Tour Code:
CT-07
Duration: Daily
Highlights: Istanbul
Departures: All year round - Guarantee
Departure
TOUR ITINERARY
ISTANBUL IMPERIAL AND BOSPHORUS TOUR (Full Day)
8:10 – 8:45 Departure from your hotel. Today we will visit the Saint
Sophia (Haghia 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. We continue
to the Blue Mosque, which was built in the 17th century and is the only imperial
mosque with 6 minarets. We continue to the Hippodrome, a stadium and meeting
place in Byzantine times, the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the Egyptian
Obelisk, with the Fountain of Wilhelm. We will also visit the Caferaga Medresesi
which was a school designed by the famous architect Sinan in 1560 and is now
used for workshops in traditional Ottoman arts. We will continue to 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 and also the Rustempasa Mosque with
its beautiful Iznik tiles. The mosque was built in 1560 by the imperial
architect Sinan for the son in law of the grand vizier of Suleyman the
Magnificent. We embark on our Bosphorus Cruise up the strait that divides Europe
from Asia and leads to the Black Sea. From the ship you will see beautiful
mosques, the Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, new luxury villas, very old
Ottoman Houses and the Rumeli Fortress. Return to your hotel around 17:30.
Note: Spice Market is closed Sunday.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
• Pick up and Drop off
• Transportation in non-smoking mini/midi bus with professional English speaking
guide and experienced driver.
• Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary
• Lunch
• Services charges and local taxes.
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