DAY 2
Bosphorus Cruise
After breakfast, we continue exploring Istanbul, visiting the Egyptian Spice Bazaar which dates back to the 17th Century. It is still the most popular bazaar visited by locals to shop for fresh ingredients to spice up the dishes prepared in the kitchens of Istanbul.
From here, we continue to Eminonu Pier and board a private boat for a Bosphorus Cruise. We travel through the waterway separating Asia and Europe, seeing the old Ottoman wooden mansions, marble palaces, foreign embassy estates and small fishery villages all located along both the Asian and European sides of this famous river.
We can enjoy our afternoon at leisure to take in more of this wonderful city, perhaps with further sightseeing or a trip back to the Grand Bazaar for some shopping!
We will meet together in the evening for dinner at Harndi Restaurant – which has served its traditional south-eastern kebabs since 1970. It really is the place to go for this famous Turkish dish! This popular restaurant is situated in the historic Eminonu district (west of Sultanahmet) and has a stunning view of the Golden Horn.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
DAY 3
Tour of Istanbul
After breakfast, we begin our day exploring the fascinating city of Istanbul.
We begin at the remains of the Hippodrome, once decorated with marble statuary and columns. In its heyday, it was the site of chariot races and the focal point of the city’s civic life. The remains of some of its walls are still visible as is an obelisk brought from Egypt in 390 AD by Theodosius I.
Adjacent to the Hippodrome is the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Built during the period of 1609-1617, it is also known as the ‘Blue Mosque’ thanks to the light that shines through over 2,500 stained glass windows and reflects onto the dark blue Iznik tiles within. The next stop will be the breathtaking ‘Hagia Sophia’, one of the largest historical Christian shrines ever built with its rich mosaic murals, colossal columns and exposition of divine serenity. Then it’s time to explore the Topkapi Palace where, in the 15th Century, Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror started the first stages of its construction. The famous Topkapi is built around four inter-connecting courtyards. We view the many treasures of the Ottoman sultans, including fine porcelains, gem encrusted objects d’art, traditional armour and imperial costumes, stunning tile work and sacred relics of the Christian and Islamic faiths.
We finish or our day in Istanbul with a visit to the
historical Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s earliest shopping malls. To this day, it maintains its charm and bustle, with its indoor and outdoor sections. We can breathe in the vivacious atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar with a sip of Turkish coffee whilst checking the exciting variety of handcrafted souvenirs!
We will meet together in the evening for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Frequently Asked Questions
