ISTANBUL SHORT BREAK
TOUR MARKET TRAVEL
-SHORT BREAK ISTANBUL (3 Nights / 4 Days)
DAY 1 - ISTANBUL
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met our representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight.
DAY 2 - ISTANBUL
Breakfast in the hotel. Pick up from the hotel and depart for Full Day Imperial & Ottoman Splendours Tour. We begin our tour with a visit to Hagia Sophia Mosque, which is considered one of the Eight Wonders of the World, occupies a unique place in the history of architectures one of the rare works of this size and age that still survives. Our next visit will be The Blue Mosque, which takes its name from the world famous exquisite blue Iznik tiles decorating its interior. Also, it is the only imperial mosque in the world that was originally built with six minarets. We continue to the Hippodrome Square, the sporting and social center of old Byzantium, held 100,000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire such as the Egyptian Obelisk, and the Serpent Column. Next, we visit Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered bazaar in the world. It was the center of trade and commerce in Istanbul with more than 4000 shops. After Grand Bazaar we will have Lunch.
We will visit Valide Mosque also called New Mosque and completed in 1664, this was the last imperial mosque built in the classical style and is situated in one of the centers of the crowded city life, next to both land and sea traffic. Then we visit theTopkapı Palace, the residence of early and mid-era Ottoman Sultans. It was principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the center of administration of the Ottoman Empire from 15th to 19th century. During our visit we will see the fabulous Imperial Treasury, the Baghdad Kiosk, Holy Relics and the Kitchen Section including one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese celadon ceramics. Drive to the hotel at the end of the tour. (B, L)
DAY 3 - ISTANBUL
Breakfast in the hotel. Pick up from the hotel and depart for Half Day Bosphorus Cruise Tour. We will first visit Spice Bazaar, second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul after Grand Bazaar. It is well-known for its herbalists; the Egyptian Bazaar offers traditional natural medicines, spices, flower seeds, roots and shells of rare plants along with dried nuts and fruits, deli products and various Turkish Delights. After the Spice Bazaar we will drive along the shore of Golden Horn which is an inlet of the Bosphorus and it is the natural harbor of Old Istanbul.
Then we will embark our boat for an unforgettable Cruise on the Bosphorus, the strait runs through the unique Istanbul that stands up on two different continents between Asia and Europe. During the cruise, we will have a chance to view the peerless sights ornamenting the Asian and European shores such as 19th century wooden mansions, Rumeli Fortress built only in 3 months by Mehmet the Conqueror, Anatolian Fortress, fanciful Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces, and hunting lodges. Return to the hotel at the end of the tour. Rest of the day is at leisure. (B, L)
DAY 4 - ISTANBUL
Transfer to the airport for onward flight. (B)
HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS:
-Arrival and Departure transfers
-3 Nights BB accommodation at 4* hotel in Istanbul
-1 x Full Day (incl. Lunch) & 1 x Half Day Excursion as detailed in the itinerary
-Entrance fees to museums and historical sights
-English speaking professional tour guide
- All tours, airport and hotel transfers conducted by private A/C comfortable vehicles.
