Istanbul
Visit the main monuments around Sultanahmet Square on your first day. Topkapi Palace requires at least 4 hours, the Hagia Sophia 1.5 hours, the Blue Mosque 1 hour. Add the Underground Cisterns of Yerebatan (1 hour) if you have any energy left. Reserve the second day to explore the city. Visit the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian Bazaar, the Kariye Church-Museum and the Archeological Museum. Climb the Galata Tower. Make a Bosphorus tour by boat. Walk Istiklal Avenue in the evening. On your third or fourth day make an excursion to the Prince's Islands for a bit of Turkey that hasn't left the 19th century.
Driving Istanbul-Ephesus
The Istanbul-Bandirma fast ferry is a life saver. The morning ferry leaves at 7.30 am and crosses to Bandirma in 2 hours. Bandirma to Sirince is a 365-km drive. Reckon 5 hours. For a lovely route make a detour via Aksehir-Salihli-Sardes-Birgi-Tire. Allow 1 hour sightseeing in Sardes. Dont miss the Cakiraga Mansion in Birgi.
Another option: Take ferry to Yalova (40 minutes, boat every 2 hours). Visit Bursa - Grand Mosque, Muradiye Mosque, Bazaar, Baths. Stay a night in Bursa or press on to Sirince (405 km, 5 hours).
Ephesus and Around
Take a day to visit Ephesus and dependencies - Archeological area (2 hours), Museum (1 hour), St Johns Basilica (1 hour), Virgin Mary's House (1 hour). Second day: Visit Priene, Didyma and Lake Bafa. You may visit these places on your way to Bodrum if you will continue that way. Third day: Visit Tire, Birgi, Bozdag and Sardes. You may visit these places on your way to Istanbul if you will continue that way. Fourth day: Visit the National Park for hiking and/or swimming. Visit Kusadasi for shopping or nightlife. Fifth day: Visit Aphrodisias and Pamukkale. You may visit these places on your way to Central Turkey or Antalya if you will continue that way.
Izmir Airport
The Izmir Airport is 67 km from Sirince. Driving time is just less than 1 hour whether you take the national road or the motorway. Allow half an hour for check-in formalities on domestic flights. There are about 20 flights each day between Istanbul and Izmir. There are now also some direct flights between Izmir-Antalya and Izmir-Kayseri (Cappadocia).
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