A good friend and I were talking about the expensive Euro and how we'd better save our pennies if we're going to Venice any time soon.  Since I have my own travel business, airfare and accommodations won't be a big deal, but you still have to eat and get around once you are there.  This got me thinking about places I've visited that are still a bargain.  

Turkey is one place I'd recommend.  In fact, it will cost you about 30% less than 5 years ago.  The Aegean coast gets about 300 days of sun a year, the night life is fantastic, and they love Westerners.

My impromptu visit to Turkey happened as a result of a trip to Athens that went terribly wrong.  Long story short, my travel agent took pity on me and gave me a really good last minute deal on an 8-day Aegean cruise on the Italian ship City of Rhodos.  Leaving Piraeus (the port of Athens) our itinerary was Rhodes, Santorini, Mykanos, Kusadasi, Ephesus, and Istanbul.

I don't know if this is indicative of European ships or not, but this crew was determined to make sure that all unattached ladies had a good time.  Almost to the point of being creepy.  I was one of the few women on board who didn't sunbathe topless.  Maybe that's what had the crew going nuts. 

Me in Kusadasi                                                                                     City of Rhodos



The fruit on board was the best I've ever had -- better than chocolate.  Chefs on cruise ships shop locally, and hats off to where ever they bought that watermelon.  But this post is about my 2 days in Turkey.

We arrived in Kusadasi, which is on the West coast of Turkey, late one morning.   By the time we arrived I had been adopted by several other single travelers who were determined to shop, eat, party, and visit the ruins of Ephesus.  We all had had just about enough of the Zorba The Greek and Never on Sunday soundtracks in the ship's main lounge, not to mention the eggplant dishes at every buffet meal.  So we were more than ready for a change of pace.

As with all ports of call, you're greeted by a number of local merchants, cab services, and guides who are eager to show you around.   We piled into a vintage Impala (the local cab of choice, complete with foam dice dangling from the rearview mirror) and allowed the driver to show us the best places to shop for rugs and a lively place for a late lunch.  I purchased 3 rugs that were later appraised for several times what I paid, and some gold charms for my bracelet.

Then it was off to Ephesus, about a 30 minute ride away.  If you like Roman ruins this is a fascinating place to visit.  The original city of Ephesus was many miles in diameter and they are still excavating it.  There is one ancient stadium where the acoustics are so good you can hear a whisper from the seats.  After buying some textiles from the many vendors lining the entrance to Ephesus it was getting late.  My new friends and I chose to spend a couple of hours bar hopping in Kusadasi before going back to the ship for the night.

Our next day's intinerary was a whirlwind trip to Instanbul and the Blue Mosque. 

to be continued...