Highlights of This Tour:
The fabled capital of three great empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, Istanbul is steeped in almost 3,000 years of history. The greatest concentration of landmarks is found in Istanbul’s oldest district, Sultanahmet, an awe-inspiring expanse of leafy parks, Byzantine cathedrals, Greek statuary, bustling bazaars and imposing mosques with towering, slender minarets.
Daily Morning Tour – Itinerary:
Starting with a drive around the Golden Horn and the great walls of Constantinople, we pass Dolmabahce Palace, then cross the Galata Bridge before arriving in Sultanahmet Square, where we visit.
Hagia Sophia:
Viritual heart of the Byzantine Empire, considered to be the 8th Wonder of the World, Hagia Sophia is now a museum.
Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays, so on that day we visit the Kariye (Chora) Museum, a former church which houses the most important surviving Byzantine mosaics and frescoes in the world.
The Blue Mosque:
Dating from the 17th century, an architectural masterpiece famed for its exquisite blue tiles and six elegant minarets.
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts:
The former palace of Ibrahim Pasha, it now exhibits an extensive collection of nomadic art and ethnography, providing a rich glimpse into the traditional Turkish lifestyle.
The Hippodrome:
The former center of sportive and political activities of Constantinople. During the visit, you will be able to see the obelisk from Egypt, Serpentine column from Delphi and Fountain of Willhem II.
The Grand Bazaar:
An exotic maze of narrow alleys, stunning architectural details and hundreds of shops selling a rich assortment of handmade carpets, gold, silver, leather and other precious goods.
Highlights of This Tour:
The best way to appreciate the splendor of the Ottoman Empire, which once held sway over three continents, is to visit its actual and symbolic center: Topkapi Palace. Then pay a visit to the finest of all Ottoman mosque complexes, the Suleyman Mosque, completed by master builder Sinan in 1557 in honor of his most illustrious patron, Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. The monumental tomb of this Sultan, who reached the gates of Vienna, is located here.
Daily Afternoon Tour (except Tuesdays) – Itinerary:
Topkapi Palace: The seat of Ottoman power for three centuries and imperial residence of the Sultans, the Palace also houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, religious artifacts, and other priceless relics.
The Treasury Section of Topkapi Palace: An exhibition of the precious personal belongings of members of the Ottoman dynasty. Specially, chance to see the “spoonmaker” diamond and emerald dagger in this section.
Suleymaniye Mosque: Overlooking the Golden Horn a short distance from Sultanahmet, this mosque complex once included a soup kitchen, hammam, caravanserai and primary school.
The Golden Horn: A drive along the Golden Horn past Roman land walls and Byzantine churches.
Highlights of This Tour:
Full day tour combines Imperial Tour and Ottoman tour and includes lunch.
Full Day Tour (except Tuesdays) – Itinerary:
Starting with a drive around the Golden Horn and the great walls of Constantinople, we pass Dolmabahce Palace, then cross the Galata Bridge before arriving in Sultanahmet Square, where we visit.
Hagia Sophia:
The former spiritual heart of the Byzantine Empire, considered to be the 8th Wonder of the World, Hagia Sophia is now a museum.
Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays, so on that day we visit the Kariye (Chora) Museum, a former church which houses the most important surviving Byzantine mosaics and frescoes in the world.
The Blue Mosque:
Dating from the 17th century, an architectural masterpiece famed for its exquisite blue tiles and six elegant minarets.
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts:
The former palace of Ibrahim Pasha, it now exhibits an extensive collection of nomadic art and ethnography, providing a rich glimpse into the traditional Turkish lifestyle.
The Hippodrome:
Once the site of Roman chariot racing and Janissary uprisings, this historic square also contains an Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column from the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and ornamental fountain presented to the Sultan by German Emperor Wilhelm II.
The Grand Bazaar:
An exotic maze of narrow alleys, stunning architectural details and hundreds of shops selling a rich assortment of handmade carpets, gold, silver, leather and other precious goods.
Lunch Time
Topkapi Palace:
The seat of Ottoman power for three centuries and imperial residence of the Sultans, the Palace also houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, religious artifacts, and other priceless relics.
The Treasury Section of Topkapi Palace:
An exhibition of the precious personal belongings of members of the Ottoman dynasty.
Suleymaniye Mosque:
Overlooking the Golden Horn a short distance from Sultanahmet, this mosque complex once included a soup kitchen, hammam, caravanserai and primary school.
The Golden Horn:
A drive along the Golden Horn past Roman land walls and Byzantine churches.
Highlights of This Tour:
Bosphorus literally means “cow-ford”, so named because Zeus’ s mistress, Io, fled across the strait in the shape of a cow to escape the wrath of Zeus’s wife, Hera. Myth aside, the legendary waterway is as dazzlingly beautiful now as it was in antiquity. No visit to Istanbul is complete without a cruise along its physical and spiritual heart, the glistening waters that link Europe to Asia, that join the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara.
Itinerary:
After a brief visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar* (*closed on Sundays), the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul, we embark on a cruise up the Bosphorus, the legendary strait separating Europe and Asia. We cruise past the Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden 19th century seafront mansions, picturesque villages and modern pleasure palaces, disembarking at the mouth of the Black Sea. We then drive along the strait to the Sadberk Hanim Museum (closed on Wednesdays), a gracious three-story waterfront mansion housing a rich collection of Anatolian works of arts, antiques and relics dating back to 6,000 BC.
Highlights of This Tour:
Travel to another continent across the Bosphorus Bridge, a graceful span connecting Asia and Europe. Then admire the view from Camlica, a wooded hilltop, Beylerbeyi, an imperial waterfront palace on the shores of the Bosphorus, and the famed Maiden’s Tower, located at the mouth of the Sea of Marmara.
Daily Afternoon Tour (except Mondays and Thursdays) – Itinerary:
A pleasant drive to the Asian part of Istanbul over the Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge.
Camlica Hill:
The highest point in Istanbul, commanding a panoramic view of the city.
Beylerbeyi Palace:
We take a short drive to the 19th century summer palace of the Sultans in the Bosphorus village of Beylerbeyi. Completed in 1865, the palace has 24 rooms and six large halls.
Maiden’s Tower:
The first structure is believed to have been built on this tiny islet by Athenian leader Alcibiades, in 411 BC. Much has changed since then, but the Maiden’s Tower is still the best spot from which to admire Istanbul’s sea, sky and silhouette.
Highlights of This Tour:
Full day tour combines Bosphorus tour and Asian tour (includes lunch).
Daily (except Mondays and Thursdays) – Itinerary:
After a brief visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar*, the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul, we embark on a cruise up the Bosphorus, the legendary strait separating Europe and Asia. We cruise past the Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden 19th century seafront mansions, picturesque villages and modern pleasure palaces, disembarking at the mouth of the Black Sea. We then drive along the strait to the Sadberk Hanim Museum (closed on Wednesdays), a gracious three-story waterfront mansion housing a rich collection of Anatolian works of arts, antiques and relics dating back to 6,000 BC.*closed on SundaysLunch Time
Camlica Hill:
The highest point in Istanbul, commanding a panoramic view of the city.
Beylerbeyi Palace:
We take a short drive to the 19th century summer palace of the Sultans in the Bosphorus village of Beylerbeyi. Completed in 1865, the palace has 24 rooms and six large halls.
Maiden’s Tower:
The first structure is believed to have been built on this tiny islet by Athenian leader Alcibiades, in 411 BC. Much has changed since then, but the Maiden’s Tower is still the best spot from which to admire Istanbul’s sea, sky and silhouette.
Highlights of This Tour:
A leisurely cruise along the fabulous Bosphorus, starting near the Black Sea and taking us past Ottoman palaces, wooden 19th century waterfront mansions, modern pleasure palaces and fortresses. The perfect opportunity for taking photographs along both shores of this fabled waterway.
Halfday Afternoon – Itinerary:
We drive to Sariyer, a charming fishing village located on the Bosphorus near the Black Sea, from which we embark on a cruise.
Highlights of This Tour:
A gourmet experience followed by Turkish entertainment. Savour delicate Turkish hors d’oeuvres, or meze, sample the fiery national drink, raki, and feast on Ottoman cuisine fit for a Sultan. After dinner, a spectacular floor show featuring sinuous belly dancers, rhythmic folk dances and Turkish songs is staged for your enjoyment.
Night Tour – Itinerary:
Guests are driven to an exclusive nightclub to feast on Turkish delicacies as part of a full a la carte dinner. Following dinner, renowned belly dancers, Anatolian folk dancers and Turkish singers perform.
* Please be sure to make reservations by 6:00 p.m. Otherwise, we cannot guarantee places for this very popular event.
Highlights of This Tour:
Take a leisurely 28-kilometer cruise through the Sea of Marmara to the unspoiled charms of Buyukada. The largest of the Prince’s Islands, Buyukada boasts lush foliage, pine forests, turn of the century wooden mansions and incomparable views of Istanbul. Best of all, cars are banned, so you travel by horse-drawn carriage.
Itinerary:
After the cruise by ferry boat, we tour the island by horse-drawn carriage and there is no better way to explore these lovely Island with a decidedly 19th Century ambience, elegant buildings and promenades, the peaceful atmosphere makes for a relaxing visit and lunch at a gourmet seafood restaurant.