ISTANBUL PACKAGES

Our prices include the following:

• Accommodation on bed and breakfast basis 

• Both arrival and departure transfers

• One full day tour with lunch (Guidance in English)

  A full day tour at the Old City where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture constructed as a basilica in 536 by Emperor Justinian (Closed on Mondays; replaced with a visit to the Kariye Museum - St. Savior in Chora); Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its more than 20.000 blue Iznik tiles and unique with its 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet in the 17th century, one of the best examples of classical Turkish art; Hippodrome, the scene of Byzantine chariot races, athletic events, victory celebrations, and political activities of the old city where one can also see today the “Obelisk of Theodosius” from Egypt, “Serpentine Column” from Delphi, the “German Fountain of Wilhelm II” and the “Colossus”. After the visit to Grand Covered Bazaar (Closed on Sundays), the most attractive shopping center in the world with nearly 4000 shops, time for lunch. In the afternoon, proceed to Topkapi Palace - Harem section is excluded - (Closed on Tuesdays; replaced with a visit to the Archaeological Museum), built in 1468 by Mehmet the Conqueror, the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans housing the souvenirs of 600 years and exhibiting imperial treasury, Chinese porcelains, weapons, calligraphy section, etc. The last visit will be to the Suleymaniye Mosque, masterpiece of Sinan, the chief architect of the Ottoman Empire, built in the name of the Sultan Suleyman, the Magnificent, during the 16th. century, considered as the best amongst the imperial mosques. Return to the hotel or the pier (L).

• One half day Bosphorus tour (Guidance in English)

  A morning tour to visit the aromatic Spice Bazaar (Closed on Sundays) from 1663 with its domed and vaulted shops selling spices and herbs along with a wide variety of commodities, also known as Egyptian Bazaar as it was once endowed with the Cairo imposts. Then proceed to the pier so as to embark the boat. Sailing through the waterway separating the two continents - Asia and Europe - with a possibility to take pictures of the marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residentials. During this trip Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges as well as Rumelian Fortress, historical armament built by the Conqueror in 1452 to control and protect Bosphorus, will be visible from the sea. Leaving the boat and getting into the coach to get back to the city (No lunch is served in this tour / Regular government ferry (on seat-in-coach basis) or a private boat can be used depending on weather conditions and the number of the participants on both private and regular Bosphorus tours).

• Taxes

Our costing is based on the following hotels: Inka Hotel (3 star), Marble Hotel (4 star), The Marmara Hotel (5 star). If other hotels are requested then the discrepancy between the requested hotels and those quoted above will be taken into consideration.