Turkey – Grand Tour

Annotation
Turkey – a country at the crossroads of two continents, Asia and Europe, where its location is reflected in the culture, religion, and traditions of its people. Turkey boasts a rich and diverse history that is reflected in numerous monuments across its territory, and in addition to historical landmarks, it also abounds with countless natural beauties. Here begins the vibrant world of the Orient.
Istanbul – Ankara – Göreme – Çavuşin – Uchisar – Derinkuyu – Kaymaklı – Konya – Caravanserai Sultanhani – Perge – Aspendos – Antalya – Pamukkale – Hierapolis – Aphrodisias – Ephesus – Didyma – Priene – Pergamon

Tour Program
Day 1:
Departure from Prague, arrival in Istanbul, accommodation.
Day 2:
ISTANBUL (UNESCO) – a diverse city on two continents with numerous unique Byzantine and Ottoman monuments (Hagia Sophia – the most famous Byzantine church, the Blue Mosque with its slender minarets, the Suleymaniye Mosque – the largest in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace – the official residence of Ottoman sultans, Yerebatan Cistern – an ancient underground water reservoir). Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3:
Completion of ISTANBUL tour. Afternoon transfer to Ankara. Overnight stay.
Day 4:
ANKARA, the capital of Turkey, known for its Archaeological Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5:
The region of CAPPADOCIA – Göreme Valley (UNESCO) and Çavuşin – some of the most significant natural wonders in Turkey, where rainwater has sculpted a fairy-tale world of colorful rock pyramids and various bizarre formations in volcanic tuff, in which people carved out numerous churches, rock monasteries, and cities. Visit the village of Uchisar. Underground city of Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6:
Early morning departure to Konya. Caravanserai Sultanhani, a small fortress that served as protection during trade caravan rests. Tour of KONYA, a significant city for Muslim believers with a famous mosque. Arrival for overnight stay.
Day 7:
TURKISH RIVIERA – visit the ancient Roman city of Perge, with impressive ruins of a significant ancient city, monumental gates, a stadium, ancient baths, and a colonnaded street. ASPENDOS with a uniquely preserved Roman theater. Kursunlu Waterfalls, a series of ponds connected by waterfalls resembling miniature Plitvice Lakes. Tour of the old center of ANTALYA, the most important resort on the southern Riviera. Overnight stay.
Day 8:
Travertine terraces and pools of PAMUKKALE (UNESCO), one of the world’s most interesting natural formations. The ancient city of HIERAPOLIS (UNESCO).
Day 9:
One of the most beautiful ancient sites, APHRODISIAS. Transfer to the Aegean Sea. Overnight stay.
Day 10:
One of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, EPHESUS (UNESCO), an archaeological site with unique ancient buildings, and the ruins of one of the wonders of the world – the Temple of Artemis. DIDYMA, an ancient oracle site. PRIENE, archaeological excavations of an ancient city with a beautiful location. Overnight stay.
Day 11:
PERGAMON, an ancient city with an acropolis on a high rock offering beautiful views. Late evening arrival in Istanbul, overnight stay.
Day 12:
Departure from Istanbul to Prague.

Subheading:
ANTIQUE AND NATURAL MONUMENTS

Subheading:
EXPLORATORY TOUR TURKEY BY AIR 2024

Accommodation Type:
Hotel

Date Information:
TR618-24-1% Supplement for a single woman

Transport:
Flight from Prague to Istanbul and back, travel within the destination by Turkish coach.

Accommodation and Meals:
ACCOMMODATION
11x hotel accommodation – double rooms with amenities
MEALS
11x half board. Other meals are to be covered by personal funds.

Entrance Fees, Payments:
ESTIMATED ENTRANCE FEES (as of 2023) – prices in TL
Currency exchange will be possible at the start of the tour upon arrival at the airport or during the program in Istanbul. You can exchange dollars or euros, and it’s also possible to withdraw with a card from ATMs. In supermarkets, souvenir shops, and most restaurants, paying by card is usually not a problem.
Istanbul – Topkapi Palace – 750 TL + 30 TL for headphones
Istanbul – Hagia Sophia – free
Istanbul – private Bosphorus cruise – 250 TL
Ankara – museum – 280 TL
Göreme Open Air Museum – 480 TL
Kaymaklı Underground City – 300 TL
Aspendos – 340 TL
Perge – 250 TL
Aphrodisias – 280 TL
Pamukkale, Hierapolis – 700 TL
Option for balloon flight over Pamukkale – newly introduced this year – approx. 75 Euros
Ephesus – 700 TL
Didyma – 130 TL
Pergamon – Acropolis – 340 TL
Istanbul – stay city tax – 7 Euros/person
RECOMMENDED POCKET MONEY
We recommend approximately 4,830 TL + 7 € for the city tax for entrance fees. The guide will collect for entrance fees at the start of the tour.
Additional fees are payable on-site in TL according to each client’s interest:
Topkapi Harem – 350 TL
Priene – 90 TL
Kursunlu Waterfalls – approx. 30 TL
Caravanserai Sultanhani – approx. 30 TL
Cable car or taxi to Pergamon – acropolis – approx. 250 TL
Visiting all objects is not mandatory. Additional pocket money according to personal discretion. Entrance fees to visited objects, trams, cable cars, public transport, boats, ferries on island trips are not included in the tour price unless explicitly stated otherwise in the “price includes” section.
Option for a balloon flight in Cappadocia early morning on the 5th or 6th day of the program (approx. one-hour flight over the most beautiful parts of Cappadocia) – approx. 285 Euros (price varies during the season) – reservation required in advance.
In Muslim countries, it is customary to tip for all provided services – porters at the hotel, bus drivers, local guides, receptionists, etc. The guide will collect 20 Euros/person during the tour and will distribute it on behalf of the group.
Estimated Prices:
Water 1.5 l – approx. 15 TL in a supermarket
Local beer in a restaurant – approx. 100-150 TL
Glass of wine in a restaurant – approx. 100-150 TL
Beer in a supermarket – approx. 50 TL
Bottle of wine in a supermarket – approx. 250-400 TL
Tea – approx. 15-20 TL
Fresh orange juice – approx. 60-100 TL depending on size
Bread (white loaf, the most common in Turkey) – approx. 10 TL (200g)
NOTICE
When visiting mosques and other historical sites, shoulders and knees must be covered; otherwise, you may not be allowed entry.

Basic Price Includes:
Air transportation Prague – Istanbul – Prague incl. airport taxes,
transportation by Turkish coach according to the program,
11x accommodation in hotels – double rooms with amenities,
11x half board,
tour guide
Basic Price Excludes:
Entrance fees,
optional services,
and anything else not mentioned in the “Price Includes” section.
Depending on flight schedule changes, the tour may be extended by one day. In such a case, an additional mandatory fee of 25 EUR/person will be charged for an extra overnight stay with breakfast.
Optional Supplement:
Single room 250 EUR (mandatory if not occupied),
comprehensive insurance including higher trip cancellation insurance