Turkey or Cyprus in January. Any advice?

[Burt]

RW and I - a growing relationship - have written and telephoned for a year and visited once in Moscow.  She is a small-town lady from central Russia.  We plan another 8-10 day visit in Jan 03, and RW would like a site with warm weather, also hoping to see ocean and beach for the first time. I thought of Istanbul Turkey.

Her two travel agents discourage Istanbul because they say it is semi-wintry in January. (No beach swims, they tell her.)  However, both agents offer her an excellent package deal to Antalya Turkey, supposedly a sunny spot on the water.  Tempting, but my concern is that Antalya may be too small and remote and might not offer enough tourist interests for 8-10 days. However, I see on the map that Cyprus is very near, and I've read good things about Cyprus.  

So my questions for the more experienced are --

Is Antalya worth an 8-10 day visit, as compared to Cyprus?  

All things considered, would you prefer to meet in Antalya, or Cyprus, or Istanbul with its attractions, despite 40-50 degree weather there?  Cost differences are not a major consideration, but will be kept in mind.  Thanks for the advice.  

[Burt]

... in response to Turkey or Cyprus in January.   Any advic..., posted by Burt on Nov 20, 2002

It's great to return from long travel and find such helpful assistance.

Search -  Appreciate the info re Antalya, especially your encourging views about the tourist sights.
JR -- Excellent first-hand advice about food and lodging, and I have studied your many valuable posts.
Globe -- You've persuaded me to rule out Istanbul, and I'll take your advice about exploring more south.  You've helped me before.
LP -- Thanks much for local conditions re WX and also the pound. But I'll have to pass on the Schweizer.  After 866 hrs cbt/time I'm now much older and 'weizer'.

PS -- Anybody been to Malta?  Archives are near-silent.    

[LP]

... in response to Thanks much Search; JR; Globe; and LP  , posted by Burt on Nov 23, 2002

....I understand, I guess it's different after dealing with hot LZs.  Although I like fling wings, I never felt real comfortable hangin from a pipe myself. Was it Slicks? Guns? Dust Off?

Doesn't matter, you have my gratitude and respect for every one of those 886.

[Burt]

... in response to You be welcome...., posted by LP on Nov 25, 2002

LP -- Thanks for the kind words, as vets don't get many.    Please give me an e-mail address, and I'll be glad to summarize a few memorable highlights, if you have any interest. (Not a good board topic, I'm sure.) Otherwise thanks again, and every time I travel as a PAX I marvel at the fine hands of your profession.

[LP]

... in response to Re: You be welcome...., posted by Burt on Nov 25, 2002

[This message has been edited by LP]

.... got it, thanx.

[thesearch]

... in response to Turkey or Cyprus in January.   Any advic..., posted by Burt on Nov 20, 2002

Burt,

Never been to Cyprus, however read some trip reports from others here concerning travel there.  I was in a resort about 50 miles east of Antalya in the month of April. There are several resorts along the Mediterranean cost that function in a similar way. The room charge is inclusive. What this means is that all food and beverages are included in that price even alcoholic beverages. The food is by buffet but the one that I was at was of the quality that you find in Las Vegas. The buffet was open several times during the day to accommodate many different time situations for their guests as well as having a restaurant by the pool. The one that I was at also had an outdoor brick pizza oven going most of the day whereby they served what they called Turkish pizza. They were small simple and very addictive. Can not remember what I paid as I do not focus on those things unless the price is high. However the price, if I am correct it was somewhere around $140 per night.

There are a lot of things to see there. In the area is the only fully remaining colosseum. If you like ruins, you will enjoy the area. Also, if you learn to barter, you can bring home some incredible bargains -- especially jewelry and leather goods. Also, a lot great little quaint restaurants in the various villages that you might visit. I had a blast. I would go again. The only problem was that many people do not speak any English. You will find yourself amongst German and Russian tourists mainly. I did not come across one American and the staff at my Resort stated that they rarely see Americans. I rented a car which was fun also. From what I can tell you will spend a lot more in Cyprus.

[juio99]

... in response to Turkey or Cyprus in January.   Any advic..., posted by Burt on Nov 20, 2002

Burt, I spent a month with 3 RW in Antalya last April.  Believe me there is plenty to do there.  The weather won't be much different than Cyprus . . . just look at map.  January weather is risky everywhere in Northern Hemisphere, but Antalya will be a he!! of a lot better than anywhere in Russia.  I have lengthy trip reports concerning Antalya if you want to see them (if I can't find them, others here received them and might send them on to you.)

I highly recommend Antalya and, as LP pointed out, it will be somewhat cheaper than Cyprus.  For instance, I got a 2 bedroom apt with kitchenette for less than $300 for the entire month.  Tasty and filling meals for two can be had for $3-5 per couple.

These are prices for April.  Might be somewhat lower in Jan and will be 4-5 times higher in June-Sept.

There are Saturday flights on Aeroflot direct Moscow to Antalya for less than $300 RT.  This gets pretty tricky with 3 women visiting as each arrives on same plane that the other is departing on.  :-))

JR

[juio99]

... in response to Go to Antalya, posted by juio99 on Nov 21, 2002

Burt, I forgot to mention, go to the websites for Lonely Planet, VirtualTourist, and Fodors.  Read the boards there.  You will find that virtually everyone who has been to both will recommend Turkey over Cyprus, and will recommend Turkey over Greece, and Turkey over virtually anywhere else in Med area.  Also, they will tell you that Turkish people are much, much more friendly to foreigners than are Greeks.  Not to say anything bad about Greeks, the Turks (at least in Antalya area) are just something special when it comes to visitors.  For instance: went in a shop looking for something; they don't have it; they took me by arm and led me out to street down the block and to another place.  Another example: Went to a restaurant; meal was going to be delayed; waiter didn't know how to tell me; he approached another customer who called some lady on phone; then called me to phone so she could explain to me the delay.  Taxi cab drivers say, "Thank you" when you give them tip.  Some will say the tip is too much and want to give some back to you.

Further, your English will suffice in Antalya.  Everywhere you go, someone will speak some sort of English.  Also multiple Internet cafes on virtually every block in center of city.

JR

[Globetrotter]

... in response to Turkey or Cyprus in January.   Any advic..., posted by Burt on Nov 20, 2002

Never been to Antalya, but was in Istanbul in July, and Cyprus in December.  Cyprus was about 65-70 and while pleasant was too cold for the beach.  Istanbul's charm is the outdoor restaurants and boats to the Prince's Islands (one hour ride from Istanbul and where the beaches are.)  And, it snows there in winter.  

I'd think that as Antalya is north of Cyprus, it would also be too cold to swim.  If you really want to swim, go a little farther south and try Sri Lanka on the Indian Ocean.
You can tour quite nicely for a week in Cyprus with plenty to do and see.  My trip report was in Cyprus.

Hope this helps.

[LP]

... in response to Turkey or Cyprus in January.   Any advic..., posted by Burt on Nov 20, 2002

...in Cyprus will be similar, they'll be in their rainy season then. Up side is the place will be deserted and you won't have to deal with the summer crowds. More English and Russian speaking folks in Cyprus than Turkey (English is taught in Cypriot schools and Russians are all over the place.) Downside versus Turkey is that the Cypriot pound is worth more than the dollar so it'll be spendy anytime of year.

Btw, the FBO at Pafos had a Schweizer 300 for rent when I was there, not cheap though. That's assuming you can handle such a low interia system. ;-)