5 Days / 4 Nights Istanbul
All year arrangement for individuals and groups
Embracing the continents of Europe and Asia, with the Strait of Bosphorus in its heart, Istanbul has been the capital of three great empires of history, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman... The museums, mosques, churches, palaces, bazaars, monuments, its bustling city life and the contrasting leisure of the nearby islands and forests. A remarkable experience...
Day 1: ARRIVE ISTANBUL (no meals)
Meet AVOTUR’s local guide or representative and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and day at leisure.
(Please note check-in time at most hotels is 14:00 but we will do our best to arrange early check-in if necessary.)
Dinner at leisure.
Day 2: ISTANBUL (b, l)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Fullday city tour with a visit to the main historical center of Istanbul, Sultanahmet with its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments.The monuments to be visited are the Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome (Obelisk of Theodosius, serpent column, brick column, Kaiser Wilhelm II fountain), the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace with its Treasury and Sacred Trust sections.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Afternoon visit the Grand Covered Bazaar. Shopping for local handicrafts at reputable shops.After the visits return to the hotel.
Dinner at leisure.
Day 3: ISTANBUL (b, l)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Fullday city tour covering the Bosphorus area. Our tour today starts with the Spice Market located next to the New Mosque facing the Galata Bridge spanning across the Golden Horn.
Continue with the 19th century Dolmabahce Palace and visit the men’s section with its Hereke carpet covered ceremonial halls.
A private cruise on the Bosphorus will introduce us to the rich cultural heritage of the palaces, fortresses, wooden Ottoman villas and lively little fishing villages and famous nightspots of the city.
(For individuals public boat will be used.)
Lunch will be served at a local fish restaurant.
Intercontinental Bosphorus suspension bridge crossing to the Asian side of Istanbul.For a wide panoramic view of the city we will visit the Camlica Hill.
At the end of the tour, return to the hotel.
Dinner at leisure.
Day 4: ISTANBUL (b)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day at leisure.
Dinner at leisure.
Day 5: DEPART ISTANBUL (b)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Day at leisure. (Please note check-out time at most hotels is 12:00)
Pick-up from the hotel and transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport
Highlights
* Byzantine Constantinople and Ottoman heritage in a nutshell* Hagia Sophia
* Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet I
* Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman Sultans
* Holy Relics and the Topkapi dagger
* Spina of the ancient Roman Hippodrome
* The Grand Bazaar, epitome of exotic Istanbul
* Cruise on the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia
* Asian Istanbul's scenery
* Dolmabahce Palace's Ottoman splendour with European touch
* Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge crossing
* Panoramic Golden Horn, Galata Bridge and Tower, Beylerbeyi Palace
* More leisure time for shopping and individual discoveries
* Turkish cuisine
* Turkish hospitality
