Merhaba,

Turkish hello.

1-No probems at bordergates between greece and turkey if greece side is not on strike.2 land gates which are popular and fast for bikers..just go to the front of the line for waiting vehicles..
you can also enter turkey from several greece islands by small ferries.

2-there is no isil inside turkey and west part is very very safe for touristic purposes.. dont take any historical piece of stone in your bag (many around in historical places) or buy historical looking gift..will be a time loss at gates..parking is a problem only in istanbul..all hotels around turkey has parking lots... go,see,make bargain and book is recommended for your stay at sultanahmet,behind blue mosque.....

3- road signs for free roads are in blue and for toll roads in green..if you wish you can buy a toll gate pass at any post office (PTT-Postane,written in black with yellow background) for your number plate...price is 5 tl for the card and ı guess 30 tl. credit fill will be ok for you...

All the places you wish to visit in istanbul are situated at sultanahmet part of the city and at a walking distance from eachother..what ı can recommend more for İstanbul are;just add a boat trip to bosphorus which takes start near galata bridge,have fish and bread at the golden horn side of the bridge and participate a dervish ceremony,whirling dervishes and listen sufi music in a mevlevihane......If there are other spesific historical,technical, etc.places you would like to visit,all questions welcome..you will also discover many colors while walking in old istanbul..

Ephesus is in selçuk area and st.mary hill is very close..so if you start your turkey trip from istanbul, my recommended route is as follows..

istanbul-gelibolu (WW-I arenas and monuments)-çanakkale-Troy(25 km. on the right side after çanakkale)-ayvalık-aliağa-izmir(boring crowded city with rush traffic so for me better to take transit road to aydın.)selçuk.(ephesus and st.mary hill-seven sleepers here) then add Denizli Pamukkale(hierapolis will be a high spot of the trip together with cappadocia)..bodrum marmaris and antalya are full of discos and russians,quite expensive for less quality so ı guess not so good for us (another 60 and total 116 here)...from pamukkale you can take the road to eğridir,nice lakeside place for relaxing and fish dishes..then konya and aksaray cappadocia for minimum 2 days..then north to safranbolu (old ottoman style town)passing outside another boring big city ankara..from safranbolu to istanbul the main 2 roads are full of trucks and buses..if you want to have more relax time by the seaside,then can head north to blacksea coastlines for some beaches and scenery.then possible to head greece or bulgarian gate without entering istanbul again..take the second bosphorus bridge,fatih sultan mehmet bridge and follow edirne roadsigns..

wishing you a great holiday and happy,safe,lucky trip,
Best regards.

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Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn

Problems in Turkey ?

100% NO!

Went there last August with the wife. Had several weeks travelling all over. No problems at all Nothing even remotely problematic.

Great country and fantastic people. I can't wait to go back again.

I made a video of our time in Turkey on youtube search "g6snl" shows many of the places you mention if you are interested.

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Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway

Don't understand why you and your family worried about your visit to Turkey? May be because they are called as a bird !

You think you will be riding in the hell?
After your trip to Turkiye, hope you will see it was a stereotype only...

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"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

BTW you must get your Turkey visa on-line before getting to the border. Need to print it out. Valid for 12 months and good for 3 months multiple entry. Pay with a credit card.

Once you have been to Turkey you will be spoiled rotten as far as being an easy place to tour around. We are here now and the people are nice and friendly, not at all pushy (well except maybe in some big cities) the roads are good - even most of the back roads - and there are a million places where you can set up a tent and feel perfectly at home - and maybe safer than home.

Weather is about right for us at the moment - pleasant along the coast and cold in the mountains, but I'd hate to be here in high summer. I get the impression that many of the locals feel the same way.

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Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map

Having been there virtually all of August 2014 I can say yeah sure it can be hot, but most of the time it was comfortable, we were also wet & cold at times. Turkey is a very big place and you get all climates. Like here in the UK its can be hot at one end of the country and cold and wet the other end. I did my research and knew where it would be hottest and adjusted plans to accommodate that, mainly by ditching the camping in favour of a bedroom with air con !

It's all about being sensible and knowing your limitations, and understanding your bodies requirements.

If you are inexperienced in hot climates, perhaps August is not the time to go. I actually thought coming through Bulgaria was the hottest part of the whole trip, it certainly felt like it. Also the border control into Bulgaria was probably the most time consuming and the one where I was thoroughly searched - just me no other motocycle or car.......... I'm lucky like that

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Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway

Useful information Mehmet

How do I ask for a toll gate pass in Turkish at the post office?

sağ olun

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Mark
http://chasingdreams2014.blogspot.co.uk/

Just give your vehicle regist. form (RUHSAT )

HGS card LÜTFEN.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn