Istanbul Highlights

Welcome to Turkey!

You will be greeted at the airport and our transfer will take you to your hotel.

After breakfast, meet your professional local guide at the hotel and begin your walking tour through Istanbul’s historic Old City.
 
Visit the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the magnificent Blue Mosque, and the iconic Hagia Sophia. Continue to the colourful Grand Bazaar and explore the aromatic Spice Bazaar, filled with spices, Turkish delights, teas, dried fruits, and local products.
 
An optional visit to the Basilica Cistern can also be arranged. The entrance fee is not included.

Highlights
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar
Spice Bazaar
Optional Basilica Cistern
 
Overnight in Istanbul.
 
Important Notes:
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
Blue Mosque is closed on Fridays due to prayers; we are unable to enter

OPTIONAL TOUR: BOSPHORUS DINNER CRUISE
In the evening, we will drive you to the water's edge for an evening that will show you some amazing places. You will enjoy great food and also some fantastic traditional Turkish entertainment.
The mighty waterway of the Bosphorus Strait, which cuts the city into two sides, Europe and Asia, and as you sail along the city's banks, you will pass under the iconic Bosphorus Bridge and also sail by incredible ancient buildings such as Kucuksu Palace and Rumeli Fortress. The night's entertainment will take you on a journey across Turkey with Belly Dancing, Folk Dancers, and some stirring music played on traditional instruments. Your meal will be a great introduction to the food of this country, with classics such as Baklava, mezzes, and Turkish coffee; all you have to do is relax and enjoy the ride.

After breakfast, meet your professional guide at the hotel and visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries.
 
Explore the palace courtyards, imperial chambers, historical collections, and panoramic views over the Bosphorus.

After the palace visit, enjoy a scenic two-hour Bosphorus Cruise between Europe and Asia. Along the way, admire Istanbul’s waterfront palaces, mosques, fortresses, traditional Ottoman mansions, and spectacular skyline.
 
Highlights
Topkapi Palace
Golden Horn
Galata Tower
Dolmabahce Palace
Cıragan Palace
Ortakoy Mosque
Bosphorus Bridge
Rumeli Fortress
European and Asian shores
 
Important Notes:
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays

Overnight in Istanbul

Today you will visit the Princess Islands on a tour of their beauty.

Princess Islands offer an unusual way to tour some of the sites, while also offering beautiful scenery all around. You will see the enduring Church of St. George, Aya Yorgi in Turkish. This church was badly damaged in 1941, but restoration began in 1989, and it was reopened in 1991; it now offers Sunday Mass but is also open to visitors every day. You will also see the Agios Dimitrios Church and the Hamidiye Mosque.

This island has a unique form of transport for sightseeing: a horse-drawn carriage. In the afternoon, the carriages take you on a tour of the island, allowing for a relaxing, traditional way of seeing the sights.

Today your holiday takes you to the historical city of Bursa.

Your day will begin with a ferry to Yalova and continue to the City of Bursa by luxury coach. The city of Bursa was the first capital the Ottoman Empire had. Here you will see sights which have helped give the name ‘Green Bursa’ to the city. The Green Mosque was built by Sultan Mehmet I, he commissioned a green decorative mosque, and master artisans were brought in to do details such as the handcrafted and decorated tiles. His successor, Mehmet II built a Green Mausoleum in keeping with his predecessor’s ideas and created one of the most ornate tombs.

Koza Han is a small market that is famous for being part of the Silk Road markets. Here, they made silk items that were sold in the shops within. In modern times, some of these silk shops are still in operation but fewer than in the past; the central square is an ideal place to get a feeling for local life.

A tour is not complete without a breathtaking view, and Bursa does not disappoint. A leisurely cable car ride up the slopes of the local Mt Uludag offers views of the whole city as well as the surrounding area.

Today is a fun-filled day at Vialand Theme park.

During a holiday everyone needs a chance to sit back and have some fun, at Vialand Theme park you can enjoy over 50 amusement activities, including attraction such as Viking, Crazy River and Dungeon. They also have a shopping area with about 250 shop and boutique choices to enjoy a full day of fun. 

Today you will get a chance to get away from the big lights of the city by visiting Sapanca and Masukiye.

Today is all about enjoying the fresh air and nature. Sapanca Lake offers scenic tours in a stunning landscape between Adapazari Meadow and the Gulf of Izmit, with mountains all around offer a quiet retreat from the busy city. The lakeside is one of the favourite walking paths for people coming from Istanbul.

Darica Zoo is Istanbul's biggest zoo with almost 200 different species of animals and thousands of plant species. Here you will see mammals, reptiles, as well as around 19 different fish species. There are also over 100 types of birds, offering the largest collection of animals in Istanbul in one place.

Masukiye village has become famous for its location and its food, with traditional whole foods and the chance to eat under a waterfall surrounded by picturesque mountains; there is nowhere else like it on the tour. Kartepe Mountain offers wonderful hiking and photo opportunities; as you walk, you will have an outstanding view of Sapanca Lake below.

Today you will be returned to the airport as your adventure of Istanbul has come to an end. We hope you have enjoyed the experience and wish to travel with us again.