Istanbul 4 Days

DAY 1 - ISTANBUL
Arrival in Istanbul and meet you outside the arrivals gate. Transfer to your Hotel, check- in. Leisure afternoon. Overnight Istanbul.

DAY 2 – ISTANBUL OLD CITY CLASSICS AND HIGHLIGHTS
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 and overnight Istanbul (B.)
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

DAY 3 – BOSPHORUS CRUISE AND DOLMABAHCE PALACE
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 and overnight Istanbul. (B.)

DAY 4 - ISTANBUL
Pick-up from Hotel 3 hours before departure for international, 2 hours for domestic flights and leave Istanbul. (B.)