GRAND TOUR TURKEY (18 Days)

In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330-395), the Byzantine Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Cultu

Didyma, on the west coast of Turkey, was an important sacred site in the ancient Greek world. Its famous oracle and Temple of Apollo attracted crowds of pilgrims and was second in importance only to Delphi.

The Cappadocia region is largely underlain by sedimentary rocks formed in lakes and streams, and ignimbrite deposits erupted from ancient volcanoes approximately 9 to 3 million years ago (late Miocene to Pliocene epochs).

Safranbolu was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1994 due to its well-preserved Ottoman era houses and architecture.

Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Canakkale, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Safranbolu
Operates: All year-around
Package Rate: Please fill the form and tell us your travel dates & choice of hotels
Optional Tours: Turkish Bath (Hamam), Hot Air Balloon, Turkish Night Show & Whirling Dervishes
Note: Grand Tour Turkey is insuranced by TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies)

DAY 01 – Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul, the city of two continents, you will be greeted by Veni Vidi Travel representative with Turkish hospitality & accompanied during your transfer to the hotel, where you will be briefed by your travel consultant with the remainder of day at leisure to relax &/or check out the city. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 02 – Garden of Emperors Tour (Meals: Breakfast)
Your day will commence with a visit to the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where you will tour the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Fountain of Wilhelm II, the elegant Blue Mosque famous with its heavenly six minarets and the Hagia Sophia Museum. Then you will have a visit to the Underground Cistern, which known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period. Lunch will be served at Topkapi Palace, in a restaurant with panoramic view of the Bosphorus, Asia & Europe. After lunch you will be guided to visit the residence and administrative center of the Ottoman Sultans. Historical tour of Istanbul will conclude with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, exploring a labyrinth of streets and passages housing more than 4,000 shops. After the tour you will be leaded back to your hotel.

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 – Istanbul / Departure
After check-out from your hotel, we will arrange your transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your return or onward flight

Please take note of the following:
* We aim to respond to all requests within 24 hrs. We are happy to modify the itinerary upon request
* Smoking is not permitted in our tours but all tours make frequent stops

What's Included:
* Hotel accommodations in choice of preferred class
* Professional Guide 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 minivans
* Required coach tickets
* Local taxes & handling services

What's NOT Included:
* International flights to/from Turkey and personal travel insurance, any other expenses not noted in the above included section or airport tax, visa for Turkey (if required), any tips to guide, driver or staff at hotels, items of a personal nature, hotel extras (minibar, telephone/internet usage, laundry, etc), drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast) and medical services.