DAY 1 / Welcome to Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours free to explore. Overnight Istanbul.
DAY 2 / Istanbul Full Day Tour
Today, your choice of the Historic Old City Tour OR Bosporus Cruise and Two Continents Tour. Overnight Istanbul (Includes Breakfast and Lunch).
Option 1: Historic Old City Tour
Sultanahmet Center: The heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled.
Hagia (St.) Sophia: One of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian.
Blue Mosque: Facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue Iznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultanahmet.
Hippodrome: Center of sportive (chariot races, athletics) events and political activities of the old city. Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating Hippodrome.
Grand Covered Bazaar: Most attractive shopping center and biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jeweler, gold, carpets, leather ware and souvenirs.
Break for Lunch
Topkapi Palace: Imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc... Treasury and Harem sections are not included in the program and are due to extra entry.
Suleymaniye Mosque: Masterpiece of Sinan, the chief architect of the Ottoman Empire, built in the name of Suleyman The Magnificent during the 16th century, considered as the best amongst the imperial mosques.
Option 2: Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour
City Walls: The first breach of the walls was by the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the second by the cannons and troops of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in 1453.
Drive by bus to Golden Horn: As natural and extremely secure harbor, the Golden Horn has played an important role in the development of Istanbul. The inlet separates the European shore into two. It is approximately 8 km long, and the widest part is the entrance from the Bosporus. Two streams drain into this inlet at its far end.
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar): The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
Boat Trip on The Bosporus: A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
Rumeli Fortress (from the sea: no interior visit), Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to control and protect Bosporus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
Break for Lunch
Beylerbeyi Palace: The summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the HAREM on the ASIAN.
Bosporus Bridge: Unique chance to step from one continent (ASIA) to another (EUROPE)
Camlica Hill: The highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style.
Shopping Possibility at Bedestan: exhibits the traditional silk weaving girls at the carpet weaving courses authorized by the Ministry of National Education Possibility to see jeweler, handicrafts center and leather ware show. Free time provided for shopping.
DAY 3 / Istanbul
After breakfast our tour concludes (Includes Breakfast).
