Day 1: Istanbul – Arrival
The tour begins when you are met at istanbul’s ataturk airport by our representative, for the transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: istanbul city tour
After your breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up at 08:30 for a full-day tour of istanbul’s old quarters.
We take you to St. Sophia, also known as Hagia Sophia. The Ancient Basilica was originally built by constantine the great in the 4th-century, and reconstructed by justinian in the 6th-century. One of the architectural marvels of all time, it is the largest byzantine church, and the 4th largest church, in the world.
Next on our agenda is Topkapi Palace where you discover how it was used by the ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th-centuries. See its exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and chinese porcelain, as well as robes worn by the sultans and their families. See also the famous jewels of the imperial treasury, relics of the Prophet Mohammed, and the pavilion of the holy mantle.
We move on to sultanahmet imperial mosque, located opposite st. sophia, and one of the city’s greatest buildings. built in the 16th-century by the architect mehmet, it is more popularly known as the Blue Mosque, due to its magnificent interior of blue iznik tiles.
See the Hippodrome, scene of chariot races in the ancient world, and explore its 3 remaining monuments; the obelisk of theodosius, the bronze serpentine column, and the column of constantine.
Next you will explore the labyrinth of streets at the Grand Bazaar one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, you will discover more than 4,000 shops, with a dedicated area for each trade.
Walk along alleys full of goldsmiths, carpet sellers, and arts and crafts, such as hand painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware, and meerschaum pipes. Absorb the atmosphere of this authentic bustling bazaar.
Finally after your full day of sightseeing, we transfer you back to your hotel. You may spend the evening at leisure, or decide on an optional Istanbul evening show or a bosphorus dinner cruise, including traditional turkish entertainment.
Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping tour
Following your breakfast we pick you up at 08:30. We depart for a full-day istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and shopping tour this commences with a visit to the Spice Bazaar also known as the egyptian bazaar. take in the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme, and every other conceivable herb and spice.
You will then go on a traditional boat cruise along the bosphorus, the waterway that separates europe and asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages, truly a spectacle.
During the excursion, look out for magnificent sights, such as the splendid dolmabahce palace, the imperial pavilions of yildiz palace, and ciragan palace, with its extensive marble façade facing the shore.
At ortakoy, you will see a interesting variety of artists, who gather every sunday to display their work along the street. Throughout the centuries, Ortakoy has been a great symbol of Istanbul’s religious harmony, with a church, mosque, and synagogue all existing side-by-side.
See Rumeli fortress, built by mehmet the conqueror in 1452, prior to the conquest of Istanbul. completed in only 4 months, it was built to control and protect the infamous bosphorus passage, and is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world.
Cruise past Beylerbeyi palace, summer residence of the ottoman sultans, and immaculately preserved, with original antique furniture, sublime gardens, and a harem. step from one continent to another as you pass the bosphorus bridge.
Then we go to Camlica hill, the highest point in Istanbul. at the top, admire the breathtaking panorama of Istanbul and the bosporus from beautiful gardens, landscaped in a traditional turkish ottoman style.
After your relaxing cruise, experience traditional silk weaving skills at one of the carpet weaving courses provided by the ministry of national education. see jewelery, a handcraft centre, and a modern leatherwear show during a shopping tour. explore the world of ancient craftsmen, as a local escort shows you how to haggle for the best bargains.
Return to your hotel, where the rest of the evening is yours to relax and reflect on your day.
Day 4: Istanbul – Departure
After breakfast, check out from your hotel at the end of your tour.
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INCLUDES
- Airport transfer from Istanbul Ataturk Airport
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- 3 nights hotel accommodation in Istanbul
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- Guided Istanbul City Tour
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- Guided Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour
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- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
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- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
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- Return transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
NOT INCLUDED:
• Tips to staff, items of a personal nature
• Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast)
• Travel insurance
GROUP BOOKING DISCOUNTS
Please ask for special group discount if you are a group more than 8 people.
We kindly request our guests to be ready 5 minutes before departure time
Tour Reservation Policy:
A 30% deposit is required on the total tour price to reserve the tour and obtain tour confirmation. The remaining balance on the total tour price can be paid in cash upon arrival in İstanbul. A credit card may also be used to pay the remaining balance. However, an additional bank processing fee of 4% on the remaining balance will have to be paid by the clients. If applicable, domestic flight / bus tickets will only be purchased after a deposit has been made on the total tour amount.
Cancellation / Refund Policy:
If tour cancellation is within 10 days of the start of the tour, a refund will be made of the total paid amount minus the cost of domestic flight and / or bus tickets and the cost of first night hotel stay. Once deposit payment form has been signed by clients and received by ISTANBUL EXPRESS TRAVEL, domestic flight and /or bus tickets and cost of first night hotel stay will NOT BE REFUNDED.
If cancelled within 48 hours of start of any tour, NO REFUNDS will be made to clients by ISTANBUL EXPRESS TRAVEL
Please take note of the following:
* ISTANBUL EXPRESS TRAVEL is a fully licensed legal tour operator under TURSAB (the Turkish Tour Operator Authority) with TURSAB License No. A-3818
* We aim to respond to all requests within 12 hours
IMPORTANT INFO:
• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request
• You can swim in the Antique pool in Pamukkale. However, please note that there is an extra charge that you will have to pay directly at your own expense before entry to the pools. This entrance fees to the pools is not covered as part of your tour. as Please note that you must bring your own towel, swimsuit etc. if you need to use the pools.
• The hot air balloon ride operates in optimum weather conditions. The decision for the flight to take off on any given day is decided by the local government at the last minute depending on weather conditions to ensure passenger safety. If your paid and scheduled hot air balloon ride gets cancelled by the tour company at the last minute for weather conditions, we will provide you with a refund of USD 219.00 for the hot air balloon ride if you have it booked with us.
WHEN TO BOOK?
• Book as soon as possible to guarantee availability, especially during public holidays and festivities.
• You can book up to 2 days before (Istanbul local time) if there are still places available. If less than 2 days before start of your requested tour date, please contact us by email or phone as it would be a last minute booking that will need to be checked for availability before your tour reservation is confirmed.
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