ST.
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.
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. |
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GRAND COVER 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. |
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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.
SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE The mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent
was built between 1550 and 1557 by the famous architect Sinan whose wish was to surpass
the builders of St. Sophia which is conspicuous from its great size, emphasized by
the four minarets rising one from each corner of the courtyard. |
CLOSED
St. Sophia - Turkish &
Islamic Arts Museum on Monday / Replaced
with Underground Cistern. Topkapi Palace on Tuesday / Replaced
with Beylerbeyi Palace |
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ST.SOPHIA
BLUE MOSQUE
HIPPODROME
GRAND COVERED BAZAAR
LUNCH
TOPKAPI PALACE
SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE |
Also visioned during the tours:
Aquaduct of Valens, Obelisk of
Theodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II, Galata Bridge, Golden Horn |
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BOSPHORUS ON PRIVATE BOAT
OPERATES BETWEEN 1 JULY - 30 SEPTEMBER (WITH REGULAR BOAT BETWEEN 1 OCTOBER - 30 JUNE)
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SPICE
BAZAAR:(Egyptian
Bazaar)
The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme
and every other concievable herb and spice. |
BEDESTEN exhibits the traditional silk
weaving courses carpet weaving courses authorized by the Ministry of National Education.
Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts center and leatherware show. Free time provided
for shopping. |
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BOSPHORUS ON BOAT A traditional excursion by boat along
the waterway seperating 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 pavillions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace,
300 meters of is 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 Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military
architecture anywhere in the world. |
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BEYLERBEYI
PALACE The summer
residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the
HAREM on the ASIAN.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE Unique chance to step from one continent (ASIA)
to another (EUROPE)
CAMLICA HILL The highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you
can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the
beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style.
SHOPPING POSSIBILITY AT BEDESTEN exhibits the traditional silk
weaving girls at the carpet weaving courses authorized by the Ministry of National
Education Possibility to see jewellery, handicrafts center and leatherware show. Free time
provided for shopping. |
CLOSED
Spice Bazaar on Sunday
Beylerbeyi Palace on Monday & Thursday / Replaced
with Chora Church and Eyup Mosque. / Rumeli Fortress on Wednesday |
SPICE
BAZAAR
BOSPHORUS ON BOAT
RUMELI FORTRESS
BEYLERBEYI PALACE
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE
CAMLICA HILL
SHOPPING - BEDESTEN |
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Cruise
in MARMARA SEA to PRINCES' ISLANDS, retreats for the
Byzantine princes are famous for their beautiful pine woods and beaches. The largest and
most enjoyable of the islands is Buyukada. There you can enjoy a ride in a horsedrawn
carriage among the |
pine trees after relaxing on the beaches
in the numerous coves of its coast. Evening return to Istanbul and transfer to hotels. |
8 Dinner Cruise Bosphorus By Night |
Operates Between 1 June - 30 September |
An enchanted
night cruise starts while you sip your welcome drink as the sun sets on Istanbul. Beneath
the BOSPHORUS BRIDGE by moonlight, glide past the CIRAGAN PALACE, nowadays Hotel
Kempinski, DOLMABAHCE PALACE on European shores, and the BEYLERBEYI PALACE, Kanlica and
ANATOLIAN FORTRESS on Asian shores. Arich variety of open buffet dishes, specialities of
Turkish cuisine and barbeque, unlimited local drinks. The twinkling lights of the European
shores from Bebek to Bebek.
Transfer to
hotels before good night Istanbul.
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ALSO VISIONED DURING THE TOUR
Topkapi Palace - Leander's
tower -Uskudar
from sea |
Click here to see more... |