Itinerary

1. Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul

   Welcome to Turkey! Meet and assist at the airport, then proceed to the city center. Optional Bosphorus Dinner Cruise available for EUR 40.00 per person. The welcome dinner will be on the Bosphorus Cruise. At 7 p.m., your guide will meet you at the reception and drive you to the shore. Overnight in Istanbul.

   Show Program:

   • Katibim Show (A traditional Turkish musical performance)
   • Asuk Masuk (An imitation play of dwarfs from the Taseli district of Silifke, performed by two male dancers)
   • Traditional Mixed Folk Dance
   • Belly Dancer
   • Caucasian Folk Dance
   • Professional DJ Performance

   Dinner Menu:

   • Open Buffet or Fixed Menu
   • Unlimited local Alcoholic Drinks (including a selection of local wines, beers, raki, vodka, gin, and soft drinks)
   • Turkish coffee
   • Drop off at the hotel at the end of the tour.

2. Day 2 – Istanbul Old City Tour

   • Depart at 08:30 for the Istanbul city tour. First, visit Topkapi Palace: The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, and the Holy Mantle, enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.
   • Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque: Across from St. Sophia, built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
   • Hippodrome: Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine.
   • Lunch break, and then visit the Grand Spice Bazaar, where you can shop for exotic spices and herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eye totems, all-natural olive oil, soaps, and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores.

   Please Note: Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. If your tour is on one of these days, we would offer you a visit to the Underground Cistern instead of the Topkapi Palace Museum.

   Please do not forget to carry a scarf with you because of visiting the Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia Mosque.

   (Open buffet breakfast included.)

3. Day 3: Istanbul: Two Continental Tour

   • Discover the iconic residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire today. See the City Walls, the Golden Horn, and the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar). Enjoy a boat trip on the Bosporus, a unique cruise between the two continents, Europe and Asia, along the Bosporus by the Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden villas, mansions, and the Rumeli Fortress. 
   • In the afternoon, visit the Bosphorus Bridge, allowing you to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe). Explore Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer residence of Ottoman Sultans, with its original furniture and magnificent gardens on the Asian side. 
   • Then proceed to Camlica Hill, one of the highest points in Istanbul, where you can admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in a traditional style, as you sip your drinks in a cafeteria.

   IMPORTANT NOTICE: This tour is not operating on Mondays.

   (Breakfast included)

4. Day 4 - Istanbul – Food Tour in Kadikoy Fish Market

   • Today, explore the vibrant streets of Kadikoy market, home to some of the best local restaurants in Istanbul. Sample freshly brewed Turkish coffee and indulge in locally made crispy golden baklava. Savour the delicious tastes of popular street foods like dolma, tantuni, and kokorec, as well as pickles and other local favourites. Enjoy the seasonal flavours of traditional Turkish homestyle dishes. At the end of the tour, transfer to the airport.

   (Open buffet breakfast included.)

5. Day 5: Istanbul

   • After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Board the ferry for a scenic journey across the Bosphorus to Kadikoy on the Asian side.