[jwasbury]

My wife and I flew to Istanbul, then to Izmir. We rented a car at the Izmir airport and drove to Ephesus area (stayed in Selcuk). We used the car for several days and explored the area extensively. Virgin Mary's house, Kusadasi, Sirince, Dilek peninsula Nat'l park, etc.

We unfortunately did not make it to western Turkey (next time). Some of the secondary and tertiary roads in the Ephesus area were sort of twisty, as the area is hilly. The major roads and highways were easy to navigate.

I highly recommend you visit Sirince when you are in the Ephesus area. Its a small village at the end of a country road. They grow olives and wine in the village. The road to Sirince begins in Selcuk. My wife and I liked it so much we went there twice. I sent a co-worker there too and she and her husband said it was one of the highlights of their trip.

Sounds like a great trip you are planning.