Grand Tour Turkey (21 Days & 20 Nights)
Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Marmaris, Blue Cruise, Fethiye, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara, Safranbolu
Operates: May 01st / October 15th - By coach
Package Rate: Please fill the form and tell us your travel dates & choice of hotels
Optional Tours: Turkish Bath (Hamam), Hot Air Balloon, Whirling Dervishes Performance
Note: Grand Tour Turkey is isinsuranced by TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)
Day 1 Arrival in Istanbul
Upon clearing customs and immigration, you will be greeted by a company representative and driven to your hotel. Your first night will be spent in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 Ottoman & Byzantine Relics Tour
Your second day will be filled with sightseeing in Istanbul, beginning with a visit to the Hippodrome, then onto the Obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine Column from Delphi, the Fountain of Wilhelm II and the Colossus. Your tour continues with a visit to St.Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Then you will visit Istanbul’s bustling Grand Bazaar, after which you will proceed on to Topkapi Palace and conclude today with a visit to the Rustem Pasha Mosque. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 Bosphorous Cruise & Asian Istanbul Tour
The morning begins with a visit to the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar), after which you will board the ferry at Eminonu Harbour. The Bosphorus ferry will take you from the European to Asian shores of Istanbul city. From there you will travel over the Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge and along to Camlica Hill, the highest hill in Asiatic Istanbul where you will enjoy breathtaking views of two shores. You will return to Europe with a stop at Dolmabahce Palace. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 Travel on to Canakkale / Gallipoli Memorials Tour
Check out early this morning and begin your travel to Eceabat. On arrival you will break for lunch before visiting the Gallipoli Battlefields and Memorials Tour. The guide will escort you to the Kabatepe Museum, ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly (Turkish & Allied trenches and tunnels), The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. After sightseeing you will take the car ferry to Canakkale and then be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 5 Troy & Pergamum Tour
Today you will travel to Troy, a city which has existed for over 4000 years, famous for the Trojan War’s that occurred during the sixth and seventh centuries. You will then travel to Pergamum to visit the Acropolis, an impressive structure that houses the Temple of Trajan, the Heroon Shrine, the Sanctuary of Athena and the Altar of Zeus. From here your tour will stop at the Theater and the Library of Pergamum, whose collection came second only to that of Egypt's Alexandria. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6 Ancient Ephesus Sightseeing Tour
Your destination for today is the Ancient City of Ephesus, one of the best preserved Greco-Roman Cities in the world. After a relaxing lunch, your tour will depart for the House of Virgin Mary, where she is said to have spent the last of her days. The tour also includes a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple and with time permitting, a visit to the old Greek Village of Sirince. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 7 Aphrodisias & Pamukkale Tour / Travel to Marmaris
After check-out you will begin you journey to Aphrodisias, where numerous explorations have yielded important discoveries, including an unprecedented array of well-preserved buildings and splendid sculptures from the Greco-Roman period. From here you will continue the day with visit to Pamukkale, the home of the hot springs known as "cotton castles". At the end of the tour the guide will transfer you to Denizli Central Bus Station for the intercity coach to Marmaris. You will be met in Marmaris bus station, for the transfer to gulet. Overnight stay onboard Gulet.
Day 8 Sailing Marmaris to Fethiye
Today begin the sailing adventure along the coast of Turkey. After breakfast, first stop is Ekincik. Here you will have the chance to visit Dalyan and ancient city of Caunos, mud baths, Koycegiz River and Iztuzu Lagoon, home of Caretta Caretta turtles. Lunch, dinner and overnight in Ekincik.
Day 9 Blue Cruise Turkey
Sail through Kurdoglu and break for lunch in Manastir Bay. Dinner and overnight is spent onboard the gulet in Bedri Rahmi Bay.
Day 10 Blue Cruise Turkey
After breakfast cruise between Gocek's bays. Dinner and overnight in spent at Yassica Islands.
Day 11 Disembark in Fethiye
Breakfast in Yassica Islands then sail to Fethiye. Lunch onboard after which it is time to say farewell to your fellow cruise mates. (Note: This cruise can be extended to a total of 7 Days if you have more time available). Disembark and transfer to your hotel with the remainder of day at your leisure. Overnight in Fethiye.
Day 12 Travel to Antalya
Breakfast, check-out and transfer to Fethiye central bus station for the coach to Antalya with local intercity midibus. On your arrival to Antalya central bus station, you will be meet for the transfer to your hotel in Antalya. Remainder of the day will be at your leisure to explore the Old Town. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 13 Mediterranean Jewels Tour
The tour today begins with a visit to Perge, an important city of ancient Pamphylian, Perge was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. St. Paul preached some of his first sermons here. You will then proceed to Aspendos one of the best preserved theatres in the world with seating for 15,000. Nearby stand the remains of a basilica, agora and one of the largest aqueducts in Anatolia. It is commonly believed that Aspendos was founded by colonist from Argos. Your evening will be free to discover Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 14 Travel to Konya / Konya Tour / Travel to Cappadocia
After check-out from your hotel you will be transferred to the Antalya central bus station, to board the intercity day coach to Konya. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your tour guide for the tour of Konya, the capital of the Seljuk Turks in the 13th century and home of the Mevlana Museum is also known for its theological school of whirling dervishes. After the tour you will take the coach to Cappadocia with early evening arrival. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 15 North Cappadocia Tour with Goreme
Your journey today begins with a visit to Devrent Valley and then onto Monk's valley (Pasabagi) where you will find the world famous fairy chimneys. After lunch in Avanos your tour continues on to the Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock carved churches and monasteries. Next stop, the panoramic views of Esentepe and on to the natural rock citadel of Uchisar. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 16 South Cappadocia Tour with Ihlara Valley
Another full day touring begins with a visit to the famous Derinkuyu Underground City, eight floors at a depth of approximately 85m. Afterwards your tour will take a short hike through the green Ihlara Valley stopping in Belisirma for lunch and on to Selime for a panoramic view of the Ihlara Canyon. During the tour there will have a stop at the Agzikarahan Caravansarai. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 17 Travel to Ankara / Ankara City Tour
Upon check-out you will be transfered to Cappadocia central bus station to board the intercity day coach to Ankara. On arrival in Ankara, you will be greeted by your guide. Today you will visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is located in a restored bazaar. The museum has the most unique and priceless collection dating back to the Prehistoric Era. The Mausoleum of Ataturk is the next stop. We will also visit the citadel of Ankara for a view. Overnight in Ankara.
Day 18 Travel to Safranbolu
Upon check-out you will be transfered to Ankara central bus station to board the intercity day coach to Safranbolu. On arrival in Safranbolu, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel with your evening free to discover the Old and New Towns of Safranbolu. Overnight in Safranbolu.
Day 19 Day at leisure in Safranbolu
Today is at your disposal to further explore Safranbolu. The Old Town preserves many old buildings, with over 1000 registered historical artifacts as well as a large number of ancient settlements, rock tombs and historical bridges. The town derives its name from saffron, since Safranbolu was a trading place and a center for growing saffron. Overnight in Safranbolu.
Day 20 Travel to Istanbul
Check-out from your hotel where you will be met and transferred to Safranbolu central bus station. From here you will board the intercity day coach to Istanbul (approximately 5 hours travel). On arrival in Istanbul, you will transferred to your hotel with the remainder of the evening to explore the only city in the world that overlaps both the Asian and European continents, Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 21 Istanbul / Home
After check-out, we will arrange for the transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your onward flight.
What's Included:
* Hotel accommodations in choice of preferred class
* Professional Tour Guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
* Noted sightseeing tours on regular group or private guided basis
* Main entrance fees to sights mentioned by the itinerary
* Meals mentioned by the itinerary - Vegeterian meals available
* Required land transport including roundtrip airport transfers with A/C non-smoking minivans
* Coach tickets (Pamukkale-Marmaris / Fethiye-Antalya-Konya-Cappadocia-Ankara-Safranbolu-Istanbul)
* Local taxes & handling services