6 Day Istanbul & Bursa Tour: History, Nature & Bosphorus Gala Cruise

After your arrival to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) , we will meet you in front of the exit gate at the international terminal ; with a sign bearing your name and transfer you to your hotel in Old City area (Sultanahmet). You will have free time in the afternoon depending on your arrival time. It is possible to include some tours on this day if you are arriving in the morning. Overnight accommodation in Istanbul

(Breakfast, Lunch Included)
Today, we will visit the largest miniature park in the world. Miniaturk is a miniature park in Istanbul, Turkey. It was opened May 2, 2003. Miniaturk covers a total area of 60.000 m2. It is the world's largest miniature park with its 15.000 m2 model area. Miniaturk has 40.000 m2 of open space, 3.500 m2 of covered area, 2.000 m2 of pools and waterways, and a parking lot with a capacity of 500 vehicles.
The park contains 105 models done in 1/25th scale. 45 of the structures are from Istanbul, 45 are from Anatolia, and 15 are from the Ottoman territories that today lie outside of Turkey. Also featured are historic structures like the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus (now Bodrum). Additional space was reserved for potential future models. Murti's Tour will then take you to visit Pierloti: At the top of Eyup Sultan Cemetery, you can find one of the best places to look at the famous Golden Horn of Istanbul, this place, that now is a cafe called Pierre Loti Cafe, as a memorial for the writer Pierre Loti, a regular of the cafe, mainly for the views. Cevahir Shopping Center Cevahir Shopping Centre, is a modern shopping and entertainment centre located in the Sisli district of Istanbul, Turkey. Called also Sisli Kultur ve Ticaret Merkezi (Sisli Cultural and Trade Centre). Cevahir Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. After the tour, return to your hotel. Overnight Istanbul.

(Breakfast, Lunch Included)
Experience the serenity of Turkey’s largest Princes’ Island, Büyükada (Big Island). After crossing the Sea of Marmara by boat, you will arrive at the picturesque island of Buyukada, a quiet seaside town and summer getaway from the city. Upon arrival to the island, you will see the lavish Ottoman mansions, charming old Ottoman houses and other beautiful Victorian summer villas around the island.Learn about the island’s history and enjoy ample time to lounge on its beautiful beaches with enjoying the sea fish and local restaurants. After the tour back to the mainland and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast, Lunch Included)
Visited Sights: Uludag (Mount Olympos) – Grand Mosque – Green Mosque – Green Mausoleum – Inkaya Tree
Depart by ferry via Yalova, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Drive to Bursa, the former Ottoman capital and lunch of the famous “Kebab of Alexander the Great”, climb to Uludağ, the legendary Mount Olympos, by Teleferik (cable car), visit the Ulucami (Grand Mosque), the Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, the old silk market in the Covered Bazaar. The tour includes a visit to the Inkaya Tree: a giant plane tree over 600 years old with an open air café in it’s shade where we can enjoy a traditional Turkish tea in the shade. Late evening return to Istanbul and transfer to hotels. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Bosphorus Dinner  Cruise included)
Our professional guide will meet you at your hotel’s lobby at 08:30, and we’ll start our Student Tour in Istanbul. Today, our first stop will be Saint Sophia or Hagia Sophia, built by the emperor Justinian in 532 - 537. Designed and built as a church For over 1000 years, it was the largest cathedral in the world and the center of the Orthodox. Today, it is a touristic and spiritual centre for Christians, Muslims, and other religious groups. Next, we’ll visit Topkapı Palace, which served as the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years, from the 15th to the 19th centuries, and as the home of the Sultans and their families. Here, we will also visit the Hagia Irene Church, located in the garden of Topkapı Palace. Afterwards, we will have lunch at a local restaurant and explore Hippodrome Square; We will see the Serpent Column brought from Delphi from Greece, the Egyptian Obelisk, the German Fountain of Wilhelm ll, and the tombs of Ottoman sultans and princes. Next, we will visit the Blue Mosque, also known as Sultanahmet Mosque, which is the most splendid Ottoman mosque in Istanbul, Built between the years 1609 and 1617, it is best known for its 6 minarets and blue Iznik tiles that lend the mosque its name. The students can compare the architecture of Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque on the spot here. Finally, we will visit the Grand Bazaar, which has over 4,000 shops full of hidden treasures and authentic items.  End of the tour, return to the hotel.

BOSPHORUS DINNER CRUISE  (20:00 – 23:30)
Menu; Grill fish or meatballs or chicken, cold and hot appetisers, 
Beverages.; Unlimited soft beverage.
Program: Music, Folklore performance, Whirling Dervishes show, Traditional wedding ceremony, Oriental belly dancer Show, and more.
Transfer: Return transfer from the hotel

(Open buffet breakfast included)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TravelShop Booking Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Booking.