Istanbul Pearl

Tour Summary

Istanbul Pearls

5 Days/4Nights

RATES
Available on request

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Istanbul

Arrival Istanbul airport.    Meet and assist  and Transfer from airport  to your hotel.

In case of  early arrival activities upon request.  Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2: Istanbul city Tour

After breakfast  set off to begin unpeeling the layers of Byzantine history. The first stop is The Hippodrome, one of the most famous monuments of Byzantine Constantinople. Many of the great events in the history of the Byzantine Empire took place here. The triumphs of victorious generals and emperors were celebrated in this wide expanse, but its primary function was as a sports center, where the regular program of chariot races and circuses served as a diversion for the people for more than a thousand years.

Hagia Sophia : This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time.

Istanbul  Museum: the Archaeological Museum includes much of the material once displayed in the Byzantine gallery that has been closed for more than a decade.

Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque : Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Hippodrome: Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.

Grand Bazaar : In this labyrinth of streets and passages are more then 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as handpainted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware and meerschaum pipes.

TOPKAPI PALACE : The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 3 : Istanbul Bosphorus cruise & Two Continents

Breakfast . Today Enjoy a magical Istanbul Bosphorus Boat Cruise and Spice Market Tour starting at 08:30. Enjoy the array of sites you can see from the boat including:

Egyptian Bazaar : The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.

Bosphorus Cruise : A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating 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 pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its 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.

Rumeli Fortress : Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.

Beylerbeyi Palace : The summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Bosphorus Bridge : Enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe).

Camlica Hill is highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style.

Shopping at Bedesten (after cruise) Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show.  Overnight in Istanbul.  (Breakfast, lunch)

Day 4 : Dolmabahce Palace – Mosque Complex of Süleyman the Magnificent – Rüstem Paşa mosque

Breakfast. Today  we  will visit  the  amazing  Dolmabahce Palace.

Dolmabahce Palace, the last residence  for Ottoman Sultans with 365 rooms and 22 saloons.   Famous with the great collection of European antiquity furniture and an exquisite 4.5 ton chandelier.   We   will drive to the Third Hill of the city, where the Mosque Complex of Süleyman the Magnificent is located. We also visit the back garden of the mosque to pay our respects at the tombs of Süleyman and Roxelana followed by a visit to the tomb of the master, Sinan himself. Back in the market streets to visit the hidden mosque built for Süleyman’s Vizier, Rüstem Paşa, one of the finest interiors of Istanbul. Lunch .Return to our hotel for overnight.

(Breakfast, lunch)

Day 5

After breakfast check out from your hotel. Transfer to  the  airport  for  depature.

This travel package includes:

• 4 over nights including breakfast
• All tours as mentioned in above itinerary
• All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
• Εntrance fees
• Transportation with a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
• Professional English-speaking tour guides
• Return airport Transfer

This travel package does not include:

International air tickets

Tips

Drinks