Going to Turkey next week

[RayS]

Hi
Two bikes (R1150GSA & R1200GS) we are off to Turkey next week with the wives as pillions.
We are riding through France & down Italy to Ancona then a ferry to Igoumenitsa in Western Greece. Then overland to Turkey.

The plan is not to go to Istanbul but head south through the Dardanelles (another short ferry) to the western coast. Whilst there see Troy, Asos then down to Ephesos for a couple of nights.
We then head East to Konya & Cappodoccia for two days.
Then North to the Black Sea coast & two days as Amasra before heading back west to Greece again probably giving Istanbul a miss.

Does anyone have any suggested "must sees" on this route? We are hoping to find B&B's en route rather than pre-booking, is this OK?
Is there a GPS mapping of Turkey available for my Garmin does anyone know?
Any other comments welcome
Cheers
Ray

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Ephesus certainly. I stayed in Pension Diane in Selcuk a few years back which was good. Owner cooked us a great mess of fish one evening. Enjoy yourselves

 

[Womble]

Ray,

Glad to hear you're not dead yet, hope the house move is sorted

I'm looking forward to the ride report, or at least some photos.

 

[Kritou]

Goreme two days - Amasya two days. Don't bother with the Black Sea Coast tween Trabazon & Samsun (wet built up & boring) Do go to Ani (Google) near Kars. Nemrut Dagi is an excellent side trip (good ride up mountain too) and take the small ferry to the east on way out - don't stay at guest houses nearby though!

Barasoft do good mapping for Turkey - I think 2011 update is out (some people have got the 2009 version from a torrent)

Be careful re speeding!!!

 

[Sleepy]

What Garmin unit do you have? My Zumo 550 (with the latest maps) seems to have all of Turkey down to street level..

 

[Womble]

Which Satnav are you using? City Navigator 2011.1 is working fine here on my Zumo.

 

[Steptoe]

[URL="http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141208&highlight=turkey+trot"]This[/URL] might be of use.

Then again, it might not


Part of the route taken (kindly posted by whatton), more in the thread.

 

[RayS]

Which Satnav are you using? City Navigator 2011.1 is working fine here on my Zumo.

BMW Motorrad Navigator 111 I think that's the Garmin 2720(?) with City Navigator NT2008
Ray

 

[RayS]

City Nav 8 covers the major roads only in Turkey
Ray

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Take a look at this too, looks like you're doing it the other way round. Malc might be able to give you a few hints and let you know about mapping.

I suggest you stay here in Selcuk, but make sure you get a room in the courtyard section, seperated from the main hotel by an alley.

Give yourself plenty of time in Cappadocia, as there's lots to see.

I'm PMing you my contact details if you need anything while here.

It's a good call to miss Istanbul, it makes more sense to see it on a long weekend trip.

You'll find plenty of places to stay, so no need to book ahead, but make sure you ask to see the rooms before you check in.

I believe Garmin does have mapping for Turkey, but like all Turkey maps it'll not be very accurate outside of main cities. Don't worry too much about that though, it's a fairly easy place to get around.

 

[Womble]

BMW Motorrad Navigator 111 I think that's the Garmin 2720(?) with City Navigator NT2008
Ray

You're right - I swapped maps and CN 2008 is missing the street detail. Is that the most up-to-date mapping you can put on the NavIII, or is there a chance of an upgrade?

 

[RayS]

You're right - I swapped maps and CN 2008 is missing the street detail. Is that the most up-to-date mapping you can put on the NavIII, or is there a chance of an upgrade?

Dave
Yep, I think that is the most upto date but I have version 2010 for the 60cSX but that doesn't seem any better when I look on Mapsource.
Ray

 

[RayS]

Thanks for the links David, that was some trip that Malcolm L did! I have emailed the hotel at Selcuk, but what kind of price will it be for two doubles B&B for two nights?
Ray

Take a look at this too, looks like you're doing it the other way round. Malc might be able to give you a few hints and let you know about mapping.

I suggest you stay here in Selcuk, but make sure you get a room in the courtyard section, seperated from the main hotel by an alley.

Give yourself plenty of time in Cappadocia, as there's lots to see.

I'm PMing you my contact details if you need anything while here.

It's a good call to miss Istanbul, it makes more sense to see it on a long weekend trip.

You'll find plenty of places to stay, so no need to book ahead, but make sure you ask to see the rooms before you check in.

I believe Garmin does have mapping for Turkey, but like all Turkey maps it'll not be very accurate outside of main cities. Don't worry too much about that though, it's a fairly easy place to get around.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

I don't remember what we paid, but I do remember it being reasonable and a briiliant place to stay after a days riding.

I suggest that when in Selcuk you take a couple of hours to visit Sirince, a small village in the hills behind Selcuk. It's an old Greek village, much restored and where fruit wine is a speciality. If you get there make sure you try the blackcurrent and redberry flavours (you be offered loads of free tasters). St John's basillica is very near to the hotel in Selcuk, and is a must see place. Don't bother with the Virgin Mary's house in Ephesus, it's utter crap and is almost certainly not where she lived.

 

[(RIP) petcul]

I don't remember what we paid, but I do remember it being reasonable and a briiliant place to stay after a days riding.

I suggest that when in Selcuk you take a couple of hours to visit Sirince, a small village in the hills behind Selcuk. It's an old Greek village, much restored and where fruit wine is a speciality. If you get there make sure you try the blackcurrent and redberry flavours (you be offered loads of free tasters). St John's basillica is very near to the hotel in Selcuk, and is a must see place. Don't bother with the Virgin Mary's house in Ephesus, it's utter crap and is almost certainly not where she lived.

Selcuk & St John's +1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9096451@N05/1479119096/in/set-72157602254820332/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9096451@N05/1478271293/in/set-72157602254820332/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9096451@N05/1478285001/in/set-72157602254820332/

 

[RayS]

Great photos Petcul, looks like I'll have to add Syria & Jordan as must see places, maybe next year though! Thanks for the recommendation of St John's.
Ray

Selcuk & St John's +1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9096451@N05/1479119096/in/set-72157602254820332/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9096451@N05/1478271293/in/set-72157602254820332/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9096451@N05/1478285001/in/set-72157602254820332/

 

[daral]

Hi Ray;

In what kind of roads do you want to ride in?

I'll give you the perfect route for it

 

[mozencesme]

google cesme in turkey I am in cesme until november if you need hotel etc.also close to ephesus.80 miles.

 

[patzx12]

What great responses, Ukgser is great especally for us that remember what travel was like pre internet.
This is a trip i havent gotten around to yet but on the "to do" list.

Good luck on your trip guys, and we will be expecting a good write up.

 

[(RIP) petcul]

google cesme in turkey I am in cesme until november if you need hotel etc.also close to ephesus.80 miles.

Currently in Inebolu on the Black Sea - one of the best coast roads I've been on - and heading eastwards. May pass Cesme on my way back towards the latter half of October. Will keep in contact.