quick-inquiry

Day 01: Arrival in Istanbul

• Arrival to Istanbul New Airport and, meet & greet and transfer to your hotel by regular transfer.
• Lunch & Dinner at Indian Restaurant.
• Overnight in Istanbul (LD).

Day 02: Istanbul

• Breakfast at the hotel and than meet the guide at the lobby of your hotel for Full Day Istanbul Classics and Highlights Tour.
• You will begin the day with Roman Hippodrome, where the chariot races were organised by the Romans and Byzantines. Blue Mosque-the only mosque with six minarets and its surroundings will be our next place to visit. Next, you will see the German Fountain – a gift of Kaiser Wilhelm 2. And listen the stories of his liaison with the orient. Hagia Sophia – The Church of Divine Wisdom is the highlight of this day. Following the visits your guide will take you the Grand Bazaar for demonstration of Turkish Handicrafts. Than, Topkapi Museum is the big one…the most important museum of Turkey and the Balkan Peninsula. It is an incomparably rich treasurechest, brimming with things of historical importance. First, second, third and fourth courtyards; the Audience Hall, Divan-the High Court, Historical Kitchens, Royal Stables, the Treasury, gardens, kiosks…Probably the best commentary on Ottoman History, art and its culture is simply to come direct to the First Courtyard of this amazing Palace. Next place to see is Hagia Irene Church (from outside). Our final place of interest are Caferaga Medresseh and Sogukcesme Street. To see these things with a great guide…well, you will never be quite the same again.
• Dinner at Indian Restaurant.
• Overnight in Istanbul (BLD).

Day 03: Istanbul

• Golden Horn (from the bus), the arm of the Bosphorus and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula separating the old and the new parts of Istanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantines. The residential area for Byzantine Jews, Italian traders and other non-muslim minorities. Drive along the traces of history at Balat viewing Metal Church of St. Stephen the Bulgarian, Jewish Hospital (Or-Ahayim), Fener Orthodox Patriarchate and 22 kms. Long Byzantine City Walls, the strongest fortification of the middle age. Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers, etc. Bosphorus Cruise, through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials and luxurious apartments. Rumeli Fortress (from the boat – no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture.
• Lunch at Indian Restaurant.
• Dolmabahçe Palace, recent residence for Ottoman Sultans built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos.
• Balyan on a 110.000 m² area and served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Famous with great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls. Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes. Camlica Hill, exposing a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the best point of view.
• Dinner at Indian Restaurant.
• Overnight in Istanbul (BLD).

Day 04: Istanbul

• Cruise in the Marmara Sea to Princes’ Islands by Maritime Lines boat. Stop at Büyükada, the popular summer resort with pinewood scenery, once the pleasure island of Byzantine Princes. Tour of the island by horse-drawn carriages before lunch at local fish restaurant.
• Evening return to Istanbul and transfer to hotels.
• Dinner at Indian Restaurant.
• Overnight in Istanbul (BLD).

Day 05: Istanbul – Home

• After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Istanbul New Airport for your flight back to home.