Turkey , properly.

Most first-time Turkey trips work best at 10 to 14 days. A week covers Istanbul + Cappadocia minimally; 10–12 days adds one coastal region; 14 days lets you include a 3–4 night gulet sailing trip on the Aegean or Mediterranean coast without rushing.

Istanbul + Cappadocia + one coastal region (either Aegean or Mediterranean, not both) is the canonical shape. Five Istanbul + three Cappadocia + four coastal cities, connected by two domestic flights. Trying to combine Aegean AND Mediterranean usually means rushing both.

Aegean (Izmir, Ephesus, Bodrum) is more secular and cosmopolitan, with serious ancient Greek + Roman archaeology and harbour towns built around sailing. Mediterranean (Antalya, Fethiye, the Lycian coast) is more landscape-driven, with paragliding, the Lycian Way hiking trail, and wilder coastlines. Pick based on whether antiquity + sailing or activity + landscape is your draw.

April through June and September through October are the most reliable months — warm enough for coastal swimming, mild enough for Istanbul + Cappadocia walking, manageable crowds. July–August brutal heat (Istanbul 35°C+, Cappadocia dry heat) and peak Mediterranean coast crowds. November–March cool but most coastal businesses scale back.

Possibly — Ramadan dates shift annually (typically March–May in current years). Tourist-area restaurants in Istanbul, coastal resorts, and Cappadocia stay open during fasting hours. The biggest noticeable changes are atmospheric (more subdued evenings, fewer people outdoors midday) and the Iftar (sunset meal) energy is genuinely worth experiencing. Plan around Eid (end of Ramadan) for crowded transit.

Yes — domestic flights are the canonical way to move between Istanbul, Cappadocia, and the coastal regions. Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and SunExpress run frequent affordable flights (Istanbul ↔ Cappadocia: 1 hr 30; Istanbul ↔ Antalya: 1 hr; etc). Overland from Istanbul to Cappadocia is 10+ hours by bus and not worth doing.

For coastal hops, yes — Pamukkale Tourism, Kamil Koç, and Metro Turizm run reliable comfortable buses (Bodrum ↔ Fethiye, Fethiye ↔ Antalya, Antalya ↔ Konya). For inter-region (Istanbul ↔ Cappadocia, Istanbul ↔ coastal cities), no — fly instead. Long-haul buses include water, coffee, and overnight options but the time cost is real.

Useful for Cappadocia (underground cities, valley exploration) and the Lycian / Mediterranean coast (Fethiye → Antalya driving route). Not needed in Istanbul (terrible parking, excellent transit) or on the Aegean if you're sailing. Cars in Turkey require comfortable highway driving; rural roads are functional but mountainous.

Yes — Istanbul is the rare megacity where the historical density (Hagia Sophia + Topkapı + Sultanahmet cluster), neighbourhood depth (Beyoğlu + Galata + Kadıköy), and food culture (meyhanes, Çiya in Kadıköy, the bazaars) genuinely warrant the time. Less than four days and you're choosing between the historical anchors and the contemporary city — both matter.

Yes if you accept the trade-offs — snow on the fairy chimneys is genuinely beautiful, balloon flights still operate when weather permits, and crowds are dramatically thinner. But cold (often near freezing), some hotels close, and balloon cancellations are more common. December–February gives a quieter, more photogenic Cappadocia at the cost of activity flexibility.

Polarising. The travertine terraces + Hierapolis ruins are visually striking but the site has been over-managed (limited access to the terraces themselves) and the surrounding town is heavily touristic. As a half-day stop between Bodrum and Antalya (or Izmir and Fethiye), it works — 3 hours on-site. Don't make Pamukkale a destination of its own.

In Istanbul, Cappadocia tourist areas, Bodrum, and Antalya, English coverage is wide. In smaller towns and rural areas it drops noticeably. Learning merhaba (hello), teşekkür ederim (thanks), and lütfen (please) is appreciated and useful. Some menus in tourist areas have English; rural konobas are Turkish-only.

Currently one of Europe's better value destinations — Turkish Lira has weakened significantly and prices in lira terms are much lower than they appear converted. Istanbul restaurants and hotels are mid-tier European prices; Cappadocia is cheaper; coastal resorts vary widely (Bodrum is upscale, Antalya is mid-tier, Fethiye is cheaper). Budget €60–150/day mid-tier.

5–10% at sit-down restaurants if no service charge is added; round up for casual meals and taxis. Some restaurants in tourist areas auto-add 10% service — check the bill before tipping again. Hotel porters and housekeepers appreciate small tips. Cash is preferred for tips even when paying by card.