If you've been to Istanbul...

[wildrice]

What else did you do on that trip? Visit other places in Turkey, or pop over to other countries?

We have about a week (maybe 8 days) when/if we go, and I know that's too much time for just Istanbul but I'm not sure what else to do. I want to do Greece as a separate trip sometime, though I'm open to visiting one part of it this trip I guess. I know basically nothing about Bulgaria, are there parts of that country that should be prioritized for visiting at some point? Maybe visit Bucharest instead? I'm open to suggestions!

[meowmaps]

Istanbul is a fabulous city. I spent a week in Turkey many years ago now. We also hit Ephesus, Kusadasi, a city on the Aegean Sea, and visited more ruins around there including Pergamum.

[scout8]

I'm late to this so you may no longer need info, but we did Turkey and Greece together several years ago. We had longer and went to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Athens, and the Peloponnese region in Greece. With 8 days, I think you would be able to combine Istanbul with somewhere else in Turkey or with Athens.

I've also spent a few days in Sofia, Bulgaria and loved it. We were there in the winter and I want to go back sometime in warmer weather.

[wildrice]

scout8, we haven't planned anything for certain yet so that's helpful! I'll take a closer look at Sofia. I suppose there is enough to see in Greece that we could do 1 city and go back and do the rest another time.

We are looking at this coming fall or next spring, so plenty of time to consider options!

[mich1]

Istanbul is a fabulous city, there is so much to see that you can take the whole week there. The first time DH and I went, we spent 5 days in Istanbul, 3 in Cappadocia. As I have a friend that lives in Istanbul, I have since been several times to Istanbul and have also been to Kucadasi/Ephesus, Datca, Kas and a few other places as well.

July 2019, we vacationed with my friend and her family in Datca. This is well off the US tourist guide book, and was a gem. Some Europeans have found it, but it is mostly a Turkish vacation spot.

[erbear]

We went to Istanbul and Greece about 5 years ago. It was awesome! We did 4-5 days in Istanbul, then Athens, Santorini and Naxos. It was a great trip.

[sillygoosegirl]

It was the last stop on a 5 month world tour for us, so like everywhere. ;-)

Within Turkey, we also visited Ephesis, which is one of the best Greco-Roman archeological sites you will get to visit anywhere. And also Pamukkale, where they have the amazing travertine hillside. These places aren't at all convenient to Istanbul, but they are amazing. I also really wanted to go to Cappadocia, but we ran out of time.

[themoneytree]

When we went years ago we went to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pammukale and Ephesus.

It was completely amazing. One of my favorite trips ever.

[wise_rita]

Sorry I'm late to this thread as I forgot it existed LOL wildrice

A word about Turkey to Bulgaria travel: you cannot drive a rented car from Turkey to Bulgaria. Car companies simply will not allow it.

We wrote off buses and trains for whatever reason, so for me this meant a flight that ONLY departed at 2 or 3 a.m. That was less than ideal.

I was going to a smaller city than Sofia, though, so perhaps that bigger city has better connections.

[wise_rita]

But in your shoes I'd do Istanbul and Cappadocia. I wanted to fit that in but did not have the time with my scheduled commitments.

I haven't heard of the other places themoneytree  (ETA: and various others - I am clearly not up on my Turkish geography) mentioned but I'd look into them!