Istanbul Group Tours

ISTANBUL OLD CITY CLASSICS AND HIGHLIGHTS
(FULL DAY - EXCEPT ON TUESDAY)
09:30 Departure from your Hotel. We continue to the Blue Mosque, which was built in the 17th century and is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets, then the Hippodrome, a stadium and meeting place in Byzantine times, the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the Egyptian Obelisk, with the Fountain of Wilhelm. Visit the Caferaga Medresesi which was designed by the architect Sinan and built in the 16th century, now used as a learning center for traditional Turkish arts. We will then explore the Topkapi Palace. It was the home of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. We see the Imperial Treasury with the famous Spoonmaker Diamond. (Harem section is optional and due an extra entry fee). The tour ends in the Grand Bazaar, which has over 4000 shops full of treasures. Return to your Hotel.
Note:This tour may be done completely as a walking tour.
Notes: Sunday the Grand Bazaar is closed - On Tuesday the Topkapi Palace is closed

BOSPHORUS CRUISE AND DOLMABAHCE PALACE
(FULL DAY– EXCEPT ON MONDAY AND THURSDAY)
09:30 Departure from your Hotel. You will first see the “Egyptian” Spice Market, which stands near the mouth of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. The market was built in the 17th century A.D. and is still a thriving place with spices and souvenirs of all types. We will also visit the beautiful Iznik tile-covered Rustempasa Mosque, which was built by the architect Sinan in 1560 for the grand vizier of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. We embark on our Bosphorus Cruise up the strait that divides Europe from Asia and leads to the Black Sea. We end our cruise, cross the Bosphorus Bridge then head for the Camlica Hill viewpoint over Istanbul where you can also see the Princes’ Islands and the Marmara Sea. We conclude the tour with a visit to the “Selamlik” chambers of the incredible 19th c. Dolmabahce Palace which was the first European style palace in Turkey. We will pass by the picturesque and cosmopolitan neighborhood of Ortakoy on the shore of the Bosphorus. Return to your Hotel.
*Note: that the cruise boat is not private – it will be shared with others.

HAGHIA SOPHIA AND BOSPHORUS CRUISE
(FULL DAY– EXCEPT ON WEDNESDAY)
09:30 Departure from your Hotel. We will take a ride by public ferry boat on the Golden Horn passing churches and historical buildings. We then take a Cable Car up to Pierre Loti Hill where you will get a beautiful view of the Golden Horn from the famous Pierre Loti Café. We continue to the Kariye Museum (Chora Church) with its 14th-century mosaics and frescoes with scenes from the Bible. Continue to visit Saint Sophia (Hagia Sofia) which was built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century A.D and stands over much older remains of a church. See beautiful mosaics of biblical scenes and the Byzantine emperors and empresses. After lunch, we will see the “Egyptian” Spice Market, which stands near the mouth of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. We embark on our Bosphorus Cruise up the strait that divides Europe from Asia and leads to the Black Sea. Return to your Hotel.
*Note: that the cruise boat is not private – it will be shared with others.

PRINCES’ ISLANDS TOUR
(IN SEASON)
08:30 Departure from your Hotel to the pier where we board the ferry and cruise the Marmara Sea for an enjoyable ride to the Princes’ Islands. There are nine islands in this chain and no motor vehicles are permitted. There are many beautiful 19th century mansions with overhanging balconies. During the Byzantine period princes and other royalty were exiled on the islands and later on members of the Ottoman Sultan’s family too – thus were named the islands. We will arrive at Heybeliada (Heybeli Island) and will take a tour of the island by Buggy and will pass elegant old wooden mansions and beautiful natural scenery. We will board another ferry to go to Buyuk Ada (Big Island) which is the largest of the Princes’ Islands. Here we have lunch at a seaside restaurant and you may stroll along the promenade and explore the old town of Buyukada. Return to your Hotel.