Daily Highlights of Istanbul

HIPODROME, BLUE MOSQUE, SAINT SOPHIA CHURCH, GRAND BAZAAR

After your breakfast in your Hotel, we drive the “old city” where we will visit the Hippodrome, once upon a time 100.000 specters watching at the chariot races and the gladiator fights was performed on monumentalized courtyard of the building. And the Blue Mosque famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles one of the “master pieces” of Ottoman Empire. Right after we will visit Saint Sophia, which was converted mosque then museum, takes breath away with in sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome. Next, we will visit the spectacular Topkapi Palace. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, these huge complexes command views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It was the seat of Government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852) and we will see the extravagant Treasury, the priceless Chinese Porcelain and the Imperial Terrace with the best panoramic site of the city. And the Grand Bazaar is going to be visited last.

ALL INCLUDED
• Professional tour director at your service throughout the tour.
• Sightseeing as described in the itinerary to include entrance fees.
• Land transportation by private air-conditioned minibus or motor coach depending on group size.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
• Personnel expenses.
• Lunch.
• Customary tips to your guide and to your driver.

2 Days Detailed Istanbul Tour

DAY 1
HIPPODROME, BLUE MOSQUE, SAINT SOPHIA CHURCH, MUSEUM OF TURKISH HISTORY AND ART, GRAND BAZAAR
Following breakfast, we drive the “old city” where we will visit the Hippodrome, once upon a time 100.000 specters watching at the chariot races and the gladiator fights was performed on monumentalized courtyard of the building. And the Blue Mosque famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles one of the “master pieces” of Ottoman Empire. Right after we will visit Saint Sophia. This church-converted mosque-turned museum takes breath away with in sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome and next we will visit the Museum of Turkish History and Art where you will see the very best collection of Turkish world famous Handy craft collection. This was an old palace where the Grand Vizier (Sultan’s Ruler) had lived, who has a tragic story. Then, we are going to walk to visit the Underground Cistern of Roman period where hundreds of the column taken from the ancient cities to reconstruct this architectural masterpiece. It was to provide the water to the city of Constantinople. Finally, Grand Bazaar, which is a most attractive shopping center and the biggest “soak” in the world with nearly 4000 shops. Lunch is included.

DAY 2
DOLMABAHCE PALACE, TOPKAPI PALACE AND HAREM, SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE, SPICE BAZAAR
Today we are starting with the European style Dolmabahçe Palace is full of gold, crystals and the silk carpets was built in the 19′th century where the Great Founder of Turkish Republic Atatürk died in 1938. And after, visit spectacular Topkapi Palace and Harem. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, these huge complexes command views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It was the seat of Government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852) and we will see the extravagant Treasury, the priceless Chinese Porcelain and the Imperial Terrace with the best panoramic site of the city. After lunch, heading to the Süleymaniye Mosque of 16th century is a real masterpiece built by Sinan the Great the most important architecture of our history, which is dedicated in the name of Süleyman the Magnificent. Finally, we are driving to the old city to have a visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every store -front.

ALL INCLUDED
• Professional tour director at your service throughout the tour.
• Lunch.
• Sightseeing as described in the itinerary to include entrance fees.
• Land transportation by private air-conditioned minibus or motor coach depending on group size.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
• Personnel expenses.
• Customary tips to your guide and to your driver.

3 Days All Around Istanbul Tour

DAY 1
HIPPODROME, BLUE MOSQUE, SAINT SOPHIA CHURCH, MUSEUM OF TURKISH HISTORY AND ART, GRAND BAZAAR
Following breakfast, we drive the “old city” where we will visit the Hippodrome, once upon a time 100.000 specters watching at the chariot races and the gladiator fights was performed on monumentalized courtyard of the building. And the Blue Mosque famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles one of the “master pieces” of Ottoman Empire. Right after we will visit Saint Sophia. This church was converted to amosque and later on turned to a museum. It takes breath away with in sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome and next we will visit the Museum of Turkish History and Art where you will see the very best collection of Turkish world famous Handy craft collection. This was an old palace where the Grand Vizier (Sultan’s Ruler) had lived, who has a tragic story. Then, we are going to walk to visit the Underground Cistern of Roman period where hundreds of the column taken from the ancient cities to reconstruct this architectural masterpiece. It was to provide the water to the city of Constantinople. Finally, Grand Bazaar, which is a most attractive shopping center and the biggest “soak” in the world with nearly 4000 shops. Lunch is included.

DAY 2
DOLMABAHCE PALACE, TOPKAPI PALACE AND HAREM, SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE, SPICE BAZAAR
Today we are starting with the European style Dolmabahçe Palace is full of gold, crystals and the silk carpets was built in the 19′th century where the Great Founder of Turkish Republic Atatürk died in 1938. And after, visit spectacular Topkapi Palace and Harem. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, these huge complexes command views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It was the seat of Government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852) and we will see the extravagant Treasury, the priceless Chinese Porcelain and the Imperial Terrace with the best panoramic site of the city. After lunch, heading to the Süleymaniye Mosque of 16th century is a real masterpiece built by Sinan the Great the most important architecture of our history, which is dedicated in the name of Süleyman the Magnificent. Finally, we are driving to the old city to have a visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every store -front.

DAY 3
TURKISH PARADISE BOSPHORUS, CAMLICA HILL, BEYLERBEYI PALACE AND USKUDAR
This morning we are starting with boarding to a regular ferry boat for a relaxing cruise along the shores of legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway that divides Asia and Europe. As you sit back and enjoy Turkish coffee or well-brewed tea from traditional small cups, numerous summer palaces and palatial homes will pass by one other side. Then, we are heading from Europe to Asia by passing over the Bosphorus Bridge and then we are going to drive to the picturesque Camlica Hill to have a look at the one of the best panorama of the country over Istanbul. Then we will visit the Beylerbeyi Palace which was one of the most beautiful European style Royal Ottoman residences with its breathtaking interior atmosphere furnished by those days’ fanciest imperial items such as crystals, silk carpets, velvets and marbles etc. Right after take a look at the local fish market in Üsküdar where you will have a change too see the Europe from Asia this time.( Lunch is included.)

ALL INCLUDED
• Professional tour director at your service throughout the tour.
• Lunch.
• Sightseeing as described in the itinerary to include entrance fees.
• Land transportation by private air-conditioned minibus or motor coach depending on group size.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
• Personnel expenses.
• Customary tips to your guide and to your driver.