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Grand Tour Turkey (18 Days)
Duration: 18 Days / 17 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Canakkale, Gallipoli,
Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Antalya, Konya,
Cappadocia, Safranbolu
Departure Dates: Everyday
Note: All Turkey tour packages are modular and you can use these itineraries as a starting point and we can help modify this itineraries to accommodate your personal requirements and desires to find your perfect holiday.
DAY 01 – Arrival in Istanbul
Upon clearing customs and immigration, you will be greeted by a company
representative and driven to your hotel. Once you have completed the hotel
check-in, you will be taken for an orientation walk in the surrounding neighborhoods
of your hotel (dependant on your time of arrival). Your first night will
be spent in Istanbul.
DAY 02 – Ottoman and Byzantine Relics
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. Before lunch 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.
DAY 03 – Bosphorous Cruise and Asia 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.
DAY 04 – Drive to Canakkale and 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. The evening is yours to do with as you please, or for those
who wish, there is a screening of the 4 Corners Documentary ‘Fatal Shore’
and the "Gallipoli" movie starring Mel Gibson.
DAY 05 – Troy and Pergamum City 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.
One of the most famous and oldest works of literature, Homers' 'Iliad' was
believed to have take place in Troy. 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.
DAY 06 – 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.
DAY 07 – Aphrodisias and Pamukkale Tour / Bus to Fethiye
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 drive to Marmaris with local intercity bus. On your arrival to Fethiye
Central Bus Station, you will be meet for the transfer your hotel.
DAY 08 – Day at leisure in Fethiye
Breakfast and remainder of day at leisure to swim, catch some sun, relax
by the pool or head into town for some great cafe's, bars and shopping.
DAY 09 – Travel on to Antalya
Breakfast, check-out and transfer to Fethiye Central Bus Station for the
drive 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. Rest of the day will be at leisure.
DAY 10 – 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 the
treasures of Antalya.
DAY 11 – Bus to Konya / Free Day in Konya
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 and transferred to your hotel in Konya. The remainder of
the day will be at your leisure to explore 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.
DAY 12 – Bus to Cappadocia
Your morning is free to spend as you please.before you are transferred to
the Konya Central Bus Station for the intercity day coach to Cappadocia.
Upon arrival in Cappadocia, you will be met and transferred to your hotel,
leaving the remainder of day at your disposal. This evening will offer you
the unique opportunity to sleep in a traditional Cappadocian cave hotel.
DAY 13 – 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.
DAY 14 – 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.
DAY 15 – Day bus to Safranbolu
Upon check-out you will be transfered to Cappadocia central bus station
to board the intercity day coach to Safranbolu via Ankara. 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, a UNESCO World
Heritage site since 1994.
DAY 16 – 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 Old Town is situated in a deep ravine in a fairly dry area in the rain
shadow of the mountains. The town derives its name from saffron, since Safranbolu
was a trading place and a center for growing saffron.
DAY 17 – Day bus 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.
DAY 18 – Transfer to Istanbul Airport
After check-out from your hotel, we will arrange your transfer to Istanbul
International Airport for your return or onward flight.