Turkey in December 2008?

Hello Good Folks!
I am new to this site. Just create a profile today. A few friends and I are planning a trip to Turkey in December 2008. We will fly from the US to Istanbul. The trip will be for about a week. We plan to visit Istanbul, Ankara, Goreme (not yet finalized).
I just want to know if going to Turkey in December makes sense at all, weather wise!

Please advise!

Thanks
Almas

Hi Almas,

I could say, for december 2008, Istanbul will be not too cold, however Ankara and Goreme, the entire Cappadocia region will be colder, though rain and snow is scarce on december here, almost 0 degrees celcius weather might run your fun.Why don't you try coming earlier, like september or october? Both months are great in Istanbul and Ankara, autumn is generally soft and calm here with spring-like breezes and summer-like sunshine. If you are obliged to come by deecmber, why don't you try visiting Istanbul and western provinces such as Izmir, Aydin, Kusadasi and Antalya? At least, it'll be warmer.

In any case, there is much to see anywhere around Turkey. Plesae let me know if you have more questions, I'll be happy to help planning an initiry for you as well

[ Edit: Edited on Apr 21, 2008, at 1:57 PM by delacroix ]

Thank you for your reply Delacroix! December is when we will have time to travel. and Turkey is the one country that I have always wanted to visit. What will the temperature be like in Istanbul? Also since it will not be the tourist season, does that mean we will have fewer choices of hotels etc?

Almas

Your most welcome Almas.

Between December and February, the temperature might be as high as 12-13 Celcius degrees to as low as -2 Celcius degrees. However, in Istanbul it usually sticks around 7-10 degrees by morning and one or two points lower by night. It's all surrounded by sea, so don't worry it won't bee too cold in december in Istanbul.
However, Ankara and surroundings can be as low as 2 degrees by ay and Cappadocia region (the land where Göreme, Ürgüp, Fairy Chimneys lay) is slightly colder than Ankara. It also depends a lot on chance, such as we had a very mild (around 15 by day and 10 by night) december last year (2007) however, it was -2 to -4 by february and a lot of snow. So, I assume, any month besides february is great for weather here, with a little luck, you can even get some sunshine as well. Not sun-till-your-bones-get-dried, but some sunshine that'll get you keep moving.

Turkey is worth a visit. Here, we've a lot of intresting places as well as great deal of history. You'll see with your own eyes how differet culture and cities are as you move west from east and probably suprised, as most of my friends are, with Istanbul and it'll even exceed what you are thinking about it.

I work very close to Cappadocia region (like half-an-hor's drive westwards) so I'll be happy to answer your questions about anywhere in Turkey, with as much as I can. I've been around this country for 15 years.

Delacroix! Am so glad that I found you on this forum. I have so many questions about Turkey. Let me start with a few.
If we plan to travel for a week, flying into Istanbul, what are the cities/places we can visit?
We don't want a frills and fancy vacation. How much should we budget for each day?
I hope you will keep checking this thread. Because I really have many questions

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

[ Edit: Edited on Apr 21, 2008, at 4:28 PM by ama6621 ]

Before you ask too many questions, head over to http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com - most newbie questions about Turkey answered.

Cappadocia can be very cold in winter, it is relatively high up in the middle of the country. The climate is almost continental, if the weather is right it can be freezing and with a ton of snow. It is on a similar geographical height as Washington DC - and you don't exactly expect sun and beach in DC in December either.

for one week, You wont eve see all of Istanbul! its the best city in Europe, besides Berlin!

expect rain.

Another thing: Apart from Istanbul most hotels in Turkey will be closed in December. Dec-March is the time to make renovations. I was in Antalya in Dec 2004 and out of over 400 hotels only 2 were open to tourists. The rest was closed. At all the hotels (even the open ones) major construction was under way - including jackhammers at 2 am.

thank you for your replies t_maia and coldwarspy!

Turkey in december seems out then. Do you folks have any suggestions for a country that we can visit in December in Europe?

Almas

Almas I think I will be going to Turkey as well in December if the temperatures in the Istanbul region are not too low. Since Dec is off peak, I am hoping that the costs will also be significantly lower than the peak tourist season.

DO you have any itinerary in mind?

[ Edit: Edited on Apr 22, 2008, at 1:52 PM by batu00 ]