Tour Overview
A 5-day road trip in Istanbul offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the city's rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landmarks. Here's a suggested itinerary for your journey:Topkapi Palace, SultanAhmet Imperial Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Covered Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Spice Bazaar, Princes' Islands, Miniaturk Museum
Highlights
- Hagia Sophia: Begin your day with a visit to this architectural marvel, once a Byzantine church, then an Ottoman mosque, and now a museum. Admire its grand dome and stunning mosaics.
- Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque): Next, explore the iconic Blue Mosque, known for its six minarets and beautiful blue tiles.
- Topkapi Palace: Delve into the opulent world of the Ottoman sultans at Topkapi Palace. Explore its lavish courtyards, intricate tilework, and the priceless artifacts housed in its museums.
- Grand Bazaar: Dive into the labyrinthine alleys of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets. Lose yourself in its myriad stalls selling everything from spices and textiles to jewelry and souvenirs.
- Spice Bazaar: Wander through the colorful Spice Bazaar, filled with the aroma of exotic spices, teas, and Turkish delights.
- Çamlıca Hill: Head to Çamlıca Hill for panoramic views of Istanbul's skyline and the Bosphorus. Capture some memorable photos against the backdrop of the city.
- Istiklal Avenue: Return to the European side and spend your evening wandering along Istiklal Avenue, Istanbul's bustling pedestrian street. Browse the shops, sample street food, and soak in the lively atmosphere.
- Galata Tower: End your trip with a visit to the iconic Galata Tower. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the city twinkling below, a perfect way to bid farewell to Istanbul.
- Hippodrome: Wander through the ancient Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine civic life. Admire its historic monuments, including the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpent Column.
- Bosphorus Cruise: Embark on a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, the waterway that divides Europe and Asia. Marvel at Istanbul's iconic landmarks lining the shores, including the Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, and Maiden's Tower.
Itinerary
Welcome to Turkey Istanbul Airport. Meet with TravelShop Turkey staff and transfer to your hotel, Transfer from airport & check in to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Aft After breakfast, we have Istanbul City Tour. Our first visit will be HIPPODROME. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Than we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Our next visit will be HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Today it is a mosque. Lunch break at 13:00 pm. After the lunch, TravelShop Group will take you to the ASIL EFENDI which is a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all naturel olive oil, soaps and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Pick up at 08:30am from the hotel and depart for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour. BOSPHORUS BY BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will see the magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat. See Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALAS (PALACE) The summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe)
CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style. SHOPPING TOUR (after cruise) Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see jewellery, handcrafts centre and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy the experience of shopping whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen, with Murti's Tour's local escort full of knowledge about how to haggle the streets of Istanbul. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
Enjoy a cruise in the Marmara Sea to Istanbul's famous Prince's Islands. This is your opportunity to see Topkapi Palace, Leander's Tower and Uskudar from the sea. Stop at Buyukada, the popular summer resort with sandy beaches and pinewood scenery, once the pleasure island of Byzantine Princes. During the Summer season, enjoy the magical atmosphere that the Island's beach resort has to offer including many optional water sporting activities. Tour the island with horse-drawn carriages before stopping for an exquisite lunch at a fish restaurant. After your tour, we will transfer you back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
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.
Trip includes
Included
Professional English-speaking tour guides
Guiding Method
Fully guided
All Tour & airport transfer services mentioned inside the itinerary
Transportation in a fully air - conditioned, non - smoking coach
Guided Istanbul City Tour
Guided Istanbul Bosphorus cruise and shopping tour
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Excluded
4 nights hotel in Istanbul The Central Palace Taksim
International flights
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Insurance: All types
Turkey entry visa
Tipping
Hotel room taxes
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
Any others expenses which are not mentioned at the included section
Availability
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
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