The Imperial & Bosphorus Tour with Dolmabahce Palace
After the breakfast, we will live the hotel for full day tour. Our first stop will be the Topkapi Palace, the former imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans and the oldest and the largest remaining palaces in the world. Today, it is used as a museum to exhibit works of art and many priceless artefacts. After visiting Topkapi Palace, next place to be seen will be Grand Covered Bazaar, most attractive shopping centre and the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leather ware and souvenir. We will continue with Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), mystical smells of different aromas of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, fish, flowers etc. Bosphorus Cruise, (Public Boat) through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe and Asia, with a possibility to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential and luxurious apartments. Rumeli Fortress (from the boat – no interior visit), historical armament built by the Conqueror to control and protect the Bosphorus. A unique example of military architecture. Dolmabahçe Palace, recent residence for Ottoman Sultans built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan on a 110.000 m² area and served as the main administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire. Famous with great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons’ chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls. After the tour, back to the hotel.