Depart from your hotel in the morning. Visit ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where
once chariots ran and thousands of Byzantines cheered them. Some of the
important monuments of the Hippodrome are; Egyptian Obelisk dating back to 16th
century B.C., Serpentine Column from 5th century B.C., and the Stone Obelisk
erected in 10th century A.D. Than you visit the Blue Mosque built in the 17th
century and famous for its six minarets and beautiful Iznik tiles as interior
decoration. It's still in use by the Moslems and is the most important mosque in
Istanbul. After that you'll visit Hagia Sophia Church, glory of the Byzantine
Empire, built in the 6th century and houses magnificent gold-leafed mosaics. The
Church was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople
in the 15th century and than into a museum after the Republic. At the end you'll
pay a visit to world famous Grand Bazaar for your shopping of incredible goods.
Full Day City Highlights Tour with lunch
Depart from your hotel in the morning. Visit ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where
once chariots ran and thousands of Byzantines cheered them. Some of the
important monuments of the Hippodrome are; Egyptian Obelisk dating back to 16th
century B.C., Serpentine Column from 5th century B.C., and the Stone Obelisk
erected in 10th century A.D. Than you visit the Blue Mosque built in the 17th
century and famous for its six minarets and beautiful Iznik tiles as interior
decoration. It's still in use by the Moslems and is the most important mosque in
Istanbul. After that you'll visit Hagia Sophia Church, glory of the Byzantine
Empire, built in the 6th century and houses magnificent gold-leafed mosaics. The
Church was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople
in the 15th century and than into a museum after the Republic. After lunch
you'll visit Topkapi Palace, once the residence of the Ottoman Sultans located
on a hilltop dominating the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Today it's used as a
museum where precious displays such as Porcelains, Crystals, Sultan's costumes,
Books, Portraits, and Diamonds can be visited. At the end you'll pay a visit to
world famous Grand Bazaar for your shopping of traditional goods. Transfer back
to your hotel at the end of the day.
Full Day Bosphorus & Asia with lunch
Depart from your hotel in the morning. Visit the Egyptian Bazaar known as Spice
Market to smell and buy hundreds of lively colored spices; you can also explore
small street markets around it. Then take a ferry to start your cruise on the
Bosphorus Strait, while sailing along the European and Asian shores enjoy
viewing Ottoman Palaces, Fortresses, Ottoman wooden houses, Suspension bridges,
and fishermen. After this lovely cruise, lunch in a restaurant along the
Bosphorus. After lunch take the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge and set your
foot on Asian Continent with a pleasant panoramic drive viewing residential
areas of the city. Visit also Beylerbeyi Palace on this side, which was the
summer residence of the last Ottoman Sultans for many years until the Republic.
Today it's used as a museum housing original furniture, curtains and carpets
showing luxurious life of the ancient rulers. Transfer back to your hotel at the
end of the day.
Belly Dancing Dinner Show
Depart from your hotel in the evening for a famous Turkish dinner-show in a well
known nightclub. This evening you'll enjoy Turkish folk dances of various
regions, belly dancers, music & singers. Half bottle of local wine per person
will be included with your dinner. Transfer back to your hotel around midnight.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
*
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays; St. Sophia is closed on Mondays;
Beylerbeyi is closed on Mondays & Thursdays; Grand Bazaar & Spice Market are
closed on Sundays & Turkish holidays. On these specific days above mentioned
museums/sites will be replaced with others
* For groups 25+ pax there will be a private boat
for the Bosphorus cruise
* All tours include pick-up & drop-off from/to
hotels, A/C car/van/bus depending on the size of the group
* All tours exclude beverages during meals (except for Belly Dancing night as
described in the itinerary)
ALL TRAVEL SERVICES ARE BEEN ARRANGED BY A GOVERNMENT LICENSED
& RELIABLE TRAVEL AGENCY
Go
to my Homepage