ITINERARY

DAY 1.  ISTANBUL – HISTORICAL SIGHTS

Start your day by visiting the magnificent Haghia Sophia, and then continue to the marvelous Topkapi Palace, that served as the palace of the Ottoman Sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries. Optional visits: to the Treasury, where the extensive exhibits include priceless world-class collections of jewelry, porcelain, textiles and costumes of the Sultans, as well as to the Harem quarters, which is an absolute highlight. Have lunch in one of the special traditional restaurants in Topkapi. Then we continue to visit the famous Blue Mosque, the Byzantine Hippodrome and the incredible Underground Cistern. Rest of the day is at leisure.

(*)Should you also need accommodation service, we will provide the best options as per your particular requirements

DAY 2. ISTANBUL - BOSPHORUS CRUISE

Today, we get aboard a morning ferry boat for a cruise up the strait of Bosphorus, passing half a dozen Ottoman imperial palaces, traditional Yalis (waterside villas) and shore villages. Disembark at Sariyer for lunch at a seaside restaurant. Then we drive south, and stop to visit the Castle of Rumeli Hisar, after which, accompanied by your escorting guide, you explore the Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi), the world's oldest "shopping mall", to look for treasures in its 4000 shops and then dive into the colorful sights, vibrant sounds and intriguing scents of the Egyptian Market (Spice Bazaar).

DAY 3. ISTANBUL METROPOLIS

Begin your day with a visit to the fascinating Dolmabahce Palace, the magnificent palace built between 1843 and 1856 that represents the westernization of the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Galata Tower built by the Genoese in 1348. The Old Pera was given to them by the Ottoman Empire because of their help in defeating a Crusade. After a short gentle walk we take the oldest functioning subway in the world. The “Tunel”, Completed in 1873, it is the shortest subway ever built. It connects Karakoy to Beyoglu, followed by window-shopping in the district of Beyoglu and a drink in  the"Cicek pasaji".