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Grand Tour of Turkey

with Istanbul extension

Duration: 15 or 17 days
Group size: 15-35
Reviews: 196

Uncover a land where the cultures of two continents collide.

In Turkey, Ottoman domes float against modern skylines. Classic scenes from Greek epics come to life, and bustling bazaars and vibrant street vendors prove variety is the spice of life. From Istanbul to Cappadocia and the ruins of Ephesus, take in the living traditions where East meets West.

Your tour package includes

13 nights in handpicked hotels
13 breakfasts
9 three-course dinners, some with beer or wine
9 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Blue Mosque
Archaeological Site of Troy
Ephesus ruins

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Overnight flight

Board your overnight flight to Istanbul today.

Istanbul2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Istanbul

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Turkey! Arrive in Istanbul—one of the world’s only cities that spans two continents—and meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Istanbul

Included meal: Breakfast

Set off on a tour of Istanbul’s vibrant streets and historic UNESCO World Heritage sites led by your Tour Director.

• Discover the former residence of Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace

• Step inside the Hagia Sophia, which held the title of the world’s largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years

• Explore the Blue Mosque, named for the blue tiles adorning its interior

• Visit the Hippodrome, once considered the social center of ancient Constantinople

Canakkale1 night

Day 4: Canakkale via Troy

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Take a short ferry ride across the Dardanelles Strait and embark on a guided tour of Troy, the city at the heart of Homer’s “Iliad.”

• Explore the Archaeological Site of Troy with a local guide

• See the ruins of the city walls, temples, and buildings

• View a replica of the famous Trojan Horse

After, continue on to Canakkale and sit down for an included dinner.

Ephesus Region2 nights

Day 5: Ephesus Region via Pergamon

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Head south along the Aegean coast to Pergamon.

• Take a cable car to the top of the Acropolis

• Follow your Tour Director as you explore the ancient ruins

• See the Hellenistic theater, Temple of Trajan, and Temple of Athena

Then, travel to the Ephesus region, a historic area on Turkey’s west coast, and sit down for an included dinner.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Ephesus

Included meal: Breakfast

Join your Tour Director on a guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient Greek cities in the Mediterranean region.

• Discover many UNESCO-listed sites, including the elaborate Library of Celsus and the ruins of the Basilica of St. John

• View the Great Theatre, which is still in use today

• Step inside the house where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her final days

Pamukkale2 nights

Day 7: Pamukkale via Sirince

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Head inland and stop in the quaint town of Sirince, known for its wine and olive oil, to get a firsthand look at rural village life.

Later, arrive in Pamukkale and sit down for an included dinner.

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Pamukkale & Hierapolis

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Discover some of the area's natural wonders and ancient ruins on today's guided tour.

• Visit Pamukkale, a popular spa town during the Roman times

• See the town's famous travertines—petrified waterfalls of white stone

• Stop in the nearby city of Hierapolis to see the well-preserved ruins

Enjoy a free afternoon in Pamukkale or add an excursion.

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Aphrodisias

Excursion (additional cost)

Antalya2 nights

Day 9: Transfer to Antalya & sightseeing tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Antalya, where your Tour Director will lead you on a tour of the city.

• Uncover the ruins of Hadrian’s Gate, a remarkably well-preserved triumphal arch

• Walk along the city's waterfront

• Explore the Antalya Museum, an enormous complex with nearly 30,000 antiquities from the Stone Age, Roman, Hellenistic, and Byzantine periods

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 10: Free day in Antalya

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring Antalya at your leisure or add an excursion.

Aspendos & Perge

Excursion (additional cost)

Cappadocia2 nights

Day 11: Cappadocia via Konya

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Cross the Taurus Mountains to visit the mystical center of Konya, the spiritual home of Sufism and the Whirling Dervishes.

• Step inside the Mevlana Museum with your Tour Director

• Learn more about the Dervishes as you tour the museum, which was once their monastery

Continue on to Cappadocia, which is known for its unearthly rock formations, and sit down for an included dinner.

Enjoy a free evening in Cappadocia or add an excursion.

Whirling Dervishes

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Cappadocia

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wander through the Göreme Open-Air Museum, which is comprised of frescoed rock churches dating back to the fourth century.

• See the area's signature geological rock formations, known as fairy chimneys

• Visit a cave village and a rock-carved church

• Stop in Avanos to discover the town's distinctive red-clay pottery

• Make photo stops throughout the day to soak in the dramatic valleys and otherworldly scenery

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Istanbul2 nights

Day 13: Flight to Istanbul

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free morning in Cappadocia or add an excursion.

Then, fly back to Istanbul this afternoon.

Underground City

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 14: Free day in Istanbul

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a free day in Istanbul or add an excursion.

Later, celebrate your trip with your group at a farewell dinner.

Bosphorus Straits Cruise

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 15: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Istanbul.

Extension to Istanbul

The cultural and economic capital of Turkey, Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia—both figuratively and geographically. Once known as Constantinople, this former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires has long been a bustling and cosmopolitan crossroads. Experience the intersection of East and West at the Byzantine-built Hagia Sofya, the Ottoman-era Blue Mosque, and the exotic Topkapi Palace.

Istanbul2 nights

Day 15: Free day in Istanbul

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Istanbul or add an excursion.

Hammam Spa Visit

Excursion (additional cost)

Turkish Cooking Class & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 16: Free day in Istanbul

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Istanbul or add an excursion.

Kadikoy Market Tour & lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 17: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

196

4.8 average

Amazing Experience

12/10/2015 by 5th time traveler Chelsea Q.

Plenty of people thought I was crazy for travelling to Turkey. What is there to do or see in Turkey, everyone asked. The truth is, there is so much you don't even realize it. From Greco-Roman ruins, amazing food experiences, beaches, unreal landscapes and unforgettable sunsets to the incredibly kind...

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Best Tour and Tour Director!!!

12/10/2015 by 3rd time traveler Elsie K.

The Grand Tour of Turkey is a fantastic trip for learning the history and culture of this beautiful country. The itinerary includes numerous historical sights as you travel across the country. Our Tour Director, Selcurk, was very organized, extremely knowledgeable, and possessed a warm and humorou...

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Great experience

11/09/2015 by 8th time traveler Mary L.

I can't tell you how many times we heard from friends that we were crazy to be going to Turkey. I'm so glad I didn't listen to them because we had an absolutely wonderful time. Our Tour Director, Suleyman, was great, knowledgeable, well organized, helpful, great sense of humor - just wonderful. ...

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Fabulous tour with a great director!

10/07/2015 by 6th time traveler Sidney M.

I just returned from this tour. We had a small group(15), so we got to know each other well. Our tour director, Mehmet, was amazing! He knowledge of Turkey kept us entertained and educated during the many bus rides on our tour. The sights in this country are so interesting. Turkey has more Greek rui...

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It appeared that he lacked interest in the group.

08/10/2015 by 7th time traveler Anonymous

The itineraries was excellent. I always feel I have seen the highlights of each place visited. Overall, I will remain a loyal Go Ahead traveler, and one that I will recommend to others. I find that all of my trips have been a wonderful experience with Go Ahead. The restaurants we visited was great ...

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Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Kent Hotel

This modern hotel is located in Istanbul’s Old City. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and a restaurant and bar. Nearby, you’ll find the Blue Mosque, Hagia Soph...

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Kolin Hotel

This upscale hotel is located in the city of Çanakkale. Guests enjoy a spa, sand beach, and indoor and outdoor pools. Nearby, you’ll find the Galipoli...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Turkey, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
In order to enter Turkey, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain an electronic visa through the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to arrival. E-visas can be purchased at theTurkishMinistryof Foreign Affairs website.Passport control officers at ports of entry can verify your e-visain their systems. However, we advise keeping either a digital or hard of your e-visain case of any system failures.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 2.5 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets, dirt paths, and wooden platforms, with some hills and steps.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of ferries.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Istanbul. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A ferry from Istanbul to Troy and a flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul are included in the price of your tour.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. Please note that temperatures will dip with changes in elevation throughout your tour.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended for outdoor activities.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit mosques or other religious sites with bare legs or shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Turkey.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure, the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may be banned in Turkey. Importing these drugs can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to departure to ensure that any drugs you may want to bring with you are legal in Turkey.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to goaheadtours.com and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

In Turkey, breakfast typically consists of sourdough bread with sheep’s cheese and olives, as well as jam or honey. A midday meal or dinner often starts with a meze, which is a plate of varied appetizers like cheese pastry rolls, pickled vegetables, and potato fritters. On the coast, fish is an excellent choice, especially tuna, turbot, and sardines. Meat eaters should try lamb kebabs, available in a wide variety of types, each with a different sauce or dressing. The national drink is tea, but don't miss out on the strong and rich Turkish coffee.

Electricity & air conditioning

Turkey operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in Turkish hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Turkey is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm in Turkey.

Currency

You will use the Turkish lira on tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

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13 Departures

Tour prices are per person, before flights from your departure city, and based on two travelers per hotel room. Tour prices include on-tour flights where applicable.