Istanbul, Turkish İstanbul, largest city and principal seaport of Turkey. It was the capital of both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire.
The old walled city of Istanbul stands on a triangular peninsula between Europe and Asia. Sometimes as a bridge, sometimes as a barrier, Istanbul for more than 2,500 years has stood between conflicting surges of religion, culture, and imperial power. For most of those years it was one of the most coveted cities in the world.
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL TO ISTANBUL AIRPORT & PRIVATE TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL
Hoşgeldiniz! Welcome to İstanbul! After your private transfer from the airport to your hotel you will have enough time to rest in your hotel, near to the Sultanahmet Square. Enjoy your free time on your first day in İstanbul. Meet your guide for dinner as our guests on your first night, in a traditional restaurant around Sultanahmet Square. Discuss the details of your holiday with your guide at a delicious Turkish dinner.
DAY 2 – HERITAGES OF TWO EMPIRES; BYZANTINE AND OTTOMAN
Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to one of the most famous religious buildings of all times; Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya in Turkish). You will experience the mystic atmosphere in today’s mosque, which was originally a Byzantium church.
Another famous religious place is The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii, in Turkish), known for its blue İznik tiles.
Beside these two important architectural&magnificent examples of Byzantium and Ottoman times, another highlight of the day is The Topkapı Palace, the most famous imoerial residence of the Ottoman Sultans. They ruled the colossal empire more than 400 years from this modest palace.
The Basilica Cistern (or Underground Cistern), a world famous cistern with its gigantic and magical architecture, will take place as one of the precious places on your tour.
DAY 3 – The day starts with a tour in one of the oldest&colourful shopping malls; The Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı), including 4000 shops, which was first built in 1460. If you are enthusiastic about traditional shopping, then there is one more to see; the Egyptian (or Spice) Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı, in Turkish).
After a half day in the Old City and lunch, you will discover the heart of İstanbul, in Beyoglu district. The “Romanesque style” Galata Tower is one of the symbols of İstanbul. It was built in the 14th Century by the Genoese as a watchtower and today used a an exhibition place&museum.
A walk from Galata Tower to İstiklal Street will exhibit you the vivacious life of İstanbul and give the opportunity to see the heart of the city. This street will call up you the heartbeat of a living body; just to describe its function for İstanbul.
DAY 4 – A relaxing day, but still many places to see… Take a private boat cruise on the Bosphorus to see the Ottoman heritages&traces by the Strait. Enjoy your lunch at a seaside restaurant or on the boat. Visit Rumelihisarı and Dolmabahçe Palace in the afternoon.
DAY 5 – Depending on your flight time you may have some free time on your last day in İstanbul. Your private transfer team will take you from your hotel to the airport. Güle güle! Good bye, until next time!
