 |
|
Topkapi Palace, residence of the sultans, where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus. |
|
|
ISTANBUL ON TWO CONTINENTS (4 days/3 nights, by Orion Tour)
Istanbul: Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Sancta Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Süleymaniye Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and free time to explore the city on your own
ORION TOUR has devised the ideal tour for the traveler who wishes to experience the exotic flavor and history of majestic Istanbul within the time span of one weekend. A complete journey through the senses of sight and sound, taste and smell as you discover the old Istanbul of cobbled streets, glittering palaces and ancient monuments; married to a modern Istanbul of delicious restaurants, bustling bazaars and friendly people.
Day 1 - Welcome to Istanbul!
We meet you at the airport and escort you to your
hotel. The rest of the day is yours to gather
priceless first impressions of the imperial city
as you like.
Day 2 - Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Sancta
Sophia, Topkapi Palace
Following breakfast, we drive to the 'Old City'
where we visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the
Blue Mosque, famous
for its delicate blue ceramic tiles, and Sancta Sophia.
This church - turned mosque - turned museum takes the
breath away with the sheer architectural size of its
interior and magnificent dome and next we will visit
the spectacular Topkapi Palace. Built on one of the
seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex commands
views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the
Golden Horn. It was the seat of government for the
Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852) and we
will see the extravagant Treasury, the priceless Chinese
porcelain. (BL)
Day 3 - Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise,
Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent, Grand
Bazaar
Our morning starts with a visit to the aromatic
Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves
and thyme,
rise from hundreds of colorful muslin bags at every
store-front. We then board our ferryboat for a relaxing
cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus,
the natural gateway that divides Asia and Europe. As
you sit back and enjoy Turkish coffee or well-brewed
tea from traditional small cups, numerous summer palaces
and palatial homes will pass by on either side. Disembarking
at the northern end of the Strait, we proceed to a
restaurant for a tasty meal of local fish. Following
lunch we will travel by coach to the Suleymaniye Mosque,
built by master architect Sinan during the reign of
Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver. The
last stop will be Grand Bazaar which is a most attractive
shopping center and the biggest "souk" in
the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewelry,
gold, carpets and leather apparel. (BL)
Day 4 - Departure
We escort you to the airport for your onward or
homeward flight. (B)
(Tour code: ORNDTIC2)
Contact Orion Tour for Rates & Departure Dates
Be sure to mention TurkeyTravelPlanner.com when you contact Orion Tour. Here's why.
Full List of Tours by Orion Tour