The fabled capital of three great empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, Istanbul is steeped in almost 3,000 years of history. The greatest concentration of landmarks is found in Istanbul’s oldest district, Sultanahmet, an awe-inspiring expanse of leafy parks, Byzantine cathedrals, Greek statuary, bustling bazaars and imposing mosques with towering, slender minarets.
Sample Program
DAY 1 – Arrival to Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul. Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel. Today is at leisure and overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 2 – You will picked up from your hotel for FULL DAY BYZANTIAN & OTTOMAN RELICS TOUR
Visiting;
Hagia Sophia
The former spiritual heart of the Byzantine Empire, considered to be the 8th Wonder of the World, Hagia Sophia is now a museum. Blue Mosque: Dating from the 17th century, an architectural masterpiece famed for its exquisite blue tiles and six elegant minarets.
Hippodrome
Once the site of Roman chariot racing and Janissary uprisings, this historic square also contains an Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and ornamental fountain presented to the Sultan by German Emperor Wilhelm II.
Grand Bazaar
An exotic maze of narrow alleys, stunning architectural details and hundreds of shops selling a rich assortment of handmade carpets, gold, silver, leather and other precious goods.
Topkapi Palace
The seat of Ottoman power for three centuries and imperial residence of the Sultans, the Palace also houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, religious artifacts, and other priceless relics.
Suleymaniye Mosque
Overlooking the Golden Horn a short distance from Sultanahmet, this mosque complex once included a soup kitchen, hammam, caravanserai and primary school. This tour may be done all or partially as a walking tour. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3 – You will picked up from your hotel for BOSPHORUS CRISE & TWO CONTINENTS TOUR
Visiting;
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 İstanbul where the first colonies settled during the Byzantine. 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, 21 kms. long City Walls, the strongest fortification of the middle age.
Spice Bazaar
Located at Eminonu behind the New Mosque(Valide Sultan Mosque). It was constructed by Turhan Sultan in 1660 as a pious foundation attached to New Mosque.
Cruise By Boat
A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating 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 pavillions 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.
The Bosphorus Bridge
Also called the First Bosphorus Bridge (Turkish: Boğaziçi Köprüsü or 1. Boğaziçi Köprüsü) is a bridge in Istanbul, Turkey spanning the Bosphorus strait (Turkish: Boğaziçi)The bridge is located between Ortaköy (European side) and Beylerbeyi (Asian side). It is a gravity anchored suspension bridge with steel pylons and inclined hangers. The aerodynamic deck is hanging on zigzag steel cables. It is 1,510 m long with a deck width of 39 m. The distance between the towers (main span) is 1,074 m (World rank: 13th) and their height over road level is 105 m. The clearance of the bridge from sea level is 64 m. It was the 4th longest suspension bridge in the world when completed in 1973, and the longest outside the United States of America.
Beylerbeyi Palace
Built by Sarkis Balyan Usta by order of Sultan Abdulaziz in 1865. It is on the Asian coast of Bosphorus, which was constructed, in the same style as the Dolmabahce Palace.
Camlica Hill
The highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphourus from the beautiful gardens, Iandscaped in traditional style.If you climb great Pine Mountain 268m. above sea-level,you will have the opportunity to look over the Golden Horn Sea of Marmara. End of the tour transfer back to hotel and overnight.
DAY 4– Departure home
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport for departure