ItineraryIstanbul
VISIT 1 - ISTANBUL IN STYLE view schedule
VISIT 2 - ISTANBUL ON BUDGET view schedule
Visit 1- ISTANBUL IN STYLE
Check what's included in the price here
DAY 1:
Arrival at Ataturk airport and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2:
In the morning depart from the hotel and visit the Spice Bazaar, near the Galata Bridge just by the entrance of Golden Horn. Then embark on a boat for a memorable cruise along the straits of Bosphorus, see many fascinating pavilions, palaces and classical wooden Turkish houses by the water. Disembark at Sariyer and then cross to Asiatic side of Istanbul and visit Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens. Drive up to Nakkaitepe Hill for a panoramic view of Istanbul and return to your hotel.
DAY 3:
In the morning depart from the hotel for a full day sightseeing. Visit the Hippodrome area, the remnant of an arena built in the reign of Septimus Severus. From here proceed to the 17th century Blue Mosque, so called due to its more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior walls. Then to St. Sophia, which was Christendom’s greatest church built by the emperor Justinian and is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. After visiting St.Sophia discover the Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans from 15th to 19th centuries. At the end of the tour visit the world famous Grand Bazaar area. Return to your hotel.
DAY 4:
In the morning depart from the hotel, we will drive following the Theodosius City Walls and arrive at Kariye. Visit the Chora Museum-Church of St.Saviour in Chora, see the well preserved frescoes and mosaics depicting scenes from the Bible. Then continue to Süleymaniye and visit the Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent, built by the great architect Sinan. Afternoon, drive along the Golden Horn and visit Eyüp Mosque. Then drive up to Galata district to visit Galata tower, view the Bosphorus and the historical peninsula over the tower. Return to your hotel after the tour.
DAY 5:
Transfer to Ataturk airport for your return flight.
Visit 2- ISTANBUL ON BUDGET
- 1st to 5th April 2010–BOOK NOW FOR EASTER 2010!
- 24th to 28th June 2010
Check what's included in the price here
DAY 1:
Arrival and transfer to the Hotel where you'll have the chance to recover from the trip and meet the other women joining us.
DAY 2:
Today we will visit the historic centre accompanied by an English speaking official guide who will help us to travel back in time to Istanbul's rich past whilst visiting world famous sites like Hagia Sophia,The Blue Mosque or Topkapi Palace. We'll also visit the Gran Bazaar, a maze of alleys teeming with stores and people and still holding on to the title of the World's biggest covered market. For those wishing to relax in true Turkish style and end the historic tour day accordingly, a visit to a XVI century hamam is highly recommended ( not included in the price ).
DAY 3:
Today is modern Istanbul day. We'll cross Galata bridge to go to the north of the Golden Horn and walk around Beyoglu and Pera neighbourhoods where we can mingle with Istanbulites and enjoy the many stores, bars, venues, cafes and little streets including Balik Pazari, a beautiful narrow pedestrian street packed with street vendors, fishmongers, fruit stalls, restaurants and leading to Nevizade, an area packed with terraces where young and old Istanbulites enjoy seeing and beeing seen. You can also climb to the top of gorgeous Galata Tower ( entry fee not included in the price) to enjoy a stunning bird's view of Istanbul both Asia and Europe sides.
DAY 4:
Today is Bosphorus day. We'll be taking the boat at Eminonu at the south side of the Golden Horn and cruising towards the Black Sea, flanked by Asia and Europe we'll have the chance to see Palaces, yalis ( wooden mansions), a floating private club with swimming pool included, open air concert venues, delightful former fishermen villages, boats swaying in the tranquil waters of their natural ports...The boat will be stopping at Kanlica, famous for its yoghourt ( a Turkish invention) and we'll be able ( lactose allergies permitting) to buy one from the vendors joining the boat – a timeless Istanbulite tradition.
We'll alight on the Asian side and will walk towards the ruins of Anadolu Kavagi castle to enjoy a magnificent view of the blue Bosphorus as it joins the Black Sea. On the way down we'll be enjoying lunch in one of the terraced restaurants whilst we take in the jawdropping Bosphorus landscape.
If there's still some energy left, a stop at Beyoglu for a drink before going back to the Hotel is highly recommended. Time to celebrate a memorable trip and exchange numbers!
DAY 5:
Transfer to Ataturk airport.
