OLD CITY

Drive along the narrow streets of the old city for orientation without  interior visits. Some   of the sights seen are Sultanahmet, Saint Sophia, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, Kumkapı, Beyazit Mosque, Theodosian Forum, İstanbul University, Süleymaniye Mosque, Aquaduct of Valens, Jesus the Pontacrator Church, St.John Studious Basilica, Yedikule Forts, City Walls, Golden Gate, Anemas Dungeons, Golden Horn, Old Jewish Quarter Balat, Iron Church, Greek Orthodox Patriarch, Orient Express Train Station, Burned Column.

EUROPE & ASIA

Drive on both continents to see modern Istanbul where local people live,  featuring both Europe and Asia.A full orientation to the city, without interior visits. Eminönü Pier, Atatürk Bridge, Haliç Shipyard, Galata Tower, Pera Palace Hotel, İstiklal Street, Taksim Square, Nişantaşı, Rumeli Street, Bosphorus Bridge, Kuzguncuk, Üsküdar, Maiden’s Tower, Selimiye Barracks, Karacaahmet Cemetery, Capitol Shopping Mall, Beşiktaş, Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Bridge are some of the sights seen along the drive.  

BOSPHORUS TOUR-SPICE BAZAAR-DOLMABAHÇE PALACE-BEYLERBEYİ PALACE-ÇAMLICA HEELS

This tour starts after breakfast, when you are picked up from the hotel by our private guide. Proceed to the mouth of the Golden Horn, to explore the bustling Egyptian Spice Market of 17th century origin - a colorful bazaar heaped with spices, Turkish sweets, dried foods and much more.

Next we take a Bosphorus Cruise Sightseeing Boat Trip up Istanbul's winding straits for a chance to relax and admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces and decadent villas - you'll see Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Ottoman summer mansions and Ortakoy mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress and Bosphorus Bridge - one of the world's largest suspension bridges, all alongside passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships and tankers. After a lunch break back on shore, we will visit the interior of the sumptuously decorated Dolmabahce Palace, the 19th century lavish Ottoman residence on the Bosphorus.Finally, drop off to hotel.

FULL DAY CLASSICAL TOUR

Breakfast will be at the hotel. Full day city tour with a visit to the main historical centers of Istanbul, Sultanahmet with its Roman, Byzantineand Ottoman monuments. 

The monuments to be visited are  The Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome (Obelisk of Theodosius, serpent column, brick column, Kaiser Wilhelm II fountain), the Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace with its  Treasury and Sacred Trust sections. 

Lunch will be served at a special Ottoman restaurant. Afternoon you will visit the Grand Covered Bazaar. You will have time for shopping local handicrafts at reputable shops. After all day tour you will return to the hotel.  Dinner on your own. If you want to have dinner in one of the best places of Istanbul we can arrange a special reservation for you.

07/08/09 PRINCE’S ISLAND TOURS

The Prince's Islands are a chain of  9 islands off the coast of Istanbul in the Sea of  Marmara.  They consist of 4 larger islands Büyükada, Heybeliada, Kınalıada and Burgazada and 5 much smaller ones Sedefadası, Yassıada, Sivriada, Kaşıkadası and Tavşanadası.
The name of the islands has a historical fact behind it. 

During the Byzantine period, princes and other royalty were exiled on the islands, and members of Ottoman Sultans in late Ottoman Empire were exiled there too. 

During the 19th century, the islands became a resort for the wealthy people of Istanbul.  Victorian cottages and houses are still preserved on Büyükada, the biggest of all nine. We will take a sea taxi for our trip, taxi will take you from your hotel and after a short cruise, we will reach the most peaceful place in Istanbul. 

Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the only allowed forms of transportation on the islands.  We will take a tour around the island by carriage through elegant Victorian buildings and promenades that provide an atmosphere that is so tempting and different from Istanbul city, then we will have lunch in a gourmet seafood restaurant.

GOLDEN HORN TOUR (Miniaturk & Kariye & Eyüp & Pierre Loti)

Miniaturk:
Miniaturk is a miniature park of Turkey,  contemporary and al fresco museum wherein you can find the most magnificent model of the Turkish and Anatolian history.
It is located at Sutluce on the Golden Horn. This is the first miniature park in Istanbul, Turkey. The park covers a total land area of 60,000 square meters which boasts a 40,000 square meters of open space, 3,500 square meters covered space, 2,000 square meters of pools and waterways and a parking lot that can accommodate up to 500 vehicles.

This museum was built to give a better understanding to the Turkish people and tourists the history of Turkey in a very amusing and enjoyable way.

Kariye:
Kariye Mosque attracts much attention because of its rich mosaics and frescoes.The art of painting in frescoes and mosaics were the indications of a new Byzantine art movement which was parallel to Italian Renaissance started by Giotto (1266-1337). Inside you can see beautiful mosaics representing events in the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The frescos relate to death and resurrection. Today the church is a museum, no religious services take place.       

Eyup and Its Mosque:
Eyup is one of the areas founded outside the ramparts, after Istanbul's conquest by Fatih Sultan Mehmet. It is named after the prophet Muhamed's flag bearer, the first person who accepted him in his house after the migration from Mekke to Medine.

He is thought to be killed in the exact same area, at Eyup, during a war. Eyup, after Mekke, Medine and Jerusalem, is accepted as the 4th most important religious place to visit for musulmans. The area is also has a famous mosque.

Cafe Pierre Loti:
You will see wonderful view of Golden Horn and Istanbul.  Famous French author Pierre Loti (1850-1923) came to his place and wrote a lot of poems about Istanbul, the Golden Horn and Life in the Harem, here.