17 days in Northern Cyprus & Turkey Itinerary

Just east of the capital sits Famagusta, an ancient port city with archaeological attractions, as well as an abandoned quarter that is popular among tourists as a symbol of the conflict between Turks and Greeks.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Thu): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at St Barnabas Monastery and Icon Museum, admire the landmark architecture of Salamis Ancient City, and then see some colorful creatures with Dive Hub. Keep things going the next day: steep yourself in history at Famagusta City Walls, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, then explore the historical opulence of Othello Castle, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Monastery of Apostolos Varnavas.

To find where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Famagusta trip itinerary planning tool.

Baghdad, Iraq to Famagusta is an approximately 12-hour combination of flight and car. The time zone difference when traveling from Baghdad to Famagusta is minus 1 hour. In November, plan for daily highs up to 27°C, and evening lows to 15°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight to Istanbul.

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Head to Kapali Carsi and Istiklal Caddesifor plenty of shopping. Hagia Sophia Mosque and Ortakoy are good opportunities to explore the local culture. There's still lots to do: wander the streets of Taksim Square, admire the striking features of Dolmabahce Palace, take an in-depth tour of Topkapi Palace, and explore the galleries of Galata Tower.

To see reviews, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Istanbul road trip website.

You can fly from Famagusta to Istanbul in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and train. The time zone difference when traveling from Famagusta to Istanbul is 1 hour. Traveling from Famagusta in November, expect nights in Istanbul to be about the same, around 17°C, while days are a bit cooler, around 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Bolu.

Bolu is a city in Turkey, and administrative center of the Bolu Province. Get outdoors at Golcuk Tabiat Parki and Bolu Golcuk Tabiat Parki. Spend the 1st (Thu) exploring nature at Karagol Tabiat Parki.

To see where to stay, reviews, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Bolu journey planner.

Traveling by car from Istanbul to Bolu takes 3 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Sat) to allow time to drive to Goreme.

Famed for its landscape of unusually shaped stone formations and churches cut into the natural rocks, Goreme sits in the central part of the country, an area originally settled during Roman times.

On the 4th (Sun), get outside with Outdoor Activities, take a pleasant ride with a tour on horseback, and then explore the striking landscape at Love Valley. On the 5th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get outside with Outdoor Activities, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Goreme National Park, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of TokalI Church.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Goreme day trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Bolu to Goreme takes 5 hours. December in Goreme sees daily highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Mon) early enough to fly to Selcuk.

An ideal base camp for exploring the Aegean coastline, Selcuk draws big tourist crowds due to its proximity to the ancient city of Ephesus.

On the 6th (Tue), surround yourself with nature on Troy Tours, then explore the ancient world of Ancient City of Ephesus, and then explore the ancient world of Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House).

For where to stay, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Selcuk trip itinerary builder site.

You can fly from Goreme to Selcuk in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In December, Selcuk is somewhat warmer than Goreme - with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Pamukkale.

A popular spa since the second century BCE, the modern city of Pamukkale continues to draw worldwide attention with its hot springs and travertines--naturally formed calcite bathing pools.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Wed): push the limits with an extreme tour, then explore the different monuments and memorials at Anatolia Cemetery, and then contemplate the long history of Hierapolis. Here are some ideas for day two: stop by Dogan Onyx factory and then witness a stunning natural landmark at Pamukkale Thermal Pools.

To find more things to do, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Pamukkale vacation planner.

You can drive from Selcuk to Pamukkale in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Thu) so you can drive to Kekova.

Kekova, also named Caravola, is a small Turkish island near Demre district of Antalya province which faces the villages of Kaleköy and Üçağız . Kick off your visit on the 9th (Fri): see what you can catch with Kekova kardesim-m boat.

For where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Kekova itinerary tool.

Drive from Pamukkale to Kekova in 4.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 9th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.