around Black sea and would like to say THANK YOU Sami for a such great road advice in Turkey - it was unforgettable, amazing, inspiring... Now I can say, what we saw maybe not all, but half of Turkey at least - from the east to west, from north shore to the middle of the Turkey. We visited many cities and villages, have spoken with many people (if they don't speak English either) - and everywhere we've met very warm and friendly people.
Once again our team would like to say - Thank You Sami, you opened our eyes on Turkey.
And of course - Sami's welcome of our team in Kayseri was unforgettable also.
Greetings from Lithuania

From left to right:
Rushanas, Ramunas, Aidas (cameraman), Edas (me), Sami and Dainius.
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._4916100_n.jpg

More detailed report hopefully coming soon.

p.s. sorry for non excellent English

Hello Edas
 

Nice to hear you are back home safe and sound.

It was pleasure for me to hosting you/meeting you in Turkey.
That's also nice you enjoyed your trip and route in Turkey.

Needless to say YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

By the way, wife was very happy when she learnt that not any Lithuanian lady stayed overnight at home ;-)

Hope to meet someday, somewhere again.

Regards,

Sami