Day 1 / Istanbul

Special Category (4-star) Hotel in the Old City

Walking day & Golden Horn and Bosphorus cruise by a private boat

We spend the day exploring the outstanding historical monuments, beginning with the Hippodrome, once Constantinople’s great arena for chariot races and public entertainment. We continue to the mosque of Sultan Ahmet, also known as the ‘Blue Mosque’, unique in Turkey with its six elegant minarets. From there we walk the short distance to the Yerebatan Saray, an extraordinary underground cistern, before we visit the majestic great church of Haghia Sophia.

After lunch we enjoy a private boat trip along Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, the strait separating Europe and Asia. As we travel this bustling and crucial waterway we enjoy a “front door” view of castles, palaces and ornate Ottoman mansions. A stop along the Bosphorus takes us to the Sadberk Hanım Museum, with its fine archaeological and decorative art collections.

Breakfast

Day 2 / Istanbul

Special Category Hotel

On foot and private mini-van

We begin our exploration of the Ottoman city with a morning visit to the Topkapı Palace including an optional but highly recommended visit to the harem. This palace was once the opulent residence of the Ottoman sultans and the political centre of the Empire, replete with magnificent collections of Chinese porcelain, Ottoman textiles, gold and jewels. A drive along the majestic Land Walls of Constantinople leads us to the little church of the Saviour in Chora, a jewel box of Late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. After lunch we visit the Süleymaniye mosque complex, one of the masterpieces of the great Ottoman architect Sinan. Guests are then taken to the renowned Covered Bazaar where they are left to explore or shop on their own. This huge warren of covered, winding streets has thousands of shops selling everything from the traditional to the modern, from the exquisitely beautiful to the commonplace. Enjoy and practice your bargaining skills!

Breakfast

Day 3 / Istanbul

Special Category Hotel

On foot and public transportations

In the morning we visit the later Ottoman palace, the Dolmabahçe, to see the opulent state rooms. Its extravagant 4.5 ton chandelier was a present from Queen Victoria to the sultan. We cross the Bosphorous on a public ferry boat to then have lunch in Asia! After lunch we explore the markets in Asia after which we take the ferry back to Europe. More explorations follow as we walk through the old Pera and Galata districts culminating in an amazing climb up the 14^th century Galata Tower where the view of the city is magnificent. We end the day at the colorful Spice Market.

Breakfast

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