ISTANBUL AIRPORT & CRUISE TRANSFERS

NOTE!

The Harem section-located inside of Topkapi Palace can be added to this itinerary with additional 20 USD more per person. The Harem was the part of a Moslem house dedicated to the family and closed to the out side world. It was in these special quarters of the Ottoman Palace that the dynasty lived. The Harem, which evolved over many centuries, exhibited all the various styles of Ottoman art, and was one of the most magnificent complexes of the world in its historical and artistic aspects.

Program order: The order in which visits are mentioned might be changed and/or adjusted, according to circumstances.

Topkapi Palace closed for the public on Tuesdays.

Grand Bazaar closed for the public on Sundays.

Izmir Shore Excursions - Kusadasi Shore Excursions

Blue Mosque + Topkapi Palace + Santa Sophia + The Hippodrome + Grand Bazaar         # Tour 2

Any time you want : Meet your Private Professional Licensed Guide at Istanbul Port with your name sign and start for Istanbul trip. Istanbul will most captivate your attention with the remains of many ancient civilizations and their culture, perfectly combined with the Turkish culture. Impressive structures we will see today: Topkapi Palace, constructed by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, has been the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the center of State Administration, and contains the most holy relics of the Muslim world. It is now a museum and exhibiting imperial collections. We enter the Treasury section, where one can see beautiful displays, such as the ‘’Spoonmaker’s Diamond’’ – the 7^th largest diamond in the world!! Blue Mosque, the design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighboring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. The architect has ably synthesized the ideas of his master Sinan, aiming for overwhelming size, majesty and splendor. Basilica of Haghia Sophia is regarded as one of the world’s most important architectural monuments in the world. The Museum encloses a very large space and reflects a magnificent architecture. The monument dates back to 537 AD and has faced the consequences of several wars and invasions. It was repaired several times, it was once a church, later transformed into a mosque and finally a Museum.The monument was built by Emperor Konstantinos I and is functional as a museum since 1935. The Hippodrome of Constantinopole, the center of Byzantine civic life, where horse and chariot races used to take place. The Hippodrome is also bestowed by popular monuments like the 3500 year-old Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius and the spiral bronze base of a three-headed serpent sculpture. Have a stop in Grand Bazaar ( Kapalicarsi ), an interesting and enjoyable experience in a historical shopping area. The bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world – the largest and oldest in Turkey, with 60 streets and over 4,000 shops. This bazaar attracts daily till 400,000 visitors. It is well known for its unique carpets, leather embroideries, jewelleries of all kind, ceramics, antique, handcrafts, spices shops and of course for inexpensive souvenirs shops. It has been an important trading center since 1461 and its labyrinthine vaults feature two domed buildings. The complex houses two mosques, four fountains, two Turkish baths and several cafes and restaurants. Drive back to Port due time re-embarkation.

Approximate required time for this tour is 6 hours.

Including: Private Professional Licensed Guide; Transportation in comfortable A/C vehicles; Private Professional Driver; Entrance fees to the sights mentioned above the itinerary.

Excluding: Any gratuities for Guide & Driver; Any meals and/or drinks (unless specifically mentioned); Any kind of other personal expenses;

NOTE!
The Harem section-located inside of Topkapi Palace can be added to this itinerary with additional 20 USD more per person. The Harem was the part of a Moslem house dedicated to the family and closed to the out side world. It was in these special quarters of the Ottoman Palace that the dynasty lived. The Harem, which evolved over many centuries, exhibited all the various styles of Ottoman art, and was one of the most magnificent complexes of the world in its historical and artistic aspects.

Program order: The order in which visits are mentioned might be changed and/or adjusted, according to circumstances.

Santa Sophia closed for the public on Mondays.

Topkapi Palace closed for the public on Tuesdays.

Grand Bazaar closed for the public on Sundays.

Izmir Shore Excursions - Kusadasi Shore Excursions

Beylerbeyi Palace + Chora Church + Suleymaniye Mosque + Camlica Hill         # Tour 3

Any time you want: Meet your Private Professional Licensed Guide at Istanbul Port with your name sign and start for Istanbul trip. Istanbul will most captivate your attention with the remains of many ancient civilizations and their culture, perfectly combined with the Turkish culture. Impressive structures we will see: The Eyup Mosque, was the first mosque built after the Turks took Constantinople, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims, but also for anyone wanting to enjoy a fine view of the city and the Golden Horn from a spot made famous by French naval officer and novelist Pierre Loti. Suleymaniye Mosque is considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in Istanbul, and it was built between 1550 - 1557 by Sinan. In the garden of its complex, one can see the Mausoleum of Suleyman the Magnificient and his wife Roxelana. Chora Museum or Chora Church is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of a Byzantine church. The interior of the building is covered with fine mosaics and frescoes portraying the life and miracles of Christ, date back to 14^th century A.D. Beylerbeyi Palace is located on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, built on orders of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz, it's an imperial residence and was often used as a quest house for visiting royalty. It is built of white marble. Camlica Hill is one of the oldest places to promenade in Istanbul and was used as a vacation spot for Ottoman Sultans. On the Asian side of the Bosphorus rises 267 meters above sea level; it affords a sweeping view of the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, the Historical Peninsula and even the Princes Island. Drive back to Port due time re-embarkation.

Approximate required time for this tour is 7 hours.

Including: Private Professional Licensed Guide; Transportation in comfortable A/C vehicles; Private Professional Driver; Entrance fees to the sights mentioned above the itinerary.

Excluding: Any gratuities for Guide & Driver; Any meals and/or drinks (unless specifically mentioned); Any kind of other personal expenses;

Dolmabahce Palace + Ortakoy District + Galata Tower + Taksim Square + Istiklal Street    # Tour 5

Any time you want: Meet your Private Professional Licensed Guide at Istanbul Port with your name sign and start your day of Istanbul trip. Beautifully situated, with a 600 meter frontage on the Bosphorus, an impressive ballroom, and ornate Victorian furniture embodying the Turkish assimilation of European culture. Dolmabahce Palace, built in 19^th century is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world – rococo residence. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire with the last of Ottoman Sultans was residing there. It has a great meaning for Turkish people since the supreme leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had used the palace as a residence, spent the most serious period of his illness and he passed away in this palace on 10^th of November 1938 at 9:05 AM, all the clocks in the palace are stopped at this time. Later on it was converted into a museum. It is wandered with a special sense of respect. Wonder around Ortakoy district, one of the nicest neighborhoods of Besiktas districts, right under the first Bosphorus Bridge. The district is still a popular spot for local people and foreign visitors. Galata Tower, worth climbing to the top for the view - it is a  55 meter tower providing a panoramic view of the old town, built by the Genoese as part of the defense wall surrounding their district of Galata directly opposite Byzantium (Constantinople). The Genoese used to trade with the Byzantines and the tower was used for the surveillance of the Harbor in the Golden Horn. After the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmet II it served to detect fires in the city. We now start the panoramic tour to Taksim Square, a major shopping, tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants, shops and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul. The square takes its name from the stone reservoir which is located in this area. There also used to be a military site built in the 19^th century but it was demolished in the early '40s. Istiklal Caddessi (Independence Avenue) it's a long pedestrian shopping street in Taksim Square. A nostalgic tram runs from the square along the avenue ending near the ''Tunel'', which is the world's second-oldest subway line after London's Underground. Taksim Square is also a favorite location for public event and other social gatherings, the house of Ataturk Cultural Center - a multi-purpose cultural center and The Opera. Drive back to Port due time re-embarkation.

Approximate required time for this tour is 6 hours.

Excluding: Any gratuities for Guide & Driver; Any meals and/or drinks (unless specifically mentioned); Any kind of other personal expenses;

NOTE!

Program order: The order in which visits are mentioned might be changed and/or adjusted, according to circumstances.

Dolmabahce Palace closed for the public on Mondays & Thursdays.

Izmir Shore Excursions - Kusadasi Shore Excursions

A trip to the city would not be complete without a cruise up and down its shores!

Private Bosphorus Cruise + Spice Market    # TOUR 6

(Running on Summer months only!)

Anytime you want: Meet your Private Professional  Licensed Guide at Istanbul Port with your name sign and start for your very own Bosphorus cruise. Your private driver will be waiting for you at the pier and drive you to Bosphorous shore from where you will embark your private boat to start an unforgettable Bosphorus Cruise Sightseeing tour to relax and admire the shoreline. We now start a traditional excursion by boat along the straits divide Europe from Asia and define Istanbul. Magnificent Ottoman imperial palaces are interspersed with colorfully lined shores of decadent old Ottoman wooden mansions, the twin fortresses of Rumeli Hisar and Anadolu Hisar, and two intercontinental bridges facing onto the water as you round the curves of these narrow straits. Salute tiny fishing boats, motor yachts, mighty great tankers and all kind of sailing boats. Why not to salute the friendly seagulls too, as you make your way along this breathtakingly engaging journey! We continue our tour with famous Egyptian Bazaar for a ‘’local colour’’. Known as the Misir Carsisi locally, and literally translated as the “Egyptian Bazaar”, it was named that because of taxes collected on Egyptian imports way back. Built in the 1600’s, beside the New Mosque complex, spices have been traded in this large stone walled L-shaped building for over 400 years.The building is filled with exotic food and spices of all kinds, in mind-boggling colors, scents and volumes. There are also lots of dried fruits, cheeses, olives, nuts, saffron, cured beef, sweets, the Iranian caviar, etc.

Drive back to Port due time re-embarkation.

Approximate required time for this tour is 4 ½ hours.

Excluding: Any gratuities for Guide & Driver; Any meals and/or drinks (unless specifically mentioned); Any kind of other personal expenses;

Izmir Shore Excursions - Kusadasi Shore Excursions

 Archaeological Museum + Islamic & Turkish Museum + a walk to Arasta Bazaar + The Mosaic Museum    # TOUR 7

Any time you want: Met by your Private Professional Licensed Guide at Istanbul Port with your name sign and start your Istanbul experience.Across from the Tiled Kiosk in Topkapi Palace’s outermost court is the magnificent Archaeological Museum. The museum has an excellent collection of Greek and Roman artifacts, including finds from Ephesus and Troy. Also houses over one million objects in a rich chronological collection of locally found artifacts that shed light on the origins and history of the city. Don’t miss the wonderfully preserved Alexander Sarcophagus found in Sidon and the treaty of Kadesh-the first peace treaty ever to be signed in the world!Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, a delightful museum housed in Ibrahim Pasa Sarayi-the home of Suleyman the Magnificent’s Grand Vizier. It is the very first Turkish museum covering the Turkish and Islamic art works wholly. Has works from almost all periods and all types of Islamic era, with its collection exceeding 40,000 works. The museum has been awarded with the Special Jury Award of Museum of the year Competition of the European Council in 1984 and with the prize given by European Council – UNESCO for its studies making the children love the culture inheritance. While walking to visit the Mosaic Museum we will pass the Arasta Bazaar, a very famous bazaar for its many shops selling carpets, kilims, Turkish tiles, apparel and souvenirs.  The Great Palace / Mosaic Museum: houses a series of protective shelters above 6th century mosaics that once graced the floors of Constantinople’s Great Palace. Although not the best collection of mosaics in Turkey, visitors can’t help but be enchanted by the various scenes, in vivid color. This museum is representing an earlier artistic era absent of religious motifs, showing instead hunting scenes and scenes from mythology. Drive back to Port due time re-embarkation.

Approximate required time for this tour is 5 ½ hours.

Excluding: Any gratuities for Guide & Driver; Any meals and/or drinks (unless specifically mentioned); Any kind of other personal expenses;

NOTE!

Program order: The order in which visits are mentioned might be changed and/or adjusted, according to circumstances.

Archaeological Museum closed for the public on Mondays.

Museum of Turksih And Islamic Art closed for the public on Mondays.

Mosaic Museum closed for the public on Tuesdays.

Izmir Shore Excursions - Kusadasi Shore Excursions